#MNStateHoops19 – Class AA Top Performers

<p>The Class AA quarters went as expected, Minneapolis North and Perham winning at Williams Arena, and Lake City and Minnehaha Academy moving on at Target Center. Here are the day's top players. </p> <p><strong>Finn Diggins</strong> of Perham. Finn is that nonsense get the work done kind of guy He had 15 points, 12 boards, made 7 of 9 foul shots and was said to of played his role nearly perfectly in the win.</p> <p><strong>Nathan Heise</strong> of Lake City. The junior hit a three early, went through a tough stretch mid-game, and then finished things out making his final three field goals and seven of nine foul shots. Heise has one of the prettiest jumpers you will ever see even though tonight the results weren’t what he was hoping for. Had game high in points, boards (7), and assists (4).</p> <p><strong>Ethan Heitman</strong> of Lake City. The 6-foot-5 senior forward had one of the better games of his career today scoring 11 points on five buckets plus blocking a shot above the rim and totaling a pair of steals. Heitman rim ran hard all game and it led to point production in the place of teammates who had trouble finishing plays. Perfect time to step up in a needed spot.</p> <p><strong>Chet Holmgren</strong> of Minnehaha Academy. Few teams in the state have the advantage that Minnehaha Academy does with Chet Holmgren blocks shots (8), contesting shots (too many to count), and grabbing defensive boards (6 of his 12) and sending the ball the other way. Holmgren is incredibly unique with his ability to control a game defensively but also use a developed touch to score. Put 14 on the board scoring on 7 of 15 shots.</p> <p><strong>Grant Moscho</strong> of Melrose. Grant scored 11 plus points per game for the Dutchmen this season shooting 48 percent from the floor and 42 percent from the arc as a sophomore. Made 3 of 4 triples in a loss to Lake City scoring his season average of 11 points.</p> <p><strong>Wyatt Olson</strong> of St. Peter. Wyatt has been a 17/12 his entire junior season so a solid response even against the talent of the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks wasn’t a surprise. Olson made all his foul shots and 6 of 16 attempts for 17 with Chet Holmgren prowling in the paint. Not an easy task.</p> <p><strong>Charlie Rasmussen</strong> of Perham. Different day, different guy, same result. That’s Perham hoops. Charles led the team with 19 points on 7 of 11 field goal shooting this evening. Too many players for Redwood to deal with.</p> <p><strong>Jalen Suggs</strong> of Minnehaha Academy. A 78-47 victory with a triple double. In 29 minutes. Not bad. A couple threes, constant leads for open looks for teammates, and an aggressive approach on the defensive glass is how tonight’s Jalen Suggs triple double took place. The Redhawks are locked into their approach and everyone on the team is following Jalen’s lead of execution.</p> <p><strong>Davon Townley</strong> of Minneapolis. The North sophomore big aggressively collected a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. There were foul shot struggles on the way to success but North will move on to fight another day.</p> <p><strong>Payton Wefel</strong> of Esko. It was the six foot junior’s four three-pointers and 16 points total that gave Esko a fighting chance against the favorite Polars. Wefel is a 14 point per game guy who has made over 42 percent of his triples this season.</p> <p><strong>Willie Wilson</strong> of Minneapolis North. Willie is a freshman but that youth was the difference in the Polars beating Esko in the quarterfinals. Wilson made 5 of 6 foul shots, and 6 of 9 field goals putting 17 crucial points on the board in Williams Arena.</p> <p><strong>Cole Woodford</strong> of Redwood Valley. Nice to see Cole get to play in front of the state. Had 23 points including three treys on 9 of 17 shooting. This is a guy that the Howard Pulley guards couldn’t defend this summer, and a guy who has had a great March run.</p>