Top 10 Players – Minot 67 Jamestown 62

Coming into this game Minot is ranked #2 and Jamestown is ranked #5 in our Power Rankings. Before the game, Minot was 15-1 and Jamestown was 12-3. The Magi score 81.7 ppg and give up 65.8 ppg. The Blue Jays put up 75.1 ppg and allow 57.5 ppg. When the teams played earlier in the season on December 29th Minot won 54-50. Halftime Score – Minot 24 Jamestown 38 Final Score – Minot 67 Jamestown 62 This one was a tale of 2 halves. The Blue Jays dominated in the first half and the Magi struggled to get anything going early. Minot came out in the second half and completely flipped the script. They started chipping away at the lead early on and finally took the lead 47-46 with 9:30 left in the game. From there the two teams traded baskets and each team held the lead for short periods of time. The Magi would make one last surge late to take a miniature lead. Jamestown was forced to foul late, and Minot was able to ice the game from the line. I would not be surprised to see these teams meet again in the WDA Tournament. Hats off to Magi tonight for holding Jamestown to 24 points in the second half. Here are the top players from tonight’s game: 1. [player_tooltip player_id="1111173" first="Eric" last="Wentz"] (2022) |6-2 G| Minot – He was about the only offense Minot could find in the first half. Eric had the first basket of the game with a left-handed drive and finish. I really like his jab step. He uses it when sizing up the defender and getting them off-balance before he attacks. Eric was awesome tonight when he caught on the right-wing and slashed left-handed across the lane and finished with a lefty finger-roll. He did this multiple times in the first half and in the second. He showed a nice short jump-shot tonight. I think he finished with his left hand more than his right-hand tonight, which is rare. Late in the game, he knocked down a 3-pointer to take the lead back 61-60. Eric showed again tonight that he is one of the best FT shooters in ND. He plays for the best team in the WDA and he is one of the best guards in the WDA as a junior.   2. [player_tooltip player_id="750158" first="Deonte" last="Martinez"] (2021) |5-11 G| Minot – I believe he has the best 1-dribble pull-up jumper in the state. He can get it off anytime he chooses. I was impressed tonight with his defensive rebounding. He elevates off the ground quickly to snatch the ball before the offense can grab it. Deonte has an ankle-breaking cross-over move. I love the way he split the defense when attacking the lane. When he is driving with his right hand, he likes to use his pull-up jumper. I was impressed in the second half when he posted up mid-lane and knocked down a turn-around jumper over the defender. Deonte was a lockdown defender in the second half, he made everything difficult. He helped ice the game late with 2 free-throws with 18 seconds left on the clock.   3. [player_tooltip player_id="750168" first="Brooks" last="Carroll"] (2021) |6-3 G| Jamestown – I was impressed with his shot-fake tonight. He sells it greatly. Brooks blocked multiple shots in the game. He is an underrated shooter from 3-point land. The right-wing looks to be his favorite spot to shoot from. In the first half, Brooks made a catch and shoot three from beyond college range. He put in another three from the right win in the second half. Brooks is a solid free-throw shooter. He had multiple offensive rebound tip-ins. Brooks is a nice athlete and an underrated shooter.   4. [player_tooltip player_id="750162" first="Jacob" last="Hilgemann"] (2021) |6-2 G| Jamestown – He started the scoring for the Blue Jays with a 1-handed jump-shot in the middle of the lane. I was impressed with his in-rhythm 3-pointer from the top of the key in the first half. He had an athletic blocked shot. I loved his drive across the lane that he finished with a smooth finger roll in the first half. Jacob showed how athletic he is with a tough twisting and spinning shot in the second half. He had another athletic finish in the second half. Jacob took a charge in the second half which is always a spectacular play.   5. [player_tooltip player_id="1131170" first="Michael" last="Ross"] (2021) |6-2 F| Minot – He had a quiet first half but came out roaring in the second half. Michael had the first basket of the second half with great hustle and a layup in transition. He made a difficult leaning one-handed shot in the second half during the comeback. Michel also made a 3-pointer during the comeback from the left-wing. He had a shot-fake that fooled the defender that allowed Michael to go in for an uncontested layup. He was 4-4 from the FT-line late in the game. He went 2-2 with 6.9 seconds left in the game. Michael was a crucial part of the rally and win in the second half.   6. [player_tooltip player_id="731881" first="Carson" last="Lamp"] (2021) |6-1 G| Jamestown - He had a nice left-handed finish after a foul for an “And 1”. He finished the 3-point play with a free-throw. Carson is a smart player and a masterful cutter. At one point in the first half, his defender was trailing him, which resulted in Carson curling off a screen for an easy basket. He has a nice shot from outside and he hit a 3-pointer in the first half. Carson showed off his shooting touch with a jump shot that had the ball bounce around and hit every part of the rim before falling through. He made a difficult jump-shot at the end of the game with 8-second left on the clock to cut the lead to 3-points.   7. [player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"] (2023) |6-3 F| Minot – He is an explosive player that can cover a large amount of ground when he is attacking the basket. I was impressed with how quick of a leaper he is. Darik had a nice physical finish and a 3-point play in the second half. I was impressed with his physical post-up, his step through, and his left-handed finish. Darik showed that he can shoot from outside with a catch and shoot jumper inside the top of the key in the 2nd half. He had a great cut during the comeback that he finished with a cool reverse layup.   8. [player_tooltip player_id="1131171" first="RaShawn" last="Wilcox"] (2021) |5-8 G| Minot – He is a quick guard and a hard worker on defense. Rashawn showed that he can shoot it from beyond the arc with a 3-pointer in the first half. He had an important basket late in the game (3:48) to take the lead back for Minot.   9. [player_tooltip player_id="1131172" first="Luke" last="Van Berkom"] (2022) |6-8 F| Jamestown – A big strong frontcourt player. He was good on the offensive and defensive boards. Luke showed a nice left shoulder turnaround shot from the block. He has long arms that blocked multiple shots.   10. [player_tooltip player_id="998914" first="Shea" last="Carroll"] (2021) |5-10 G| Jamestown – He has great handles and is a smooth player. Shea had an impressive quick baseline drive and finish in the second half that took the lead back 57-56 for the Blue Jays. A couple of possessions later Shea hit a corner 3-pointer to take the lead back again.