17U Preview – WOTN

<p>WOTN once again has a team full of tough, battle tested players ready to uphold the WOTN defensive tradition.  Here is the WOTN preview. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567126" first="Will" last="Blascziek"]</strong> of Lakeville North (6’2, SG).  Will scored 13 points a game this winter for the Panthers.   Recently voted captain of the Panthers after a great junior year. Love how Will uses a quick fake to relocate for a jumper on the perimeter and if you give him space he’s a high percentage completer at the arc.  Will is also good at using his body to contact while attacking to extend and complete. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774942" first="Jake" last="Cochnauer"]</strong> of Farmington (6’0 Guard).  A Tiger reserve that scored a pair of buckets a game as a junior and showed outstanding footwork on defense.  Jake is an excellent football player that has MIAC and NAIA programs recruiting him heavily and he’s already been voted basketball and football captain next season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774871" first="Noah" last="Friedt"]</strong> of Apple Valley (6’2, SF). Noah produced 3-4 baskets a game for the Eagles over the winter.  Physical player that can play with his back to the bucket or move to the wing and compete. Good with his left, knows how to use his 225 pounds well, and is what an opportunistic finisher. </p> <p><strong>Jaylen Hannah</strong> of Burnsville (6’1 SG).  Hannah is a well coached, high effort guard that has an edge for the game and a fight to his approach. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957223" first="Cooper" last="Laufenburger"]</strong> of Lakeville North (6’3 SF). Cooper’s first varsity season was solid fitting into the Panther role with seven points a game.  You will sense a theme with this team, Cooper is also a returning starter and a player voted as captain next year.  Cooper was often defended by bigs this year and they had a had time contesting Cooper at the arc, and when he used the quick ball fake or one dribble right they were really a mess trying to catch up. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774767" first="Drew" last="Maloney"]</strong> of St. Charles (6’4 SF).  Drew helped St. Charles to another 20 win seasons scoring 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists a game.  Drew is like a microwave stew in that he can not only get you points quickly but can do so in a variety of ways.  Excellent three point shooter that is confident enough to let it go whenever he can.  And on the way to the rim, watch out for his spin move as it covers a lot of ground and is very quick. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774769" first="Addison" last="Metcalf"]</strong> of St. Croix Prep (6’2 SG). Metcalf was the top player on a St. Croix Prep team that earned their way high into the Class AA rankings all season long.  This team may rely on Addison for a dose of daily double figure points and Metcalf has the ability to provide.  High motor, aggressive player that rebounds at a high level and has added a consistent perimeter touch. Addison is left-handed so his attacks to the rim have been even tougher to stop.  Also, there is more juice to this kid than people realize as he’s more explosive with his bounce and first step than many realize. </p> <p><strong>Matt Miller</strong> of Lakeville North (6’2 SF).  Miller came off the bench for the Panthers scoring a basket a night. Good three-point shooter with the strength to guard a big wing but the stroke and agility to be a two as well. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774847" first="Noah" last="Nephew"]</strong> of Lakeville North (6’0 Guard). Backcourt reserve guard that gave his team a score a contest.  A 175 pound agile guard. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774810" first="Spencer" last="Swanson"]</strong> of Waconia (6’5 PF). One of the craftiest low post players in the 2021 class, Swanson scored 16 a game for the top ten ranked Cats.   Crafty player with the pivot and a face-up game that you can trust.  Can finish with either hand and will be a go to low post option for WOTN.  </p>