Jack’s Opening Week Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is here! I was able to catch a pair of games in the opening week of high school basketball! Here are the seven prospects who stood out to me the most in those matchups!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Park Center (82) vs Edina (45):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1172835"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eChavis led the Pirates to a blowout win over Edina on Tuesday and did a little bit of everything for his team. He played some tough on-ball defense, sometimes picking up full court. He came away with some steals and finished them off with some two-hand dunks on the other end. The nationally ranked junior guard also knocked down a pair or three-pointers, showing off his improved perimeter game. Park Center is reloaded and look ready to attempt another state championship run with Cash directing traffic from the point guard position. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa080"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284163"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eI was able to watch Josiah play a little bit this fall and he looked like he could be a lead scoring option for Edina this year. This came true in their first game of the season as Coleman was a threat to score from anywhere. He attacked the rim very well and did a great job using his quickness and speed to burst around defenders, then he used his strength to absorb contact and convert some tough finishes. The junior guard connected with some shots from beyond the arc, stepping into shots with confidence. Josiah also impressed me with the way he handled the ball despite the Park Center full-court pressure. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa10e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284106"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eChiang looked great in his Park Center debut and played a combination of a wing/big role instead of just remaining in the paint. As usual, he played great paint defense and had some big time blocks when helping his teammates. The 6'9” junior also stretched the floor, connecting with two three-pointers in catch-and-shoot situations. There was really no contest when grabbing rebounds for Chiang because nobody could even get close to his max reach. Ring looks to be a perfect fit for this Pirates team and will serve a major role all season. They will have a tough matchup with DeLaSalle on Thursday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa178"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Farmington (72) vs Jefferson (67):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226395"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eBaiden showed out in the win over Jefferson. The 6'1” guard was connecting with tough shots all game and did a fantastic job steering the ship for the Farmington offense. He hit a turnaround fadeaway, along with a step back mid-range, leaving the defense with no answer. He finished the game with a team-high 17 points, knocking down a pair of three-pointers as well. Bean is one of the most underrated players in the state and has continued to impress me with each time I have seen him play with his ball handling and scoring abilities. I believe that he could be an effective player in NSIC or MIAC conferences. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa1e1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1151197"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eDaniel picked up right from where he left off in his sophomore year with a 26 point scoring performance in his junior season debut. He found great success attacking the basket, fighting through lots of contact with some acrobatic finishes and getting to the line by drawing fouls. He was also able to show off his perimeter game as well, with a pull-up three-pointer and mid-range jumper. Freitag is going to be atop the state's leading scorers all season and I will not be surprised if he has multiple games with over 40 points. I am excited to see the matchup of Daniel and Jefferson vs Hopkins' [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] this Saturday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa243"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1287441"],"_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: 400;u0022u003eBrandon impressed me most with the way he is able to move at 6'7” and looked very mobile in the win over Jefferson. He crashed the boards with intensity, coming away with some key offensive rebounds leading to second chance opportunities. The junior forward also connected with a deep three-pointer off the dribble in a tight game in the second half. Hrncir was an effective defender as well, playing great on-ball and help defense. Farmington is off to a 2-1 start and will look to carry this momentum into a matchup with Eden Prairie next Friday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa2a7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Blake Mamalakis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bloomington Jefferson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eDespite the loss, Blake stepped up and played a key role for the Jaguars on Thursday. The senior guard finished second on the team in scoring with 13 points, knocking down 3 three-pointers and adding a pair of tough layups. Mamalakis brings the energy necessary for a winning team as he flies around the court giving 110% of his effort on each play. Jefferson is set to take on Hopkins this Saturday in a matchup full of talented guards. It will be interesting to see what the matchups will look like and who will be guarding who. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6393988eaa358"} /-->