Deepest Returning Metro Teams Pt. 1

<p>The 2020 class in Minnesota was special, with a handful of nationally ranked talents and depth of prospects at all levels. But they’re moving on to college, leaving a lot of holes to fill. Which metro teams come back with the depth to compete for state during the 2020-21 season? NHR has you covered with five of the deepest returning metro teams!</p> <p><strong>Osseo</strong></p> <p>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="850711" first="Joshua" last="Ola-Joseph"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="850721" first="Benard" last="Omooria"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="850720" first="Don" last="Ferguson"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="850705" first="Blessed" last="Barhayiga"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="958640" first="Tyriece" last="Waits"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="958648" first="Hassan" last="Kamara"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"] (2022)</p> <p>Many thought that Osseo would have a big season last winter, but the young group ended up finishing 10-17. Next season expactations will be high, as they return an absolutely loaded group of 2022 players with length, athleticism, and skill. Josh Ola-Joseph blossomed into a young star as a sophomore, loaded with length, explosive finishing ability, and the skill to create his own shots going to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="850721" first="Benard" last="Omooria"] and Donald Ferguson both stretch the floor with deep shooting range and crafty ball handling. [player_tooltip player_id="958640" first="Tyriece" last="Waits"] was a major stock riser as a quick guard with the ability to attack the rim and finish. [player_tooltip player_id="958648" first="Hassan" last="Kamara"] adds additional depth on the wing as an athletic 6’4 small forward with shooting touch. The front court is manned by [player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"], a 6’5 bruiser with mobility, and [player_tooltip player_id="850705" first="Blessed" last="Barhayiga"], a 6’9 center with a soft finishing touch and rapidly developing footwork. They’ll have the talent and depth to compete for a section title.</p> <p><strong>Lakeville South</strong></p> <p>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="774734" first="Reid" last="Patterson"] (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="774771" first="Avery" last="Mast"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="774732" first="Riley" last="Mahlman"] (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="850730" first="Sam" last="Fliehe"] (2022)</p> <p>Lakeville South had a great chance at advancing to state this past season, and they return most of their key contributors from that successful squad. [player_tooltip player_id="774734" first="Reid" last="Patterson"] is a high level scorer who returns after putting up 17.1 ppg as a junior. He has a smooth stroke from three and is a vocal leader on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="774732" first="Riley" last="Mahlman"] is a Wisconsin football commit, and he provides plenty of size and strength in the paint at 6’9. He has great feet for a player his size, and is an immovable object on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="850730" first="Sam" last="Fliehe"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774771" first="Avery" last="Mast"] are two long and lanky 2022 prospects who combined for 17.8 ppg last season. Add in a deep group of guards who contributed off the bench and starred at the JV level, and Lakeville South will be one of the toughest teams in Class AAAA.</p> <p><strong>Minneapolis North</strong></p> <p>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="774735" first="Davon" last="Townley Jr"]. (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="850709" first="Willie" last="Wilson"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="796946" first="Mario" last="Sanders II"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="958665" first="Jacob" last="Butler"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="958670" first="De’Meiko" last="Anderson"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="774741" first="Clifford" last="Brown III"] (2021)</p> <p>Minneapolis North loses just one starter from a top-5 ranked AA team that once again went undefeated in conference play. Davon Townley is one of the top 2021 prospects in the state as an explosive and agile 6’6 forward. He can beat defenders with his quickness and finesse, or power through them for explosive finishes. [player_tooltip player_id="850709" first="Willie" last="Wilson"] is one of the best scoring talents in the 2022 class, and he returns after averaging 16 ppg. He’s as dangerous as they come as an isolation scorer. Rio Sanders is a play-making point guard with quickness to blow by his defender and the vision to pick out an open teammate. Butler, Anderson, and Brown are all talented wings who can stretch the floor with deep shooting range. They combined to average around 24 a game last season. North has the talent to return as one of the favorites in Class AA.</p> <p><strong>Wayzata</strong></p> <p>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="850703" first="Camden" last="Heide"] (2022), [player_tooltip player_id="532609" first="Kody" last="Williams"] (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="850713" first="Carter" last="Bjerke"] (2022)</p> <p>Wayzata had a talented team this past season, but never put all the pieces together and ended up finishing below .500. Next season they’ll return with talent all over the floor, led by nationally ranked 2022 prospect [player_tooltip player_id="850703" first="Camden" last="Heide"]. Heide will return as one of the state’s best players after putting up 15.1 ppg as a sophomore. He has a smooth stroke from deep, is one of the most explosive finishers in Minnesota, and has a soft floater from five feet that he hits consistently. Manning the paint will be 6’8 forward [player_tooltip player_id="850713" first="Carter" last="Bjerke"] who had a breakout sophomore season. He has a sweet stroke from three but can also bang in the post for tough finishes. [player_tooltip player_id="532609" first="Kody" last="Williams"] is one of the top 2021 point guards in Minnesota, using quickness to penetrate the lane to finish or set up his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id="958661" first="Drew" last="Berkland"] and [player_tooltip player_id="796955" first="Ryan" last="Harvey"] will provide additional depth as returning 2022 guards. </p> <p><strong>Totino-Grace</strong></p> <p>Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] (2023), [player_tooltip player_id="962199" first="CJ" last="O’Hara"] (2023), [player_tooltip player_id="532558" first="Devin" last="Burger"] (2021), [player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"] (2021)</p> <p>After playing without a single senior this past season, Totino-Grace has a chance to be special next season. Standout 2023 prospects [player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="962199" first="CJ" last="O’Hara"] led the scoring charge this past winter, and will likely do the same again next season. Both elite athletes, Taison knocks down pull-up jumpers at a high percentage while CJ attacks the rim off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id="532558" first="Devin" last="Burger"] is one of the top 2021 forwards in Minnesota, with the ability to score with nice footwork in the post or stretch the floor with his shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"] is a vocal leader at point guard who brings intensity to the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="774802" first="Joe" last="Alt"] is a big body in the post at 6’6, and 6’4 wings [player_tooltip player_id="962203" first="Tommy" last="Humphries"] and [player_tooltip player_id="532607" first="Carter" last="Weierke"] are both extremely talented players in their own right who add shooting touch and defensive versatility. With a strong starting lineup and a number of players who can contribute off the bench, Totino-Grace will look to compete for a trip to state in Class AAA.</p>