Tip Off Classic Role Players To Watch

Max Wagner December 6, 2019 @ 02:27 PM

The Tip Off Classic will bring together a majority of the state's top teams and individual talents to Hopkins High School. The match-ups will be some of the best we'll see all year, and Prep Hoops gives you some of the role players who could be the difference makers for their team. Andrew Irvin (5'11 2020 G, DeLaSalle)- Simply put, Andrew Irvin is one of the best defenders you'll find in the state. He doesn't score too much, but he's reliable for a couple of buckets each game. Against Mankato East he'll be called upon to defend Jax Madson, one of the state's top senior point guard prospects. If Irvin continues to force turnovers and make things difficult for opposing ball handlers like we know he can, DeLaSalle will be put in a good position to win. TJ Moberg (5'10 2020 PG, Champlin Park)- Champlin Park will take on Waseca's three-headed monster of juniors, and there's a good chance that Moberg will be matched up on Ryan Dufault. Moberg doesn't typically but up big numbers, but he's a guy who can spark an offensive run with his energy and pull-up jumper. Champlin Park doesn't have an established go-to scorer yet, so it will be TJ's job to facilitate to the hot hand, and get everyone involved on the offensive end. He'll also provide energetic and high pressured defense, while being a vocal leader. Danny McGraw (6'6 2020 F, Cretin-Derham Hall)- Let's face it, there aren't many players in the entire country who will have an answer for Chet Holmgren, a problem that CDH will be attempting to handle in the Tip Off Classic's finale. There are a couple of options CDH could throw at him to start, but if the Raiders get into foul trouble, Danny could see big minutes off the bench for his size. He'll be called upon for physical defense, boxing out and grabbing boards, and a confident shot from beyond the arc when left open. Jacob Butler (6'3 2022 W, Minneapolis North)- There are a few known names returning for North, but there are also a lot of gaps left open for some new faces to emerge. Jacob Butler had a productive fall season using his length and athleticism to get to into the lane and also stretch the floor with his jumper. Lake City has some length and shooters in their backcourt, so Butler's 6'3 and quick frame will be called upon for defensive purposes as well. Nick Katona (6'4 2022 W, Shakopee)- Hopkins is going to attack with a deep array of lengthy and athletic wings, and Nick Katona possesses those attributes for Shakopee. The top-30 level sophomore is a tough competitor who won't back down to anyone on defense. His height and work rate make him a versatile piece on defense, so he could be put on multiple players against the reigning state champs. He also scored 7 points in Shakopee's opener against Edina, so expect him to be a contributing factor on offense as well. Elvis Nnaji (6'8 2022 F, Hopkins)- Elvis came off the bench in Hopkins' opener against Park Center, and he could be used to exploit a size advantage against Shakopee. He'll be the tallest player in this matchup, and has the aggression around the rim to take advantage of that size difference over whoever ends up guarding him. Though still raw in terms of ball skills, Elvis attacks the rim with a purpose, crashes the glass, and is a threat to finish above the rim every time he gets into the lane. Expect him to get some scrappy buckets and be a rim protector against a Shakopee team that has some dangerous basket attackers. Brody Kriesel (6'6 2020 F, East Ridge)- Ben Carlson and Kendall Blue will be the main scorers for East Ridge, but Brody Kriesel is a versatile piece on both ends of the floor. He has the size to be a finisher inside, but is also confident floating around the arc and hitting some outside shots. Defensively he'll be matched up against some of the Park Center length and athleticism that they throw out on the floor. He could be seen on John Grigsby who is a 6'8 stretch-four, so Brody's length and ability to move his feet will be needed to shut down his outside shot.