Author Topic: Is Henry Ellenson The Best HS Player In WI History? (Read 19518 times)

Tugg Speedman · « **on:** April 12, 2015, 08:17:52 PM »

The Okafor post got me thinking ... based solely on HS performance, where does Henry Ellenson rank in the annals of WI HS History? Is he the best ever? (base it only on HS performance as that is all we can base Ellenson performance on to date)

Others to consider

Jim Chones
Freddy Brown
Clarence Sherrod
Dean Marquardt (great HS player)
Joe Wolf
Jim Mac
Damon Key
Terry Porter
Bill Hanzlik
Nick Van Exel
Latrell Sprewell
Brian Butch
Sam Okey
Travis Denier
Tony Bennett
Reece Gaines (aka MU killer)
Wes Matthews
Jamil Wilson
Jeronne Maymon
Vander Blue
JP Tokoto
Kevon Looney
Diamond Stone
Bronson Koenig

Who is missing from this list?

brewcity77 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:22:32 PM »

Anthony Pieper is the all-time leading scorer, so I'd start there. But Mickey Crowe is probably the name anyone around before the 1980s would list as the undisputed king.

4everwarriors · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:24:23 PM »

Do the name Eino Henrickson ring a bell?

Black Swan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:36:01 PM »

Kurt Nimphius is never mentioned in these types of threads but he belongs near the top of the list.

4everwarriors · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:41:48 PM »

Kurt Nimphius
John Rinka
Blanton Simmons
Joe Chrnelich
Jim Smith
Korey Lucious
Calvin Rayford
Shannon Smith
Dale Koehler
Devin Harris
Lamont Weaver
Arike Ogunbowale, ai na?

4everwarriors · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:43:32 PM »

Quote from: Black Swan on April 12, 2015, 08:36:01 PM

Kurt Nimphius is never mentioned in these types of threads but he belongs near the top of the list.

Got ya covered, Bob

Gato78 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:46:04 PM »

John Johnson, Jeff Jonas and Don Kojis should be on the list. Calvin Rayford should be included. The best, in my mind, are Chones, Johnson, Brown and Wolf.

willie warrior · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:48:38 PM »

Quote from: brewcity77 on April 12, 2015, 08:22:32 PM

Anthony Pieper is the all-time leading scorer, so I'd start there. But Mickey Crowe is probably the name anyone around before the 1980s would list as the undisputed king.

Ditto on those guys. Also:
Blanton Simmons
Jeff Sewell
Don Kojis

Gato78 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:50:34 PM »

If you include Sewell you have to include Bob Wolf.

GGGG · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:55:34 PM »

Quote from: 4everwarriors on April 12, 2015, 08:41:48 PM

Kurt Nimphius
John Rinka
Blanton Simmons
Joe Chrnelich
Jim Smith
Korey Lucious
Calvin Rayford
Shannon Smith
Dale Koehler
Devin Harris
Lamont Weaver
Arike Ogunbowale, ai na?

Marshall Williams

4everwarriors · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2015, 08:59:16 PM »

Quote from: Gato78 on April 12, 2015, 08:50:34 PM

If you include Sewell you have to include Bob Wolf.

Grafton Gun, hey?

4everwarriors · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:08:13 PM »

Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 12, 2015, 08:55:34 PM

Marshall Williams

Abdul Jeelani
Caron Butler
Wayne Kreklow
Rick Olson
Kurt Portmann
Mike Wilks
Sam Okey
Jose Winston
Mike Wilkinson
Andy Polka
Scott Christopherson
Keaton Nankivil
T.J. Bray
Riley LaChance

MU82 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:39:50 PM »

How does one even compare?

I remember Ricky Olson was a boy wonder who was the subject of quite a recruiting war between the Warriors and Badgers. When he graduated HS, I believe he was the No. 2 scorer in state history, and given how he scored most of his points, he might have had 50% more had there been a 3-point line during his time in HS. He won a state title, too, right?

So was he "better" than Henry or others high on the list?

Nukem2 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:48:23 PM »

Mickey Crowe...best volume shooter in WI histrory. Could not guard his shadow, but he could really jack up those shots...

JerryWizig · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2015, 09:57:28 PM »

IMO, hard to consider him the best ever when he never won a state title.

brewcity77 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:01:53 PM »

Quote from: Nukem2 on April 12, 2015, 09:48:23 PM

Mickey Crowe...best volume shooter in WI histrory. Could not guard his shadow, but he could really jack up those shots...

To be fair, even his shadow could probably average 20 ppg.

Celtic Truth · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:10:08 PM »

http://m.host.madison.com/sports/college/basketball/men/basketball-former-prep-standout-mickey-crowe-to-have-book-signing/article_895853c3-d9c3-5f29-ac42-5be5bc792eeb.html?mobile_touch=true

Idk if any of you guys are familiar with Crowes life story post highschool. His life spiraled out of control and he struggled heavily with drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. And his brother Terrance Crowe is a theology teacher at Marquette. Last year a biography was written about Crowes interesting story. I never saw him play but he averaged 41.7 points a game so that's pretty elite in my mind.

ChicosBailBonds · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:22:19 PM »

Quote from: JerryWizig on April 12, 2015, 09:57:28 PM

IMO, hard to consider him the best ever when he never won a state title.

How good were the other 13 guys on the team? It is a team sport.

brandx · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:44:06 PM »

I'd rank Chones, Wolf and "Downtown" Freddy Brown as the top 3.

And Joe Franklin and John Rushing were better than most names on the list.

And Riley LaChance on a list of greatest players ever? I belong on the list too, then.

Herman Cain · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2015, 10:51:40 PM »

Mickey Crowe was the best High School player I ever saw. A lot of fun. Very sad what eventually happened to him. But based on high school alone, He would near the top of my list . Also Downtown Freddy Brown was a lot of fun to watch as well.

Chones and Wolf were both great in high school. Also I think Luke Fischer deserves some consideration to be on the list as he led his team to an incredible winning 56 game winning streak in the large school division. That is special

DomJamesToTheBasket · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2015, 07:32:21 AM »

From what I've heard, John Rinka from Shorewood should be on the list. Sounds like the WI version of Pistol Pete.

mu-rara · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2015, 08:28:16 AM »

Jeff Jonas MUHS

Hubert Davis · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2015, 08:49:50 AM »

Dwight Buycks

eg021 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2015, 09:20:03 AM »

Jerry Smith and Julian Swartz were pretty good high school players.

Dawson Rental · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2015, 09:25:40 AM »

Sam Okey

As a senior in high school, Okey was ranked higher than God.

God Shammgod, of course. Both were burger boys.

GooooMarquette · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2015, 09:49:17 AM »

I never watched a more dominant HS player than Mickey Crowe.

If never winning a state title disqualifies him from the conversation, then I guess we can't include Chones, Meminger, or Wade in the discussion of MU's best ever...but we could include Ulice Payne and Bill Neary.

BCHoopster · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:01:08 AM »

Quote from: DomJamesToTheBasket on April 13, 2015, 07:32:21 AM

From what I've heard, John Rinka from Shorewood should be on the list. Sounds like the WI version of Pistol Pete.

Rinka was one of the greatest little guards I have ever seen, playground leader, all the best players in the 60's came to play against Rinka at Atwater grade school. Freddy Brown, John
Johnson, George Thompson, and others. Scored 45 points a game in college, there was another Shorewood player in 1968, Steve Berg, played all 4 years at Shorewood. Averaged 17 points
as a freshman. Averaged 28 points, 17 boards as a senior, Johnny Orr said he was one of the top players in the nation that year. Was over at his house and who walks in but Al and Hank,
father did not like Al's bravado. Would have taken Gary Brills scholarship. Was the #1 ranked player in Wisconsin. His high school career was by far his best, played center in high school, back to the basket. Never was great as a wing. Shorewood won the Suburban that year, 18-0.

Dawson Rental · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:02:23 AM »

Quote from: brewcity77 on April 12, 2015, 08:22:32 PM

Anthony Pieper is the all-time leading scorer, so I'd start there. But Mickey Crowe is probably the name anyone around before the 1980s would list as the undisputed king.

An interesting Pieper and Sam Okey tidbit.

"Okey played in the state championship game all four years in high school, averaging 27.3 points and 16 rebounds per game. He said one of his favorite games remains the Comets’ 69-57 loss to Wausaukee — and state all-time scoring leader Anthony Pieper — in the Division 4 state final during his sophomore year.

'It wasn’t like we weren’t guarding him, or we didn’t know he was going to shoot it. He could still hit them. That’s what made him so impressive,' Okey said after Pieper outscored him, 42-33.

'It was a great game. But I would have liked to have played him when I was a senior and he was a senior. That would have been a lot of fun.'”

Read more: http://host.madison.com/sports/high-school/basketball/boys/wiaa-state-basketball-sam-okey-built-a-lifetime-of-memories/article_7594cd00-02b8-5e6b-8f1b-d285c1ee4ab9.html#ixzz3XCZ5df3D

brewcity77 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:10:11 AM »

Pieper's scoring numbers were incredible. Three times a player in Wisconsin HS basketball has scored over 1,000 points. The two highest marks both belong to Pieper. His third highest mark of 808 points as a sophomore was the 16th highest total going into this year. He may not have been quite at Mickey Crowe's level, but that kid could score.

Swartz is another good name. He was amazing for Waukesha South.

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #29 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:43:02 AM »

Please rank your top 10 WI players all time and where Ellenson ranks on that list.

I'll start ... have at it

1. Jim Chones
2. Pieper
3. Ellenson
4. Sweetwater Clifton
5. Diamond Stone
6: Looney
7: Freddy Brown
8: Reece Gaines
9: J-May
10: Dekker

WarriorPride68 · « **Reply #30 on:** April 13, 2015, 11:58:44 AM »

Not best ever, but some 2000's guys I enjoyed:

Kyle Weaver

Landry Brothers

Diante Garrett

MuMark · « **Reply #31 on:** April 13, 2015, 12:09:38 PM »

Joe Wolf has to be on any top 10 list

AverageJoe · « **Reply #32 on:** April 13, 2015, 12:17:21 PM »

I believe Larry Hisle Jr led the state in scoring (27PPG?) in 88-89 for Homestead, just ahead of Nick the Quick. And then he starred at UW.

eg021 · « **Reply #33 on:** April 13, 2015, 01:01:09 PM »

Caron Butler and Tony Romo were both very good High School players as well.

Sir Lawrence · « **Reply #34 on:** April 13, 2015, 01:02:39 PM »

Quote from: MuMark on April 13, 2015, 12:09:38 PM

Joe Wolf has to be on any top 10 list

I agree.

Steve Novak was a pretty good high school player.

Dawson Rental · « **Reply #35 on:** April 13, 2015, 01:51:18 PM »

Quote from: Heisenberg on April 13, 2015, 10:43:02 AM

Please rank your top 10 WI players all time and where Ellenson ranks on that list.

I'll start ... have at it

1. Jim Chones
2. Pieper
3. Ellenson
4. Sweetwater Clifton
5. Diamond Stone
6: Looney
7: Freddy Brown
8: Reece Gaines
9: J-May
10: Dekker

Maymon? That's nuts, as is Reece Gaines.

Sam Okey and Joe Wolf need spots.

JWags85 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 13, 2015, 01:53:14 PM »

Quote from: ericn on April 13, 2015, 12:17:21 PM

I believe Larry Hisle Jr led the state in scoring (27PPG?) in 88-89 for Homestead, just ahead of Nick the Quick. And then he starred at UW.

I wouldn't say he starred, he contributed on a couple ok Yoder teams, and then transferred to Dayton.

JWags85 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 13, 2015, 01:55:10 PM »

Quote from: Heisenberg on April 13, 2015, 10:43:02 AM

Please rank your top 10 WI players all time and where Ellenson ranks on that list.

I'll start ... have at it

4. Sweetwater Clifton

Sweetwater Clifton was from Chicago...

Canned Goods n Ammo · « **Reply #38 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:00:37 PM »

Quote from: Heisenberg on April 13, 2015, 10:43:02 AM

Please rank your top 10 WI players all time and where Ellenson ranks on that list.

I'll start ... have at it

1. Jim Chones
2. Pieper
3. Ellenson
4. Sweetwater Clifton
5. Diamond Stone
6: Looney
7: Freddy Brown
8: Reece Gaines
9: J-May
10: Dekker

You'd get more clicks if you made this a slideshow, bro.

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #39 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:34:30 PM »

Quote from: LittleWade on April 13, 2015, 01:51:18 PM

Maymon? That's nuts, as is Reece Gaines.

Sam Okey and Joe Wolf need spots.

Make a list!

GGGG · « **Reply #40 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:58:04 PM »

Quote from: Canned Goods n Ammo on April 13, 2015, 02:00:37 PM

You'd get more clicks if you made this a slideshow, bro.

Heisenberg is the Buzzfeed of Scoop.

mu03eng · « **Reply #41 on:** April 13, 2015, 03:00:22 PM »

Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 13, 2015, 02:58:04 PM

Heisenberg is the Buzzfeed of Scoop.

So he has a lot of content but you are totally shocked when something of relevance actually appears....got it.

ChicosBailBonds · « **Reply #42 on:** April 13, 2015, 03:37:15 PM »

Impossible to answer this question. Different eras, different rules, different competition, how good their teammates are (can they get them the ball, do they create space and opportunities, etc).

brandx · « **Reply #43 on:** April 13, 2015, 04:53:18 PM »

Gosh, we never would have known MJ was so good if he didn't have the right teammates.

bilsu · « **Reply #44 on:** April 13, 2015, 07:03:13 PM »

Quote from: Celtic Truth on April 12, 2015, 10:10:08 PM

http://m.host.madison.com/sports/college/basketball/men/basketball-former-prep-standout-mickey-crowe-to-have-book-signing/article_895853c3-d9c3-5f29-ac42-5be5bc792eeb.html?mobile_touch=true

Idk if any of you guys are familiar with Crowes life story post highschool. His life spiraled out of control and he struggled heavily with drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. And his brother Terrance Crowe is a theology teacher at Marquette. Last year a biography was written about Crowes interesting story. I never saw him play but he averaged 41.7 points a game so that's pretty elite in my mind.

I saw him play once against Dominican. he was a Pete Maravich clone in he willing to shoot from anywhere anytime and his father was the coach just like Pistol Pete's was. He took more than one 30 footer against Dominican. I believe he also played before the three point shot.

Sir Lawrence · « **Reply #45 on:** April 13, 2015, 09:32:23 PM »

Quote from: bilsu on April 13, 2015, 07:03:13 PM

I saw him play once against Dominican. he was a Pete Maravich clone in he willing to shoot from anywhere anytime and his father was the coach just like Pistol Pete's was. He took more than one 30 footer against Dominican. I believe he also played before the three point shot.

Mickey played in the mid 70's. Three point line implemented in 80's for high school, if I'm not mistaken.

Dawson Rental · « **Reply #46 on:** April 14, 2015, 12:23:13 PM »

Quote from: bilsu on April 13, 2015, 07:03:13 PM

I saw him play once against Dominican. he was a Pete Maravich clone in he willing to shoot from anywhere anytime and his father was the coach just like Pistol Pete's was. He took more than one 30 footer against Dominican. I believe he also played before the three point shot.

Anyone know if Mickey is any relation to Dewey Crowe? Or Daryl Crowe, Jr.?

A sad part of Crowe's story is that he may well have derailed his college career for his Dad's sake. He turned down offers from Minnesota and Wisconsin among others to play at tiny Silver Lake College in Manitowoc which hired his father to be their head coach. Silver Lake College had eight players and no gym.

MUHoopsFan2 · « **Reply #47 on:** April 20, 2015, 02:05:01 AM »

Quote from: LittleWade on April 13, 2015, 01:51:18 PM

Maymon? That's nuts, as is Reece Gaines.

Sam Okey and Joe Wolf need spots.

Okey Dokey... John Johnson and many others I could name but many would not know who they are.

Eldon · « **Reply #48 on:** April 20, 2015, 02:44:17 AM »

I gotta give a shoutout to my boy Larry House.

onepost · « **Reply #49 on:** April 20, 2015, 10:56:31 AM »

Quote from: Eldon on April 20, 2015, 02:44:17 AM

I gotta give a shoutout to my boy Larry House.

+1. An absolute stud for Creighton.

Eldon · « **Reply #50 on:** April 20, 2015, 12:18:45 PM »

Quote from: onepostlee on April 20, 2015, 10:56:31 AM

+1. An absolute stud for Creighton.

He had also worked out with the Wizards, though obviously that didn't come to fruition

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #51 on:** April 20, 2015, 03:40:35 PM »

I love how people just randomly post names but no one wants to post a list from 1 to 10.

So c'mon stop with the names ... give us a list!

Wareagle · « **Reply #52 on:** April 20, 2015, 04:17:30 PM »

Quote from: LittleWade on April 13, 2015, 01:51:18 PM

Maymon? That's nuts, as is Reece Gaines.

Sam Okey and Joe Wolf need spots.

I went to Madison West when Reece was there. He got shut down in the state tournament when West played Vincent, aka real competition, shooting 4/23 from the field. No way he should be on the list.

https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Basketball_Boys/1999/d1game3.htm

brandx · « **Reply #53 on:** April 20, 2015, 05:10:22 PM »

Quote from: Lee Heisenberg on April 20, 2015, 03:40:35 PM

I love how people just randomly post names but no one wants to post a list from 1 to 10.

So c'mon stop with the names ... give us a list!

Here it is. Rip it or agree?

1 Jim Chones
2 Joe Wolf
3 Freddy Brown
4 Diamond Stone
5 Don Kojis
6 Latrell Sprewell
7 Nick van Exel
8 Joe Franklin
9 Henry Ellenson
10 Gary Cole

HM: Steve Novak, Devin Harris, John Johnson, Jim McIlvaine, Clarence Sherrod, Bill Hanzlik

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #54 on:** April 20, 2015, 05:57:41 PM »

Quote from: brandx on April 20, 2015, 05:10:22 PM

Here it is. Rip it or agree?

1 Jim Chones
2 Joe Wolf
3 Freddy Brown
4 Diamond Stone
5 Don Kojis
6 Latrell Sprewell
7 Nick van Exel
8 Joe Franklin
9 Henry Ellenson
10 Gary Cole

HM: Steve Novak, Devin Harris, John Johnson, Jim McIlvaine, Clarence Sherrod, Bill Hanzlik

Why not all the burger boys from WI? All you have above is Wolf, Stone and Ellenson
Missing is ...

Looney
Brian Butch
Sam Okey
Calvin Rayford

brandx · « **Reply #55 on:** April 20, 2015, 06:40:18 PM »

Quote from: Lee Heisenberg on April 20, 2015, 05:57:41 PM

Why not all the burger boys from WI? All you have above is Wolf, Stone and Ellenson
Missing is ...

Looney
Brian Butch
Sam Okey
Calvin Rayford

I always thought Okey was overrated, but I could have added the other three near the bottom of the list. But you only wanted 10.

Class71 · « **Reply #56 on:** April 20, 2015, 07:07:38 PM »

What someone does in HS is not so interesting to me. I prefer to consider what he has done at the collegiate/NBA level so much too early to crown him.

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Author Topic: Is Henry Ellenson The Best HS Player In WI History? (Read 19518 times)

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