Class AAAA Title Contender Series: Shakopee

<p>Shakopee went 17-6 last year and finished as a state semi-finalist.  With four starters returning, a lot of their reserves ready for bigger roles, and young talent as depth, the Sabers are once again title contenders. </p> <p><strong>Key Wins in 20-21 (17-6)</strong><strong>: </strong>Owatonna, Chaska, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Prior Lake, Rosemount</p> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: Wayzata, Eastview, Rosemount, Lakeville South, Farmington</p> <p><strong>Moving On: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1071107" first="Mick" last="Wherley"] was the Shakopee big last year, and their third leading scorer.  Wherley’s emergence last year was a key part of the season.  Shakpee has a lot of talent back but Mick was a 6’6 face-up talent that will have to be replaced and it may not be very easy.  Mike Pennington is a key reserve that graduated and Carter Goltz is a deeper bench reserve that played and also graduated. </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters (4):  </strong>The Sabers have their two guards back: [player_tooltip player_id="850717" first="Cade" last="McGraw"] (now a senior) and [player_tooltip player_id="958711" first="Quinten" last="Snell"] (also a senior).  Snell and McGraw are two of the tougher senior guards in the state on both ends and they will set the tone for this team.  McGraw also led the team in scoring average.  At forward [player_tooltip player_id="1267322" first="Sam" last="West"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"] also return, both seniors.  West is about 6’4, Katona is about 6’5.  Katona is a top 20 level player in the senior class and one of the state’s better defenders.  West is one of the smarter forward you will see and is coming off a great summer.  It’s four senior starters back, all are tough, all play team basketball, and all have the talent to make a run. </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:  </strong>Speaking of big summers, few players had the summer that [player_tooltip player_id="1144100" first="Yonis" last="Mohamud"] did.  When McGraw was hurt Yonis played a bigger role and started the two of the games I watched. Yonis could start in the backcourt with Snell and McGraw and give the team shooting, some attacks, and a lot of pop.  That would make West and Katona the frontcourt players in a five senior starting group.  Another option could be [player_tooltip player_id="1284142" first="Isaac" last="Snell"], a six foot guard who played more and more as the season moved on (especially when McGraw was out).  Snell is now a sophomore and he could also be a potential starter. </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV:  </strong>A key name could be Josh Magin.  Josh is a 6’7 230 pound forward that is committed to NDSU for football, but is also a potential smart frontcourt basketball player this winter.  As far as guards go, Shakopee has a lot of reserve options.  [player_tooltip player_id="1220373" first="Ty" last="Boegeman"] is a 6’2 junior who was the only sophomore playing on the JV/Varsity last season.  Senior Aiden Bennett is another name to watch. </p> <p><strong>New to the Varsity program</strong>:  The name to watch on the JV/Varsity is [player_tooltip player_id="1288706" first="Jalen" last="Langsy"], a sophomore who had a nice summer with Howard Pulley and played really well at the recent Expo.  </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>: Shakopee has a really nice group of ten players.  There are 6-7 guards that are very talented and they know how to play.  West and Katona are the perfect forwards for the modern game, the type of trusted workers that will do a lot for the team. </p>