Week 6 Mid-Week Standouts

Now in week six of the high school season, I take a look at some of the top players I’ve seen halfway through the week! For the sake of covering some lesser known players, I will be leaving off D1 signed players such as [player_tooltip player_id="567035" first="Will" last="Tschetter"] and [player_tooltip player_id="567044" first="Francis" last="Nwaokorie"], as well as [player_tooltip player_id="532574" first="Chet" last="Holmgren"]. So far I have watched Minnehaha Academy vs Stewartville, Cretin-Derham Hall vs Park, and Park Center vs Champlin Park. [player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] (6’2 2022 PG, Cretin-Derham Hall)- In a much needed win over Park, Tre played arguably the best I’ve seen him play since the summer. Dropping 27 points on the night, Tre looked extremely efficient scoring the ball inside and out. He looked very confident in his shot hitting threes off the dribble, and also used his handle and quick change of direction to get two feet in the paint to score. Tre also dropped 9 assists, including two no-look passes zipped in right to the hands of a teammate to score at the rim. His ability to see angles that not many other guards would see, and then make difficult passes look easy is something that makes him stand out nationally. Tre also provided his usual high pressure on-ball defense in the win. [player_tooltip player_id="774746" first="Joshua" last="Strong"] (6’ 2021 PG, Champlin Park)- One of the top point guards in the state this season, Strong continues to play at a high level. The Minnesota-Duluth commit put on a shooting clinic in the first half against Park Center, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc before sitting the last six minutes in the half with two fouls. He’s so quick with the ball in his hands, and uses that quickness to get to any spot on the floor that he wants. That ability to create space, coupled with his quick release, makes him a dangerous shooter both off the dribble and running off screens. During the second half he got more going attacking the basket for some finishes and assists, and towards the end of the game he hit a clutch three to help force overtime. Scored 24 in the win. [player_tooltip player_id="956149" first="Nolan" last="Stier"] (6’2 2021 PG, Stewartville)- In a game initially highlighted by multiple high major recruits, it was [player_tooltip player_id="956149" first="Nolan" last="Stier"] who garnered everyone’s attention on Monday night. The senior guard took over for his team in the second half, playing with an impressive change of speed that allowed him to evade constant ball pressure and either get to the rim or create space to get off a shot on the perimeter. He was absolutely fearless attacking the Minnehaha length around the rim, and converted on multiple finishes. Nolan brought a confidence to the game that stood out, as he didn’t care who was in front of him, he just wanted to compete. Finished with 24 points on the night. Pharrel Payne (6’8 2022 PF/C, Park of Cottage Grove)- The rapidly ascending 2022 post prospect put in a solid all-around performance against Cretin-Derham Hall. Despite facing constant double teams and swarming defenders, Pharrel put up 13 points, a number that could have been higher as he had an off night at the free throw line. What really stood out was his soft touch with his "weak" left-hand, his abiltiy to make a quick turn into a clean look at the rim, and his recognition of the incoming double-team leading to a quick kick out to the open shooter. Defensively he did a nice job of contesting straight up to stay out of foul trouble, and just looking to get a hand on shots rather than trying to swing through for a highlight rejection. Whereas during the fall with his AAU team Pharrel was allowed more freedom to handle the ball, shoot from mid-range, and attack from the wing, he was tasked with playing as playing a more traditional center with his high school team. Leo Torbor (6’2 2022 G, Park Center)- Leo Torbor continues to put together a really solid junior season for Park Center. He’s an explosive and quick athlete who is capable of making plays defensively, and against Champlin Park he made a couple of nice plays defending the rim in transition. Offensively he does his best work attacking off the dribble and getting to the basket, using his quick first step to blow by his man, and then finishing with either hand at the rim. Leo also had one of the best dunks I’ve seen all season, running the length of the floor before elevating off two feet for a rim rattling dunk with a contesting defender nearby. Marselio Mendez (5’9 2021 G, Cretin-Derham Hall)- While known more as a football prospect, Marselio has been stepping up on the hardwood this season for an inexperienced CDH team. His quickness and shooting touch allowed him to score 24 points in the win over Park, as he combined with [player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] to dominate in the backcourt. Marselio did a great job of moving without the ball to catch his defender sleeping, and then firing off shots without hesitation, connecting at a high rate on the night. Perhaps more impressive though was his confidence to attack much longer players in the paint, going into the contact and then hanging in the air to adjust his body and finish. [player_tooltip player_id="836689" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] (6’4 2021 W, Park Center)- The senior wing made his presence felt on both ends of the floor last night for Park Center in an exciting matchup. Defensively he acted as a rim protector at times, blocking a handful of shots that led to some transition opportunities for his team. His length down low was also useful in limiting the amount of clean looks Champlin Park was able to get around the rim. Offensively he started to take over in the second half, using his shooting touch to put up 24 points. He hit multiple contested threes, showing no hesitation firing off a shot with a hand right in his face.