Class AAAA Title Contender Series: Park Center

<p>The Park Center Pirates went 16-5 a season ago and played in the section final (Pirates were a top 5 team last year).  The Pirates enter the season as one of the most talented groups in the state of Minnesota.  A state title is what they dream of. </p> <p><strong>Key Wins in 20-21 (16-5):  </strong>Maple Grove, Osseo, Armstrong, Spring Lake Park, Totino-Grace, Mounds View</p> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: Champlin Park, Armstrong, Totino-Grace, Osseo</p> <p><strong>Moving On: </strong>The Pirates used an eight player rotation last year for the most part and half of that group has graduated.  Frontcourt bodies [player_tooltip player_id="774828" first="James" last="Parker"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1071191" first="Kabine" last="Kaba"] were low post players and their ability to guard fives will be missed.  Kaba is now at NDSCS and he had a great summer with Gain Elite 17u.  [player_tooltip player_id="836689" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774885" first="Dawson" last="Rudolph"] were double figure scoring wings for the Pirates and both are now in the NSIC with Cook at Minot State and Rudolph at Minnesota State Mankato.  ear </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters (2):  </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958729" first="Ayouba" last="Berthe"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850710" first="Braeden" last="Carrington"]. Berthe is widely considered one of the best defenders in the state at 6’5 and played both wing spots.  Last year Berthe also played some four for PC depending on the line-up.  Berthe scored eight a game in addition to his elite defensive responsibilities. Then you have Carrington who was the secret to last year’s success.  Braeden is well known as a wing shooter.  Last winter he changed that to "wing scorer" and he played point guard for the team and had an all league season.  Carrington is committed to Minnesota and is a top 150 level player nationally. </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: </strong>As crazy as it seems right now, [player_tooltip player_id="1143878" first="Leo" last="Torbor"] - a D1 offered player by North Dakota State, Wyoming, and San Jose State who is a top 15 prospect in the state - was on the B team two seasons ago and came off the bench last year.  That is how much this explosive point guard has come.  Leo came off the bench and averaged seven points a game last year, but will give PC another lead guard this year. And yes he will start this season. </p> <p>The other reserve from last season who will be depended on more this year is [player_tooltip player_id="962202" first="JJ" last="Ware"].  Ware is a 6’5/6’6 junior wing that scored six points plus per game and is getting more and more comfortable after dealing with a rough injury over a year ago.  Ware gives PC another long wing to play next to Berthe. </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV:  </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958659" first="James" last="Spencer"] sat out last season but now as a senior is more than ready to step into the five spot and be that active, rugged worker that PC needs to replace Parker and Kaba.  He’s 6’5/6’6 and played with Howard Pulley all spring/summer.  Another JV player that has size is 6’6 Mohamed Mohamed.  [player_tooltip player_id="1220415" first="Kaden" last="Cook"] and Syoka Siko both played on the JV as sophomores and are now juniors.  Cook had a great summer with Minnesota Select and could work his way into a bench role. </p> <p><strong>New to the Varsity program</strong>:  The big name is [player_tooltip player_id="958757" first="Cody" last="Pennebaker"].  Cody is an athletic 6’6 forward that scored 20 a game at St. Francis last season and played with Carrington on the Grassroots Sizzle all summer.  Pennebaker with Carrington, Torbor, Berthe, and either Ware or Parker in the starting five as as tough as it gets in Class AAAA.  </p> <p>Also, when it comes to low post size and production, the Pirates have 6’6/6’7 junior Molley Komara in the post and the long armed Komara has a ton of potential.  </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: The Pirates have so many pieces you need.  They have two of the elite defenders in the state (Torbor and Berthe), they have guys that can handle (Carrington and Torbor), a top shooter in the state (Carrington), productive wing athletes (Berthe, Ware, Pennebaker), and low post size to deal with (Spencer, Komara).  They are likely to enter the season as the preseason number one.  They have three of the top 25 senior prospects in the state, and four or maybe five of the top seniors in the state. </p>