Scouting Minnesota – 2AAAA Ten Best

<p>2AAAA had some of the best basketball players in the state last year but so many kids graduated.  Who remains in this section?  It’s still quite talented. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Five Best</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850735" first="Brady" last="Helgren"]</strong> of Edina. Brady is a player that I think is on the short list of "talent about to blossom in a big way" 2022s.  The biggest thing to me is that Edina used him as both a three and a four, and in the games I reviewed he played so well from both spots. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850712" first="Malcolm" last="Jones"]</strong> of Prior Lake. Malcolm is about to step into a role of the go to guy and the Lakers will not fall off as far as people think because of it.  Jones is one of the more talented finishers in the state next season with his crafty turns and skilled finishes. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"]</strong> of Shakopee. We continue the theme of skilled size that is about to take a major production step forward with [player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"].  Katona is an athletic forward that handled main defensive roles last year while finishing his off-ball 5-6 chances a contest.  This year he will be relied on to score. </p> <p><strong>Sammy Presthus</strong> of Edina. This weekend when D1 Minnesota 16u was having some ball handling issues it was Sammy that finished out the game running the offense.  He’s coming off a steady year as a starting PG in the Lake Conference and he should blossom into one the elite players in the league this season. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="532600" first="Luke" last="Strazzanti"]</strong> of Chaska. Chaska was a top five team in the state last season and leading the way in scoring was Luke Stazzanti.  With [player_tooltip player_id="846120" first="Zach" last="Lea"] graduated the Hawks will rely on Luke for point production even more in their balanced offense. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Four More</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774926" first="Marcus" last="Crawford"]</strong> of Edina. Another returning Edina starer, Crawford scored eight points a game last seaon. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774803" first="Jack" last="Frick"]</strong> of Chaska. Best spot up three point shooter in this article. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567064" first="Spencer" last="Goetz"]</strong> of Chaska. I hate the term garbage man and I love the term garbage man.  I love it because it talks about a guy that will work hard and do whatever is needed.  But I hate because it seems to limit, don’t limit Spencer! </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850714" first="Brady" last="Nicholson"]</strong> of Chaska.  Nicholson is an inside load with some of the best hands and low post touch in the section. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Duos to Watch</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774912" first="Will" last="Foster"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774873" first="Cole" last="Tiran"]</strong>of Eden Prairie.  Will and Cole were the EP 5th starter/6th Man last season hitting the occasional open shot or high percentage lay-up but mostly being standout defenders and smart passers.  This year they have to play the same defensive role but offensively the team will rely on them to score.  [player_tooltip player_id="774873" first="Cole" last="Tiran"] did that pretty good for the D1 Minnesota Prospects last weekend. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962205" first="Jalen" last="Cain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850734" first="Cohen" last="Kellogg"]</strong> of Minnetonka. Cohen will be a junior, Jalen will be a sophomore.  They split the PG duties for a senior heavy Tonka frontcourt and wing group plus they played together commonly as a dangerous young backcourt.  Cohen and Jalen are now the face of the program and they have the talent to surprise next year in the Lake. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>