Small-School Section 1 Top Forwards

It’s never too early for too-early-season. With fall sports and school underway, it’s only a matter of time before the winter sports season is upon us. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top forwards from the small schools in Section 1 [player_tooltip player_id="567035" first="Will" last="Tschetter"], Stewartville Tschetter may be the best individual player in Class AA. The 6-foot-9 big man had a monster junior season in which he averaged more than 30 points per game. He’s a good 3-point shooter, he’s relentless on the offensive glass and he’s got the size and strength to bully defenders in the post. He’s not just one of those bigs that you can neutralize by double-teaming because he’s able to produce in so many ways. He carried Stewartville to a section championship game last year and there’s no reason that can’t be the goal again this winter. [player_tooltip player_id="957133" first="Sam" last="Privet"], Caledonia Privet looked like a breakout candidate this time a year ago but injuries/illness took the wind out of his sails to some degree. He was still solid, helping the Warriors win the section title, but there’s more in the tank from a productivity standpoint. He looked terrific over the summer on the grassroots circuit and if he’s healthy, he’s a double-double guy for a team that should be expected to contend for a state title. [player_tooltip player_id="774768" first="Colt" last="Landers"], Grand Meadow Landers has been a varsity regular for what feels like forever and he’s finally heading in his senior season with a Grand Meadow team that has gotten better and better. What makes Landers so tough is that he’s able to beat people in so many ways. He’s big and strong and uses that to his advantage inside. He’s got an excellent turnaround jumper in the mid post and he’s become a deadly 3-point shooter (40-plus percent from distance as a junior). [player_tooltip player_id="796956" first="Justin" last="Wohlers"], Lake City Wohlers has been a key cog for Lake City each of the last two years but he looks poised for a monster junior season. The 6-foot-6 swingman is a knockdown perimeter shooter but he’s added significant dribble-drive skills to his offensive repertoire. And he’ll have the ball in his hands a ton this winter. Don’t be surprised if he keeps Lake City among the top teams in the HVL. [player_tooltip player_id="567090" first="Reid" last="Johnson"], Chatfield Johnson had a terrific junior season for Chatfield, averaging 19 points and seven rebounds for a decent Chatfield team. He backed that up with a solid showing on the grassroots circuit where he showed he can impact the game on the defensive end of the floor and as a slasher and energy guy. He’s got the shooting skills to stress defenses from deep, but he’s a strong, physical guy who can play through contact too. [player_tooltip player_id="958789" first="Luke" last="Kottom"], Schaeffer Academy There aren’t a lot of players in the SEC that can handle Kottom individually in the post. He’s 6-foot-8 with the strength to abuse people inside. Kottom averaged a double-double as a sophomore thanks to the combination of a strong motor, excellent hands and finishing ability at the rim and a soft touch. He’s one of the best true bigs in southeast Minnesota. [player_tooltip player_id="567067" first="Caden" last="Grinde"], Spring Grove Grinde took his game to another level as a junior, averaging nearly 17 points, four rebounds and four assists per game for the Lions. He’s a top-notch scoring option for the Lions but he also showed over the summer that he’s well-suited to fill a role on a team given his ability to play off the ball and impact the game defensively. [player_tooltip player_id="774767" first="Drew" last="Maloney"], St. Charles Maloney’s been a stud for the Saints each of the last two years and he’ll pair with Kaden Vaughn to form one of the most lethal duos in Class AA. At 6-foot-5, Maloney is a matchup problem for a lot of people because he’s a solid 3-point shooter, capable ballhandler and playmaker, and active in the paint. Justin Ruberg, Rushford-Peterson Ruberg emerged as one of the elite players in the Three Rivers last season, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore. He’s a matchup problem for a lot of teams as he’s developed a very good 3-point jumper to go along with the athletic skills to get to the rim off the bounce. And his activity level allows him to produce consistently without needing a ton of volume. [player_tooltip player_id="957614" first="Peyton" last="Dunham"], Rochester Lourdes Rochester Lourdes always seems to be in the mix in its league and section and Dunham is going to be the guy leading the way this winter. The 6-foot-6 junior has a diverse offensive game; he’s excellent off the ball as a cutter and offensive rebounder plus a capable shooter and a solid passer. His ability to impact the game on the defensive end of the floor can’t be understated either, as he’s capable of guarding at least three positions.