BLANCHARDVILLE - Whether it's shooting an outside jump shot or slashing his way to the basket for a layup, Pecatonica junior A.J. Hendrickson has a knack for scoring points in bunches.
Hendrickson is averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds per game this year.
The Pecatonica High School boys basketball team is 11-3 overall, 5-1 Six Rivers East, and Hendrickson is one of the driving forces behind the Vikings' success.
Hendrickson, a 6-foot 3 forward is in his third year as a starter and eclipsed the career 1,000-point milestone at the end of his sophomore season. He has scored more than 1,350 points and is on the verge of breaking the Pecatonica school record for most career points (1,500).
"I think the big thing that stands out is his ability to score and get to the rim," Pecatonica coach Matt Fink said. "He's one of the best players at finishing at the rim that I have ever coached. He has a lot of range on his 3-point shot from 20 to 25 feet. He's as talented as any kid in the area."
Hendrickson is playing AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Swing, a team based out of Waunakee that includes DeForest's 6-foot-7 Christopher Knight, Janesville Craig's 6-7 Adam Anhold, Sun Prairie's Ben Hauser, Madison Edgewood's Alex Arians and Janesville Craig's Jake Negus.
He has already made one official visit to Division II Winona State and watched a basketball game. He is garnering more interest from colleges and will make more visits down the road. First, he wants to focus on finishing the season strong.
Pecatonica is in the hunt to repeat as Six Rivers East Conference champions. The Vikings trail Barneveld (7-0).
"Before the season began, we all wanted to be on the same page as a team," Hendrickson said. "We all want to win a conference championship, which is still out there. The opportunity is still there if we come to compete at a high level. We just have to take advantage of it and play every night to the best of our ability."
The time playing AAU basketball in the summer with the Wisconsin Swing has paid dividends. He played with other top Wisconsin high school players, including some from Division 1 schools. It made him focus on his game and get stronger to combat defenses that would try to play physical against him.
"Playing AAU has taught me a lot," Hendrickson said. "It has taught me to be more physical with the ball and more fundamental. As a freshman, I would make a bad pass. I'm able to play more physical now and get in there and get more rebounds."
There is no doubt who will have the ball in crunch time in the second half.
"We don't have to call a play for him," Fink said of Hendrickson during the game. "The guys just know with the game on the line some way A.J. will have the ball in his hands to score or make a big play."
Even though Hendrickson is approaching setting a school career scoring record, he remains humble and takes it all in stride.
"It would be quite a thrill to get there," Hendrickson said. "That doesn't come without great coaches and teammates. We find a way to feed the fire whether it's me or one of the other guys. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be in this position."
Pecatonica won the conference last year and advanced to regional championship game where the Vikings lost to Shullsburg 73-54.
"We will take it one game at a time and go from there," he said. "After the regular season we will set some goals for the tournament. I'm sure getting to the regional championship, a sectional championship and the big house are some of them. You can't look too far ahead or something bad could happen, and you won't make it that far. I think if we go out and play like we know how to play, play as a team, we can win out the rest of the year."
He has developed a rapport growing up playing with juniors Logan Green and Kole Kent. He's still working on building a rapport with some of the Vikings' new players. Kent, who has returned from an injury suffered last year and is averaging 9.3 ppg, and freshman Colten Schraepfer (7.1 ppg) have proven to be capable scorers for the Vikings.
Hendrickson, who also leads the team in steals and is one of the top three in assists, still shoulders a big load.
"We have been trying to fit guys into the right roles," he said. "We have had a lot of lineup changes. My biggest setback is trying to figure out where everyone will be. It's a learning experience as time goes on."
Pecatonica is not ranked in the top 10 in the state like it was at times last season. The Vikings have lost to Cuba City, Darlington by three points and Barneveld. Darlington is in the mix for the SWAL title and Cuba City is third in the SWAL.
"It could be a big advantage," Hendrickson said of the Vikings not being ranked as one of the top teams in Division 5. "Ranked or unranked we know who we are and what we can do. Rankings are just a number. They can be good or bad. It depends on how you react to them."
Hendrickson is averaging 24 points and 11 rebounds per game this year.
The Pecatonica High School boys basketball team is 11-3 overall, 5-1 Six Rivers East, and Hendrickson is one of the driving forces behind the Vikings' success.
Hendrickson, a 6-foot 3 forward is in his third year as a starter and eclipsed the career 1,000-point milestone at the end of his sophomore season. He has scored more than 1,350 points and is on the verge of breaking the Pecatonica school record for most career points (1,500).
"I think the big thing that stands out is his ability to score and get to the rim," Pecatonica coach Matt Fink said. "He's one of the best players at finishing at the rim that I have ever coached. He has a lot of range on his 3-point shot from 20 to 25 feet. He's as talented as any kid in the area."
Hendrickson is playing AAU basketball with the Wisconsin Swing, a team based out of Waunakee that includes DeForest's 6-foot-7 Christopher Knight, Janesville Craig's 6-7 Adam Anhold, Sun Prairie's Ben Hauser, Madison Edgewood's Alex Arians and Janesville Craig's Jake Negus.
He has already made one official visit to Division II Winona State and watched a basketball game. He is garnering more interest from colleges and will make more visits down the road. First, he wants to focus on finishing the season strong.
Pecatonica is in the hunt to repeat as Six Rivers East Conference champions. The Vikings trail Barneveld (7-0).
"Before the season began, we all wanted to be on the same page as a team," Hendrickson said. "We all want to win a conference championship, which is still out there. The opportunity is still there if we come to compete at a high level. We just have to take advantage of it and play every night to the best of our ability."
The time playing AAU basketball in the summer with the Wisconsin Swing has paid dividends. He played with other top Wisconsin high school players, including some from Division 1 schools. It made him focus on his game and get stronger to combat defenses that would try to play physical against him.
"Playing AAU has taught me a lot," Hendrickson said. "It has taught me to be more physical with the ball and more fundamental. As a freshman, I would make a bad pass. I'm able to play more physical now and get in there and get more rebounds."
There is no doubt who will have the ball in crunch time in the second half.
"We don't have to call a play for him," Fink said of Hendrickson during the game. "The guys just know with the game on the line some way A.J. will have the ball in his hands to score or make a big play."
Even though Hendrickson is approaching setting a school career scoring record, he remains humble and takes it all in stride.
"It would be quite a thrill to get there," Hendrickson said. "That doesn't come without great coaches and teammates. We find a way to feed the fire whether it's me or one of the other guys. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be in this position."
Pecatonica won the conference last year and advanced to regional championship game where the Vikings lost to Shullsburg 73-54.
"We will take it one game at a time and go from there," he said. "After the regular season we will set some goals for the tournament. I'm sure getting to the regional championship, a sectional championship and the big house are some of them. You can't look too far ahead or something bad could happen, and you won't make it that far. I think if we go out and play like we know how to play, play as a team, we can win out the rest of the year."
He has developed a rapport growing up playing with juniors Logan Green and Kole Kent. He's still working on building a rapport with some of the Vikings' new players. Kent, who has returned from an injury suffered last year and is averaging 9.3 ppg, and freshman Colten Schraepfer (7.1 ppg) have proven to be capable scorers for the Vikings.
Hendrickson, who also leads the team in steals and is one of the top three in assists, still shoulders a big load.
"We have been trying to fit guys into the right roles," he said. "We have had a lot of lineup changes. My biggest setback is trying to figure out where everyone will be. It's a learning experience as time goes on."
Pecatonica is not ranked in the top 10 in the state like it was at times last season. The Vikings have lost to Cuba City, Darlington by three points and Barneveld. Darlington is in the mix for the SWAL title and Cuba City is third in the SWAL.
"It could be a big advantage," Hendrickson said of the Vikings not being ranked as one of the top teams in Division 5. "Ranked or unranked we know who we are and what we can do. Rankings are just a number. They can be good or bad. It depends on how you react to them."
