Five 1A Freshmen Making an Early Impact
Every year there are a few dozen players around the state who make an instant impact as freshmen playing on the varsity roster. This week we’ll be taking a look at five freshmen in each class who have contributed in…
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Continue ReadingEvery year there are a few dozen players around the state who make an instant impact as freshmen playing on the varsity roster. This week we’ll be taking a look at five freshmen in each class who have contributed in a major way before the holiday break, starting with Class 1A.
SG Brady Boulton (Montezuma): A 5-8 off-ball guard, Boulton has been excellent early in his career for the Braves, averaging 15.9 points on 49% shooting. He moves well without the ball in his hands, finding open spaces in the defense and he flows within the Braves offense. He has also shown the ability to create for others, serving as a solid secondary ball-handler and playmaker. Defensively he has a knack for jumping passing lanes and using his quickness to create some chaos on that end of the floor. He leads the team in scoring and is a better 3-point shooter than he has shown so far this season (33.3%).
PG Cameron Casel (Bellevue): A 5-10 point guard who is mature beyond his years, Casel has been a solid presence in the backcourt for the undefeated Comets, leading the team in assists and proving to be a reliable free-throw shooter. He’s a good ball-handler and decision-maker who gets others involved first and foremost, a solid piece on a veteran team that can provide a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He’s averaging 7.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.1 steals a game in his first eight games.
SF Cal Heydon (Coon Rapids-Bayard): The leading freshman scorer in the state, Heydon is pouring in 18.0 points a game to go with 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks a game. Simply put, he has been fantastic on both ends of the floor for the Crusaders. He’s a long, 6-4 wing who can get to the rim, get others involved, rebound hard on both ends of the floor, and provide some defensive versatility.
PF Brayson Mulder (MMCRU): A 6-3 power forward, Mulder ranks second on the Royals in both scoring (10.5 points) and rebounding (6.5) through his first four games. He has good hands and touch around the rim, and his work at the free-throw line (73.3%) suggests that he may be able to add a little bit of range to his arsenal down the road.
PG Ben Ramsey (IKM-Manning): A 6-0 lead guard, Ramsey has been really good as a playmaker for the Wolves, dishing out a team-high 4.2 assists a game to go with 10.7 points. He handles the ball well, sees the floor, and is a talented passer who likes to get others involved first.