Breakout Season Candidates: 2020

<p>The class of 2020 is insanely talented. We know the biggest names. But who's been flying under our radar and is ready to step into a larger role that we might not have seen coming? NHR lists eight candidates.</p> <p><strong>Drew Hagen, 6-6 SF, Moorhead - </strong>Drew's seen it all in the Moorhead program as a player. He's grown into a formidable, versatile scoring threat and has leadership capabilities to boot. Not only does the Spud program have momentum coming off their best season since 2015, Hagen's explosive and steady play will no doubt elevate his teammates. Watch out, section 8AAAA.</p> <p><strong>Jack Fisher, 6-2 SG, Rochester Century - </strong>I'm not sure it's really known how good Jack Fisher was as a junior. He led the way scoring 20-plus a game for the Panthers, who went 14-12 after a dismal stretch of losing seasons. That energy will certainly carry over to 2019-20. Fisher showed a keen sense of shot selection and touch from all areas of the floor at the Top 250 Expo. He's a candidate for Big Nine player of the year.</p> <p><strong>Tariq Henry, 6-1 G, Osseo - </strong>NHR staff believes Osseo's next three years are extremely bright. A stellar 2022 class leads them there. But senior Tariq Henry has another year to prove it's not only a futures project. He has tremendous feel for spacing and pace of halfcourt play, and will also defer to the hot hand when he knows it. I think Tariq can really elevate the games of his young teammates and do some damage to opponents himself this year.</p> <p><strong>Josh Schloe, 6-7 PF, Sauk Rapids-Rice - </strong>Schloe's rise in coordination and skill around the paint will definitely bode well for the Storm, who were 5-22 last season and are in need of a boost. He's physical down low but can also square up on a defender and blow by them. Love his aggression as a post player on both ends. His motor is high and maintenance is low.</p> <p><strong>Bruce Lockwood Jr., 6-3 SF, Shakopee -</strong> The Sabers have plenty of firepower, and Lockwood can provide in that department, but my guess is he'll be called upon to defend and rebound at an elite level first and foremost. His size at 6-3 is perfect for guarding opposing wings of the South Suburban and he can get you a reliable bucket when you need him to. He's a perfect depth piece that can help a team in multiple areas of the game.</p> <p><strong>Max Lawrence, 6-0 PG, Spectrum - </strong>The speedster lead guard loves getting downhill. He doesn't have his weapons Matt Kruse and Cole Elrod as kickout options this year but Max has developed a crafty finishing game in the paint if defenders can somehow stay in front of him. A big increase in usage and scoring is on the horizon for Max.</p> <p><strong>Hezekiah Iyawe, 6-5 C, Armstrong - </strong>Looks are deceiving. Iyawe has a rare combination of size to bury you, length to go over you and touch to score on you all in one package. He's a great screen-setter and has soft hands to catch pick-and-roll passes. He doesn't jump like a kangaroo or anything but rebounds seem to fall his way more often than not. Iyawe was a great surprise last season putting up nearly 10 a game for the Falcons and we hope to see him build off that.</p> <p><strong>Shaheed Muhammad, 6-0 SG, North St. Paul - </strong>Sharpshooter in every sense of the word. If we're talking offensive explosion, Shaheed is a top of the list candidate. He scored 15 a game as a junior torching defenses on transition triples. He returns with a slew of young Polars to make another Metro East run and you can bet Muhammad will score in an even bigger way this year.</p>