Class AAAA Title Contender: Park of Cottage Grove

<p>Two seasons ago Park was 4-23 but now they enter the season a preseason top ten team in Class AAAA basketball.  Here is your Wolfpack contender series preview. </p> <p><strong>Key Wins in 20-21 (11-10)</strong><strong>:  </strong> Woodbury, White Bear Lake, East Ridge, Eastview</p> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: Stillwater, Woodbury, Mounds View, CDH, Roseville, Rosemount</p> <p><strong>Moving On: </strong> The Wolfpack return most of their team.  They did lose starting point guard [player_tooltip player_id="774875" first="Jayden" last="Lane"] who handled the ball plus scored in double digits.   Big Jakob Leonard started some games and was a role big, he has moved on as well. </p> <p><strong>Returning Starters (3/4):   </strong>Three players return as starters from the games I watched plus a fourth started another game.  The big name is [player_tooltip player_id="958715" first="Pharrel" last="Payne"], the four-star top 100 nationally ranked big that has committed to Minnesota.  Payne is a relentless producer that is a guaranteed double-double.  He’s coming off of a Prep Hoops Circuit All American First Team summer as well as a 17u first team all state summer. </p> <p>The Wolfpack had three players average in double digits last year: Payne, Lane, and shooter [player_tooltip player_id="958678" first="Evan" last="Bearth"].  Evan is one of the more dependable shooters in Class AAAA basketball and he is big enough to guard some bigger players.  Bearth also played with Minnesota Select (along with Payne).  </p> <p>Brady Perryman is dependable guard who can handle some, defends well, is a smart passer, and scored three times a game last year.  Both Perryman and part time starter [player_tooltip player_id="958701" first="Jack" last="Blumberg"] were seen pushing the ball at different times with Perryman at times running the offense.  Blumberg also scored three times a game a season ago and the six foot guard is now a senior.  He is a trusted player that will continue to give the team depth.  </p> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role:   </strong>The second best prospect and likely player on this team is [player_tooltip player_id="1143877" first="Jamari" last="Walker"].  Walker scored 7.5 points a game a season ago and was the next best rebounder on the team behind Payne. Walker is an athletic 6’5/6’6 forward that is active and a solid defender.  He will fit perfectly next to Payne up front.  Another ball handling option will be 5’9 guard Brayden Fick who was an 8th/9th Man for the team a season ago.  </p> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV:  </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1145928" first="OT" last="Omot"] is an agile 6’3 wing that will be a junior.  Omot had a nice junior year and he’s an athletic wing that should pair nicely with Bearth and Blumberg on the wing.  The guard depth should come from Nico Henderson and Kaden Reid-Aaron, both of which are seniors.  </p> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>:   What I really like about Park is the experience element combining with the size and agility of the team.  Payne is the elite big in the state and Walker can play next to him and behind him.  Bearth is the shooter, Omot is the up and comer, and Blumberg is the returning experienced worker.  Add in Perryman and Frick handling the ball with some seniors behind them giving the team depth.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>