NHR Scout: Maple Grove vs Champlin Park
Friday night was another wonderful night for high school basketball with a great atmosphere at Champlin Park for the Rebels vs Maple Grove Crimson contest. There were college coaches (Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard and Minnesota assistant Ben Johnson), reps…
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Continue ReadingFriday night was another wonderful night for high school basketball with a great atmosphere at Champlin Park for the Rebels vs Maple Grove Crimson contest.
There were college coaches (Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard and Minnesota assistant Ben Johnson), reps of many grassroots programs, most of the top media that covers high school hoops including Channel 12 broadcasting the game, great student section turn-outs from both schools, area fans, families, and a lot of interested on-lookers who enjoy basketball. Perfect night.
Maple Grove. I watched them a week before and really didn’t like the way they played. In fact I wondered about what they would be like going forward after that Centennial game. But I should of known that this is a high school team and sometimes they have off days because they are kids and this is a talented state so there are other teams of quality too. Last Friday the Crimson looked like a true state contender the way they competed. It was a lot like the team we saw beat Wayzata at the Tip Off Classic and battle Apple Valley into overtime in St. Cloud. What they did Friday looked like a top 3-5 team in the state. Loved how they controlled the game offensively in the second half wearing out the Rebels and then feasting at the rim.
Champlin Park. Both teams were hurt by foul trouble but I thought the way the game was officiated hurt them more than it should of. Theo John wasn’t able to be as physical around the basket (Reed Nikko had the same issue although he didn’t pick up foul two as quick) and McKinley Wright wasn’t able to be as physical defending as I’ve seen in the past and then he fouled out late in a call that will rank with the top five worst of the year. But the biggest issue in my mind for them was their inability to support off the ball defensively. The amount of attacks from the Crimson where the defender one pass away did nothing and the help around the rim just wasn’t there. I think their biggest issue was getting stops after long Maple Grove possessions.
Brad Davison vs McKinley Wright. No game is about two guys. It just isn’t. There are too many factors. That said, people came to see this game because they wanted to see the best against the best. Brad finished with 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists while McKinley had 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists plus he fouled out with just under a minute to go. Both led their teams in scoring, both are strong rebounders at the guard spot. McKinley defended Brad in the second half, Brad defended one of the wings I believe. Davison had the upper hand as he was able to get Rebel defenders on his hip after a corner turn, keep them there, and finish. When the help was there it usually didn’t bother Brad as he often finished anyway.
Reed Nikko vs Theo John. The officials ruined this. Both had some comfortable post moves early. I like the one dribble back down from Theo into an up and under finish and I liked the one dribble physical contact move with a right hand hook from Reed. But Theo got an early two fouls, Reed got a second in the first half, and Theo got a third in the first half. It made both of them less physical and I don’t think either played comfortable inside the rest of the way. Reed dad have some excellent finished late on his way to a dozen points with six rebounds and him being on the floor more gave him the edge because he was there to do more. His alley-oop finish was quite memorable as was a late post move. Theo hit a nice looking three late in the game and hit his foul shots after a tough early set totaling 13 points and six boards. Both had a pair of blocks.
Taron Pickford vs Brian Smith. In the battle of the third scoring options Taron had a big start to the game hitting double figures early (had 10 points and a game high seven rebounds) while Brian scored just the lone trey. Taron did a bit more scoring around his average.
Others. I thought the play of Ryan Bredensteiner helped Maple Grove. He didn’t play big minutes but he made all of his shots for eight points, moved the ball excellently for some assists, and he worked hard….Rebel sophomore Josiah Strong came off the bench to knock down three treys and score 11…