Impressive Players – Enderlin vs. Four Winds/Minnewaukan

<p>Coming into tonight’s game the Enderlin Eagles were 2-0 and the Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians were 1-0. In our Week 1 Power Rankings, we have Enderlin at #1 and Four Winds/Minnewaukan at #2. As you would expect, this game did not disappoint. The Eagles played half-court zone most of the night until late when they picked up full court. The Indians played in your face defense all night. On makes, they pressed full court and would trap in the half-court. They mixed in some half-court man on misses. Four Winds dictated the tempo in this game. Their defense forced 18 turnovers in the first half. Four Winds came out hot and had a 16-point lead at one moment in the first quarter. The first ended 20-12. There were some fireworks in the first half with a few technical fouls being called on both teams. The Eagles would weather the storm and go on a run of their own. They took a lead midway through the 2nd quarter 26-25. The lead did not last for long and the half ended with the Indians up 39-31. Four Winds had Enderlin rattled early with pressure and fast play. Enderlin bounced back and took the lead at one point. The Indians took the lead back and went into halftime up by 8 points.</p> <p>The second half was all Four Winds. The Indians play at a frenetic pace and come at you in waves. They also shoot the 3-ball well. The third quarter ended with the Indians up 65-43. Enderlin kept on fighting and made a few mini runs of their own. However, the Indians had their number tonight and took care of business. Four Winds finished with a 14-point victory. These are two great teams that are favored to make the State Tournament in their Regions. I think basketball fans would enjoy a rematch come tournament time.</p> <p><strong>Game Takeaways</strong> – Four Winds is deep. Their guards are skilled and athletic. They are pesky/frustrating on defense and never go away. The Indian defense is suffocating and they are unselfish on offense. Enderlin has great size and scoring ability. The Eagles will come out of this loss as a better team. Enderlin is gritty and does not give up. Maybe we will see a rematch in the State tournament?</p> <p>Halftime Score<br /> Enderlin – 31 Four Winds/Minnewaukan – 39<br /> Final Score<br /> Enderlin – 71 Four Winds/Minnewaukan – 85</p> <p><strong>Enderlin</strong><br /> <strong>Alijah Dixson (2022) |5-10 G| Enderlin</strong> – Quick guard with handles. He gives great effort and never gives up.</p> <p><strong>Dawson Lemna (2021) |6-0 G| Enderlin</strong> – Left-handed guard who is a sparkplug. He made some great passes tonight and he sees the floor well. Dawson can hit 3’s when he is given the room.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="812220" first="Gus" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-8 F| Enderlin</strong> – A stretch-4 who can score inside and outside. He is a nice solid shooter from beyond the arc. He handles the basketball well for a player his size.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="787658" first="Joe" last="Hurlburt"] (2022) |6-10 F| Enderlin</strong> – He possesses all the skills needed to be a great basketball player. Joe is also a fine athlete. I was impressed with his ability to handle the ball and break the press. He is a great rebounder, and he gets the ball to the outlet in a hurry.</p> <p><strong>Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong><br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="750159" first="Bronson" last="Walter"] (2021) |6-10 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Alters shots with his length and size. He is an immovable force inside. I like his footwork and patience when he has the ball. Bronson has a nice soft touch off the glass. He never seems to force a shot.</p> <p><strong>Caelen Lohnes (2021) |6-1 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Another pesky athletic defender. He is a quick player. Caelen has a nice runner/floater on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <p><strong>Jacob LaRock (2022) |5-10 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Very nice looking shot from outside. Athletic all-around player.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="750170" first="Jaeshaun" last="Shaw"] (2021) |5-10 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Amazing defender that never goes away. He has quick hands and is a creative finisher around the rim. JaeShaun can hit the 3-pointer. He has great body control and ball skills.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1046356" first="Jayden" last="Yankton"] (2022) |6-1 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Always seems to be in control of his game. A nice athlete who is a great shooter. He has a very nice pull-up jumper.</p> <p><strong>Jonah Jackson (2021) |6-1 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan</strong> – Moves well without the ball. He is a fine athlete and is a playmaker. Jonah is an opportunistic scorer.</p>