Jack’s Holiday Event Standout Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's Holiday Event season and I was able to catch three games in the past two days. There were some interesting non-conference matchups and seven prospects really stood out to me. Here they are!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chaska (79) vs Eden Prairie (#7-AAAA) (90):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574221"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMax played an incredible game on Wednesday and was a huge reason EP came out with the win. Chaska could not stop Max from getting downhill and attacking the rim. He is so quick and was blowing by anyone they put on him. When he gets into the paint, he is very crafty with the way he finishes and did a great job of drawing contact to convert multiple and-ones. The sophomore guard can also score from the perimeter, as he hit a couple of tough fading shots in the mid-range, as well as some shots from beyond the arc. Lorenson looks to me like one of the best scorers in this 2025 class. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa9566b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288770"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOne word to describe JJ's game would be “smooth”. Everything he does with the ball in his hands just looks fluid and effortless. He was scoring from all three levels in the win, making some very difficult finishes through contact look easy, a pump fake into a pull-up mid-range jumper, and a pair of quick three-pointers in the catch-and-shoot. The sophomore has a basketball IQ well beyond his years and it seems as if he is always making the right play. Sullivan and Eden Prairie's loaded group of underclassmen have an extremely bright future and I cannot wait to see everyone develop. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa956dc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTray entered the matchup with Eden Prairie as Chaska's leading scorer to start the season and he proved exactly why. The 6'6” sophomore has a silky smooth jump shot and is hard to contest due to his size. He was not afraid to catch opponents off guard if they did not have a hand up, as he was knocking down some shots from deep three-point range. He also had some nice takes to the basket as he was always under control while getting to his spots. Lenzen has great potential with his frame and scoring arsenal. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa95731"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minneapolis Edison (75) vs South St. Paul (71):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1142942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMicah dealt with some foul trouble in the first half, but remained as the top leader on his team, bringing the energy at all times. The 6'3” senior took over in the second half scoring the ball, finishing the win with a team-high 20 points. He was knocking down some difficult pull-up mid-range jumpers and connected with some shots from beyond the arc as well. He even got loose for a two-hand fast break dunk later in the second half. Young impressed me with his game on the court, but also impressed me with his vocal leadership and passion. He has led Edison to a 6-1 record to start the season. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa95782"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221163"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eI was not very familiar with Nasir's game coming into their matchup with Edison, but he impressed me from start to finish. He is a very aggressive player with the ball in his hands, as he was constantly getting to the basket and absorbing contact from defenders. He also had some nice defensive possessions, making opponents work for everything. I think it will take South St. Paul some time to get everyone settled into their own roles with the loss of such a huge 2022 senior class, but I think players like Nasir will step up and embrace the challenge. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa957d0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hopkins (#4-AAAA) (82) vs Andover (#9-AAAA) (69):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1550877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJayden never fails to impress me with the performances he turns in on a game-to-game basis and that did not change in the win against Andover. He always has the perfect balance of getting his teammates involved and scoring the ball himself. He had some really nice takes to the basket, setting defenders up with all kinds of moves in isolation. He also showed off his passing abilities with some dimes to teammates in transition and in the half-court offense. The 9th grade guard also did some of the dirty work, coming away with numerous steals and rebounds. Moore continues to have a special freshman season and has led Hopkins to an 8-1 record so far. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa95833"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345987"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eVincent was a dominant force in the paint for Hopkins in the win over a top-10 ranked Andover squad. He could not be stopped on the boards, as he was coming away with rebounds through all kinds of traffic on both defense and offense. These second chance opportunities were crucial for his team and were a huge reason the Royals were able to be in control of this game from start to finish. The senior forward also scored the ball well with some post hooks and fadeaways. Hopkins looks to be meshing perfectly to start the season which is kind of surprising due to their lack of experience. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63af2daa95882"} /-->