Tuesday Night Match-Up: #4 PEM at #1 Caledonia
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PEM is undefeated, talented, big, and ready to make a statement. Can they make that statement at top ranked Caledonia tonight? We look at the match-ups (and you should too, get to know these junior Bulldogs!) One. ( Eli King…
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Continue ReadingPEM is undefeated, talented, big, and ready to make a statement. Can they make that statement at top ranked Caledonia tonight? We look at the match-ups (and you should too, get to know these junior Bulldogs!)
One. ( Eli King Eli King 6'2" | PG Caledonia | 2022 State #151 Nation MN of Caledonia, Sr) vs (Peyton Schumacher of PEM, Sr).
Peyton Schumacher is a 5’10 senior that does a lot for his team. He’s a big time football talent that uses that same strength and lateral quicks to be a great defender. He plays both guard spots and Peyton does a great job getting to the cup to finish in contested ways. He’s scoring 16/17 a game this season and he will need it to face Eli King Eli King 6'2" | PG Caledonia | 2022 State #151 Nation MN . It takes a team to defend the nationally ranked Iowa State signed guard. Peyton might be able to move his feet to sometimes keep King on the perimeter but there will be many times he doesn’t so help D will be key.
Two. ( Thane Meiners Thane Meiners 5'11" | PG Caledonia | 2022 MN of Caledonia, Sr) vs (John Evers of PEM, Sr). You could see Thane defending Schumacher or Kaiden Peters as Thane – a future Upper Iowa baseball player – is a tough defender that is strong and loves to be physical. Meiners can handle some for his team which is where you can see Evers – the PEM ball handler many times – and Meiners running into one another commonly. Meiners can hit shots at the arc and basically gives his team an all around game.
Three. (Ja’Shon Simpson of Caledonia, Sr) vs (Connor McGuire of PEM, Sr). These two are the potential ex-factors. McGuire is 180 pounds and fast so he will match-up with Simpson who is very similar. Simpson is capable of scoring 4-5 times a game for Caledonia which balances out their team. McGuire looks like a good fit to defend King at times, Koepke at times, or limit Simpson.
Four. ( Jackson Koepke Jackson Koepke 6'2" | SG Caledonia | 2022 State MN of Caledonia, Sr) vs (Kaiden Peters of PEM, Jr). Jackson was a big time scorer for Caledonia last season stepping in when Eli was out. Koepke has carried that into a near 20 point per game season for his team. Peters can play in the frontcourt for his team at 6’1 because he is long and uses that length really well. He is a shot blocker, Peters is an extending finisher, and he gets his hands on a lot of balls as a defender and rebounder. Peters is also finishing at a big time rate. He just had a career high 35 point game over the weekend in a big win over a very good New Life Academy team. Peters has scored 20 plus several times so he and Koepke will be a great match-up.
Five. (Chris Pieper of Caledonia, Sr) vs ( Aeron Stevens Aeron Stevens 6'7" | PF Plainview-Eligin-Millville | 2023 State MN of PEM, Jr). Pieper is the five for Caledonia. He’s 6’3 and he battles but he will have his hands full tonight. Stevens has grown to 6’6 and is coming off of an All Conference season as a sophomore. Stevens has the skill to face up and hit jumpers out to the arc but the first step and bounce to get to the cup and finish explosively. He’s an 18 point per game guy that is still growing and will present Caledonia with issues.