Heat Fall League – Comets Earn Top Spot

<p>Some of Minnesota’s top AAU programs have continued playing through the fall with adjusted rosters.  This weekend a nice mix of talent helped the Comets go 3-0 in the Heat Fall League. </p> <p>The Comets put together a weekend roster of</p> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"] of Totino Grace</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774795" first="Dylan" last="Gichaba"] of Champlin Park</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774739" first="Paris" last="Johnson"] of St Louis Park</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774761" first="Jack" last="Iverson"] of Big Lake</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="957133" first="Sam" last="Privet"] of Caledonia</li> <li>Jashon Simpson of Caledonia</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774753" first="Colton" last="Roderick"] of Alexandria</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774897" first="Griffin" last="Rushin"] of Brainerd</li> </ul> <p>This team beat three squads of Minnesota Fury teams this weekend to grab the Heat championship.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="532550" first="DJ" last="Akpati"]</strong> had one of his finest weekends of basketball leading the team to the victories with vocal leadership and a constance of work defensively.  He had an excellent weekend of shooting making eight threes (made half his attempts at the arc) plus DJ’s ability to attack deep opened the game up for Comet shooters to comfortably shoot in space. </p> <p>The other player that really stepped up for a big weekend was Minot State committed <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774795" first="Dylan" last="Gichaba"]</strong> of Champlin Park.  One of his best moments was a standout defensive performance making everything that [player_tooltip player_id="850708" first="Kendall" last="Blue"] did difficult.  Gichaba’s possession by possession battle was both inspiring to those around him, and consistent, as Dylan continues to mature as an all around consistent player.  Finished at a high percentage when he attacked off the bounce. </p> <p>The pair of wings - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774753" first="Colton" last="Roderick"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774739" first="Paris" last="Johnson"]</strong> - scored regularly for the Comets and each had explosive moments to remember.  Johnson went at Fury Wilde with nine of the first 11 points of the game setting a tone for the entire contest.  And the four threes from Roderick in the championship stretched the defense past it’s max allowing Akpati and Gichaba the rim space to complete. </p> <p>Another shooter that consistently knocked down attempts for the Comets - especially in the corner, was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774897" first="Griffin" last="Rushin"]</strong>. The skilled Brainerd forward also met guys at the rim for blocks and brought a steady, competitive approach to each game.  Rushin has carried his excellent summer into the fall.</p> <p>One of the biggest eye opening prospect notes is the additional size on Northern Michigan committed <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957133" first="Sam" last="Privet"]</strong>’s frame.  The 6-foot-9 Caledonia center looks to have added about 20 pounds of good weight and it allowed him to have a big weekend.  Made threes, completed his jump hooks regularly, and emphatically finished the attacking dump-offs from others. Privet and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774761" first="Jack" last="Iverson"]</strong> made a tough pair in the paint.  Iverson had a solid weekend scoring for the Comets as he hit a few threes, scored a few jumpers from mid range, and attacked the cup.</p> <p>We got to learn more about <strong>Jashon Simpson </strong>as well.  Simpson is a steady playmaker who is really patient in the lane to make a play. </p>