Top 250 Expo Minnesota – Senior Stock Risers

Photo: Alex Conover Prep Hoops MN

Ryan James September 29, 2020 @ 05:09 PM

Who were the Senior Stock Risers at the Top 250 Expo that I was able to see Saturday? These are guys that earned some ink! And some extra calls from college coaches. [player_tooltip player_id="957205" first="Ryan" last="Boysen"] of Rockford was certainly one of the top Stock Risers and we talked about Ryan in the "Best in Show" article. Who else? That’s here today. ***Keep in mind this was a five hour event with 280 kids. That’s far too many kids to see in a short amount of time for one person to see which is why we had several writers watching this weekend. So if a player doesn’t appear in the 6-7 stories I will write this week, there is a good chance those players appear in other articles. [player_tooltip player_id="957204" first="Terence" last="Anthony-Larmouth"] of Maple Grove (6’5 SF, 2021). Terence seems to be on the edge. He is coming off a visit to North Central which was great to see because he has earned the opportunity. If you are a defender and your coach says "you have number five", you have your hands full. Terence is likely stronger than you, he’s likely more athletic than you or at a similar level, and if you step back he can hit the jumper. If you are too high or out of position Terence can put the ball on the deck and fearlessly go to the rim knowing he has good lift and strength to complete. Terence has a chance at a big senior year. Jordan Boltz of Maple Grove (6’5 SF, 2021). Watching Jordan play, my gut instinct says he is going to be a double figure scorer. I then take a step back and realize that the Crimson have a lot of good guards and wings returning from the varsity so there are only so many shots. That said I think Jordan has a chance to be a five bucket a game guy for a top ten Class AAAA team. He is playing with so much confidence as a scorer, not just as a shooter but also scoring in other ways. We saw some basket cuts and ball on the deck situations that put points on the board as well. Surely a MIAC prospect as Jordan has good size at forward. [player_tooltip player_id="836689" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] of Park Center (6’3 Wing, 2021). We’ve talked a lot about Jalen the last three months and he’s earned it. He’s a shooter that works to be a lot more than that. Scorers add high percentage worker baskets to their jumpers and that’s what we continue to see from Cook. He’s a guy that will be a high percentage finisher because even on days the jumper is off Jalen will give you the effort to put points on the board in other ways. [player_tooltip player_id="957228" first="Christian" last="Crockett"] of Fridley (6’1 PG, 2021). There was a time that I stood up and on former coach instincts said "Great job Christian". It was a moment of weakness as I should sit there quietly but I was so focused on how hard Christian was working defensively to turn mistakes into fast breaks that I jumped up. A quick lead guard that had a nice junior season, Crockett looks like a potential defensive game changer. [player_tooltip player_id="774825" first="Zach" last="Jackson"] of Lester Prairie (6’3 Wing, 2021). Zach does so much for a team that we may rename "Jack of All Trades, Zach of All Trades". Jackson dove on the floor, he was the king of the extra pass, Jackson handled when he needed to, and he was the guy that teammates loved to have in this scenario. If I am a MIAC school I am looking into Zach (also a double figure scoring, 6-7 rebound a game wing) with his big GPA, his leadership skills as a QB and a basketball captain, and all around ability. So impressed with what he brought to the court. [player_tooltip player_id="567090" first="Reid" last="Johnson"] of Chatfield (6’3 SG, 2021). When it comes to players getting to their left hand and making plays, Reid is one of the best. The two dribble playmake or the pull-up, both are so, so good. When Reid gets players rocking to their right he pounces but we also saw him get right too for his own offense. He’s also crafty. Reach out and put a hand on him Reid will get by you while smacking you away. Throw in a bit of a love for finishing in a physical way and Reid is a player I’ve become a big fan of. [player_tooltip player_id="774765" first="Will" last="Kietzmann"] of Maranatha Christian (7’0 C, 2021). When I saw Will this weekend it was the best basketball that I have seen him play. Will went toe to toe with one of the best sophomore centers in the state and held his own scoring five or six baskets. Will hit a three but it was the balanced deep post one hand baby hooks that really grabbed my attention. Throw in the short jumper and it was a nice showing.