Class AAAA Title Contender Series: Hopkins
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The Hopkins Royals. A traditional top team in Class AAAA and that’s not changing any time soon. Key Wins in 20-21 (12-5): Wayzata, Edina, Chaska, Buffalo, Eden Prairie, Orono Oops: Minnetonka, Wayzata, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis North Moving On: Five of…
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Continue ReadingThe Hopkins Royals. A traditional top team in Class AAAA and that’s not changing any time soon.
Key Wins in 20-21 (12-5): Wayzata, Edina, Chaska, Buffalo, Eden Prairie, Orono
Oops: Minnetonka, Wayzata, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis North
Moving On: Five of the top seven Hopkins players from last season have graduated. Xavier White Xavier White 6'6" | SF Hopkins | 2021 State MN and Jaelen Treml Jaelen Treml 6'4" | SF Hopkins | 2021 State MN were the two key versatile pieces. Tristan Lee Tristan Lee 6'2" | PG Hopkins | 2021 State MN had a great season at guard plus Jarrett Brenlynd came off the bench and was a key shooter. Throw in Jack Hernandez Jack Hernandez 6'11" | C Hopkins | 2021 State MN up front and that’s five seniors plus Andrew Chisley Andrew Chisley 6'6" | PF Hopkins | 2021 State MN who wasn’t able to play much last year all moved on.
Returning Starters (1): The lone returning starter from last year is Elvis Nnaji Elvis Nnaji 6'8" | C Hopkins | 2022 State #215 Nation MN , the 6’8 center. Elvis averaged 11 and 10 a season ago plus he was a top low post defender and one of the team’s most active players. Nnaji rebounds, he finishes physically, and gives a team the needed energy on both ends. D1 schools have offered Elvis a number of scholarships.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Hopkins has two guards back from last year’s bench: junior Max Wilson and senior Tyrell Sappington Tyrell Sappington 5'11" | PG Hopkins | 2022 State MN . Max is a top 15/20 level prospect in the junior class. He’s physically ahead of the curve and has solid potential after scoring eight a came last year. Sappington could be the latest guard at Hopkins that impresses as a senior.
Potentials from the JV: Hopkins has a number of key pieces coming up from their junior varsity. Jacob Rothman is a 5’9 guard that had a great 17u season and is a potential legit playmaker and surprise senior standout. Six-foot-4 junior Gavin Pierce Gavin Pierce 6'5" | SF Prior Lake | 2023 State MN is a senior and smart player that could have a role on the wing. Now 8th grader Jayden Moore is one of the top up and coming names in the state. Moore is an explosive guard that played a bit at the end of games on varsity last year and played junior varsity. Jayden is likely to step into a key role this year.
New to the Varsity program: Hopkins has three seniors that should make an impact on varsity. The first is one of the state’s elite seniors, CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN . O’Hara transferred from Totino-Grace and is likely to lead Hopkins in scoring as well as be the top defender. He’s an all state level player. Josh Hoffman Josh Hoffman 6'5" | SF North Metro Blazers | 2022 State MN is a 6’4 senior that had a great year with the Minnesota Heat and is now ready to offer a key role for the Royals (was with the North Metro Blazers last year, a home school team). Jaleel Donely is the last piece. He played varsity last year at Bloomington Kennedy and is an excellent freshman guard.
Final Thoughts: This is a group of guys coming from all over. A varsity starter, a couple varsity reserves, a couple junior varsity kids, a couple young players, and three transfers, it’s a totally new mix of 10-11 guys that have the talent to have a great year. But the chemistry has to be there as this is a completely new group.