Class AAA State Preview: Backcourts to Watch

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s never too early for way-too-early season. With fall sports hitting the halfway point soon, attention will start turning to the winter season. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top backcourts in Class AAA for this upcoming season:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Mankato East:</strong> Joich Gong and Jax Madson</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cougars are one of the most talented teams in the state and the star backcourt of Madson and Gong is the driving force behind their success. Both guys have been rotation players or starters since their sophomore seasons. Gong is long, smooth and excellent as a slasher and passer while Madson has the strength to bully opposing guards on both ends, shoot from deep or get to the rim. They form arguably the best backcourt in the state.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>St. Anthony:</strong> Tait Nelson and Max Kachman</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Anthony should be much improved this winter and the backcourt tandem of Nelson and Kachman is a big reason why. Nelson is one of the best scorers in Class AAA, after averaging 17 and 21 points per game the last two seasons. He can fill it up like few players. Kachman was a starter and averaged about nine per game as a sophomore last year and should have no trouble stepping into a much bigger role this winter. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Simley</strong>: Breyton Buysman and Ruot Jioklow</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simley won just 10 games a year ago but the Spartans should be improved this winter. Breyton Buysman averaged 13 points per game last year as a sophomore and showed over the summer that he’s capable of impacting the game against top-shelf competition. Jioklow averaged better than 15 points per game as just a freshman a season ago. If those two continue to grow as all-around players, the Spartans will be a much better team. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Mound Westonka:</strong> Jameson Sexton, Santiago Phommahaxay and Jason Spaeth</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The White Hawks won 20 games last year and will have no shortage of hype going into this season thanks to a really talented returning core. Jameson Sexton is one of the better guards in the state after averaging 15 points per game as a junior. He makes the game look easy and does pretty much everything well. Jason Spaeth averaged better than 10 points per game in his freshman season and looked like he’s ready to take another big step over the summer. Santiago Phommahaxay is an undersized guard but is a terrific facilitator and on-ball defender.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Alexandria:</strong> Carrson Jones and Colton Roderick</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alexandria’s ceiling dropped when Treyton Thompson transferred away but the Cardinals won’t be curling up in the fetal position. Their backcourt should be good enough to help them contend in the Central Lakes. Roderick is a breakout candidate and I’d expect him to average 15-plus points per game on top of rock solid defense. Carrson Jones was one of the team’s top assist guy a year ago and showed over the summer that he’s capable of scoring and controlling the game. He’ll also get up and guard people. Those two are good enough to be all-league guys and if they are, Alexandria won’t fall off much. </span></p>