Class AAAA – Top Ten Frontcourts

<p>The last group in Class AAAA and it’s the guys that will spend a lot of time battling in the paint!  The bigs! The frontcourts of Class AAAA!</p> <p>Park of Cottage Grove (1). The number one big in the state is [player_tooltip player_id="958715" first="Pharrel" last="Payne"] and he plays for the Wolfpack.  His constant production alone could put Park at number one but having [player_tooltip player_id="1143877" first="Jamari" last="Walker"] at 6’6 with a motor able to play the five when Payne is out and do a great job next to Payne makes the Wolfpack the toughest team in Class AAAA basketball up front. </p> <p>Eastview (2).  The Lightning have a pair that I really like in [player_tooltip player_id="1143863" first="Jamal" last="Ambrose"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1140498" first="Chet" last="Kloss"].  Ambrose is 6’10 with a touch as a senior while Kloss is 6’6 with a touch and the intelligence to play next to Jamal, or back him up.  </p> <p>Edina (3).  First off, the Hornets have one of the better frontcourt players in the state in [player_tooltip player_id="850735" first="Brady" last="Helgren"].  In addition, [player_tooltip player_id="958698" first="Dane" last="Lusty"] is back to offer the Hornets a chance to do things with Helgren away from the cup and 6’7 freshman-to-be Daniel Molhoek was on the JV as an 8th grader last year so he should be able to take some steps forward in some way. </p> <p>Hopkins (4).  The Royals have the highly active [player_tooltip player_id="850704" first="Elvis" last="Nnaji"] inside to the one of the state’s most active defenders plus a couple potential back-up fives with size and they have 2-3 6’4/6’5 kids that will play the four and produce. </p> <p>Prior Lake (5).  The Lakers are going to need some help next to [player_tooltip player_id="850712" first="Malcolm" last="Jones"] and maybe behind him a rotation or two a game, but Malcolm can be depended on for some massive numbers.  Last year he put up 20 and 11 each night. </p> <p>Wayzata (6).  UST committed [player_tooltip player_id="850713" first="Carter" last="Bjerke"] is the pick and pop big that becomes more versatile every day.  There is also 6’7 senior Davis Hay who played mostly JV last year but should get some time and there is youth in the Trojan program with size. </p> <p>Cretin-Derham Hall (7).  The Raiders have a sneaky good group that they can use up front.  [player_tooltip player_id="796948" first="Brandon" last="Melchior"] is a top 50 prospect in the state with good hands and feet, he will play the five.  Plus, [player_tooltip player_id="958746" first="Charlie" last="Plum"] did some good things for CDH as a 6’5 junior and David Oturu is 6’7 now and a senior. </p> <p>Osseo (8).  [player_tooltip player_id="850705" first="Blessed" last="Barhayiga"] had a nice junior year at eight and five a game and he is a 6’9 senior.  Next to him is a player who I think could have a big senior year and that’s Lewis Cargoer who is now around 6’6 and very active. </p> <p>Eden Prairie (9).  [player_tooltip player_id="1220360" first="Chiddi" last="Obiazor"] had a breakout winter as a sophomore last year and will be one of the toughest players to stop around the basket.  Keep an eye on 6’7 senior Dalal Gaarhaye who did some nice things off the bench last year as well. </p> <p>Spring Lake Park (10).  A big reason that I think SLP will have a strong winter is [player_tooltip player_id="1139741" first="Logan" last="Kinsey"] is a very talented and versatile 6’6 forward.  And next to him Stephen Kesti had a great summer and should be ready for a much bigger role and way more production. </p> <p>Chaska (10).  [player_tooltip player_id="850714" first="Brady" last="Nicholson"] is an experienced center that is now ready to be the main focal point of the offense.  He’s also got a really strong forward next to him in Jakobe Lyles who can do some things when he’s not facing the cup as well. </p>