Breakdown Tip Off Classic 5 Takeaways: Mahtomedi vs. Minnetonka

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The opening game of the Breakdown Tip Off Classic Saturday at Hopkins was mostly one-sided, with Cam Steele and the Minnetonka Skippers taking it to Mahtomedi, 89-73. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are Five Takeaways from the Contest:</span></p> <p><strong>Cam Steele made 38 points look easy</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Minnetonka senior big man is one of the best pure scorers in the state and if Saturday’s performance was any indication, he’s in for a monster year. Steele went for 38 points and eight rebounds, showcasing the scoring repertoire that essentially makes him unguardable. He knocked down 3-pointers, he scored on the offensive glass, he established good post position and showed solid footwork and he finished in various two-man game situations. He’s going to be heavily featured all year for the Skippers but he’s also incredibly difficult to slow down because he isn’t always in the same spot on the floor. He’s hard to double team because he can handle the ball and he’s on the move so often. Better teams will guard him better, but he made it look easy and sustainable Saturday. </span></p> <p><strong>Cole Chapman’s foul trouble was a key</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steele’s dominant performance was tied to Mahtomedi big man Cole Chapman spending a big chunk of the game saddled with foul trouble. The Zephyrs are going to lean on Chapman quite a bit this winter to provide interior scoring, rebounding and solid defense and when he was out, Steele sliced through their defense like a hot knife and butter. Chapman is vitally important for Mahtomedi on both ends of the floor and it will be a big key for them going forward, that he plays 25-30ish minutes a night. </span></p> <p><strong>Minnetonka Shot the Lights Out</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Skippers always seem to play well in the Breakdown Tip Off Classic and that was the case again Saturday as they shot nearly 50 percent from the 3-point line. JT Gaffney knocked down five triples on the way to scoring 19 points while Riley O’Connor and Cohen Kellog both knocked down a pair. Steele went 4 for 9 from 3-point range as well. The Skippers won’t shoot like that all year, but if they can routinely shoot in the high 30s and low 40s for percentages from 3-point range, they are going to be dangerous.</span></p> <p><strong>Luke Ricker and Brody Fox Are Keys for Mahtomedi</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mahtomedi is going to be a much different team than it was a year ago due to graduation and departures. The Zephyrs might not have the same kind of ceiling they would’ve had J’Vonne Hadley not transferred, but this team still has the talent to win its share of games. Luke Ricker and Brody Fox have started strong this year and both guys will be big keys to whatever success the team does have. Ricker led the way with 19 points on Saturday, doing a lot of his work early in the game while Fox finished with 13 points and excels running off screens and spacing the floor. </span></p> <p><strong>Minnetonka’s Defensive Intensity Was Noticeable</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Call this the Bryce Tesdahl effect, as Minnetonka’s defensive energy was outstanding throughout the game Saturday. Tesdahl’s had really good defensive teams at New Prague and East Ridge and while there are certainly technical and mental aspects to being good defensively, it’s impossible to be a good defensive team without effort and energy. I don’t know if there’s a lockdown individual defender on this Minnetonka team, but as a whole, they’ve got a chance to be excellent on that end because Tesdahl is going to demand a level of intensity to play. </span></p>