Potential State Tournament Stock-Raisers
Bryce Irsfeld, 2017 Browerville guard — Colleges have seen him on the summer circuit, but here’s his first look on the big stage. NSICs and possibly higher will be attracted to his strength, consistency, reliability, and high-scoring potential (he put…
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Continue ReadingBryce Irsfeld, 2017 Browerville guard — Colleges have seen him on the summer circuit, but here’s his first look on the big stage. NSICs and possibly higher will be attracted to his strength, consistency, reliability, and high-scoring potential (he put up huge totals in sections).
Jesse Bergh, 2017 Lake Park-Audobon center — This 6-foot-9 center has only been playing basketball for a year or two. He has improved quickly, and is a current Player Of The Week candidate after putting up 34 points in sections. A big body who could play his way onto many schools’ radars that don’t normally get down to Lake Park, MN.
Blake Kragnes, 2016 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton forward — We don’t know much about Blake or DGF, a small school just outside of Fargo. What we do know is that he put up 20.2 PPG this season, including a 25-point outing in the section title game. He’s the leader for a 24-6 team, and is likely worth a look for D3s.
Ade Murkey, 2016 St. Croix Lutheran wing — You’ve seen us write plenty about Ade in the last year; he’s a physical, productive wing who is putting up 24 and 10 every night for the top AA team. There’s at least one D1 (and likely several more) making the trip to Target Center just to see if he’s worth a scholarship. If not, he’s got Vermont and some other D2 full rides to fall back on.
Ryan Larson of Braham, Owen King of Caledonia — These two have some stuff in common; they’re both sophomore guards for small-town AA teams. They’re both battle-tested at a young age. They’re both putting up really nice numbers, and they will be noticed by colleges at this tournament who haven’t already circled their names.
Jack Stensgard, 2016 Simley guard — Stensgard is letting his recruitment play out… he’s looking to grab a scholarship while some successful MIACs hope he slips down to D3. A couple massive scoring games (like he’s done from time to time) would boost his stock big-time.
Patrick Dembley & Jamil Jackson of MPLS North, Damario Armstrong (Osseo) — It’s a good idea for junior colleges to check out this year’s tournament; there are several high-level recruits who have expressed interest in the two-year route. These three have all been open to that possibility, and they’re playing their recruitment out into the state tournament in hopes that they make a big splash. All three have the chance to really impress.
Allen Anderson, 2016 Osseo PG — You likely heard about Missouri going to check him out last week. Several D2s are hoping that he doesn’t get any more popular and ends up as an NSIC kid; other D1s are looking with curiosity. Unbeaten and cohesive Osseo would benefit from a big tourney performance from Anderson.
Cam Kirksey, 2016 Apple Valley forward — One of the bigger names as far as unsigned 2016 seniors. Long, athletic, and just picked up a Furman offer along with a few high-profile NSICs. Will Cam add to his existing ring collection?
Brad Davison of Maple Grove, Nate Reuvers of Lakeville North — Both of these juniors have just entered the high-major area of recruitment, as Davison holds a Nebraska offer with Wisconsin interest and Reuvers grabbed a Wisconsin offer this week. A big tournament could no doubt help them continue to amass big-conference offers. If not, they’ve got all spring and summer on the Nike and Adidas circuits, respectively, to make their case.