17U Preview – Southwest Minnesota Stars

<p>Our next 17u preview takes us to the southern part of the state where the Stars have put together a strong team led by [player_tooltip player_id="774733" first="Bryce" last="Lance"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774759" first="Finn" last="Diggins"]. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774941" first="Riley" last="Ashburn"]</strong> of Renville County West (6’4, SF). At his size Riley is comfortable on the perimeter attacking defenses at will. He scored 23 points a game this year while also grabbing a nine boards a contest and collecting nearly four steals a contest (four assists as well). A complete player.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774893" first="Josh" last="Baker"]</strong> of Marshall (6’2, SG). Baker had a breakout season for the Tigers scoring a dozen points a game for one of the best teams in the state. Baker is a scoring threat that can also handle and then has the agility moving the other way to be a key defender.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774759" first="Finn" last="Diggins"]</strong> of Perham (6’5, PF). The leading scorer and rebounder on an undefeated Perham team. Diggins collected all state honors for his outstanding season. Finn grew as a perimeter player both with his touch and his ability to create space on the move.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774940" first="Chase" last="Dirksen"]</strong> of Willmar (6’3, SF). Dirksen is an excellent athlete who is quick off his feet to finish, board, and defend. Dirksen has good size and strength with agility so he can defend wings at the arc but can also do things around the basket.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957650" first="Eli" last="Fest"]</strong> of Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda (6’0, SG). Fest exploded for a few 30 point games this winter on his way to an all league year for the second straight season. Eli scored 19 points per game this winter and could be a major stock riser this winter.</p> <p><strong>Ja’Sean Glover</strong> of Madelia (6’3, SF, 2022). The explosive player, Glover is already his school’s all time leading scorer and he has two years to go in his varsity career . After scoring 31.1 points per game with an eight rebound and there assist per game average Glover will play up a grade on the Stars 17u team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957216" first="Dawson" last="Kellen"]</strong> of Pipestone Area (6’6, PF). A big that developed more this winter than many expected. Put together some double-doubles this year and averaged 16 points per game for the year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774733" first="Bryce" last="Lance"]</strong> of Marshall (6’2 PG). Lance is considered one of the best 2-3 lead guard recruits in his class and he’s a top 10-15 player in his class overall. The fire power of Lance leading Sagedahl on one side, Glover on the other wing, and with Diggins as the forward moving all over, it’s got many excited for the year. Lance is grabbing football offers and we think he would add basketball offers too if the team takes the court this summer.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957639" first="Ethan" last="Nickel"]</strong> of Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey (6’0, SG). Ethan is a top 250 senior in Minnesota after scoring 17 points a game as a junior. Mountain Lake had a strong group of seniors that only lost five games this year and Nickel was often the key player in the group.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957234" first="Jacob" last="Rosendahl"]</strong> of Willmar (6’2, SG). Rosendahl led Willmar in scoring this season at 12-13 points a game. Rosendahl is a solid perimeter shooter with a good left hand attack dribble plus he can play with his back to the basket.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567070" first="Drew" last="Sagedahl"]</strong> of BOLD (6’0, Guard).  Drew averaged 22.1 points a game making 48 percent of his shots from the field and 38 percent of his threes. Add in 8.2 boards and 4.2 assists a game and this is an agile, at times explosive player that could have a massive 17u season.</p>