Week 2 Individual Matchups To Watch

<p>Games are now getting into full swing across the state, and with the Breakdown Tip Off Classic among other high level non-conference games, there are some intriguing individual player battles to keep an eye on. I’ll be breaking down five of those matchups to keep an eye on this week!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] (Cretin-Derham Hall) vs [player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] (Totino-Grace)</strong></p> <p>It’s the nightcap of the Tip Off Classic this year, as [player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] and CDH take on [player_tooltip player_id="962198" first="Taison" last="Chatman"] and Totino-Grace. If you asked high school hoops fans what individual matchup they wanted to see this season, I’m sure a lot would have answered with Holloman vs Chatman. Tre is committed to Michigan State, and is one of the most dominant point guards Minnesota has seen in recent history. Since last season he’s been a threat to put up 20+ points in each game while also consistently dishing out double digit assists. You can bet he’s up for the challenge defensively as well, as Tre loves getting after it and applying ball pressure. Taison is as smooth as they come with the rock, as he makes creating space look effortless, and he’s a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. There’s a lot of talent around him to share the ball with, but when he’s locked in he’s a threat to put up points in a hurry.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="958683" first="Mason" last="Lund"] (Sartell-St. Stephen) vs [player_tooltip player_id="962232" first="Isaac" last="Severts"] (Bemidji)</strong></p> <p>These two talented prospects face off tonight in an exciting out-state matchup! Though they’re different types of players, both stand at 6’6 so they could see some time on each other for that reason alone. Lund is coming off a 34 point season opener against Delano. Most teams don’t have a player with the type of size and agility needed to stick with him. He has above-the-rim finishing ability to you can’t afford to let him get into the lane, but he can also pull up and hit a jumper right in his defender’s face. Severts is more of a low-post threat, with a strong frame and some physicality to compete on the block. He works hard to gain good post position, but he can also beat other forwards up the floor in transition. Hard to stop around the rim.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"] (Shakopee) vs [player_tooltip player_id="958647" first="Peyton" last="Newbern"] (Robbinsdale Armstrong)</strong></p> <p>Not many games to choose from on Wednesday night, but this individual matchup is one to keep an eye on! Plenty of talent on both teams, but the wing matchup of Katona and Newbern catches my eye. Peyton has emerged as a dangerous scorer at 6’5, with the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket, or pull-up and knock down outside shots. He’s a dangerous playmaker who can do a bit of everything. [player_tooltip player_id="850728" first="Nick" last="Katona"] has become known as a defensive stopper around the state with his length and athleticism. The Minnesota-Duluth commit will be up to the challenge of trying to stop Newbern, while also going down the other way and putting points on the board. He’s one of the best in the state at attacking the basket and finish, but he does so without forcing it too much which allows him to score with efficiency.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962223" first="Khalif" last="Bettis"] (Burnsville) vs [player_tooltip player_id="1288847" first="Makieth" last="Deng"] (Coon Rapids)</strong></p> <p>Intriguing wing matchup taking place on Thursday between Burnsville and Coon Rapids. Khalif has emerged into one of the top wing prospects in the 2023 class. He didn’t shoot the ball as well as usual in the season opener over the weekend, but still finished with 15 points and a few blocked shots. When his shot is falling he’s so tough to stop because he’s a dangerous shot creator off the dribble. Can post guys up, get to the rim, or create some space to get off a jumper. [player_tooltip player_id="1288847" first="Makieth" last="Deng"] missed his junior year with an injury, so he’s coming in with something to prove this Winter. He has a ton of length and offers some versatility on both ends of the floor. Deng can guard most spots on the floor at the high school level, as he has good mobility for his size, and his length allows him to block shots or deflect passes. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962257" first="Logan" last="Tuckner"] (Rochester John Marshall) vs [player_tooltip player_id="958646" first="Jasper" last="Hedin"] (Winona)</strong></p> <p>On Friday night these two will go head to head on the wings for John Marshall and Winona. As an upperclassman it’s now time for Tuckner to take a step forward as a go-to player. He’s one of the better shooters in the 2023 class, and has size on the wing at 6’3. If he sees one or two shots fall, he can catch fire and put up big numbers beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id="958646" first="Jasper" last="Hedin"] is a do-it-all player for Winona. He’s 6’5, athletic, and can play almost every position in high school. Jasper has the unselfishness to create for his teammates, or he can get to the rim to finish against size. Don’t give him too much space either, as Hedin shot over 40% from beyond the arc as a junior.</p>