'Hard work': The key behind 4 Milwaukee Academy of Science players being McDonald's All-American nominees

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- When the McDonald's All-American game announced their nominees for the boy's west team, five players from Wisconsin made the list. Four of them play for Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS), seniors Jamarion Batemon, Agape Keys Jr, Devin Brown, and Amare Jackson.

"That's just unheard of," said Novas senior Batemon.

"It feels like a dream," said MAS senior Keys Jr. on seeing his name on the list.

"I sent it to my mom right away," said Novas senior Jackson after fellow teammate, Brown, told him his name was on the list.

While the four of did not make the final roster, their head coach Agape Keys says they are All-American's in his book because of the work they put in.

"They eat and sleep basketball," said Keys. "They have a no-nonsense policy when it comes to them getting better and they been doing it since day one, since they were freshman."

The four of them and their teammates wake up at 5:00 a.m. to get to school for 6:00 a.m. workouts.

"Getting up early before everybody else gets up, that's how you get great," said Batemon.

Batemon, recently named a nominee for Wisconsin Mr. Basketball, committed to Iowa State in November to join Milwaukee native TJ Otzelberger's team. Fellow Wisconsin native Milan Momcilovic is on the team and another Wisconsin native, Xzavion Mitchell, from Oshkosh is also in Batemon's class.

"It definitely feels like a Wisconsin pipeline," said Batemon with a smile.

As hard as Batemon works on the court, he tries to lead the way in the classroom as well. He has a 4.04 GPA.

"Hard work is not just basketball, or whatever you do. It's everything. It’s a life skill," said Batemon.

Each player is averaging double-digits with Batemon leading the way and Brown averages a double-double. Batemon, Keys Jr., and Brown have all reached the 1,000-point milestone as well. They feel they complement each other so well.

"We all been playing with each other since even before we came to MAS, so we got that connection on the court," said Brown.

"There's so many options; anybody can go over on any given night," said Jackson. "So, when your number is called you got to step up."

"We sacrifice for each other. We got a bond and love for each other it just all comes together," said Keys Jr.

The Novas hope that connection plays a big part in them reaching their ultimate goal, winning the school's first state championship. MAS has made two trips in the last three seasons to final weekend.

"We got the talent; we got the skill. It's just the little things, talking on defense, rotating right," said Brown, a Coastal Carolina commit.

"Everybody just coming here and buying in. we're seeing the improvement. We're pretty sure we're going to get the job done," said Batemon