Breakdown Fall League: Week 1 New Names to Know

Who were some of the players that we learned about at the Breakdown Fall League who played well and should have strong 2022-23 seasons? We give you five now!

Joe Cummings of Champlin Park (2023). When it comes to worker baskets and a player getting to positions, Cummings did the job very well for the Rebels on Sunday. He mixed in jumpers with active scores at the rim for a dozen second half points which allowed the Rebels to pull away from Mayo. The Rebels are looking tougher by the day. With Luke Graff Luke Graff 6'3" | SG Holy Family | 2024 State MN as the main weapon, Molly Kamara around the basket, Amory Peterson Amory Peterson 6'3" | SG Champlin Park | 2024 State MN as a guard option, and Cummings doing some worker things (and there were are few others from the Rebels who were solid), they have a chance to be a solid team this winter.

Kairee Gadson Kairee Gadson 6'2" | PG Rochester Mayo | 2023 MN of Rochester Mayo (2023). The best surprise of the day for me was Kairee Gadson Kairee Gadson 6'2" | PG Rochester Mayo | 2023 MN . Gadson is a really strong attack guard who scored in double digits last season and was named honorable mention All Big Nine. But yesterday he looked like a player that can score against most teams, as he was attacking guards from St. Cloud Tech and Champlin Park and having success. Keep this in mind, Mayo was without Isaiah Hanson Isaiah Hanson 6'4" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN and they still almost beat Tech. Gadson’s ability to get past the first defender and use his combination of size and quickness to find an angle at the rim to score resulted in scores over and over. I was really impressed with what Gadson did on Sunday.

Warsame Mahat of St. Cloud Tech (2024). Initially I though Mahat was a returning player from Tech but I was wrong. He’s a newer name for me and a name that people better get to know but he’s a longer guard with the ability to shoot at the arc, or use an attack dribble to find space to produce. Warsame was really, really good off the pitch from Ferguson when he had his feet set to shoot or when he caught and could make a move against a defender that was scrambled. If Mahat can provide Tech with this type of production consistently, the Tigers are going to have four perimeter weapons that will stretch the defense past it’s max.

Aidan Memene of Park Center (2024). I had to wonder over to James Ware to ask who “number two” was playing with the top guys on the team and playing so well, and it was Aidan. There is some Terrence Brown (not saying he will be an All State player like Brown, just similar items) to Aidan in terms of frame, the way they attack the rim and push the ball, and I suppose hair as well. Memene has a smooth attack to what he does and his ability to finish against AAAA top team size really grabbed my attention. Looks like a solid rotation guy for the Pirates off the bench.

Alexander Schroeder of Eastview (2023). Just when you think you know all the Lightning players, another steps up with a great defensive play. Or a good entry pass. And he makes a three, then finishes on the break. At 6’3 and being a senior, Schroeder was really solid in his role playing spots for the Lightning. With the game on the line he was on the floor for Eastview because he is a trusted player and I expect he will get some quality time this year.