Class AAA State Preview: Top Duos

<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 duos in Class AAA for this upcoming season:</span></p> <p><strong>Minnehaha: Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This one is the best in the state regardless of class as Suggs and Holmgren are well-known at a national level at this point. The Redhawks will be seeking their fourth straight state championship and first at the Class AAA level this winter and with these two guys leading the way, they’ve got a leg up on any competition. Suggs is the best point guard in the state, combining size with explosiveness and skill and he controls the game like few others can. Holmgren is a two-way force, using his length and mobility to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. His ability to space the floor opens up things immeasurably for the Minnehaha offense as well and he’s a terrific finisher at the rim.</span></p> <p><strong>Holy Angels: Emmett Johnson and Matt Banovetz</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Holy Angels loses three starters but the Stars should remain competitive this winter because they are squared away at point guard and up front with Emmett Johnson and Matt Banovetz. Johnson played up two age groups this summer, playing with the Comets where he showed he can not only defend at a high level, but also run a team effectively. He’ll have a lot on his plate this winter but his floor game is advanced. Banovetz is one of the best scoring big men in the state, combining strong shooting with a smooth faceup game. </span></p> <p><strong>Austin: Agwa Nywesh and Teyghan Hovland</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Packers win with defense first but they’ve had no trouble producing quality scorers on the perimeter in recent years too. Nywesh was an all-conference guy a year ago and showed this summer playing with the Heat program that he’s capable of dominating a game with the ball in his hands. He’s a terrific shooter and finisher and is improving as a playmaker. Hovland was a role player last year and had an awesome summer with MN Lightning, showing an expanding skillset to go along with already strong athletic tools. Expect him to be the next breakout guy for the Pack.</span></p> <p><strong>Delano: Trey Longstreet and Keagen Smith</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Delano lost top scorer Derek Techam, so the Tigers offense will certainly take a hit. They do return their second and third leading scorers though in Trey Longstreet and Keagen Smith - both of whom averaged double figures a year ago. Longstreet has been a starter for two years and looks poised to take over the team now as an upperclassmen while Smith looked more than capable of taking on an expanded role as a shot-creator and go-to scorer over the summer. Both guys are terrific on the defense end of the floor as well. </span></p> <p><strong>Waconia: PJ Hayes and Connor Schwob</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Wildcats should be strong again this winter as they return a number of key contributors including their top two scorers in Hayes and Schwob. Hayes was a scoring machine last year and enters his fourth year as a starter at the varsity level. He’s an elite long-range shooter and off-ball scorer as he showed over the summer but he’s also more than capable as a ball handler and facilitator. Schwob has a really well-rounded game on both ends of the floor and will take on a bigger role as a scorer and facilitator this winter after averaging 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists as a junior. </span></p>