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Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 6 Wilmot

March 24, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 6 Wilmot

2014 Record: 23-4
WIAA Classification: 1
Conference: Southern Lakes
Head Coach: Josh Pye
2014 Playoff Run: Sectional Champions/State Semifinalist 

TOP PLAYERS

Alec Haluzak, LHP, 2015 (UW-Whitewater)
Austin Brewer, RHP, 2015 (Illinois-Springfield)
Tyler Hicker, RHP, 2015
Nick Van Kampen, OF/LHP, 2015 (UW-LaCrosse)

UP AND COMING

One thing Wilmot will not have a shortage of is pitching, and sophomore LHP/OF Troy Hickey (2017), younger brother of senior RHP Tyler Hickey, could see himself helping out the 2015 Panther’s. Troy has already seen his fastball reach 85 mph from the left side and can handle the bat as well from the right side. Hickey projects as a LHP at the next level and is already one of the top arms in Wisconsin’s 2017 class. But with three senior arms returning with a total of 16 wins he might see more time this year with his bat in the outfield, as Wilmot graduated most of last year’s lineup and will rely on youngsters to step up offensively.

X-FACTOR

The Wilmot Panthers will go as far as their pitching staff will take them. They graduated most of their 2014 position players which consisted of a big physical lineup that finished with over 35 doubles, six homeruns and a more than a .440 slugging percentage. Wilmot’s senior heavy staff consists of first team all-conference selection LHP Alec Haluzak (8-1, 0.56), RHP Austin Brewer (5-1, 2.12) and RHP Tyler Hickey (3-2, 4.62). I’m anticipating the trio to improve on last year’s numbers which combined for over 120 innings pitched on the year. Now add the sophomore Hickey to the group and you’re looking at one of the better staff’s in the state this year, a key to Wilmot’s success.

OUTLOOK

Wilmot should again be a threat to return to Appleton in 2015. The Panthers lost a ton of offense but pitching is the name of the game and Coach Pye is fortunate to have a trio of arms that are returning with lengthy varsity experience. Their offensive output will definitely be a question mark as only second team all-conference selection Nick Van Kampen returns with a significant amount of at bats under his belt. Wilmot Union could have their work cut out for them in the Southern Lakes as Burlington is a much improved squad and should give Wilmot a run for their money for the conference crown.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.

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----WI 3.29.15 Future Prospects Slide - 3.29.15Future_Prospects_slide_final.jpg

 

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 6 Wilmot

2014 Record: 23-4
WIAA Classification: 1
Conference: Southern Lakes
Head Coach: Josh Pye
2014 Playoff Run: Sectional Champions/State Semifinalist 

TOP PLAYERS

Alec Haluzak, LHP, 2015 (UW-Whitewater)
Austin Brewer, RHP, 2015 (Illinois-Springfield)
Tyler Hicker, RHP, 2015
Nick Van Kampen, OF/LHP, 2015 (UW-LaCrosse)

UP AND COMING

One thing Wilmot will not have a shortage of is pitching, and sophomore LHP/OF Troy Hickey (2017), younger brother of senior RHP Tyler Hickey, could see himself helping out the 2015 Panther’s. Troy has already seen his fastball reach 85 mph from the left side and can handle the bat as well from the right side. Hickey projects as a LHP at the next level and is already one of the top arms in Wisconsin’s 2017 class. But with three senior arms returning with a total of 16 wins he might see more time this year with his bat in the outfield, as Wilmot graduated most of last year’s lineup and will rely on youngsters to step up offensively.

X-FACTOR

The Wilmot Panthers will go as far as their pitching staff will take them. They graduated most of their 2014 position players which consisted of a big physical lineup that finished with over 35 doubles, six homeruns and a more than a .440 slugging percentage. Wilmot’s senior heavy staff consists of first team all-conference selection LHP Alec Haluzak (8-1, 0.56), RHP Austin Brewer (5-1, 2.12) and RHP Tyler Hickey (3-2, 4.62). I’m anticipating the trio to improve on last year’s numbers which combined for over 120 innings pitched on the year. Now add the sophomore Hickey to the group and you’re looking at one of the better staff’s in the state this year, a key to Wilmot’s success.

OUTLOOK

Wilmot should again be a threat to return to Appleton in 2015. The Panthers lost a ton of offense but pitching is the name of the game and Coach Pye is fortunate to have a trio of arms that are returning with lengthy varsity experience. Their offensive output will definitely be a question mark as only second team all-conference selection Nick Van Kampen returns with a significant amount of at bats under his belt. Wilmot Union could have their work cut out for them in the Southern Lakes as Burlington is a much improved squad and should give Wilmot a run for their money for the conference crown.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.