Class AAAA Contender Series – Maple Grove

Class AAAA Contender Series &#8211; Maple Grove

Ryan James October 16, 2020 @ 11:42 AM

Maple Grove has won Section 8AAAA the last five years and are the favorite to hoist the trophy again. As a top 5-6 team in state the Crimson are also a legit state contender. Key Wins in 19-20 (24-5): Waconia, Champlin Park, Osseo, Park Center Oops: North St. Paul, Armstrong, Lakeville South, Spring Lake Park, Totino-Grace Moving On: The Crimson lost their best two players and four of their top six guys. The graduation of [player_tooltip player_id="721976" first="Lovell" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="721977" first="RaShaun" last="Parker"] will be tough to deal with, but then again how many times have we said that about the Crimson and the continue to win 20 games and their section? Williams and Parker were the go-to guys and [player_tooltip player_id="846211" first="Sean" last="Bergstrom"] as well as [player_tooltip player_id="956165" first="Sean" last="O’Dwyer"] played important roles. The biggest thing will be the playmaking from the backcourt needs to be replaced. Six-foot-5, 195 pound Henry Fahnbulleh has also graduated and he played a key role inside (listed as a senior this year in the Breakdown book, but he has graduated). Returning Starters: The Crimson have two starters returning: 6-foot-2 guard [player_tooltip player_id="958650" first="Jon" last="Haakenson"] and 6-foot-4 forward [player_tooltip player_id="774895" first="Caden" last="Boettcher"]. Haakenson is a high IQ player that is also a standout defender. The main things that landed him an early starting spot on varsity was his intensity as a competitor and his understanding of the game at an early age. Haakenson was playing some PG when we saw Maple Grove in fall league and he’s played off the ball with Pulley this summer, and with Maple Grove last year. Boettcher was Maple Grove’s four last year and my guess that is the role he will stay in. Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: A player that Prep Hoops thinks will step into a big role this winter is 6-foot-6 180 pound wing [player_tooltip player_id="957204" first="Terence" last="Anthony-Larmouth"]. Terence came off the Crimson bench scoring a couple times a game last year, had an excellent summer with Minnesota Lockdown, and has played well in several camp/fall league settings. With Terence playing next to Boettcher or one of the centers, Maple Grove is going to have a tough, sizable line-up. Who plays PG? There are three candidates. We already told you about Haakenson who could start at the one and the team could go really big. Or you have speedy 5-foot-8 senior [player_tooltip player_id="957647" first="Jatai" last="Dillard"] who was the back-up lead guard last season. Dillard can ball pressure along with Haakenson giving the Crimson the potential to really harass the ball. Potentials from the JV: Another point guard candidate is 5-foot-11 guard Andy Tran who we saw play exceptionally well in the fall league at times single handedly leading Maple Grove - who had all the guys listed in this article as returning players - over Eastview. If what we saw from Tran is the norm, he could be your starting lead guard, or at least an excellent back-up lead guard. We’ve referenced "the centers" a few times now. The players we are talking about are 6-foot-8 junior [player_tooltip player_id="958687" first="Payton" last="Mogire"] and 6-foot-10 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="962204" first="Lincoln" last="Palbicki"]. Mogire played with Howard Pulley this summer and you can see some potential there although he may need some more time. Palbicki played for the Pulley 15u squad plus we’ve seen him at camps and fall leagues as well. Lincoln plays very hard and uses his body aggressively for position, rebounding, etc. Last year Maple Grove used nine, ten guys each game. So far we have mentioned seven and a lot of what we spoke about was ball handlers and bigs. The other potential wings coming up from the JV are 6-foot-3 senior Morgan Moore, 6-foot-1 senior Jack O’Leary, and 6-foot-2 junior Matthew Moline. Moore had a very solid summer for the Minnesota Lockdown and could work his way into a reserve wing spot. Final Thoughts: In a year where state trophy is wide open, keep Maple Grove in mind. They have ball handlers, defenders, size, athletes, prospects with potential, and a tradition of winning. Moorhead is a serious up and comer but Maple Grove is the section favorite. And this year any team that has depth, size, and the right chemistry in March could take it. Maple Grove will start the season a top 5, 6, or 7 team.