Players to Watch in the St. Charles Holiday Tournament
***Photo Credit: La Crosse Tribune*** Looking for a tournament that should feature some entertaining basketball? St. Charles should have it as four very solid teams from Southeast Minnesota will be in St. Charles for a four-team holiday tournament Friday and…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: La Crosse Tribune***
Looking for a tournament that should feature some entertaining basketball? St. Charles should have it as four very solid teams from Southeast Minnesota will be in St. Charles for a four-team holiday tournament Friday and Saturday.
It’ll have a section tournament feel to it as La Crescent, Dover-Eyota, Pine Island and the host St. Charles all come from Section 1AA and figure to battle for section positioning all winter.
Here are 10 players to watch in the tournament:
Brady Williams, Jr., Dover-Eyota
Williams is probably the best player and prospect in the tournament as he’s been one of the best players in the area for a while now. At 6-foot-6, Williams has the combination of skills and athleticism to give teams all sorts of fits.
Zach Todd, Jr., La Crescent
Todd’s the top perimeter scorer for the Lancers, averaging 16 points per game on the young season. He’s got good size at 6-foot-3 and can score inside and out.
Luke Schwartzhoff, Jr., La Crescent
The 6-foot-7 junior has been an anchor for the Lancers each of the last two seasons and is one of the best big men in the 2020 class. He’s averaging roughly 16 points per game on the year and his ability to draw extra attention helps the Lancers get a lot out of their offense.
Drew Maloney, Soph., St. Charles
With Drew Leistikow out with a foot injury, Maloney’s had to step into a bigger role offensively and boy has he ever. The sophomore wing is averaging better than 24 points per game for the Saints. His ability to get to drive-and-kick and break down defenses helps the plethora of talented Saints shooters.
Sam Holtz, Sr., St. Charles
The one guy with some tangible experience in the Saints lineup right now, Holtz has had to step up big with Leistikow and Hunter Oviatt both out of the lineup with injuries. Holtz is averaging 14 points per game and does a great job controlling the tempo of games.
Jake Weber, Sr., Pine Island
One of the best wing players in the area, Weber will be among the leaders in the Hiawatha Valley League in scoring. He’s got the ability to score from all three levels on the court and can defend at a high level.
Thomas Kiesau, Sr., La Crescent
Kiesau is off to a very good start on the season, averaging better than 12 points per game while providing strong play on the defensive end of the floor. He’s an effective slasher and does a good job setting the tone for a team that looks like a contender in the conference and section.
Blake Blattner, Jr., Dover-Eyota
Blattner is a multi-year starter for the Eagles and double-figure scorer. He’s one of the best players in the Three Rivers Conference and off to a strong start helping the Eagles get out to a 7-1 start on the season.
Kooper Vaughn, Soph., St. Charles
The second half of the dynamic sophomore duo for the Saints, Vaughn is already one of the most lethal shooters in the southern part of the state. With seemingly limitless range and the ability to get a shot off with limited space, Vaughn’s ability to space the floor tilts and stresses defenses from the word go.The sophomore guard is averaging better than 20 points per game.
Josh Navratil, Sr., Pine Island
Navratil is a multi-year starter for the Panthers and is off to a strong start in his senior season as the No. 2 guy to Weber. He averaged better than 10 points per game as a junior and has taken his game to another level so far this season.