#MNStateHoops21 – Class AA Semis – Top Ten Players

Ryan James April 7, 2021 @ 08:36 PM

The Class AA top performers list has a range of very talented players. Here is our Class AA top players group of ten (plus one).   [player_tooltip player_id="532560" first="Ryan" last="Dufault"] of Waseca (6’0 Sr). Dufault and [player_tooltip player_id="774850" first="Zach" last="Hoehn"] paired together to do a great job on [player_tooltip player_id="567061" first="Dominic" last="Aguilar"] limiting the future D2 player to 6 of 23 shooting. In addition, Dufault scored 13 points and dished out seven assists. The behind the back pass late was most memorable but it was an all around performance leading his team to sate. [player_tooltip player_id="774868" first="Chance" last="Fazio"] of Fergus Falls (7’0 Sr). I was incredibly impressed with the way that the future Minnesota State-Moorhead center played. Fazio made scoring inside tough for Waseca during long halfcourt possessions. He blocked four shots and altered a number of others. Chance was excellent clearing the boards grabbing 15 and he is a much better passer out of the post than I recall. Had four assists in addition to the back to the basket 20 points (as well as some putbacks) on 9 of 11 shooting. Excellent showing. [player_tooltip player_id="532569" first="Andre" last="Gray"] II of Minneapolis North (6’3 Sr). Gray is listed on the North roster as a power forward but this is not a power forward. He’s a strong wing that moves his feet really well and you saw that today when Gray had three steals and a few more deflections that became Caledonia turnovers. The Warriors are a team full of big, strong players and the only Polar talents that could consistently be productive in this game, were guys that could physically match that. Gray totaled a dozen points and three assists in 20 minutes. [player_tooltip player_id="957156" first="Austin" last="Klug"] of Caledonia (6’5 Sr). Caledonia is a really big team and North gave up multiple inches at just about every spot on the floor. One of those spots was shooting guard where Klug played a lot of his minutes totaling 14 points, eight rebounds, four assist, and four steals. North had to guard him with a smaller player and Klug would back that player down over and over getting to a playmaking spot for himself or his teammates. He rebounded well and his help defense was outstanding. North wasn’t able to get anything going to the rim in the halfcourt offense and the defense of Brad King sending every bit of help to the lane was excellent. Klug led the way. [player_tooltip player_id="958700" first="Jackson" last="Koepke"] of Caledonia (6’3 Jr). Jackson had a steady 13 points and did a great job using his athletic ability to keep his man in front of him all game and force his man into a rough shooting day as well as a number of turnovers. Scored his 13 on 4 of 7 shooting that included a pair of foul shots. [player_tooltip player_id="532587" first="Andrew" last="Morgan"] of Waseca (6’9 Sr). The future NDSU big not only had big numbers (24 points and 11 rebounds) he made key plays to stop the Otter comeback. At one point Morgan knocked out two mid-range jumpers, had a big block, and chased down three loose balls keeping the possession with his team. This sequence of six plays made in about 2-3 minutes time stopped any type of opposing comeback. Morgan scored his 24 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Luke Newman of Fergus Falls (6’2 Jr). Newman is fairly solid junior who I think could move into a strong wing scoring role next season. Had a rough day shooting but made a couple threes while rebounding five times. Newman, Kaden Conklin, and [player_tooltip player_id="962304" first="Elliot" last="Pribbenow"] will make for a solid future backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="774886" first="Matt" last="Seberson"] of Waseca (6’6 Sr). Maybe the biggest reason Matt was vital was his low post defense on Fazio allowing Morgan to stay away from the Fergus Falls big at times not accumulating fouls. With Matt forcing Fazio to work, Morgan was free to board, score, and play off in help situations free from foul trouble. Throw in eight points and seven boards and it was a good day for Seberson. Ja’Shon Simpson of Caledonia (6’3 Jr). Simpson is a junior that stepped in off the bench when guys needed a breather. Simpson was excellent in his 6th man role. North put their smallest guy on Simpson and four times in the first half he physically attacked his guy to score at the rim. Had 11 points in his 6th Man role. [player_tooltip player_id="774735" first="Davon" last="Townley Jr"] of Minneapolis North (6’7 Sr). When North started to get Davon Townley touches, the Polars had a chance to win the game. Caledonia plays great defense but the one guy they simply could not move to, could not get a body in front of that would affect the play, was Townley. He’s too strong and too agile at his size to consistently slow which is why Davon had 19 points and 10 boards on 8 of 10 shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="567041" first="Kyreese" last="Willingham"] of Waseca (6’6 Sr). Mr. Do Everything did everything again. Defensively did his part, dished out five assists, grabbed four boards, blocked two shots, and had three steals. The biggest impact was his ability to stretch the defense with four threes which accounted for half of the eight shots Kyreese made. Future MSM Maverick had 21 points.