NHR Scout: Minnetonka vs Eden Prairie
The Eden Prairie Eagles went into this year’s section playoffs as a .500 team (13-13). The team has some significant talent and toughness so an average record is a disappointment. But the beauty of the playoffs is that records no…
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Continue ReadingThe Eden Prairie Eagles went into this year’s section playoffs as a .500 team (13-13). The team has some significant talent and toughness so an average record is a disappointment.
But the beauty of the playoffs is that records no longer matter and after watching Eden Prairie outplay Minnetonka 92-76 last night I can safely say that I believe the Eagles have as good of a shot at making the state tournament as any?
How? Look at the section. Shakopee had senior issues with eight seed Chanhassen last night before finally putting them away. The Sabers and Eagles played earlier in the year and the game was close throughout before Shakopee earned the win 77-72 led by 31 points from Steffon Mitchell.
Eden Prairie can beat Shakopee. Prior Lake did beat two seed Chaska and will play Edina in round two. Any of these teams can win the section and the EP/Shakopee and Prior Lake/Edina round of games will be played this Saturday at Hopkins.
Speaking of location, I still have no idea how Eden Prairie earned a home game last night. Because the game wasn’t listed on MN Scores or on the Hub I just assumed it was at Tonka because I assumed the team with the more recent win, the better record, and the better QRF would have earned the home game. Therefore I went to the wrong building and was late. I guess obvious is thrown out the window when it comes to section seeding (Yes EP had the better schedule but that’s not enough to make up for the other criteria).
That said EP proved they were the better team in every way. A typical Eden Prairie possession was the ball brought up via a rapid outlet or by the lead guard, several quick passes around a spaced out offense, active players cutting and moving off screens, and a wide open shot. I would venture to guess they averaged about a pass for every two dribbles.
Minnetonka on the other hand, their possessions were either a quick attack and quick shot (often contested) or a quick attack followed by a pass to the wing where the player would catch, dribble a couple times, then pass to another guy that would face the basket, and dribble a couple times, and eventually a contested shot was taken. And that was if there was a pass on the possession. I would guess that Minnetonka averaged about six or seven dribbles per each pass.
The final verdict? One team was consistently able to get good shots in a rhythm resulting in space to shoot from good spots on the floor. That team won. The other team took way too many contested shots and did not get the ball in space enough for high percentage shots. That team lost. It’s a pretty simple formula actually.
Eden Prairie earned a quick double figure lead as Ryan Jacobus knocked out a quick five triples and then every time Minnetonka pushed for a comeback the extremely hot hand of Owen Chose ended it with a run of his own
At one point EP saw their lead cut to three scores and then Chose made treys on back to back to back possessions in the first half. In the second half Tonka closed within 59-56 but then Owen made a couple shots pushing the edge to 66-56. Tonka closed that gap to 66-61 with two scores but then Chose countered with five straight points of his own.
For the second straight year the Minnetonka Skippers were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. This group of kids went through more tough moments this year than most teams should have to. For them the year is over as they won 14 of 25 games, for the Eagles they are now a game above .500 and thinking State Tournament but there is a big obstacle in the way named Steffon Mitchell.
Player Run Through
EP
Kyler Kluge. Scored eight points per game this year and has played a steadier role than I expected considering all the guards/wings that EP has. Nice season for the sophomore.
Brady Rudrud. With Chose and Jacobus going off Brady’s job was to get the ball in the right spots for them to score and he did jus that plus scored ten of his own.
Owen Chose. Had 42 points and it wasn’t just the number, it was when the shots went down. Owen seemed to go on runs of production every time Minnetonka was about to make a comeback. Did a great job of getting into space and then knocked down just about everything.
Ryan Jacobus. Was being razzed by the Tonka fans and it did nothing as Jacobus made five threes and a couple jumpers from mid-range saving his highest point total of the year for the first playoff game.
Nick Geolat. The mask fits the way he plays well. Hardworking kid who defends whomever he is asked to playing an active role wherever and he scored 13.
Tonka
Cedric Boone. Had a tough time getting into space scoring eight points. Will play at Lake Region State next season.
Amar Miller. Finished his career with a 36 point outburst and had a couple scoring runs that kept Tonka within striking distance. A tough kid, maybe the fastest player in the state, and he’s been through a lot but finished his senior year with a really nice football season and 23 points a night in hoops.
Isaiah Carver-Bagley. Went baseline and almost threw down the strongest unexpected jam I’ve ever seen. “Zeke” has definitely improved at the arc and using a dribble to get into space. Scored a dozen and I’m anxious to see how his senior season goes next year.
Seth Coatta. I missed the start of the game so I don’t have the numbers but when I was there Seth did not come off the floor that I can remember and I saw him take only six shots. And EP does a nice job defending but it wasn’t anything special on Seth. This is a future NDSU shooter who as a junior and sophomore combined for 48.9 percent shooting at the arc on 406 three-point attempts (I don’t have any senior year numbers to add to it) and somehow there were rarely any sets or kickouts on attacks that sent the ball his way.