Minnesota State Tournament Class A: Top Performers

<p>Today Cherry, New Life Academy, Hayfield, and BBE moved on to the Class A semi-finals with wins.  We review the top performers from Wednesday at #MNStateHoops22</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ethan Arntson of Sacred Heart (6’2 junior).  When Sacred Heart found Ethan in a comfortable spot with feet set, he was gold for them. After he hit a couple shots more New Life Academy attention came his way and I thought Ethan did a great job adjusting.  He went to the pull-up once, he was found moving off ball behind the defense, and he was fouled allowing Ethan to make 7 of 8 foul shots.  Scored 14 points for the game. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1288733" first="Isaac" last="Asuma"] of Cherry (6’2 soph).  What type of player is Isaac?  Think a combination of [player_tooltip player_id="958636" first="Alonzo" last="Dodd"] and Jordan Taylor at the Class A level.  Isaac has the Jordan Taylor look, frame, and young leadership qualities mixed with the toughness and do everything approach of Dodd.  Today he scored 31 points highlighted by 11 of 17 shooting plus grabbed 13 defensive boards on his way to 15 boards total.  Add in four assists and three steals and you have Cherry moving on. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1225656" first="Max" last="Briggs"] of New Life Academy (5’10 jr).  Briggs played an outstanding game for New Life allowing his team to beat Sacred Heart and move into the semi-finals. His ball pressure and quick steps off the ball screen attacking the ball were crucial to the turnovers his team forced.  Quick hands to steal, quick attack into the passing lanes creating transition chances.  Briggs also created several shots for his team with outstanding ball movement.  Quick reversals and attack-and-kicks allowed his teammates to shoot comfortably.  Max had seven assists and five steals plus scored 13 points on 11 shots.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="958832" first="Kollin" last="Kaemingk"] of New Life Academy (6’2 sr).  Kollin Laemingk scored a game high 20 points on 7 of 12 shooting and 4 of 5 foul shooting.  So what about Kollin led to his game changing effort?  Kollin is a lot quicker than I’ve seen in the past.  His cuts, his attack with the ball, Kollin’s sharp first step, all of it was too quick for Sacred Heart’s defense to react to.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="962284" first="Isaac" last="Matti"] of Hayfield (6’1, jr).  Because of his strength, size, athletic ability, and most importantly, his body control as an athlete, [player_tooltip player_id="962284" first="Isaac" last="Matti"] is playing better basketball than just about anybody at the Class A level right now.  Matti nearly had a triple double today despite a tougher shooting day.  He had 15 points, 10 boards, and eight assists. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1226403" first="Ethan" last="Pack"] of Hayfield (5’11, jr).  Ethan has a game changing jumper and today that game changing jumper was made seven times behind the arc for the Vikings.  He’s a difference maker as a shooter and today his 25 points hurt RTR in a big way.  One thing that he is really doing at a very high level is immediately getting up the floor and finding spots with feet set before the defense transitions to get in position to defend. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="962264" first="Kaden" last="Pieper"] of BBE (6’3 jr).  BBE put the ball in the hands of Pieper and he went at SESM successfully.  Nothing forced, no mistakes made (no turnovers), just attacking efficiently, taking good shots and punishing the defense for every little mistake.  Hit the only threes he took but it was the basket attack that the opponents couldn’t deal with.  Kaden scored on 8 of 11 foul shots and five scores in/near the paint.  Scored 24 points and put a ton of fouls on SESM players. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trenton Steffensmeier (6’0, sr).  Love the toughness and grit of Steffensmeier.  He can hit the open perimeter jumper with his feet set (two threes made today) but going at the cup he is so crafty in using his body to position and finish.  Same can be said for how he rebounds. Scored 19 points on 7 of 16 shooting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="958850" first="Kobe" last="Tomkinson"] of Sacred Heart (6’2, sr).  Kobe is a dangerous shooter.  An excellent shooter with a good feel that doesn’t force his offense hurting possessions.  Kobe hit a clutch three, scoring his 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting, and had the type of performance you would expect from a three time all league player.  </span></p>