UP FOR GRABS

Brookfield Central and Wauwatosa East meet for the first time this season at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tosa East. It is the fist time since the 2007-08 season that first place in the Greater Metro Conference will be on the line.

The Red Raiders won the title that season (13-1) and the Lancers finished second (11-3). They actually met three times that year - splitting the regular season series before the Red Raiders won a 52-48 decision in the state semifinals. Tosa East would go on to win their first title.

Both teams are currently tied for first place with 5-0 records, the last two unbeaten teams in conference play. The teams have a combined 19-3 overall record.

Outside of the GMC opponents, their only common foe was the state's top-ranked team - Germantown. The Lancers lost their traditional opener to the Warhawks, 73-58, while the Red Raiders dropped a 66-46 decision to them in the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout. The Tosa East gym should be sold out for the second week in a row - and the place should be rockin'.

PERSONNEL

Lancers

Starting line-up: Nick Olson, a 6-foot-7-inch senior forward (7.3 ppg); Seth Mortag, a 6-5 senior forward (16.4); Matt Lauritzen, a 6-4 senior forward (9.9); Jason Meichtry, a 6-3 senior wing (4.3) and Riley LaChance, a 6-1 sophomore point guard (15.1).

Bench: Jack Sandstrom, a 6-3 senior forward (6.6); Nate Rohde, a 6-4 senior forward (5.0); Elijah Goodman, a 6-3 sophomore center (4.7); Luke Rasmussen, a 6-8 sophomore forward (2.5).

Team: Brookfield Central is averaging 63 points per game an allowing 54.4

Red Raiders

Starting Line-up: Zak Sylvester, a 6-2 senior forward (4.1); Vince Cupertino, a 6-2 guard/forward (5.0); Anthony (AC) Carroll, a 6-1 junior guard (11.6); Marquise Carter, a 6-0 junior guard (9.0) and Diamonte Mckinley, a 6-1 senior guard (9.5).

Bench: Nate Moore, 6-0, junior guard (6.1); Bryce Kratzer, 6-2 senior forward (5.6); Ben Carpenter, a 6-0 junior guard (4.7); Kyle Vnuk, a 6-4 junior forward (3.3); Mitch Dillon, a 6-5 junior forward (3.8); Riley Poe, a 6-2 senior forward (2.4).

Team: The Red Raiders are averaging 58.6 points per game and allowing 45.0.

Summary

Central's Mortag and LaChance and Tosa East's AC, Mckinley and Carter are the marquee names. But look for secondary players to play a key role. Perhaps Meichtry, Laurtizen and Sandstrom for the Lancers or Moore, Kratzer, Vnuk and Dillon for the Red Raiders.

Rebounding and pressure defense are key. Whichever team can win those battles will win this game. The Red Raiders also have the home-court advantage.

They may need it.

Breakdown

When the Lancers have the ball: In the half-court, Central runs a disciplined offense and when run correctly will usually end up with a good shot - whether a lay-up or an open jumper. However, the Lancers also use their defense to turn the ball over and they run the court well with LaChance, Mortag and Meichtry leading the way. There is an unselfishness present that wasn't here last year. When the Lancers have the ball, look for East to pressure them. If Central has a weakness, it could be responding to heavy pressure since LaChance is the only good ballhander. The Red Raiders need to create turnovers and turn them into easy points, because winning a half-court game with Central will be difficult.

When the Red Raiders have the ball: One of the keys to this game is how they run the half-court offense. They have been better at this so far this year, but they have to continue to improve to take their game to the next level. Central will use its signature 1-3-1 zone defense and with 6-5 Mortag at the top of the key, along with 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 and 6-1 teammates, it's a tough nut to crack. The Lancers not only keep track of turnovers, but also deflections. The Red Raiders' best offense is their transition game and they could be tough to stop if it's working. But that starts with rebounding. The Red Raiders must rebound better than they have all year or they will not stand a chance in this game.