Class AAA….A Taste

Names to know, recruiting tidbits, Class AAA teams to watch, etc, we talk about it weekly in A Taste as we get ready for the season. Section 1.  Winona is a team to watch because they bring back nearly everyone from a .500 team a year ago.  Logan Smith and Dakota Matthees are the senior leaders returning while now juniors Jake Reeck and Terrell Hall are key pieces.  If you are looking for a potential sleeper in section 1 look at the Winhawks led by Rocky Peterson. Section 2.  This weekend at the Nickle Dickle days dunk contest Mankato East standouts Uhana Ochan and Damani Hayes will be on display showing their explosive athletic ability in what has become easily the best dunk contest of the year in Minnesota's high school level. Section 3.  I've started to have a couple schools ask about Richfield's Devin Wade-Henderson.  He scored over 14 a game last year as a 6-foot-4 and is set to have a big senior season.  He's one of these guys that could really have a big senior year and attract attention. Section 4. One of the higher IQ lead guards in the metro that doesn't quite get the words as others is Evan Nelson from Fridley.  He's been starting since his late sophomore year when he helped take the Tigers to state and now Evan is in charge of this year's Fridley squad. Section 5. Chandler and Thunder led Zimmerman last year to a strong season and this year's pair is Dylan Martin and Jake Pensiger.  Both Dylan and Jake were double figure producers a year ago and they will be depended on for even more.  They have the experience needed to help Zimmerman to another 16-17 wins. Section 6. DeLaSalle point guard Tyrell Terry has the offers from Iowa and Nebraska out of the Big Ten.  Also from the Big Ten, Tyrell visited Minnesota unofficially two weeks ago, Wisconsin was in recently, and Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter saw Terry in the last 24 hours. Section 7.  Hermantown is traditionally a solid program and the latest player from the school is David Birkeland.  The 6-foot-2 wing scored 15 points a contest last season and could shoulder an even bigger scoring loud this winter. Section 8.  Cody Landwehr of Sauk Rapids-Rice is visiting Southwest Minnesota State this weekend per a tweet from Alex Conover.  Cody has earned several d2 offers in the past year and after this visit Cody is likely to make his choice.