MILWAUKEE (AP) - Diamond Stone helped set the standard for basketball excellence at Whitefish Bay Dominican.
It’s going to be hard to cap the four-year run that Stone had with the Green Knights. They became only the second program in state basketball history to win four straight titles.
Here’s one more distinction for Stone before he goes to Maryland to play his college ball: the 6-foot-10 center has been named The Associated Press player of the year in Wisconsin. Scott Anderson of Stevens Point is the AP coach of the year.
For Stone, there was substantial competition for his honor.
Rice Lake’s Henry Ellenson was also considered. The standout senior is staying in state to play at Marquette this fall.
Stone verbally committed to Maryland last week. He averaged 24.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.9 blocks per game. Stone shot 70 percent (272 of 388) from the field, along with 35 percent (12 of 34) from 3-point range.
“It just goes to show, his hard work and dedication that he’s put into basketball since grade school has paid off all these years,” said Derek Berger, who has coached Stone from fourth grade through his four years at Dominican.
Basketball fans in Wisconsin will have at least one chance next season to catch Stone. The Big Ten schedule has the Terrapins and Badgers splitting a home-and-home series.
“It’s going to take some time for him to adjust to (the) strength and speed,” of the league, Berger said. “Knowing Diamond and his will to want to be successful and win, I think he’ll figure it out.”
Under Anderson’s tutelage, Stevens Point figured out a way to win its first state title since 1994. The 2013-14 squad fell two victories short of reaching the state tournament and used that disappointment as fuel for their season this year.
It was such a rewarding experience that Anderson wishes that the season wasn’t over.
“We had a good group of young men. I kind of miss being around them quite frankly,” he said Friday.
Stevens said he can be demanding, and that he tries to hold players accountable “every day they come to work.” At the same time, he encourages them to have fun and to enjoy themselves on the court.
This has been a memorable spring in the Anderson household. One of Anderson’s top players is his son, Trev, a junior point guard.
“I always thought that when you win an award like this, it just says the players you have been in charge of had a heck of a year,” Anderson said.
Anderson played his college ball at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, which won the NCAA Division III men’s championship on the same day that the high school claimed its title. The programs play similar man-to-man defenses and motion offenses.
With an experienced roster returning, Stevens Point is primed for another run.
“There’s going to be a pretty high bar set,” Anderson said. “I hope they understand they have to stay hungry and humble.”
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