Granite City Classic – The Top Ten Performers
What ten players made the biggest impact on the Granite City Classic games at St. Cloud Apollo yesterday? Prep Hoops gives you those names now. Joshua Brown of Park Center (Sr). Once again Josh Brown was, the difference. He changed…
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Continue ReadingWhat ten players made the biggest impact on the Granite City Classic games at St. Cloud Apollo yesterday? Prep Hoops gives you those names now.
Joshua Brown of Park Center (Sr). Once again Josh Brown was, the difference. He changed the game with his long range stroke early but then found ways to score on the move the rest of the game. Loved his runner plus Brown rebounded in a way that we haven’t seen as much in the past. Brown scored 27 making half of his twenty attempts and scored four quick threes. Brown has great size at 6-foot-3 and the stroke is as pure as they come here.
Cash Chavis of Brooklyn Center (grade 8). Cash scored his team high 14 points in a win over the Zephyrs but it was his defense that was game changing. His ball pressure in man to man was a nightmare followed by his ability to zone trap in the second half. Love his defensive desire at such a young age.
Dain Dainja of Park Center (Sr). The Baylor committed big went toe to toe with Dawson Garcia throughout the contest and was able to score 21 points on 10 of 18 shooting. Dainja’s ability to use either hand and turn over both shoulders is so rare and he does it with a balanced explosion that is tough to deal with even for a player like Garcia. Throw in 13 boards and it was a full day.
Puoch DobuolPuoch Dobuol of St. Cloud Apollo (Sr). At 6-foot-7 Pouch has division one potential at some point in his career. His wing span has to be seven foot minimal and he runs as well as anybody his size in the state. Puoch has become a much improved passer and he made all seven shots he took today in the paint area. He’s extremely explosive and DoBool’s length makes it impossible to shoot over him. When Puoch learns how to defend consistently he will also be the perfect guy to have defending fours who set ball screens as Dobuol has the right agility and length to annoy all attacking guards. Finished with 14 points, eight boards, and four assists.
DT Frierson of Park Center (Sr). Frierson may have done more for his team at a high level than any other player in this event. Defensively he was an animal battling over the top of screens and forcing every dribble or pass to an unwanted location. Frierson handled some both in the transition push and halfcourt, moved the ball for seven assists, attacked the glass for eight boards, scored 16 on 11 shots including a couple jumpers, and most of all he was the energy of the Park Center team. A vocal leader and an electrical spark.
Michael Gravelle of St. Cloud Apollo (Sr). The 5-foot-8 point guard makes up for some inches with his incredible quickness and the ability to make big plays in key moments. Tonight Gravelle took a tie game and attacked it making a shot in the smallest attacking window you will ever find (his speed allowed it to happen) and then he got up and chased down the in-bounds pass for a steal and assist. Gravelle also hit four key threes in his way to 18 points in the win over MCA.
Avery Mast of Lakeville South (soph). The 6-foot-5 sophomore went against future college basketball players for the Rebels and he was the best big on the floor scoring 16 on 6 of 10 shooting. Mast was outstanding with his balanced drop step into finishes as well as his face up one dribble completions. Mast runs the floor very well at his size and his effort is every play. He looks like a tough player that brings it every play.
Grant McBroomGrant McBroom of WEM (Sr). One of the MVPs of the day, the WEM 6’2 senior faced two or three guys on every play and still shot 14 of 27 to score 39 points. We saw him score through multiple defenders using a spin move and a hard attack scraping off the arms to finish. Knocked out four threes, grabbed 13 boards, dished out five assists, and made seven of nine foul shots. Not only did he score, Grant scored at crucial times sending the game to an extra session twice. Would love to see this young man play when he didn’t have to create everything versus multiple players. A truly togh minded player who has been putting up 30/10 like numbers every game.
BJ Omot of Mankato East (soph). The 6-foot-6 tenth grader is starting to make his move as a high level prospect in his class. If you are a D1 coach it’s time to start looking into what this skilled and agile wing is able to do in the type of long frame that colleges love moving around screens on defense. Omot has the type of handling comfort that can lead a break and take the size that guards him off the glass. The touch is soft and his attack is controlled.
Blake Wallevand of Henning (Sr). Henning outlasted WEM in three overtimes and their big shot maker was Blake throughout the contest. He made four threes including a pair of clutch shots when Henning went on a 15-2 run. Blake made late foul shots with the pressure on his shoulders. Blake handled the ball, battled in a stance, and as a 6-foot-0 guard he provides the type of toughness that championship teams are made of. Finished with 24 points, ten boards, and seven assists.