Class AAAA Title Contender Series: Park Center

<p>The Park Center Pirates went 23-5 a season ago and were set to play Spring Lake Park for the section title when the season was cancelled.  The Pirates lost five of the best 50 seniors in the state to graduation so there is much to replace, but Park Center has more talent stepping in than many realize.  </p> <p><strong>Key Wins in 19-20 (23-5):  </strong>Hopkins, Osseo, Prior Lake, Spring Lake Park, Champlin Park, Totino-Grace, Armstrong, Mounds View</p> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: Minnehaha Academy, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Armstrong, East Ridge</p> <p><strong>Moving On: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="846104" first="Dain" last="Dainja"] was one of the best players in Minnesota last year and he is now at Baylor sitting out his first season. Joshua Brown is at Minnesota-Duluth, Josh Grigsby is a walk-on at Wyoming, DT Frierson landed at Cloud County JC in Kansas, and [player_tooltip player_id="846133" first="David" last="Ijadimbola"] is playing for Dakota Wesleyan.  Also graduating was guard [player_tooltip player_id="721895" first="Josh" last="Lewis"] meaning Park Center has to replace six of their top seven scorers! </p> <p><strong>Returning Starter</strong>: When Park Center played Mounds View last March in the playoffs they started all seniors.  In looking at their Osseo film the Pirates also started five seniors although it was a different combination of seniors.  Pretty much any game I can find online right how shows the Pirates starting seniors.  </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:  </strong>The returning players are very talented and ready for a bigger role.  Most are talented wings that we want to dive into:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850710" first="Braeden" last="Carrington"]</strong> - Braeden is a listed 6-foot-4 junior wing (he may have grown even more, I don’t recall) that has taken a major jump in the last three months.  Carrington has always been known as a shooter and he can do that, the stroke is very pretty.  But his improvements in ball handling, aggressive attack, adding muscle to his frame, and other areas have us at Prep Hoops believing he is about to have a breakout season.  Carrington is the top returning scorer at 6.4 points a game. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="836689" first="Jalen" last="Cook"]</strong> - Cook’s play with Gain Elite this summer was honestly inspiring.  With others around him that are bigger or more known names, Cook brought his effort every single game and earned himself college opportunity (Minot State signed).  Cook is a part of the 40% club in Minnesota at the arc but is also one of the hardest working players.  Mr. Consistency is the poster child for what can be done when you work hard every time you are on the floor because people are always watching. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774885" first="Dawson" last="Rudolph"]</strong>.  Another 6’3/6’4 tough senior, Rudolph looks to be on tap for a true breakout season.  Dawson’s ability to create offense is far better than we realized.   His confidence and shooting stroke are at a much higher level but you know he is going to always defend as well.  Brings attitude and toughness. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774828" first="James" last="Parker"].</strong>  James is not a wing, but he is a returning player from last year’s rotation.  Parker was a back-up center that is tough to move in the paint.  He’s a 6’5/6’6 football recruit that played offensive tackle and defensive tackle, and that same mentality is brought to the paint in basketball.</p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV:  </strong>There are a few names you know and a few we need to talk about maybe for the first or second time.  Senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957636" first="Jimmy" last="Ware"]</strong> can handle the ball, attack the basket, and he’s a leader.  Brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"]</strong> is a 6-foot-6 wing that is considered one of the best sophomore prospects in the state.  JJ is unfortunately still recovering from a bad leg injury suffered last year and while he can play the mobility is still coming back from what was a tough injury. </p> <p>A player that I believe could surprise is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1071191" first="Kabine" last="Kaba"]</strong>, This is a long senior that runs very well and has all of a sudden become much more skilled.  He should have a bigger role this year because of that size, agility, and improvements.  Junior guard <strong>Leo Torbor</strong> has impressed this fall and 6-foot-4 junior forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958729" first="Ayouba" last="Berthe"]</strong> was a good JV player plus saw some time as the 9th/10th man when Park Center was missing a player or two last year. Berthe and Kaba have a chance to be starters or in that 6th Man role. </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: We just listed a lot of talent.  Do not be fooled by the fact that so many seniors graduating, Carrington, Cook, and Rudolph will be a tough trio to defend.  Also, some of these up and comers are better than people realize.  Kaba, Ware, and Berthe should fit roles well.  And if [player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"] keeps making progress he is the wildcard that really could jump the level of talent. </p>