NHR Scout: Section 5AAA semi-finals
St. Cloud State is the place to be this Saturday with six games being play one after another. The morning session included Class AAA games being played on the Hellenbeck Hall, homecourt of the St. Cloud State Huskies. Monticello vs…
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Continue ReadingSt. Cloud State is the place to be this Saturday with six games being play one after another. The morning session included Class AAA games being played on the Hellenbeck Hall, homecourt of the St. Cloud State Huskies.
Monticello vs Becker
The 10am breakfast special at Hellenbeck turned out to be the youth of Monticello putting on a fantastic display against a veteran Becker team. The defensive effort of the Magic forced ten turnovers in the first 16 Becker possessions meaning Monticello was up quick 13-1 and 17-3 in the early going.
Monticello’s rapid backcourt of Matt Todd, Isaiah Willis, and Rezu Useh seemed to be on a constant fast break and Todd was able to pass 1,000 points for his career with a trey before the first half buzzer. Signs of 1,000 were held up throughout the gym and Todd had a nice little moment before the half was done.
Then in the second half both Todd and freshman Hunter Rosenbaum hit double-double numbers while Useh (a sophomore) and freshman Tommy Blackstone made their impact on both ends as well. The end result as a 63-39 victory with Todd totaling 22 points, ten rebounds, and six steals. Rosenbaum had 13 points and a dozen boards while Becker was led by future NDSU football player Dillon Radunz and his 12 points and eight boards.
Monticello
Matt Todd (Soph, PG). Matt went over 1,000 points today with a three-pointer in the first half. What caught my attention early in the game was the way he rebounded and pushed the other direction, and how he weaved through the Becker defense with little issue. Took a lot of threes today and made four (about a 33-35 percent shooter based on today). Seemed to hit more comfortably with space and feet set. Had NDSU watching him this afternoon.
Hunter Rosenbaum (Fr, Forward). For a player his age at about 6-foot-3, Hunter plays defensively at a consistent rate of effort and knowledge. Loved his deep stance, positioning, and how he angled defenders. Ball pressure bothered people and his ability to defend long possessions was also of quality. Also really liked his jumper with feet set. Hit a rotated three on the wing and a nice one dribble pull-up in the second half. Had a double-double midway through half two.
Rezi Useh (Soph, PG). In the past two months his comfort of handling the basketball against pressure and moving the ball in the halfcourt set is much improved. Looks to have put in a lot of work to get better at handling which allows Todd to play more at the off-guard as a scorer. Rezi had a couple jumpers that looked on balance and comfortable so that part is also better and the best part of his game is his defense. Useh is one of the best I’ve seen this year defending on the ball or one pass off and his length and quickness to react means he is a terror. Jumped the first pass for steals and quick vertical jumped a two hand steal as well.
Tommy Blackstone (Fr, Forwarrd). Another underclassmen that was on the floor for a lot of minutes because of early maturity and a lot of effort. Defensively he was deep in a stance, reacted to each fake/pass with the right positioning, and put forth a strong effort on the glass. Scored seven points with six rebounds.
Rocori vs St. Cloud Apollo
The energy of the Rocori versus Apollo second half run into overtime is what playoff basketball is all about. Rocori held a double figure lead for a good portion of the second half until Apollo fond some energy with a full court trapping attack that Rocori had a terrible time dealing with. Already without lead guard Connor Schuberg, the Spartans later lost Austin Overman to fouls and were in a lot of trouble.
Apollo’s momentum was lost when senior Ethan Novacinski, who put up 25 points and 11 rebounds on 13 of 14 foul shooting, fouled out with two and half minutes to go. Michael Tiede, Dauryce Taylor, and others found some second half offense but the heart was Novacinski. When Ethan went to the bench Rocori scored six straight points highlighted by Jon Olson, Alec Anderson, and Ryan Hennen.
The Eagles simply weren’t able to create offense with Novacinski out and the Spartans out the game away at the foul line. Overman was the leader with his 11 points, eight assists, and six rebounds but Olson had a good all around game too with 16 points, six rebounds, and a couple assists. Alec Anderson slashed for 11.
Rocori
Jon Olson (Sr, SG). Olson came off the bench and made his contribution scoring three times over smaller defenders. Two of those baskets were off flex-cuts where Olson caught, turned on the smaller player, and finished. Apollo has a smaller backcourt and Rocori’s offense found Olson in space after patient possessions. Late in the game Jon made some crucial baskets to both keep Rocori close and then help push his team ahead late in overtime.
Sam Olson (So, SG). Knocked out two key treys after ball reversals getting to his release before the defense was able to rotate and make a play. Excellent young shooter who moves within the offense very well.
Matthew Waletzko (So, C). About 6-foot-9, 270 pounds of center that came off the bench and muscled an Apollo player for a lay-up after a strong post-up, catch, and right shoulder turn. Didn’t play at the previous game I was at so he must be making progress.
Austin Overman (Sr, Everything). Played point guard more often than anybody as his handles are quality and no big can bother him with pressure. From there he often goes to either the high post against a zone or he moves within the flex where put together assists of various kinds all over the floor. One of the best passing frontcourt players I’ve seen this year. In the second half Overman went into the post and scored on back to back possessions sitting on the block after the cut, catching, sticking his opponent and touching with the left for scores.
Derek Thompson (Jr, PF). The top thing I noticed about Derek is that he looks at least an inch taller, maybe two. Definitely can be listed at 6-foot-8 and maybe he will grow bigger than that. So long and he runs the floor well.
William Huls (Jr, SG). Changed the momentum of the game in the second half knocking out two treys in two possessions. Nice touch, long for his frame, and his one dribble pull-up jumper showed off some quick bounce I wasn’t expecting. That bounce was also there on a block of a jumper he had exploding off his feet to make a play on the ball.
Alec Anderson (Sr, Wing). Small forward who moves within the offensive framework well and runs the floor for opportunity. Long strider who is stronger than the t-shirt under his jersey can show, Anderson scored on the move often and contact didn’t seem to affect him. He is Rocori’s slasher.
St. Cloud Apollo
Ethan Novacinski (Sr, PF). Ethan is a steal for St. John’s. Love how clean of a player he is. The skill work is clean, the movements are smooth, his effort is constant, and he is comfortable facing up to shoot or attacking with a much quicker bounce than people realize into a score on the move. Excellent rebounder on both ends, effort is high and he does a great job understanding leverage. Ethan will be able to defend ball screens well in the MIAC as he is always in good defensive position deep in a stance. Love his face-up one dribble attack complete with shoulder into the opponent’s chest to stun and then Ethan quickly reacts to score with the space. He is a quicker athlete than I have previously realized. Late in the game Novacinski straight went at the Rocori size. One dribble face-up attack got him into space and he loves to make contact to stun and then make a play. Love his one-dribble attack. Outstanding from the free throw line too.
Luke Dunsmoor (Jr, PF). One of the stronger frontcourt juniors out there, Luke’s arms make you think college junior. Tough player to body as he doesn’t give ground and offensively he gives a wide base and strong lower body strength that is easy to feed.
Michael Tiede (Sr, SG). Came into the game and made a big impact during the Apollo run. Hit a three, moved the ball to scoring spots, and defensively played with 90 feet of activity that led to steals and he had one of his own. Also had a loose ball pick-up turned into a full court finish.
Ben Giese (Sr, Forward). Long and active forward who played both the three and the four spots. His activity and lateral agility made him an annoyance on defense and Ben also hit a three on the wing that looked really clean. Liked the form and touch.
Robson Omar (Sr, PG). An undersized lead guard at about 5-foot-8 who makes up for his height with effort a lot of times. Was really good pressuring the ball, had some sneaky steals, and led the Apollo offense all year.