Small-School Section 3 Top Guards

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top guards in the small schools in Section 3</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774818" first="Brady" last="Kienitz"], MACCRAY</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kienitz was a key cog in MACCRAY winning 20 games last year, averaging 20 points, six rebounds and four assists while knocking down 36 percent of his 3-pointers and 80 percent of his free throws. He’s just the definition of rock-solid and with [player_tooltip player_id="955887" first="Blake" last="Wadsworth"] graduating, he’ll have the ball in his hands tasked with driving offense even more. The Wolverines may be the favorite in Section 3A this winter - Kienitz has all-state potential. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774782" first="Ethan" last="Mischke"], Westbrook-Walnut-Grove</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mischke’s been a scoring machine for WWG and took his game to an impressive level as a junior, averaging nearly 20 points per game. He’s a high-volume 3-point shooter who knocked down 37 percent of his attempts while also connecting on more than 50 percent of his shots inside the arc. The Chargers are always solid and with Mischke leading the way this winter, they’ll be a factor in Section 3A again. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958706" first="Case" last="Mulder"], Central MN Christian</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mulder emerged as one of the best point guards in Section 3A last season, averaging 17 points and seven assists for a Bluejays team that won 24 games. For a young player, he’s an excellent decision-maker who does a good job balancing looking for his own shot with facilitating. He’ll have the ball in his hands a ton this winter; expect big things. </span></p> <p><strong>Micah Schapp, SW MN Christian</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SW MN Christian went undefeated last year, reaching the state tournament before things were canceled. Schapp was a key cog in that well-oiled machine, averaging 11 points per game while providing valuable floor-spacing. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957211" first="Peyton" last="Johnsrud"], Minnewaska</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Johnsrud was the third guy for a Lakers team that won 21 games last year and reached the Section 3AA final and he’s one of the best two-way players in the section. He’s a knockdown perimeter shooter who excels off the ball as a cutter and spot up guy. He’s got some off-the-dribble juice that he’ll have ample opportunity to show more of this winter and he’s excellent on the defensive end of the floor. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957638" first="Ben" last="Peterson"], Benson</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Benson won 15 games last year and should be considered a potential contender in Section 3AA next winter because of guys like Peterson and [player_tooltip player_id="774829" first="Cole" last="Hedman"]. Peterson is a dynamic perimeter shooter who can get hot in a hurry. The Braves play a wide open, up and down style and Peterson is perfectly suited for it because of his range, quickness and savvy off-the-dribble game.</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774829" first="Cole" last="Hedman"], Benson</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hedman is right there with Peterson, forming a deadly one-two punch on the perimeter for the Braves. He’s a deadly long-range gunner who can pile up points in a hurry as well as get to the paint. He nearly doubled his scoring average between his sophomore and junior seasons and could be a 20-point-per-game guy as a senior. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958733" first="Zach" last="Jorgensen"], Fairmont</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jorgensen is a rangy, athletic two-guard who can score from all over the floor. Fairmont is always competitive in the Big South and Jorgensen’s going to be the go-to guy for the Cardinals this winter. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774751" first="Jacob" last="Hennen"], Minneota</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hennen missed his junior year to suspension for the free throw shooting incident dating back to his sophomore season so he’s been off the radar for a while now, but he’s talented enough to be one of the best players in the section. He’s a big, athletic guard who can score from all over the floor. He averaged better than 14 points per game as a sophomore and is equally capable of beating people from the 3-point line and getting to the free throw line. </span></p>