Ten Best: Chaska vs Eden Prairie
Chaska improved to 5-3 on the season Friday when they beat Eden Prairie 75-73. The game had excellent performances from some of the state’s better players and the atmosphere at Chaska was A+ worthy. MVP: Myles Hanson. When the…
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Continue ReadingChaska improved to 5-3 on the season Friday when they beat Eden Prairie 75-73. The game had excellent performances from some of the state’s better players and the atmosphere at Chaska was A+ worthy.
MVP: Myles Hanson. When the game hit it’s biggest stretch Hanson went near the rim and used his quick bounce to produce over the top of the EP defenders that weren’t able to do anything with him. If Hanson wasn’t scoring at the rim cup he was at the line. Hanson scored 23 points, grabbed ten boards, had a Lebron like retreating block, hit a three, and of gave the crowd a dunk.
Best Offensive Performance: Owen Chose. The Eden Prairie senior knocked out what I thought was six treys but it was five treys and a toe on the line. Chose exploded for 17 second half points and most of it was during the stretch when EP came back from double digits to get within a score. Owen had a game high 25.
Best Defensive Performance: Andrew Kallman. Northern State is getting a young man who does whatever his team needs to win. He handles the ball, moves the ball to open shooters and cutters (four assists), made all of his foul shots, and made two of his four shots. The biggest part was limiting EP junior Kyler Kluge who went without a made field goal for the entire game. Also, EP’s offense was limited to many one shot possessions and their halfcourt offense never really got going. Chaska was excellent defensively and Kallman was the main part.
Best Guy Off the Bench: Drake Dobbs. This is a skilled young guard that has a rare gift when it comes to his shooting touch. The lift and form into release are something that colleges will get excited about and when Dobbs gets hot he can change games. He came off the EP bench and made his first four shots including three treys. Drake scored 19 on only eight shots.
Best Under the Radar Performance: Parker Bjorklund. A Hawks worker that defended hard, scored on every attempt, and rebounded with effort. Gave the type of effort that all coaches want out of their role guys.
Best Underclassmen: Cole Nicholson. Opened the game hitting two threes in the corner and stayed hot from start to finish. The sophomore scored his 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting that included three three-pointers. A strong 6-foot-4 forward that did his job on the glass (eight boards) and extended the defense with his touch.
Best Story to watch Moving Forward: Chaska in the League. After losses to Woodbury, Lakeville North, and Edina, the Hawks needed to a win to avoid .500 and they did just that defeating EP. Wins over EP, Tonka, Eastview, and Shakopee have them ready for the Metro West which is a very solid league but they should be the class of that league. Chaska is at Orono tomorrow night.
Best Aspect of the Environment: Attendance. If you go to a game on Friday night the Chaska/EP crowd is exactly what you are looking for. Students supporting their classmates, youth players from both schools, and a load of basketball fans looking for a good game. Excellent crowd that was fun to watch.
Best Prospect: Hanson/Dobbs. Hanson is a top ten kid in Minnesota’s senior class headed to Columbia. Dobbs is a freshman and while we are still about three or four months from the first 2020 rankings, right now Dobbs seems to be a top five kid in his class. Last night Dobbs was a guest of the Gopher staff.
Other: DJ Johnson/Austin Andrews. Speedy EP guard DJ Johnson helped changed the game when the Eagles were pressuring the ball with two players and he cut to the rim to score three times. Austin Andrews scored his three baskets in the post catching with his back to the basket and making a move to touch the ball in.