NHR Scout: North St Paul vs White Bear Lake
The North St. Paul Polars won only three games in 2012-13 when Thomas Acquoi was a freshman on junior varsity. Over time Acquoi was joined by classmates Adreon Wadlington, Jake Weber, Tremaine Daniel, Joe Johnson, and Kimari Suggs-Morgan as well…
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Continue ReadingThe North St. Paul Polars won only three games in 2012-13 when Thomas Acquoi was a freshman on junior varsity. Over time Acquoi was joined by classmates Adreon Wadlington, Jake Weber, Tremaine Daniel, Joe Johnson, and Kimari Suggs-Morgan as well as younger players Josh Steckler and Goodnews Kpegeol who found their way on to the junior varsity in 2013-14 to start the year.
The current senior Polar class had seen just 19 varsity games won over the first three years coming into this November but all of their hard work, trust in the teachings of their coach Joe Janquart, and dedication to what was happening at North St. Paul has paid off this season for a 16-4 record. Yes the Polars will likely win more games this year than they have the previous three seasons combined. We think they will definitely win 20 games but how many more than that depends on how they continue to battle.
Last night the Polars had an off night. They snuck by 4-17 White Bear Lake 56-49 as they had trouble getting things going offensively (and White Bear Lake found space and quality strokes at the arc to keep the game close). But sometimes you can learn more about a team when they are struggling. For instance:
- The Polar defensive discipline of deep stances, jumping to the pass, talking on defense, forcing opponents into spots on the floor where they want them, strong box-out hits, and all out effort, that was still there. The Polars weren’t clicking on all levels but they did still play with the principles their coach has taught them over the years so they came away with their tenth straight win and 14th win in 15 games.
- They are in control of themselves. I watched the game on a small monitor so seeing the WBL dark jerseys was tough but at the end of the game a WBL player shoved Suggs-Morgan to the ground with an aggressive foul. The type of foul that would make this writer jumper up and chase the other human. But the Polar players all converged on Suggs-Morgan to help him keep his cool and Kimari seemed to keep that cool anyway.
- Down the stretch despite a tough offensive night the Polars fought through long WBL possessions designed to tire the defense and they still forced the Bears into difficult attempts. They also hit just enough shots to stay in front (need to make free throws better though in the clutch).
Watching a program build up and have success is a fun thing to do. Right now that is happening at North St. Paul who has recorded quality wins over Chisago Lakes, Hudson, Simley, Breck, Tartan, Mahtomedi, and others. The Polars have a one game lead in the Metro East Standings (on Tartan) and will have a three game lead on Mahtomedi soon (it’s 2.5 now but I think there is a score missing).
As far as the section goes things aren’t easy. The Polars are grouped with 18-3 Woodbury who beat them earlier in the season, 15-5 Cretin-Derham Hall who lost to Hopkins in overtime last night, and rival Tartan who is 17-4 and gets a rematch with the Polars on February 16th. Who takes home the gold is anybody’s guess but the Polars have shown they have as good of a chance as the rest of the field.
Player Blurbs
North St. Paul
Goodnews Kpegeol (Soph, G). Goodnews did not have the game he wanted overall but it’s clear when you scan the floor that Kpegeol has the length, size, agility, and skill level to be a watched prospect. Scored eight points.
Tremaine Daniels (Senior, Pg). The young guard jets around the floor and on maybe the biggest score of the game he caught in the corner after three swing passes and beat the rotating defense to the goal for a high rising score. Too quick for the reacting defense on a huge play.
Bryce Phillips (Sophomore, PG). Like this young lead guard because he seems aggressive, fearless, and coachable. For some guys it takes years to understand why coaches want you to do things defensively but Phillips was working deep in a stance with active hands and feet all night beating guys to spots and offensively he scored three times and his decisions made were often correct.
Adreon Wadlington (Senior, SF). Not sure I agree that he scored just three times. That seems like a score book error. I think Joe Johnson got a basket or two of his. Early in the game he produced two off ball active scores followed by a three. Wadlington did some great things defensively in the passing lanes and love his inspired run in transition.
Jake Weber (Senior, PF/C). Came off the bench and instantly score with a left shoulder turn into a short right hand jump hook followed by a kickout from the post to a teammate for a three. Scored deep three times giving what is needed off the bench from the low post.
Joe Johnson (Senior, PF). Joe always seemed to be around the loose balls. When it was coming off the glass on both ends, when it was on the floor, when he set a screen and then caught to move the ball, when there was a defensive stop, etc etc. Also scored several times off the ball in active ways for a recorded game high 15 points.
White Bear Lake
Kevin May (Senior ,SG). Senior working guard that is still battling despite a four win year during his final season. Scored four field goals and battled consistently fighting with an edge that the Bears needed for them to compete.
Samuel Schwartz (Freshman, SG). A 6-foot-2 freshman scoring between seven and eight a night, Schwartz has decent length and a really nice shooting touch. Is having a nice freshman season and definitely looks like the main guy in this program going forward.
Kyle Kanipes (Senior, SG). Leads the Bears in scoring and has good size at 6-foot-3 and a really nice shooting stroke. Really like his form and he made two treys early in the game although was only credited for one.
Nathan Thomas (Junior, PF). Led the Bears in scoring with ten points on four field goals and some foul shots. Very strong frontcourt player that has decent size at 6-foot-5 and his advantage is his upper body