The Southside Showcase Impressions

<p>This past weekend's Southside Showcase gave us a chance to see a number of players who earned some respect from the Minnesota Basketball Community. </p> <p><strong>Spencer Alvarez</strong> of Columbia Heights.  The Hylanders didn't use the 6-foot-6 sophomore for much offense (only took one shot) but his rebounding efforts led to several quick Hylander transition plays while also extending offensive possessions.  Spencer played about half the game and grabbed ten boards in the approximate of 20 minutes.  </p> <p><strong>Amari Carter</strong> of Cretin-Derham Hall.  This weekend was as aggressive as I've seen Carter since a game last season.  Moved the ball well and the 6-foot-6 senior was aggressive with his shot.  Carter knocked out a couple threes, hit all of his foul shots, and scored 18 against good Spring Lake Park wing forwards.  </p> <p><strong>Isaiah Davis</strong> of Minnehaha Academy.  With Chet Holmgren and Terry Lockett out on Saturday Isaiah Davis got the start and played a very nice game against BSM.  Davis is athletic and when he uses that agility to move off the ball Minnehaha Academy has found him for success.  A player as athletic as Davis moving off the ball is very hard to rotate to defensively.</p> <p><strong>Jamez Garner</strong> of Columbia Heights.  Another CH sophomore that made an impact in a good win for the Hylanders.  Garner scored in double figures and hit a big three late in the game.  Garner was another piece of the rapid transition and ball movement that has led to his team being 4-0.  </p> <p><strong>Tre Holmes</strong> of Hibbing.  Holmes is a 6-foot-2 junior shooter that has been on fire to start the year.  Holmes scored 21 recently against Mesabi East and then hit five threes (four early) against Columbia Heights on his way to 19 for the game. </p> <p><strong>Tristan Lee</strong> of Hopkins.  The junior Hopkins guard has made a very real impact in the games I've taken in this year.  Defensively his strength and lateral agility has kept players in front and offensively Lee hasn't shot much but he's been successful when he has. </p> <p><strong>Ayden McDonald</strong> of Hibbing.   A sophomore guard that recently became his school's all time leader in assists.  McDonald had a tough day shooting vs Columbia Heights but still impacted the game with seven assists and seven boards.  McDonald's creativity in moving the ball as well as his court vision on the move is something to enjoy, and it's an element of his game that really makes a person step back and appreciate his game even more. </p> <p><strong>Mike Shea</strong> of Chanhassen.  Was this a breakout game for the reserve junior of the Storm?  Mike stands 6-foot-5 at forward and with his team dropping the game to Cambridge, Mike was able to get some extra run and he took advantage of this time scoring on six possessions.  It will be interesting to see of Shea's role is a bit bigger in the upcoming games. </p>