Breakdown Tip Off Classic: New Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best part of the Breakdown Top Off Classic is new names emerging on the big stage. Here is a new set of players that you should get to know!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1178256' first='Elias' last='Batala'] of Eastview (sr). Batala was one of the surprises of the day. He started for the Lightning and quickly showed why opening the game with two threes.&nbsp; Elias had a good fall and then has started this school season strong.&nbsp; Hit six foul shots down the stretch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288808' first='Mateo' last='Cortes-Weiss'] (jr).<strong> </strong>A big reason that Minnehaha Academy wouldn't go away was because Mateo wouldn't let them go away. He hit back to back threes and hit a really clever drive into a finger role that kept the game close late.&nbsp; Throw in the putback bucket and I was really impressed with the way Mateo was able to contribute without many touches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1339195' first='Drew' last='Dahl'] of LCWM (sr).&nbsp; Dahl is a very interesting player.&nbsp; He is skilled so he can play on the perimeter and hit a couple threes, but he is able to finish around the basket as well with his strength.&nbsp; Scored 16 in the win over Concordia Academy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288783' first='Edwin' last='Dorbor'] of Maple Grove (sr).&nbsp; Maple Grove picked up a controlling win over CDH and they did so with Edwin leading the way.&nbsp; The 6'3 senior was a monster on the glass on both ends, attacked the rim regularly with success, did a great job finishing his several foul shot chances and he defended strong as well.&nbsp; Had 13 points on 9 of 10 foul shooting plus he grabbed eight boards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake Mamalakis-Linderman of Bloomington Jefferson (sr).&nbsp; The 6'1 guard did a great job moving the basketball in the always active Jaguar offense.&nbsp; Created shots for others with passes to the rim but was also good with rotations and skips.&nbsp; Had six assists plus scored eight points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Matteson of LCWM (sr). &nbsp; Matteson was scorching behind the arc making six first half threes and eventually finishing the game with 20 points.&nbsp; His explosion with the touch gave his team a double figure lead at the break and they never looked back.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288767' first='Greyson' last='Uelmen'] of Minnetonka (jr).&nbsp; Defensively I loved watching this young man.&nbsp; He was fighting over screens and getting to angles that I didn't think he had a prayer of fighting too.&nbsp; His stance and positioning was very high level.&nbsp; One of the better defenders I have seen so far this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reece Washington of Bloomington Jefferson (sr).&nbsp; I really liked what the senior did for the Jags.&nbsp; Smart passer, worked hard on defense, hit three threes, grabbed eight boards and moved the ball for five assists.&nbsp; Excellent showing in his role.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->