The Best of Anoka County Basketball

<p>Who are the best basketball players in Anoka County’s 14 schools?  We give you last year’s top five and the five to watch for next winter! </p> <p>***I am going off a list that looks to be somewhat old in terms of what schools are surely in each county.  If you are a new school in this county let me know and I can add on if needed.  Finding the exact private schools in each area was tougher than I thought. </p> <p><strong>Top Five Seniors</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="846121" first="Blake" last="Remme"]</strong> of Spring Lake Park. Blake is a top 30 level player that pushed Spring Lake Park into the top ten this year.  He’s a 6-foot-6 forward that will be at NDSCS next year.  In one or two years he will be a scholarship player that four year schools will be chasing. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="721909" first="Jordan" last="Jones"]</strong> of Columbia Heights. Life is about correcting errors, and one of my errors was not truly understanding how good [player_tooltip player_id="721909" first="Jordan" last="Jones"] was for the Hylanders.  Jordan was the league player of the year and he’s a top 35-40 level player in Minnesota.  Scored 24 a game last year hitting 40 percent of his threes and he’s one of the best available in Minnesota. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="721857" first="Gabe" last="Myren"]</strong> of Spring Lake Park. Gabe is an athletic wing player that teamed with Remme to push the Panthers into the top ten at points this season.  Myren will play at Minnesota State Moorhead next season while going to school as an engineer.  Myren has the potential to grow into a high level player for the Dragons, it will be interesting to watch his growth. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="846149" first="Wyatt" last="Schroeder"]</strong> of St. Francis.  Schroeder is a future Minnesota Golden Gopher tight end but on the court he averaged 16 points a game and nearly a double-double. High level two sport athlete that will next play for PJ Fleck.</p> <p><strong>Daydoor Phillips</strong> of Spring Lake Park. Opposing coaches loved to rave about Phillips as a player.  He just does so much.  Type of guy that would have a high video game rating because with each of the 15-20 items he would score highly.  One of those guys that can be put in the "coach’s dream" category as far as leader and worker goes. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Top Five Returning Players (with a 6th Man of course)</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"]</strong> of Totino-Grace (2021).  What’s Next for DJ?  Playing PG for Select and then leading the Eagles as the point guard of a top 2-3 team in Class AAA next year.  First thought of DJ?  I love doubling the ball off ball screens and one of the guys I saw do it best this year was DJ. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="532558" first="Devin" last="Burger"]</strong> of Totino-Grace (2021). What’s Next for Devin?  The combo forward role for Select and then for the Eagles in the winter.  First thought of Devin? A guy that will do whatever the team asks and do it intelligently. More versatile than I was ware of. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850729" first="Muja" last="Burton"]</strong> of Columbia Heights (2022). What’s Next for Muja?  I believe I heard that he was playing with the Pulley Panthers 16s this year, and then he will step into a leader role for the Hylanders, if he didn’t have that role already.  First thought of Muja? Hard worker with some range that reminds me of a 6-foto-4 Courtney Brown Jr. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"]</strong> of Totino-Grace (2023). What’s Next for Taison?  Trying to figure out exactly where Taison fits into the national ranking equation.  Top prospect in the freshmen class.   First thought of Taison?  Very few guys his age are able to create and take advantage of small windows like Chatman can.  It’s actually quite amazing.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774812" first="Trey" last="Johnston"]</strong> of Spring Lake Park (2021).What’s Next for Trey?  Playing with Gain Elite and then leading the Panthers of Spring Lake Park as their top player next season.   First thought of Trey?  I’m excited to see what Trey can do in a main scoring role.  That could happen if some of the older Gain Elite players have picked a school this summer (and won’t play) and will surely happen next winter. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962199" first="CJ" last="O’Hara"]</strong> of Totino-Grace (2023). What’s Next for CJ?  Playing with Howard Pulley and then stepping into a stacked Eagles line-up working towards a state title next season.   First thought of CJ?  The speed of the attack mixed with hesitation dribble and the fake grabbed my attention. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>