The 2021-22 NHR League Pass List

<p>If there’s one thing many of us can appreciate about the adjustments made to high school basketball season over the last two wild years, it’s the shift for nearly every single program to live stream games in some way.</p> <p>This multiplies the coverage and publicity that we can give up-and-coming, loaded or interesting high school teams all across the state that we would not otherwise be able to observe throughout the season. With these tools in hand, let’s stock up your viewing queue for the winter with 10 teams around Minnesota you should watch in person or from your living room - there are less and less excuses to miss out by the day!</p> <p><strong>Duluth East</strong></p> <p>The Greyhounds, a Class AAAA state entrant last season, have plenty of returning firepower to make noise once again. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id="958677" first="Will" last="Van Scoy"] is healthy again to run the show, while junior inside-out pair [player_tooltip player_id="1221112" first="Isaac" last="Nyakundi"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1221118" first="Jobe" last="Juenemann"] will pose a nightly threat on both ends of the court. Nyakundi’s fluidity at 6-9 and Juenemann’s hustle mindset are two weapons that won’t misfire very often for Duluth East. They are playing another good mix of metro and out state teams as an independent, so if you can’t get to a local Section 7AAAA gym when they’re in town, don’t worry - catch them online against Woodbury, Blaine, Tartan, Andover and Bloomington Jefferson, to name a few. They also have a big matchup with Park Center at Macalester College on MLK Day.</p> <p><strong>Eastview</strong></p> <p>Hard to keep the Lightning off any list this preseason as they have a rotation that could run 12 deep. With so much talent on the roster that is even still up and coming, you can take your pick of the litter to focus on in any given game. Led by the smooth guard play of [player_tooltip player_id="958669" first="Kenji" last="Scales"], the flexible wing trio of  Mario and [player_tooltip player_id="1140495" first="Myles" last="Adams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1140498" first="Chet" last="Kloss"], and stretch big [player_tooltip player_id="1143863" first="Jamal" last="Ambrose"] in the middle, Eastview will contend in skill and size with most teams in the state. After that, there are plenty of stock rising names to choose from. Guards Sam Bolger, [player_tooltip player_id="1194000" first="Ruhan" last="Jordan"], Aaron Bangh, Jaden Olson and [player_tooltip player_id="1139192" first="Dylan" last="Omweno"] could all be vying for minutes, while Jacob Scheuring is another big body inside. Every player listed here has had an impressive or intriguing offseason. That makes them prime League Pass candidates.</p> <p><strong>Cherry</strong></p> <p>There’s no end-all, be-all criteria when curating this list, so you might see a team make it for just one prospect’s ability to electrify a game. [player_tooltip player_id="1288733" first="Isaac" last="Asuma"] is that guy for the Cherry Tigers. Asuma dropped more than 25 a game as a freshman for Cherry helping them to a fourth seed in Section 7A and one playoff win. In his sophomore preseason he’s already been named to numerous award teams and he’ll again spearhead the Tiger attack in the winter. A 6-2 well built combo guard, Isaac is as special as northern Minnesota has seen in some time. The Arrowhead Conference is a fun little league to check out to begin with, and there are no easy nights.</p> <p><strong>Totino-Grace</strong></p> <p>The Eagles are uber talented. Plain and simple. With [player_tooltip player_id="891901" first="Ahjany" last="Lee"] moving up from Byron, [player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] back for his junior season and a bevy of elite cast members in [player_tooltip player_id="958638" first="Demarion" last="Watson"], [player_tooltip player_id="1223070" first="Patrick" last="Bath"] and [player_tooltip player_id="962203" first="Tommy" last="Humphries"], there won’t be much the Northwest Suburban can do. The pairing of Chatman on the perimeter and Lee doing a bit of everything at 6-11 will be a dynamic punch. Bath’s rebounding, Watson’s defense and transition play and Humphries’ elite hustle levels will round out a lineup that’s hard to score on and rebound against. T-G has many showcase games throughout the year, but their two matchups with Park Center and Osceola stand out as must-see games wherever you’re located.</p> <p><strong>Owatonna</strong></p> <p>With two top-60 level senior prospects, hopes are high for the Huskies this season, and they’ll be an entertaining watch in the Big Nine. [player_tooltip player_id="850718" first="Evan" last="Dushek"]’s ability to stretch the floor at 6-8 and bang around in the paint will leave opposing front courts washed away, and [player_tooltip player_id="958681" first="Brayden" last="Williams"] is the savviest point guard you still haven’t heard enough about. If that’s not enough, add defensive stud [player_tooltip player_id="958725" first="Ty" last="Creger"] to the mix off the ball and you’ve got three guys who are elite at their best court skill. Taking on teams like Mankato West, Mankato East, Rochester Century, Austin and other contending southern MN squads, Owatonna has the chops to win the league and make a splash in showcase games up in the Cities this season.</p> <p><strong>Columbia Heights</strong></p> <p>The Hylanders are athletic, long, skilled and they just love to hoop. [player_tooltip player_id="850729" first="Muja" last="Burton"] is poised for a huge breakout year shooting the ball and being a top offensive option. He’s on my list of prospects to take another leap in 2022. Add in floor general [player_tooltip player_id="958742" first="Terrence" last="Brown"], wing stoppers [player_tooltip player_id="958648" first="Hassan" last="Kamara"] and [player_tooltip player_id="958666" first="Donnavin" last="Hinsz"] and big man [player_tooltip player_id="850719" first="Spencer" last="Alvarez"], you’ve got a two-way team that will run up and down the Tri-Metro. I really like how fast this team plays while also being patient enough to find a good halfcourt shot when they need it.</p> <p><strong>Park of Cottage Grove</strong></p> <p>It’s been a long time since this much momentum was behind a Wolfpack preseason. The last time I remember Park being tough was when my sixth grade A team lost to them 30-26 in a tournament in Bloomington. They reached the section finals a season ago and bring back a lot of talent, spearheaded of course by star big man [player_tooltip player_id="958715" first="Pharrel" last="Payne"]. If you haven’t seen him in person, the 6-10 center is the complete package on both ends and you should buy a ticket or find the Park live stream link to check it out. Add in shifty point guard [player_tooltip player_id="850727" first="Ruot" last="Jioklow"], 3-and-D aficionado [player_tooltip player_id="958678" first="Evan" last="Bearth"] and some other returners that will see upticks in minutes, and this is a true contender in Section 3AAAA. I will be watching them closely all season.</p> <p><strong>Deer River</strong></p> <p>The northland has a ton of big talent and the Warriors of Deer River might have the top of the heap in 6-5 star [player_tooltip player_id="958848" first="Ty" last="Morrison"]. A deadeye shooter from every spot on the floor whether he’s contested, unbalanced or wide open, Morrison is as skilled a creator at the Class A level as we’ve seen in years. He can single-handedly put away a close game or bring you back from a blowout. If nothing else, watch him put up 30 a night for Deer River. Don’t forget junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id="962318" first="Sam" last="Rahier"] either, who had a strong summer and will be a confident second option when Morrison is doubled or zoned. This 2021 state entrant is absolutely good enough for a repeat appearance in Minneapolis in March.</p> <p><strong>Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s</strong></p> <p>Few offenses were as potent all season as SESM’s, with rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1144112" first="Carson" last="Domeier"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1201129" first="Trent" last="Steffensmeier"] manning the backcourt and beating opponents with their length and muscle. That star power alone has them as a top three preseason Class A squad, and the depth around them with workers and cleanup guys along the frontline will be a great regular season recipe in the Tomahawk. Southwest Minnesota and Section 2A have great basketball and it will be no different this season; do not miss out on seeing this team’s firepower.</p> <p><strong>Lake City</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="796956" first="Justin" last="Wohlers"], [player_tooltip player_id="1225623" first="Ryan" last="Heise"], [player_tooltip player_id="1284140" first="Hunter" last="Lorenson"], Keagan Ryan, [player_tooltip player_id="958776" first="Carson" last="Matzke"], [player_tooltip player_id="1284149" first="Jaden" last="Shones"]. All of those high-end players are back from a 13-6 team that made buzz in the playoffs. The mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen is as gelled as you could ask for, and the Tigers have a great combo of size for Class AA, elite shooting and playmaking. With Will Tschetter now graduated from the section, it might be time for Lake City to get back to state. This team is fun to watch not only because they score, but because they do it the right way and unselfishly. Only an hour or so southeast of the Twin Cities, folks!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>