Class AAAA Forwards to Watch

Class AAAA should be a lot of fun this year as there seem to be more quality teams than in typical years. There isn’t a clear-cut best team nor is there a matchup-proof team but there is a whole lot of talent all over the state. Here are some forwards to watch:

Kato Seeley, Sr., Champlin Park: Seeley didn’t put up big numbers last year but he impacts the game in a big way without scoring. He’s a terrific defender and can guard up or down the lineup, he rebounds and he provides great off-ball action offensively. He’ll need to take on a little more offensive responsibility for the Rebels and if he does, Champlin should be really good again.

Cameron Steele, Jr., Minnetonka: Steele is one of the best big men in Class AAAA and his plate just got a whole lot fuller on the offensive end as the Skippers lost several good players to graduation and transfer. Steele is good enough and diverse enough to handle extra attention and put up huge point totals this winter.

Blake Remme, Jr., Spring Lake Park: Spring Lake Park won 11 games last year. Bet on the Panthers winning more than that this winter because they’ve got a number of really talented players back in the fold. Remme averaged 18 points per game as a sophomore and will be among the best players in a very good Northwest Suburban Conference.

Maleeck Harden, Sr., Moorhead: Harden has progressed at an insane rate over the last couple years to the point that he’s got Division I offers. He’s an incredible athlete and extremely long. His skills are starting to catch the immense athletic tools, which means Moorhead is going to be an interesting team to watch and Harden’s going to put up huge numbers.

Odier Olange, Jr., St. Cloud Tech: Here’s one that takes some projection. Olange was one of the few non-seniors that saw playing time last year for Tech and at times, flashed huge potential. He averaged about four points per game and now that he’s in his upperclass years, he could be an all-conference type guy in the Central Lakes.

Tyler Kemp, Sr., New Prague: A jack-of-all-trades type of player, Kemp will be a featured offensive piece for the Trojans this winter. He’s a solid shooter, ball handler, passer and defender but he didn’t put up as big of scoring numbers as he’s capable because he doesn’t always hunt his shot. If he does, New Prague will be really tough.

Brendan Kauls, Sr., Mounds View: Kauls averaged about nine points per game as a junior and now takes on a leading role for a typically strong Mounds View team. There’s always depth in the program, so Kauls may not put up huge points, but if the Mustangs are going to be competitive again, he’ll be a big reason why.

Riley Mahlman, Soph., Lakeville South: The 6-foot-9 sophomore, Mahlman started and averaged better than 10 points as a freshman. He’ll be tested throughout the year against top-notch big men but with his effort level, skill level and physical style of play, he’ll be good for a lot of double doubles.