Middleton's future looks extremely bright
Middleton’s boys basketball season had just ended with a difficult loss to rival Madison Memorial.
A memorable 22-5 campaign — one that included a share of the Big Eight Conference title and a regional championship — was in the books. And as MHS senior forward Luke Sheehan reflected on the Cardinals’ outstanding season, he also knew Middleton’s future might be even brighter.
“I would tell everybody they should be scared,” Sheehan said of next season. “Everybody should be nervous. We're good hands with the underclassmen we’ve got right now.”
That certainly seems to be the case.
Middleton will graduate a gifted senior class led by Big Eight Conference Player of the Year Jackson Guerrero. Sheehan was arguably the league’s most improved player, while senior guards Andrew Qastin and John Grimes both received all-conference honors.
But Middleton will bring back a terrific nucleus led by sophomore post Carter Parks, who earned second-team all-conference honors.
Parks finished third on the team in scoring (14.3) this season and also led Middleton in rebounding (7.3) and field goal percentage (57.4%). Parks was also second on the team in blocked shots (0.4) this season and should be a contender for conference Player of the Year honors the next two seasons.
Sophomore guard Cormac Carlson was one of Middleton’s top players by the end of the year. And Bavery joked after the postseason loss to Memorial that Carlson might not come off the floor next year.
Freshman forward Parker Klein also took a major jump during the year, and poured in team-high 15 points in a win over Waunakee in the regional finals.
Middleton will also welcome ballyhooed freshman-to-be Grant Parks — one of the top players in the Class of 2030 — next season.
“A big key will be figuring out what needs to change within our framework to fit our new team next season,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “Nothing ever stays the same. Players will change. A new team dynamic will be created. I'd like to think we'll be in the mix as one of the top teams.”
Bavery will enter next season with 497 career wins. And this year’s group did their part — and then some — helping him reach that lofty total.
Middleton hit the 20-win mark for just the third time in school history, joining the 2023 team (25-2) and the 1998 state runner-up squad (23-4).
The Cardinals averaged 77.6 points per game, which is believed to be a new school record. Middleton also reached 100 points in a game three times, highlighted by a school record 107 points against Madison East on Jan. 9.
Middleton also set new school records for:
• 3-pointers in a season, 239
• 3-pointers in a single game, 17
• steals in a season, 345
• turnovers forced in a season, 567 (21.0 per game)
• turnovers forced in a single game, 35
The Cardinals wanted to play at a faster tempo than previous seasons and cause chaos, which they most certainly did.
Middleton took 67.0 shots per game vs. 54.5 for its opponents (+12.5). The Cardinals also averaged just 13.7 turnovers per game themselves, 7.3 fewer than its foes.
“Most of all it was fun,” Bavery said. “Of course winning helps, but the daily process was the part I looked forward to the most. Game night is a part of that daily process, but the practices and weight room sessions and so on are always where the magic lies.
“It was just a great team personality mixed in with a competitive spirit, and we all really missed coming to practice (when the season ended). We had a great season by any standard, and regardless of individual records and accolades, every player who stepped on the practice court every day made a difference and a contribution.”
The good times should continue next season, as well.
Madison Memorial, which shared the conference title with Middleton and reached the state finals, graduates all four of its all-conference players. Spartans Hall of Fame coach Steve Collins is also retiring, leaving enormous shoes to fill on Memorial’s bench.
Verona, which was third in the league behind Middleton and Memorial, returns first-team all-conference sophomore Will Stremlow and should be among the league’s elite. Madison La Follette, Janesville Craig and Sun Prairie West could challenge, as well.
If anyone thinks Middleton is going anywhere, though, think again.
“We return a strong core group of younger players who worked their way into our rotation, but like everyone looking to earn a spot on the team and more, they need to get better as a basketball player and make improvements as an athlete,” Bavery said. “The answer hasn't changed much. It's efficient and productive time in the gym and the weight room. If we can collectively make those improvements, and I believe we will, I like our chances.”
