Players to Watch in the Borch’s Holiday Classic

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Holiday tournaments are going on in all corners of the state including one of the best taking place in Marshall. Southwest Minnesota State will host a handful of the top teams from all over the state including state tournament teams from a year ago in Hermantown and Minnewaska plus one of the best teams in South Dakota in Sioux Falls Lincoln for the Borch’s Holiday Classic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some of the top players in the field:</span></p> <p><strong>Connor Bich, Sr., Hermantown</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bich was a key guy for Hermantown’s state tournament team a year ago and has taken his game to another level as a senior. The 6-foot-7 forward is averaging better than 25 points per game plus nearly 10 rebounds on a team that looks much improved early in the season. Bich’s ability to score inside and out plus defend the paint has earned him quite a bit of college interest.</span></p> <p><strong>Matt Onken, Sr., Marshall</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the best big men in the 2019 class, Onken is a physical presence in the paint and a capable double-double guy for a Tigers team that is 4-2 and figures to be among the contenders in Class AAA. </span></p> <p><strong>Bentley Boike, Sr., Dawson-Boyd</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the best players in Class A, Boike is a matchup nightmare as he’s an effective inside and outside scorer. Dawson-Boyd’s been a little slow to start the season, but Boike’s been excellent, averaging better than 18 points per game.</span></p> <p><strong>Peter Soumis, Jr., Hermantown</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Soumis has been one of the best point guards in the state, averaging nearly 20 points while serving as one of the best facilitators and shot-creators in northern Minnesota. Soumis is dynamic with the ball in his hands and does a great job controlling the tempo of the game. </span></p> <p><strong>Nate Everson, Sr., Murray County Central</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everson has put up big numbers early in the season for the 5-2 Rebels, averaging better than 20 points per game while consistently hauling in double digit rebounds, providing assists and making plays on the defensive end of the floor.</span></p> <p><strong>Grant Jensen, Jr., Minnewaska</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Minnewaska hasn’t fallen off at all and Jensen’s play has been the primary cause. The junior guard is averaging 18 points per game, giving the Lakers a true go-to scorer on the perimeter. </span></p> <p><strong>Noah Puetz, Jr., Marshall</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Puetz is one of the key offensive options for a Tigers team that has had some troubles consistently scoring so far this season. At 6-foot-4, Puetz is a matchup nightmare because of his perimeter skills and athleticism.</span></p> <p><strong>Romell Horton, Sr., Dawson-Boyd</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Horton’s one of the best guards in the Canby Conference and a multi-year starter for the Blackjacks. His scoring ability from the perimeter is going to be a key for the Blackjacks reaching their ceiling.</span></p> <p><strong>Riley Kockelman, Sr., Canby</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Canby’s struggled early on this season but a guy who the Lancers will lean on is senior guard Riley Kockelman. He’s one of the few guys capable of consistently generating offense. </span></p> <p><strong>Jack Pierson, Sr. Murray County Central</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pierson went from a bit guy to one of the go-to guys for the Rebels as he’s averaging better than 15 points per game as a senior. </span></p> <p><strong>Shawn Carsten, Sr., Minnewaska</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carsten’s been really good for the Lakers, averaging better than 11 points per game while producing consistently on the glass and providing quality interior defense.</span></p> <p><strong>Jared Jaros, Sr., Sioux Falls Lincoln</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sioux Falls Lincoln is one of the best teams in Class AA South Dakota and Jaros is one of the primary reasons why. He’s one of the best wings in the state and a terrific all-around prospect. </span></p>