Class AA – Top Ten Backcourts

Ryan James September 6, 2021 @ 03:32 PM

What teams will have the best backcourts in Class AA basketball this year? Prep Hoops dives in now! Minnehaha Academy. This might be the most confusing thing I write so follow me: the Redhawks lost [player_tooltip player_id="680229" first="Hercy" last="Miller"] and Donovan Smith from last year’s team and both had guard next to their name so really this team only has Mercy Miller - the top sophomore in the state - back from last year’s team correct (in terms of guards)? Incorrect. The main ball handler last year was actually [player_tooltip player_id="850702" first="Prince" last="Aligbe"]. So technically the Redhawks have two of their three guards back. However, if the Redhawks have Mercy play PG or somebody else, Prince will be a forward like he was with Sizzle all summer. Follow me? I know, it’s tricky, but if Prince and Mercy are back together as the ball handler and the top scoring wing, that’s the top starting pair in Class AA. All depends on what the roster looks like and how the parts fit. Caledonia. The Warriors enter the season ranked second in Class AA and their entire returning roster is guards. Top returning scorer [player_tooltip player_id="958700" first="Jackson" last="Koepke"], Ja’Shon Simpson, and nationally ranked [player_tooltip player_id="754315" first="Eli" last="King"] are all 6’2/6’3 guards that will be the playmakers and the ball handlers, but then also double as the wings/forwards. [player_tooltip player_id="1225624" first="Thane" last="Meiners"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1262106" first="Lewis" last="Doyle"] are under six footers who are also talented and experienced. Minneapolis North. The three veteran guards that make up the Minneapolis North backcourt will once again make them a Class AA state title contender. [player_tooltip player_id="850709" first="Willie" last="Wilson"] is the headliner and he can play either the one or the two, simply depends on what the team needs (and the situation, if it’s transition Wilson will push with success regularly). Add in fellow seniors Meiko Anderson and Mario Sanders and you have a nice group with experience. Sauk Centre. We need to talk about these guys now so I can say "I warned you". The Mainstreeters could be in for a strong year and it’s the guard play that will lead them. Most hoop followers are aware that Jay Neubert is one of the better sophomores in the state. He’s already a two year veteran entering his sophomore year. Then you have senior Macoy Thiesen and junior Matt Warring, both of which are returning double figure scorers. Now that all of these players have another year under their belt, look out! Maple River. With a couple first team all league players back in the backcourt - [player_tooltip player_id="962242" first="Will" last="Sellers"] and [player_tooltip player_id="962272" first="Mason" last="Schirmer"] - plus Ethan McGregor returning from an 18-2 team expectations are high for the Eagles. This is an all around team but Schirmer is the heartbeat of the bunch. It’s a top ten team entering the season that has depth and experience. Annandale. The Cards have top five in Class AA potential and it’s not just their size, it’s their experience and talent in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="958762" first="Carson" last="Gagnon"] is a true under the radar, unknown guard that is a two time all league player. He led the Cards in scoring last year. Also back is Hawkin Miller, and Bryce Fobbe, both seniors. Miller scored ten a game last season. Lake City. I think big things are on the horizon for Lake City. Hunter Lorenson is one of the better sophomores in the state and he’ll be joined by fellow experienced sophomores Keegan Ryan and Jaden Shones. Add in senior [player_tooltip player_id="958776" first="Carson" last="Matzke"] as well as [player_tooltip player_id="1225623" first="Ryan" last="Heise"] who has far outgrown the guard next to his name on the roster and pushed him to wing, and you have an excellent guard group. Perham. Big guard Micah Thompson, top returning player Soren Anderson, role talent Chas Melvin, these three Perham guards will keep the Yellowjackets competing for top of sections status and spots in the state tournament. Thompson and Anderson could have massive breakout seasons. Twin Cities Academy. The story here is the McNeal twins Carrington and Carmelo. Carrington led the team in scoring last year with Carmelo close behind. Both had quality 17u seasons with Gain Elite and have shown they can be interchangeable while constantly productive. Disruptive defenders as well. Maranatha Christian Academy. The Mustangs have a chance to be a top ten team in Class AA and a big reason is their guard play. [player_tooltip player_id="962236" first="Bailey" last="McDonald"], [player_tooltip player_id="962245" first="Isaiah" last="Bluford"], and [player_tooltip player_id="962244" first="Matthew" last="Bluford"] were three of their top four players last season and all three are back as juniors.