Senior Salute 2016: #1-25
Seniors are ranked in the order of our most recent 2016 rankings update Amir Coffey, Hopkins — Congrats to Amir on ending his high school career on a perfect note: as a state champion and Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball. A serious…
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Continue ReadingSeniors are ranked in the order of our most recent 2016 rankings update
- Amir Coffey, Hopkins — Congrats to Amir on ending his high school career on a perfect note: as a state champion and Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball. A serious injury his junior year seemed to refocus him, as he came out his senior year hungry and dominant. He took his potential that we had previously seen and started regularly attacking the hoop with increased strength and confidence. Best of luck to Amir at Minnesota.
- Michael Hurt, Rochester John Marshall — Minnesota’s getting a good one here. Michael will be remembered for his exceptional motor, passion for winning and ability to get everyone involved. He’s very well-rounded and should contribute quickly to the Gophers as a great teammate.
- Reed Nikko, Maple Grove — Nikko is headed to Missouri after a decorated high school career with the Crimson. He was very impressive as he persisted through the unfortunate loss of a family member and continued his focus on basketball, eventually earning several scholarship offers at a very high level.
- Steffon Mitchell, Shakopee — Steffon is not yet signed, but he will do well wherever he lands due to a natural ability for the game, good grades and a stellar personality. D1s should get out and see him this weekend at NY2LA as he is the best available 2016 talent in the state.
- Brock Bertram, Apple Valley — Brock has been contributing to Apple Valley’s varsity for four years, and he leaves a big hole in the middle as the Eagles will have to replace a double-double machine. Brock’s whole family is thrilled to send him off to Buffalo where he will compete for immediate playing time.
- Tyler Johnson, MPLS North — Tyler was the head of the North revival, spearheading a mission in both football and basketball to bring one of the city’s most storied schools back to prominence. I think most would agree that he did it, reaching the football state title game and winning Class A in hoops. The Gopher football recruit is a role model for kids across the city.
- Amar Miller, Minnetonka — He’s been cooking defenders on varsity for a long time, and now it’s time for him to head to Mineral Area JC, a very respected two-year program in Missouri. Remember that he’s young for his grade, so there’s a lot of growth potential here.
- Tyler Peterson, Centennial — A great player and a very nice kid had misfortune with injuries during his high school career. Here’s hoping that the next chapter at South Dakota is healthy and successful, because a kid like this deserves it.
Ade Murkey, SCL
- Seth Coatta, Minnetonka — Is he the best pure shooter in 2016? Probably. NDSU is getting a stone-cold bomber who has gone on more 3-point streaks than anyone can count.
- Ade Murkey, St. Croix Lutheran — Nobody will forget his massive tip dunk at state, and more importantly, nobody will forget how he and his fellow seniors helped elevate St. Croix Lutheran hoops. Two state tournaments appearances put this school on the basketball map. Ade is unsigned and one of the best available 2016 prospects.
- Cameron Kirksey, Apple Valley — Several colleges are still in contention for this battle-tested forward who has seen success in both the state tournament and the EYBL circuit. He’s got scholarship options at the D1 and D2 level and will be remembered in Apple Valley for a long time.
- Cole Dahl, Northern Freeze — I remember the first time I saw Cole play… it was with the Red River Heat a few summers ago, and his appeal as a prospect was immediately evident. He joined Comets Lewis and quickly became a highly-desired recruit by the whole NSIC conference. Best of luck as he heads to a great basketball school in Northern State
- Luke Harris, Northfield — Luke went ahead and thrilled the people in Duluth with his commitment, as he gave the Bulldogs one of the best NSIC recruits in the entire class. He’s a 6-foot-8 forward with several skills who should make an immediate impact.
- Landon Kirkwood, Brooklyn Center — One of Landon’s highlight tapes that came out in the last year was of him putting on a phenomenal dunking show at a camp. It’s hard not to call him a poor man’s Zach LaVine after seeing how the 6-foot-4 prospect is both springy around the rim and effective from long range with a smooth release. Best of luck at UC-Bakersfield!
- Lucas Walford, New Prague — I’ve almost never seen someone explode on the recruiting scene like Lucas did last spring. As soon as NHR saw him with Heat Northwest, the whole staff knew he’d be a scholarship talent. Now the skilled forward is off to a very successful program at Augustana that also boasts high academics.
- Matt Kreklow, Delano — Kreklow blocked shots like nobody else this winter. He was a big reason why some thought the Tigers could stop DeLaSalle’s run for five in Class AAA; they didn’t get that far, but the crew at U of Mary will help Matt develop and grow into an NSIC force.
- Teathloach Pal, Fridley — Teathloach just yesterday announced his commitment to Sioux Falls. Paired with Austin Slater, that’s a nice set of bigs from Minnesota for the Cougars. “Tessy” turned down a D1 offer to go with his gut and stick with a coaching staff that he really connected with. He’ll be remembered in Fridley for helping them to the state tournament this year and for his big performance in the opening round.
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Teathloach Pal, Fridley
Johnny Beeninga, Wayzata — Johnny is a natural leader who will bring his dynamic guard skills to MSU-Moorhead of the NSIC. Many programs wanted him, and he landed with a quality, established program that made a recent national tourney run.
- Jamil Jackson, MPLS North — Jamil, like Tyler, was a multi-year factor in the resurrection of North’s basketball program. You don’t often find a kid with Jamil’s measurables or talent in the state, much less the city conference. Wherever he heads, he’ll be a high-potential recruit.
- Carter Brooks, Lakeville North — Carter is another great kid whose stock really rose. He, like Cole Dahl, is a long wing who can shoot it or score at the rim. So, just like Cole, Carter racked up a ton of D2 offers before deciding on Concordia-St. Paul where he joins a great recruiting class that also features talent from Iowa and South Dakota.
- Dalante Peyton, St. Paul Academy — When you talk about program revivals, you have to mention Dalante (and fellow senior Kent Hanson) and what they did for SPA. Peyton’s explosiveness, reliability and ability to contribute from an early age will go down in history at SPA, and he’s got some great basketball ahead of him at Winona State.
- Vinnie Shahid, Hopkins — Shahid and several other seniors left an impressive mark on Hopkins this year as they worked in cohesion to grab yet another Class AAAA title. Shahid’s ball rotation and jump shot is as good as any when he’s hot. Vinnie is still on the recruiting market and is considering options at several levels.
- Patrick Dembley, MPLS North — Another key cog in the MPLS North machine that steamrolled through Class A, Dembley has some of the best handles in the state. He’s been impressing crowds since a young age, and he’s got a great opportunity at Iowa Western where he will take his talents.
Austin Slater, Wayzata
- Austin Slater, Wayzata — Slater’s strength and post ability became a real handful as he progressed through high school, and by the time he was a senior, he had added a mid-range jumper and increased athleticism. Sioux Falls is thrilled to add this high-level recruit.
- Charlie Irmiger, MPLS Washburn — Charlie has come a long, long way. The progress that he has made from year to year is admirable and a testament to his will to improve. He was the tallest recruit in the state for 2016 and one of the tallest in the entire midwest; pair that with a good skillset and a quality personality and he was a no-brainer for Winona State to sign and develop. I’ve gotten to know Charlie pretty well, and it thrills me to see him head to my hometown to play ball.