Class AAA Title Contender Series: Columbia Heights

<p>Columbia Heights enters the season as a top 2-3 team in the state and one of the top contenders for the Class AAA title.  Today the Contender Series checks in on the Hylanders. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Key Wins in 21-22 (12-3)</strong><strong>:  </strong>DeLaSalle, Richfield, Minneapolis Southwest, AHA</p> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: St. Croix Lutheran, Richfield, Totino-Grace</p> <p><strong>Moving On:  </strong>The Hylanders lost one starter and that was senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="957232" first="Elijah" last="Williams"] who averaged eight points a game and was able to play a few different roles for CH.  They also lost a couple key reserves who worked hard and did some important things off the bench and that was 6’5 big Chris Hady and guard Tula Tula.  Their contributions were important and must be replaced. </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters (4):   </strong>Heights has their top three scorers back and they double as the team’s top three prospects.  [player_tooltip player_id="958648" first="Hassan" last="Kamara"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850729" first="Muja" last="Burton"] each scored 17 a game while [player_tooltip player_id="958666" first="Donnavin" last="Hinsz"] scored 15 a contest and led the team in rebounding.  Kamara is a defensive worker and physical player who is also much improved as a shooter.  Burton is Mr. Consistent with a long history of scoring production.  He’s totaled 1,019 points in 90 games over the past four years (three years at CH, one year at Minneapolis Roosevelt).  Hinsz is a high percentage finisher, solid rebounder, and he takes on a lost of defensive tasks for the Hylanders.  The fourth returning starter is [player_tooltip player_id="958742" first="Terrence" last="Brown"], a 6’1 guard that averaged seven points and six rebounds last year.  You know him because he’s everywhere.  He’s the young man that was getting shots up between EYBL games in years back, Terrence played (and played well) for a few different AAU teams this 17u season, and there are about six or seven Fresh Coast Hoops videos of him the past 3-4 months so you likely saw him there.  Brown is a playmaker who runs this team and at times is the heartbeat of the team. It’s a really good group of four returning. </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:   </strong>Who steps into that fifth starter role?  Who takes those key spots off the bench that belonged to seniors a year ago?  The first name I would look to is [player_tooltip player_id="1284156" first="Jency" last="Davis"] who played off the bench in that 8th/9th Man role last year.  Maybe not as the starter but certainly as a potential ball handler off the bench.  The name I would keep an eye on is [player_tooltip player_id="850719" first="Spencer" last="Alvarez"], the Minnesota football commit.  Alvarez was very good for Columbia Heights as an underclassmen worker but was injured last year.  If he doesn’t graduate early and go the Gophers in the winter (I have not heard that he is but it’s happening for football players more and more) Alvarez would give CH an all senior line-up that goes Brown, Kamara, Burton, Hinz, and Alvarez.  That’s a tough line-up to deal with.  </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV: </strong> Columbia Heights has two senior bigs at 6’5 that could step into low post supporting roles.  Andrew Scoggins and Obang Oman are the names.  The Hylanders also had a nice group of underclassmen that played on JV last year including several quick guards.  Davis is one but juniors [player_tooltip player_id="962307" first="Leavale" last="Hicks"] and Enoch Williams are certainly players to keep an eye on as well.  [player_tooltip player_id="1221165" first="Martez" last="Wise"] is a 6’3/6’4 forward who is a junior that could add depth plus now freshman Quaylan Hardict is a guard that you should know as well.  </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>:  I have big expectations for Columbia Heights this year, especially if they have Alvarez, but with or without him they will be good.  I like their pieces.  Brown has shown he can create, that he can run the offense and make things comfortable for others.  Kamara is that worker, defender, energy guy that can score.  Burton has a knack for scoring and has for the past four seasons and he is opposite Kamara.  Hinsz is the explosive double-double worker and if Alvarez is playing that gives the team a monster screener, a rebounder, a low post defender, and a player that will work hard and not need the ball.  Love that starting five plus the team seems to have upcoming talent that can fill the roles off the bench.  </p>