The Race for Mr. Basketball
Hey! A few things have happened since our last “The Race for…” Update! What hasn’t changed though is the student athletes performing at a high level. And recognition of that must continue! I wasn’t sure if I should continue with…
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Continue ReadingHey! A few things have happened since our last “The Race for…” Update! What hasn’t changed though is the student athletes performing at a high level. And recognition of that must continue!
I wasn’t sure if I should continue with the Race for Mr. Basketball name but the committee will carry on without Mr. Lien and they’ve been very proactive today in letting coaches know who they are and what they plan to do going forward. So we will go forward because the kids are going forward, and that is what matters.
The Leader. McKinley Wright. After a 24 point, 7 rebound, and 7 assist performance against Brad Davison and Maple Grove leading his team to a win, Wright has stepped into the lead for the trophy. The Rebels are also the best team in the state right now, only undefeated big school team left.
McKinley has stepped into the lead. But that step is just one ahead of the other leaders on the first turn of a long race.
The Final Five. Brad Davison, Nathan Reuvers, and Goanar Mar. These three are right there for the final five and right behind Wright going for that big award.
Davison had a triple double of 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists against Totino-Grace last night and this is after scoring his 2,000th point on another triple double night against STMA last week. Add in the 18 assists in a game versus Irondale, another record, and he’s right there. The loss to Champlin hurt but there is a lot of season left and everyone is hoping for a CP vs MG rematch.
At 26.4 points and 12.7 rebounds a game on a two loss team Reuvers is a state title run away from Mr. Basketball, just like Davison and Wright. He’s had a couple tough games against Apple Valley this year but other than that Reuvers has had a phenomenal senior year and is ready for the final six week run.
Goanar has been even better than expected as a senior. He’s scoring nearly 23 a game with a double figure rebound average. Mar has three state title medals going for a fourth on a team going for a 6th. He’s going for a second straight Class AAA Player of the Year honor as well. Can he win Mr. Basketball? With all those titles he has a chance, if the guys at the AAAA level don’t bring home the title. Yes that title is a very big deal. Not everything, but big.
The Fifth Spot. Your guess is as good as mine. This is wide open. I honestly don’t know who I would pick for this spot at the moment. The committee did just watch Trae Berhow put up 33 points against a terrific Annandale defense plus grab nine boards and hit six threes.
Isaac Johnson is the top player on Minneapolis North who has one loss and Isaac is averaging 23.1 points and 6.7 rebounds a game. Isaac is going for a second straight state title. Also at the Class A level is Jericho Sims who may have the most natural and explosive talent of all the players in the class. At 25.8 points per game Jericho is a top 50 national prospect. He may need his team make a March run to get on the final five but word is the committee was really impressed by what he’s done.
Another big that needs to be talked about is Theo John. John has been a dominating shot blocker, has improved as a passer and is rebounding in big numbers, plus is getting the double figure average. Let’s not forget Tywhon Pickford with his near double figure board average and 20 plus points per game. Theo and Tywhon won’t jumper over their teammates but they could get on that final five.
Others. Myles Hanson is working his way back into the conversation as Chaska is making a push. Gavin Baumgartner will remain in the conversation as long as Wayzata is in the run because he is the best all around Trojan.
CJ Woda of Heritage Christian and Dillon Haider are extreme long shots but Woda has been really good against some name players and Haider is the leader of an undefeated Melrose team who already won a state title with him on the squad.
Seniors on top ten teams also worth a mention. Walt McGrory of Edina, Jordan Horn of Tartan, Parker Fox of Mahtomedi, Tyler Riemersma of Jefferson, Zach Hanson of New Prague, Ishmael El-Amin of Hopkins, Weston Baker Magrath and Mitch Sueker of Marshall, Zac Olson of WEM, Oakley Baker of NRHEG, Chase Grinde of Spring Grove, and Rob McClain of Red Lake.