Concordia St. Paul Fall League Standouts

<p>The Concordia St. Paul fall league concluded last weekend with some of the state’s top high school programs competing. I was at Harding High School catching the action, and these are some of the top performers I saw on the day!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1288657" first="Stephen" last="Kesti"] (6’8 2022 C, Spring Lake Park)- </strong>Spring Lake Park will likely have an all-around size advantage against just about every team they play, and that was the case on Sunday. Stephen took advantage of his size by establishing strong low post position just about every time up the floor, and that fight for position led to 17 first half points in their opening game. He showed touch around the rim with either hand, and keeps his balance well through contact to finish at a high rate. Kesti also showed he’s more than a low post threat, as he stretched the floor for a pair of threes in the first half, and also got up for a transition dunk. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962201" first="Maxsamus" last="Wilson"] (6’4 2023 G, Hopkins)- </strong>After commonly playing as Hopkins’ sixth man as a sophomore, Max steps into a big role for this upcoming winter. During two games on Sunday morning he was lights out from beyond the arc, with most of those shots coming from well beyond the high school line. He has no shortage of confidence in his game, and is an energizer who’s constantly talking on the floor and cheering on his teammates. Defensively the effort is there and he does a great job of jumping passing lanes to get out in transition once or twice every game.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958693" first="Carmello" last="McNeal"] (6’2 2022 G, Twin Cities Academy)- </strong>Carmello had a pair of excellent offensive performances, including against a BSM team with at least three college prospects in the backcourt. McNeal is dangerous off the dribble with the ability to create space or use a step-back to gain separation for a mid-range or three. He was hitting tough shots all morning even with a hand right in his face on a lot of the attempts. Teams knew he was looking to score, and they still couldn’t stop him from putting points on the board. The icing on the cake was knocking down two free throws with a second to play to give his team a one point win.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1284162" first="Jordan" last="Cain"] (6’2 2024 G, Minnetonka)- </strong>The talented sophomore had one of his most productive games that I’ve seen against a solid Eagan team. He looked more confident attacking off the dribble, and proved that he can easily hold his own physically with upperclassmen players. Cain is an explosive guard in the open floor, but doesn’t rely on his athleticism at all times. His skill off the dribble allows him to create his own shots whether it be from the perimeter or working his way to the basket. Jordan shows smart shot selection as well, and has no problem passing up good shots to get his teammates great shots. A lot of potential here.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Kallman (5’8 2022 PG, Chaska)- </strong>A 2022 prospect set for a breakout winter, Kallman went at a stacked Hopkins backcourt and found success as a scorer and facilitator. His quickness allowed him to get past the initial defender and into dangerous spots in the lane where he was then able to locate and open shooter with an accurate pass. You could see his dead constantly scanning the floor looking for an open man, and more often then not he made the right pass to set up an open look. Matthew also showed a lot of shooting range which forced defenders to step out and guard him from beyond the arc.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958677" first="Will" last="Van Scoy"] (6’1 2022 PG, Duluth East)- </strong>Will continued his strong run of play this fall by helping lead Duluth East to a win over Eagan. His quickness is back after missing last season with an injury, which allows him to make more plays off the dribble than he could in the summer. Showed a bit of shiftiness with the crossover to get defenders leaning one way and attack the other way with the ability to either finish of locate the open man. Has a soft floater in the lane or can knock down the outside jumper when given too much space. Also does a nice job of passing the ball ahead in transition.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958730" first="Carrington" last="McNeal"] (6’2 2022 G, Twin Cities Academy)- </strong>Opposing ball handlers need to watch out when Carrington is locked in defensively, because he was forcing turnover after turnover in Sunday’s games. He picks up full court and is able to sit in a stance for the length of the floor, and has excellent timing with his hands to poke the ball free at the right moments. One of the scrappier players you’ll find, Carrington was always the first one on the floor for a loose ball, which allowed him to get to a few loose balls that others were closer to. Offensively he has the strength to shield off defenders to finish around the rim, and is a threat from three when left open.</p>