Hard Work Region Finals: Minnesota Guard Standouts
The Hard Work Region Finals featured some of Minnesota’s top prospects and programs competing over the weekend, and these are seven of the guards who impressed in the games I saw! Maxwell Woods Maxwell Woods 5'10" | PG Chanhassen |…
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Continue ReadingThe Hard Work Region Finals featured some of Minnesota’s top prospects and programs competing over the weekend, and these are seven of the guards who impressed in the games I saw!
Maxwell Woods Maxwell Woods 5'10" | PG Chanhassen | 2024 MN (5’11 2024 PG, Minnesota Fury)- Helping lead his Fury team to their second straight Hard Work Region title, Maxwell was on another level in the championship game. He just has an extra level of quickness that very few players can match, and he uses it to blow by his man and get to the rack at will. Despite being one of the smallest players on the floor, he’s such a good finisher because of how long he can hang in the air, and the strength he possesses which allows him to absorb contact and still finish. Defensively he’s a pest with great instincts off the ball as well. With the championship game tied late, Maxwell jumped a pass and went on to finish the lay-up to win his team the game with just seconds remaining.
Asher Zubich Asher Zubich 6'1" | PG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2023 State MN (6’1 2023 G, Starks Elite )- In the semi-finals against WOTN, Asher put on one of the best shooting performances I’ve seen this summer. He seems on pace to change the phrase “Jimmer range” into “Asher range” as he seemed willing and ready to pull up from anywhere within half-court. For just about any player those deep threes would be a bad shot, but Asher knocks them down consistently and makes that type of range look easy. Whether it was off the catch or dribble Asher was always ready to knock down threes, and when defenders creeped up too far he showed some blow by speed to put the ball on the floor and get into the lane. Had a few kickout passes to open teammates while also showing touch to finish off the glass.
Matt Drake Matt Drake 5'11" | PG Lakeville North | 2024 State MN (5’11 2024 PG, Minnesota Select)- I haven’t seen many point guards who can handle the ball in tight spaces like Matt can. He just never gets sped up and always seems to find ways to navigate through traffic and create scoring opportunities for his team. Drake always keeps his eyes scanning the floor, and it makes him so dangerous once he gets into the lane because he can immediately spot a teammate in open space and hit them with an accurate pass. He’s very unselfish but also knows how to score on his own as he possesses a floater to finish over size and has a shot that has to be accounted for at all times from three. Helped lead his team to the 16u semi-finals with some strong performances.
Henry Tschetter Henry Tschetter 6'3" | SG Stewartville | 2024 State MN (6’4 2024 G, Minnesota Heat PBJ)- Not sure I saw a more versatile guard all weekend as Henry was doing a little of everything for his team. With his length at either the 1 or 2, he’s very interchangeable on the defensive end as he can move his feet on the ball or defend either wing with his size. Offensively he’s one of the best guards in Minnesota at taking his man to the block and scoring from the post. Has an array of moves he can go to around the basket to finish at a high percentage, and he was showing that full arsenal in the games I saw. Henry can knock down outside shots, finish in transition, and was setting his teammates up with accurate passes all weekend long.
Dillon Engen Dillon Engen 5'11" | PG Southwest | 2023 MN (6′ 2023 G, Minnesota Heat Bohrer)- Dillon is an outside shooting threat that has to be marked at all times. In the game I saw he was active off the ball and able to get himself into pockets of space along the three point line to get good shooting looks. He’s a high percentage shooter with a quick release that allows him to get a shot off before his defender is able to close the gap. Handled the ball at times as well for his team and looked comfortable on the ball even when under pressure.
Alex Mattes Alex Mattes 6'3" | SG East Ridge | 2023 State MN (6’3 2023 G, Minnesota Fury)- Alex’s effort in the quarterfinals was a big reason why the Fury were able to advance with a win. Whether it was fighting for offensive rebounds to keep possessions alive for his team or getting on the floor for a loose ball, Alex was making those extra effort plays that led to a win. On the offensive end he showcased his three point shooting ability, but was also so good at hesitating before quickly blowing by a defender and drawing fouls at the rim. Made a handful of trips to the free throw line throughout the game to pick up some easy points for his team.
Morries Jabetah (6’2 2023 SG, MN Lightning Dahl)- The Austin guard was electric in the open floor in the game I watched. He’s long, fast, and explosive which makes for a dangerous combination in transition. Morries showed good timing to jump lazy passes and get out in transition, throwing down multiple dunks with ease. On the defensive end besides the steals he provides an additional shot blocking threat because of how easily he gets off the floor and the effort he showed to get into the right spots when on the help-side. Will be a part of a promising backcourt at Austin this upcoming season.