Minnesota State Tournament Day 1: New Names to Know

Twelve games.  Twenty-four of Minnesota’s better teams.  With it comes a bunch of new names you should know at #MNStateHoops22

Connor Foy and Samuel Angell of Andover (6’2, 6’4 2022s).  Andover gave Park Center a run and these two seniors played a big part in that.  Foy hit four threes stretching the floor allowing Ben Kopetzki Ben Kopetzki 6'0" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN and Samuel Musungu Samuel Musungu 6'1" | PG Andover | 2023 State MN to attack lanes for finishes.  And Angell went at PC’s size in the middle in half one and scored on four of five one on one post up chances.  A senior pair that showed well at state.  

Ben Hallberg of Princeton (6’6, 2022).  We’ve spoken about Ben before but need to chat on him again.  He plays his role really well putting size in the paint and making others score over him plus he boards well (9) as Austin couldn’t keep Ben off the offensive glass.  Scored 13 for his team. 

Jalen Hayes Jalen Hayes 6'1" | SF Mankato East | 2023 State MN of Mankato East (6’1 2023).  The first time I saw Hayes play last year he was handling the ball playing some point guard.  This winter I watched Hayes play a key defensive role in two games and today he did the same helping limit the Whitehawk top scoring options.  Hayes also grabbed 14 rebounds today including 11 defensive boards ending Mound-Westonka possessions.  Throw in a dozen points and you have a strong first state tournament game for Hayes this week!

Brandon Hoban Brandon Hoban 6'2" | SG De La Salle | 2022 MN of DeLaSalle (6’3 2022).  The improvements, toughness, and consistency of this senior is a big reason that the Islanders lost some players but are playing even better team basketball.  Hoban is now confidently taking the few shots he attempts a game and making them.  A great defender, strong rebounder, master screener, and excellent passer, Hoban gave the Islanders 11 boards, four scores, and four assists in a win over Tech. 

Brandon Jergenson of Morris Area (6’1 2022).  Brandon had 13 points including six hard charging rim scores in the second half.  With Minnehaha Academy pressuring the full game, Morris Area often had cutters running to the rim finishing ahead of the help and Brandon was often that player. 

Ater Manyuon Ater Manyuon 6'4" | SF Austin | 2023 State MN of Austin (6’1 2023).  Ater is young and raw, but there is length, quickness with the ball, and a scoring feel to him that I think has really solid potential.   He scored almost all of his 17 points versus Princeton attacking the defense with either a pull-up or a rim finish.  Excited to see how he grows over the next 12 months.  

Max Swanson of Mound-Westonka (6’7 2022).  Max had the type of senior season that I don’t think a ton of people expected.  He was tough, physical, steady, and played within his role of what he does giving the Whitehawks low post consistency.  He had nine points and five boards today but the overall takeaway was that Max had an excellent senior year and could play some D3 post. 

Goanar Tap of St. Cloud Tech (6’9 2022).  We saw Tap earlier this year but have to point him out in this group again.  He is so long and his lateral steps are raw but he is agile enough to get to spots.  Had six blocks and bothered several other shots.  Grabbed four boards, made all four shots he took, and 2 of 3 foul shots.  Impressive little ten point showing with some DeLaSalle offensive altering plays. 

Adam Tauer Adam Tauer 6'3" | SG Andover Central | 2023 State MN of Cretin-Derham Hall (6’3 2023).  Adam played a big part in Brayden Williams Brayden Williams 6'3" | PG Owatonna | 2022 State MN taking only nine shots as he denied Williams and did a fantastic job.  What people will always remember though is the Tauer offensive rebound off the late Tre Holloman Tre Holloman 6'2" | PG Cretin-Derham Hall | 2022 State #57 Nation MN miss, the Tauer kickout to Holloman, and then Tauer going to the corner to catch and hit the game winning three for the Raiders.