Three Up, Three Down (Class AAAA)

<p>What Class AAAA teams have found a grove at the right time? What players have led those improving teams? Which teams have hit a snag and why? That’s today in Three Up, Three Down</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Three Up</strong></p> <p><strong>Rochester Century</strong>. The Panthers are currently on a five game winning streak and a stretch of nine wins in their last ten games. Wins over Mayo and Farmington, a hammering of Winona, and an 18 point victory over much improved Albert Lea highlight the 14-5 record.   Austin, Mayo, and Mankato East are coming up on the schedule but Century looks to be in position for the fight. Century does everything with a senior balance led by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jack-fisher/">Jack Fisher</a> but getting equally important daily production form Stephen Olander, Canon Tweed, and Mark Leonard.</p> <p><strong>Stillwater.</strong> The Ponies are playing some young talent and they are still trying to find a consistent scoring punch. After a couple wins in the last week Stllwater has improved their record to 8-11 and that’s about the amount of wins I would have predicted for them this year overall. Stillwater not only beat Roseville and Minneapolis South recently, they have Woodbury and Irondale runs to the final buzzer as well. Leading the way for Stillwater? Freshman guard Max Shikenjanksi, a freshman guard putting up 16.4 points a contest.</p> <p><strong>Moorhead.</strong> Do you know that the Spuds are 12-6 with two losses in overtime, and another three losses by one score? They’ve had one struggle all season and that was at Alexandria (a 15 point loss). The Spuds are currently on a four game winning streak beat two from Minnesota (Elk River and Fergus Falls), one form North Dakota (West Fargo), and one from South Dakota (Watertown). <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/drew-hagen/">Drew Hagen</a> leads the Spuds at 17 points a game while <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-walthall/">Brady Walthall</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/blake-walthall/">Blake Walthall</a> are joined by <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-feeney/">Trey Feeney</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/quentin-hegg/">Quentin Hegg</a> all as supporting players in a balanced line-up.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Three Down</strong></p> <p><strong>Rochester JM</strong>. Unfortunately JM lost UMD committed or signed big man <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/lincoln-meister/">Lincoln Meister</a> to a leg injury and after that happened it’s been a struggle for the Rockets. They had a nice 7-5 record going but after Lincoln got hurt the Rockets have dropped five straight games. Lincoln was averaging 21.3 points and 9.5 rebounds a game before getting injured. Senior forward Jacob Daing has had a solid season scoring 15 a contest and now he is the main option.</p> <p><strong>Minnetonka</strong>. A struggling Wayzata team went into Minnetonka and beat the Skippers 77-69. Minnetonka came into that game winners of seven out of eight games but since that loss Tonka has also dropped games to Hopkins, Eden Prairie, and Edina. The Ls to Hopkins and EP were predictable but losing to Edina in a one point game and the loss to Wayzata hurt (Tonka is now 9-9). Minnetonka has a chance to get back on the winning side of things with five winnable games upcoming.</p> <p><strong>Burnsville</strong>. I feel like the Blaze are so close to getting things rolling, and then they lose close games to Lakeville South and Farmington. That wouldn’t have been a big deal had Eastview not been next on the schedule. The biggest problem is that Burnsville is giving up a Class AAAA high 77.8 points a game. Keep an eye on this team though, freshman Ibrahim El-Amin and sophomore Yarin Alexander are excellent young players having strong initial varsity seasons.</p>