News and notes from Friday's Swish 'N Dish action

AAU basketball is back and BadgerBlitz.com has a loaded notes package from the NY2LA Sports Swish 'N Dish Spring Warm-Up

The Iowa Barnstormers came into Friday’s action as one of the favorites to capture the 17U title at the NY2LA Sports Swish 'N Dish Spring Warm-Up. That’s certainly not out of the question, but a team that is often one of the most efficient in country put out a lackluster and uninspired performance in a 65-54 loss to All-Ohio.

The Barnstormers’ “Big Three” of Joey Hauser, A.J. Green and Joe Wieskamp (Iowa commit) struggled to establish any rhythm on the offensive end. Hauser, in particular, couldn’t get much going in the post against an Ohio team that had four players listed at 6-foot-7 or taller.

Recruiting-wise, Hauser, Wisconsin’s top remaining target in the 2018 class, didn’t have anything new to say after the loss. Duke has started to inquire and it’s possible that staff could work on getting the Stevens Point standout on campus this spring or summer. But the buzz at Homestead High School was still strongly in favor of Marquette, where Hauser’s older brother, Sam, recently completed his freshman season.

The Badgers are also showing interest in Green, a 6-foot-2 point guard who has a handful of offers. With young lead guards D’Mitrik Trice and Brad Davison on the 2017-2018 roster and limited scholarships in the junior class, though, it would be hard to envision a scenario where UW extended an offer to Green, who many feel will end up at Northern Iowa with his father, Kyle Green, who is currently an assistant for head coach Ben Jacobson.

All-Ohio Red was led by Michigan State commit Foster Loyer, who had 17 points.

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*Wisconsin commit Tyler Herro, who missed a chunk of his junior season with a knee injury, did not play Friday evening with his new Playground Elite teammates. Instead, the four-star in-state wing, who was generously listed at 6-foot-6, sat on the bench with a Badgers long-sleeved shirt and UW visor on.

Elite struggled with its top shooter and overall scorer on the bench and eventually lost in overtime to the Illinois Wolves, the AAU program that produced former Wisconsin All-American Frank Kaminsky. The Wisconsin-based program (Elite), which is back on the EYBL circuit this year, has a star-studded roster that includes Carlos Curtis, Greg Foster, Keshawn Justice, Will McDonald, Jack Plumb and Adam Trapp, but Herro’s absence was evident. When the standout from Whitnall High School is able to return to action, a backcourt that features him, Curtis and Justice with Plumb doing the dirty work down low could be effective moving forward.

For the Wolves, 6-foot-7 wing Drew Peterson absolutely stole the show. The Libertyville standout came into Friday's action as a little-known prospect, but he exploded for 17 points in the win and showed a great stroke from outside. Because of the relationship UW has with program director Mike Mullins, it wouldn't be surprising to see Greg Gard at least kick the tires here.

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*It’s hard to believe – or, more realistically, it makes you feel old – but this will be Jordan McCabe’s final run on the AAU circuit. The West Virginia commit has been a popular grassroots name since his middle schools days and on Friday, he showed why some UW fans hoped he would stay inside the state.

McCabe, who is one of just two Wisconsin players on the Warriors’ Illinois-dominated 17U squad, put on a excellent display on both ends of the floor Friday. He was dominating in transition and effective from 3-point range. In the end, the three-star guard scored 14 points in 74-51 win over Kingdom Hoops.

DePaul commit John Diener, who recently broke the WIAA state tournament's single-game scoring record with 46 points, is listed on the Warriors' roster but was not in the gym Friday.

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*Wisconsin Swing often gets overlooked when talking about the state’s top AAU programs, but Justin Litscher’s teams are as consistent as they come. Friday, his 17U group, led by Mitch Listau (17 points), Hunter Plamann, Mason Steffen and Illinois native Kameron Kolberg, notched a big 73-67 over a Meanstreets team that competes on the Nike circuit.