Las Vegas Classic: Thursday’s Best

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops is out in Las Vegas checking out one last weekend of AAU basketball. What did we see? Who stood out? We provide the answers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Minnesota Select 17s: Small Numbers &amp; A Big Result</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Late season trips to Las Vegas often result in some players staying home for various reasons and the Minnesota Select Mantey team is no different. [player_tooltip player_id='1140493' first='Mario' last='Adams'] was sick, [player_tooltip player_id='1189958' first='Isaiah' last='Hagen'] is on a vacation, and [player_tooltip player_id='962259' first='Carter' last='Todd'] was with family therefore Select had six players to beat SBS with, and they had no issues with it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-9 Lincoln Palbick had a 17 point, 15 rebound, and 5 assist game rim running against a team that didn't have much size. Palbicki took advantage of his size dominating the glass but I also loved the rim running finishing and the superb passing. When it comes to bigs that know how to play, Lincoln ranks with the best. Great passer in the paint, awesome talker on defense, and he always works to his defensive spots. And on this day he used his size to dominate the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Lincoln wasn't rim running for success, [player_tooltip player_id='1140495' first='Myles' last='Adams'] was. The 6'6 Eastview wing was on a constant rim sprint and his team rewarded him with 16 shot attempts (Myles scored on 11 of them for 25 points). It was likely the best game Myles played this year and once again he made some threes. The ball was moving really well for Select as Jordan Malmlov and [player_tooltip player_id='1139192' first='Dylan' last='Omweno'] combined for 19 assists. And when he wasn't sitting in foul trouble, [player_tooltip player_id='1145928' first='OT' last='Omot'] had 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting. A 92-62 start for the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Heat PBJ is Approaching 40 Wins</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team with the highest winning percentage in Minnesota AAU high school hoops right now is the Minnesota Heat PBJ. They beat King's Olympus out of New Jersey 70-52 led by 20 points from [player_tooltip player_id='1288706' first='Jalen' last='Langsy'] and 14 points from [player_tooltip player_id='1284167' first='Kyle' last='Jorgensen']. Langsy made 8 of 11 field goals as he continues to mix in that pretty left handed touch with crafty drives finishing in small windows. He's had a brilliant 16u season and looks like he be the Shakopee leader this winter as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As for Jorgensen, this was an eye opening game watching Kyle. He's about a 6-foot-8 or 6-foot-9 five that has a very special skill set that separates him. Kyle can face up and hit jumpers in a way that you may think, a shade of Carter Bjerke. Picks, pops and hits. I was also impressed with the way Jorgensen passed the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, it's big statement time. Huge statement time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe that Minnesota Heat/Eastview High School 6-foot-7, 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1287440' first='Jonathan' last='Mekonnen'] has high major potential and we are looking at a top five prospect in this class. There are so many pieces to his game that translate: 6'7 size and longer length, incredibly explosive off his feet (so explosive that he just demolishes shot attempts with blocks), great lateral steps, a frame that can add weight without changing the way he moves, and Mekonnen is just starting to tap a bit into his immense potential. Yesterday he had eight points, seven boards, four assists, and three blocks. And once again flashed the type of potential that few can match. At some point those high major calls will come. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>A Fierce Victory</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Mexico Fierce was down a basket with seven seconds to go and number 42 on the team caught midcourt and then bulled his way to the cup for a 63-62 game winner. The pose to the baseline camera after the score was fun but Jayson Lovato and Kai Bullock who put the team in that position to begin with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At one point Jayson Lovato gave New Mexico Fierce seven baskets in a row. He did his best modern NBA 25 foot pull-up threes impersonation hitting three plus Lovato attacked for scores on his way to 20 points on 11 attempts. Kai Bullock opened the game with three threes and played a variety of rules including three point shooter, low post defender, main ball handler, and wizard passer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Select Krona took the loss [player_tooltip player_id='1288820' first='Ali' last='Axmed'] scored 13 points while Ollie Wilcox has nine points and nine boards. Axmed is a forward from Lakeville North while Wilcox is from Cretin-Derham Hall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Spartan Opening Strong</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Minnesota Spartans beat Nevada Elite 65-32 breezing to a win. There was only so much to take from the game but I thought I would provide a little something on several:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284157' first='Jerome' last='Williams Jr']: Was once again impossible for the initial defender to defend and it was another good shooting game scoring 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aurelio Aguirre: Scored 11 and is one of the stronger 2024s I've seen when it comes to going to the rim and taking contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284106' first='Chiang' last='Ring']: There is no better shot blocker in Minnesota high school basketball next year than Ring. His length and explosion off his feet is unmatched. Another five blocks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288826' first='Casmir' last='Chavis']: Rejoined his past teammates and moved the ball constantly giving bigs scores at the cup. Had seven assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emiliano Barrantes: It continues to amaze me that Emiliano will be a sophomore. He's already got the build needed for the next level, touch is solid and he plays his post role well. Big potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1434057' first='Caleb' last='Shoenrock']: The worker on the team grabbed seven rebounds. He's their battler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Select Conquers the 505</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota Select James basically ran past the New Mexico squad 52-19. [player_tooltip player_id='1491758' first='Joe' last='Burgess'] continues to play well as a 6'5 forward who I really think can make a nice impact for the Park Center squad next year. He had 18 points with six rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='1220415' first='Kaden' last='Cook'] has become the team's post player and he does a nice job with back to the basket items. London James scored ten with two threes and two transition scores while Minneapolis Washburn guard Cade Heinemann scored 11 in what was a nice introduction. Had three threes, nine boards and I think he will help the Millers in a big way next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->