The Minnesota Weekend: Top Performers

<p>What Minnesota players had big time performances for their team over the weekend?  We give you some of the stars that shined brightest. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="850706" first="Jackson" last="Loge"] of Morris Area.  Expectations are high for Jackson and the Tigers.  Loge is a top Mr. Basketball finalist candidate and his team is top five in Class AA to start the season.  With all of these expectations facing a Paynesville team that has good experience how did Jackson do?  Led his team to a dominating 84-57 win scoring 35 points with seven boards and then he took an early seat.  Loge also had seven assists! </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958683" first="Mason" last="Lund"] of Sartell-St. Stephen.  Sartell earned an eye opening win over a solid Delano program 84-72 with [player_tooltip player_id="958683" first="Mason" last="Lund"] leading the way scoring 34 points.  I’m told Delano just didn’t have a good match-up that was big enough and that could move with the 6’5/6’6 size of Lund.  Mason hit 3 of 7 threes to score his 34 and did a great job finishing at a high percentage around the cup.  Good win by Sartell led by their standout. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284186" first="Mercy" last="Miller"] of Minnehaha Academy.  The Redhawks opened with Apple Valley and the four star Houston commit opened with a 40 point game.  Miller’s ability to pull-up and hit jumpers on the move is outstanding for his age.  Contested hotly or mildly, it didn’t matter.  The Eagles weren’t able to stop Miller from getting to his pull-up.  What I also love about Miller is his ability to finish with either hand going at the rim.  When he can get to balance and finish with either hand despite what the defense is taking away, he is at a big advantage.  Great opener.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958707" first="Derek" last="Pepin"] of Rockford.  A game that caught the attention of many this weekend was Rockford against Burnsville.  Rockford rolled 91-50 and it was a breakout game for Pepin and a needed response game from his team.  Rockford opened the season with a surprising loss to North Branch but fueled by the opening night anger, Rockford went to Burnsville and dominated.  Pepin at one point had a 15 point run on his own according to the Czar of Minnesota hoops!  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962206" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] of Stillwater.  I’m starting to wonder if there isn’t a little bit of....don’t wait too long to recognize what this young man is doing as a player or it may be too late.   I feel like there was some of that with JT Gibson, with Nate Wolters, and with Tyrell Terry.  Don’t let a 6’2 frame or a combo guard ability (instead of focusing on the ability to do both we focus on "which is it?") distract you from a special playmaker.  Max is a special playmaker and he scored 45 to lift the Ponies past Blaine.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284129" first="Drew" last="Werkman"] of RTR.  A bit of a sleeper out state top performance?  I have one.  Drew is a sophomore big that made 8 of 11 shots and grabbed a dozen rebounds in RTR’s opening season win over Ellsworth.  Drew is a 6’4 big that had a smaller role last year but he returns in a bigger role while many of the good RTR players are back as well.  They are a team to watch in Class A!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>