The Weekend Menu – Two Go for 40 & a Top Winter Saturday

<p>This will be the biggest Saturday of the season to date.  A number of excellent games on the schedule mixed with a couple top performers you should know.  </p> <p><strong>Tasty Appetizer</strong>.  Stillwater guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962206" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"]</strong> nearly led the Ponies to an upset over Cretin-Derham Hall this week.  The skilled, explosive sophomore put 49 points in the book versus the Raiders and tonight Max is ready to go at Roseville in a 7pm contest.   The 6-foot-2 Shikenjanski has one of the quickest releases you fill find in this state plus Max has a knack for spinning, extending, Euro-stepping, and pivoting to locations to complete plays.  There is a lot of his game that reminds me of current Eastern Illinois guard [player_tooltip player_id="846135" first="Henry" last="Abraham"] in a bigger frame.  And you saw the number of intelligent, creative points Henry recorded in his time, Max looks to be on a similar path.  </p> <p><strong>Specials.  </strong>A player that is having a special year is 6-foot-2 senior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957638" first="Ben" last="Peterson"]</strong> of Benson. Last night 10th ranked Morris Area had to score 93 points to withstand the 40 that Peterson put on the board.  Peterson is averaging over 20 a game with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals on average.  Ben also had 33 points against Minnewaska earlier in the week.  He’s made a dozen threes in the two games this week.  Throw in a 37 inch vertical and you have prospect to know.  A recruit that should be on your radar?  Sure but Concorida-Moorhead did their homework and they’ve already locked up his commitment.  </p> <p><strong>Main Course (Friday).  </strong>Tonight’s top game is Stewartville vs Byron, which is also <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567035" first="Will" last="Tschetter"]</strong> vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="891901" first="Ahjany" last="Lee"]</strong> in the post.  A pair of 4-star level top 100 players competing for top ten level teams.  The Tigers are top ten squad and the Bears are a big win away from being in contention for a Class AAA top ten spot.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956149" first="Nolan" last="Stier"]</strong> vs <strong>Jake Braaten</strong> is another excellent match-up within this game.  Byron is deeper, the Tigers have the best player on the floor.  Stewartville won the first contest 72-65.  </p> <p><strong>Dessert</strong>. Minneapolis North vs DeLaSalle. This is quite the capper for the evening.  The ultimate dessert.  Like having your cake and ice cream for the evening meal.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774736" first="Cade" last="Haskins"] and Devon Townley Jr</strong> are both top ten players in the state of Minnesota’s senior class.  North junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850709" first="Willie" last="Wilson"]</strong> is a top ten level junior in the state.  Islander sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962218" first="Nasir" last="Whitlock"]</strong> and freshman <strong>Casmir Chavis</strong> are top ten level players in each of their respective classes.  Throw in that this is two historic programs both working to earn championships of various kinds and you have a fantastic contest.  </p> <p>Five More for Saturday:</p> <p>Tartan at South St. Paul</p> <p>Perham at Fergus Falls</p> <p>Eastview at Lakeville South</p> <p>Champlin Park at Osseo</p> <p>Robbinsdale Armstrong at Spring Lake Park</p>