Minnesota First Look: Henning

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Class A reigning champions, Henning steamrolled its competition pretty much all of last year. Anybody expecting a dropoff isn’t going to get it as the Hornets return one of the best cores of guards in the state and a solid chunk of rotation players from last year’s group. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>KEY RETURNERS:</strong> Parker Fraki, Blake Wallevand, Isaac Fisher, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Hornets return three starters from last year’s state title team in Fraki, Wallevand and Fisher. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fraki, Wallevand and Fisher could make a case for the best backcourt duo in Class A and while neither put up huge numbers a year ago, expect those two to both take big steps forward. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fraki out up better than 11 points per game last year and just has a rock-solid floor game. He’s a terrific shooter, knocking down nearly 40 percent of his 3-pointers. He’s a tough defender and sound decision-maker. He’s the tone-setter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wallevand averaged better than 14 points per game as a junior, drilling 42 percent of his 3-pointers last year and goes in spurts where he is absolutely unstoppable from long-range. He’s unselfish and does a great job playing without the ball. And he can guard up or down a lineup.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fisher averaged 10 points per game a year ago and will be heavily featured this year. He’s probably the team’s best slasher, possessing the speed and quickness to break down primary defenders and feast in the paint. He’s another guy who will guard people the length of the floor and make life a pain for the opposition. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES:</strong> Lee Bjorklund, Blaine Wallevand, Tanner Arndt</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since Henning won in blowout fashion so often last year, a lot of guys got to see the floor. The main rotation guys back are Lee Bjorklund and Blaine Wallevand. Bjorklund was the first or second guy off the bench last year and is a guy the Hornets can trust with the ball plus provide solid on-ball defense. Wallevand provides solid shooting and playmaking.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>QUESTION:</strong> Can Henning make it back-to-back?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Hornets went more than 50 years between state tournament appearances, but made up for lost time by winning three games by an average margin of 21.7 points. The Hornets are well-positioned to get back to state too, as they’ve got as much experience and talent as any team in the area.</span></p> <p><strong>SEASON OUTLOOK</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Hornets head into this season as the No. 1 ranked team in Class A and while they may not have the most talented individual players, they’ve got a ton of experience, a playing style conducive to winning and no shortage of collective skill and talent. They destroyed competition in their conference and mostly cruised through Section 6 on the way to state and many of the top challengers from a year ago were senior-oriented. Henning has a great shot at repeating as state champs.</span></p>