MN Top 250 Expo: Top Senior Performers

<p>What else caught our eye from the seniors performing at last weekends MN Top 250 Expo?  More on the 2021 standouts today!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774764" first="Jace" last="Bigelow"]</strong> of Kasson-Mantorville (6’4, SG, 2021).  What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>I think people should start noticing how good Jace is at attacking players off the dribble.  He’s a tougher player to keep in front than many think and because Jace is a bigger shooting guard, most teams had to guard him with their three man (and sometimes a four) and Bigelow was able to get by those players to playmake constantly. </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774807" first="Evan" last="Boyd"]</strong> of DeLaSalle (6’2 SG, 2021). What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>I gained a bigger appreciation for the [player_tooltip player_id="774807" first="Evan" last="Boyd"] shot this weekend and to be honest what caught my attention was his footwork.  In terms of setting himself up for a shot coming off a screen, or using a dribble, Evan is able to get to his release quicker than others because he doesn’t waste steps.  There was also a flash and shoot mid-lane that included a huge ground covering pivot but he got to the release ahead of the defense because he ended his cut with his feet planted where he needed them. Evan could have a big winter. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Jake Braaten</strong> of Byron (6’1 PG, 2021).What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>We’ve always talked about the Jake Braaten toughness and leadership, his consistency of running a team as a playmaker.  But I don’t know that I truly grabbed an appreciation for the way he scores the ball until recently.  His one hander on the move ahead of the help is as good as it gets and the pull-up is quicker and nastier than many others.  </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774863" first="Mayson" last="Brown"]</strong> of Hibbing (6’1 SG, 2021). What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>Mayson is the definition of hand down, man down.  If you approach him with your hands at the side his quick release and 40% Club level three point shot has beaten you.  And then you have that range.  We are talking ready for the college basketball line level range right now.  Also, if he comes left to right on the crossover in front of you, you better get that hand up or it’s too late.  One of the best releases you will see. </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774752" first="Bradley" last="Cimperman"]</strong> of Woodbury (6’4 Wing, 2021).What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>I really like how smart Cimperman is using his body to be a scorer.  The way he attacks and keeps his man on his hip before extending, the way he bumps a player off before cutting hard to catch and score, and the way Bradley can attack and then get to the rim for a last second finish while bumping off his man so he can get to that window and complete.  A shooter? Yes but more than that too. </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774756" first="Robert" last="Grace IV"]</strong> of Blake (5’10 PG, 2021).What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>We’ve spoken often about how quick Grace is with the dribble attack in transition or his quickness in attacking a rotation defense. However, this weekend Grace’s quickness jumping passing lanes and his quickness of hands turning other guards over was something I took note of.  Few players are as quick as Grace defensively meaning he could be a ball pressure, turnover creating game changer. </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774755" first="Noah" last="Paulson"]</strong> of Duluth East (6’9 C, 2021). What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>If you look at a big sample - this weekend plus if you look at past games - you will see that Noah is able to finish plays with both his right and his left at a high percentage.  He’s a player that knows how to leverage, that understands created space and with that space Noah has touched in shots with both hands every chance we’ve had to see him play.  Also a better passer around the paint than I may have realized. </li> </ul> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774873" first="Cole" last="Tiran"]</strong> of Eden Prairie (6’1 PG, 2021). What Caught My Eye?</p> <ul> <li>I think Cole’s ball handling, his ability to attack agile guards, and his ability to pass the ball have all taken massive steps forward the last three months.  Tiran looks to me like a player that EP can have handle the ball or if it best suits them, he can play off ball to create some offense.  The Eagles are a bit of a mystery right now but from what I see they have a good D3 caliber guard to work with. </li> </ul>