Class AAA – Top Ten Forward/Big Wing Groups

<p>Our top group of top forwards/big wings in Class AAA basketball.  A lot of versatile talents for a Class AAA division that will be strong once again. </p> <p>Totino-Grace (1).  This is the top group in the state.  You have nationally ranked Iowa State committed [player_tooltip player_id="958638" first="Demarion" last="Watson"] who can play three spots at 6’7/6’8, you have one of the state’s best juniors in [player_tooltip player_id="962203" first="Tommy" last="Humphries"] who is 6’4/6’5 and is one of the best juniors in the state, and then the starting five will have the ultimate luxury and that is playing [player_tooltip player_id="891901" first="Ahjany" last="Lee"] as a four when he is on the floor with [player_tooltip player_id="1223070" first="Patrick" last="Bath"]. </p> <p>Columbia Heights (2).  The Hylanders forward group includes soon to be four year standout [player_tooltip player_id="850729" first="Muja" last="Burton"] and the hard working, agile 6’6 forward [player_tooltip player_id="958666" first="Donnavin" last="Hinsz"], and if they go with a smaller backcourt duo that puts [player_tooltip player_id="958648" first="Hassan" last="Kamara"] as a three which makes them extra tough.  Columbia Heights can start big with Hinsz as the four and then Burton at the three, but then slide Hinsz down when [player_tooltip player_id="850719" first="Spencer" last="Alvarez"] is resting which allows them to put Burton and Kamara together as forwards. Excellent luxury. </p> <p>Mankato East (3).  While we don’t know exactly what the Mankato East depth will be, the Cougars strength of the team is the versatile and talented forwards [player_tooltip player_id="850715" first="BJ" last="Omot"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1268453" first="Puolrah" last="Gong"].  Omot is now a high major offered big wing while Gong had one of the best summers for players at his position in Minnesota.  These two will rank with the elite 1-2 punches in the state and few teams in the Big Nine will have the defenders to deal with them. </p> <p>Mankato West (4).  The Scarlets lost Buom Jock to an east coast prep school but they will still have one of the better Class AAA duos in [player_tooltip player_id="958360" first="Mekhi" last="Collins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1144094" first="Louis" last="Magers"].  Collins is a football standout headed to NDSU while Magers is an excellent baseball prospect, but don’t call hoops their secondary sport!  These two are excellent hoopers with Collins being a D1 basketball prospect as well. </p> <p>Princeton (5).  [player_tooltip player_id="962273" first="Cooper" last="Drews"] is a guard but last year with the Tigers rotation he was one of the bigger players so he fits into that category as well.  Drews averaged 16 points, six boards, and 4.5 assists a game as a playmaker that also defended some wings.  Then you add leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id="958662" first="Haydn" last="Stay"] with his 21 points and nine boards a game and you have a duo that belongs on this list in a big way. </p> <p>Hutchinson (6).  The Tigers will be landed by top 25/30 level prospect Sam Rensch who is headed to Augustana.  Rensch is a versatile, do everything player who will be the team leader assuming he comes back from his injury with the expected health.  There is depth at Hutch as well.  Aaron Elliott and Sam Starke are both 6’3 players that are ready for bigger wing roles as well. </p> <p>Becker (7).  [player_tooltip player_id="962262" first="Brady" last="Paumen"], [player_tooltip player_id="1268459" first="Eric" last="Seavert"], and Hayden Harmoning will spread out throughout the line-up meaning somebody may have to spend some time as an undersized post. somebody will surely be a guard.  Whatever way you look at it, Becker should take another step forward and it’s these three plus a guy like Carter Callahan that makes them one of the top forward groups around. </p> <p>Cloquet (8).  A team that I think could have a huge season is Cloquet.  The biggest reason is the combo of [player_tooltip player_id="958699" first="Alec" last="Turnbull"] and [player_tooltip player_id="958845" first="Conner" last="Barney"].  Alec scored 17 a game last season while Barney is coming off a fantastic season with Starks Elite and we think he is going to have a massive year. You take that combo and add Jack Sorenson and that’s a strong trio. </p> <p>Alexandria (9).  The Cards are one of the programs that just keeps turning out players.  There is [player_tooltip player_id="850732" first="Erik" last="Hedstrom"] as a go to guy and he can play the face-up shooter as well as the scorer around the basket role, plus Alex has a number of players ready for a bigger role. </p> <p>Winona (10). Japer Hedin is the big name for the Winhawks and he will do a lot for a team that lost several players to graduation.  Hedin is one of the better long athletes in the state.  Hedin will have a lot of young talent around him coming up that will be good but he is the leader. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>