The Big Stage: Jack’s Stud Performers
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The Breakdown Big Stage brought together some of Minnesota’s top talent this past Saturday. There were some exciting matchups and some impressive individual performances. Here are the seven players who really stood out to me. Jalen Wilson MN #2 PF…
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Continue ReadingThe Breakdown Big Stage brought together some of Minnesota’s top talent this past Saturday. There were some exciting matchups and some impressive individual performances. Here are the seven players who really stood out to me.
Jalen was very efficient in the win over Andover. This was my first time seeing him play this season and he looks like he has taken that next step as a scorer. He is confident with the ball in his hands and there was no answer for him when he was attacking the basket. He was always under control and used a variety of different moves to get past his defender. The nationally ranked sophomore was getting buckets in the post, as well as blowing by his opponent from the perimeter with a crossover or spin. Wilson and BSM will take on DeLaSalle this Tuesday in a rivalry matchup.
Highlights
Chiang has been a huge addition to this Park Center squad and impacts the game in so many ways. He held down the paint all game, coming away with some big blocks and rebounds, some coming defensively and some coming offensively. The 6’9” junior was able to show off his shooting abilities as well with a mid-range jumper and a three-pointer early in the first half. He is also probably the last player I would ever want to jump with as he threw down 3 thunderous two-hand dunks, giving opponents no chance to stop him. Ring and Park Center have been awesome to watch this year.
Greyson turned in an all-around fantastic performance in the win over St. Cloud Tech. The junior guard played some of the best defense I saw all day, usually matching up with the opponents best player. He came away with several steals, sparking Tonka fast breaks that ended with easy baskets for his team. He was also aggressive with the ball in his hands. He excelled at finishing in transition, out running the defense and receiving a pass from a teammate. He also knocked down a corner three in the second half. Uelmen is an extremely smart player and that was very evident on Saturday.
Highlights
Tameron was tough to stop scoring the ball in the matchup with Minnetonka. The junior guard can score from all three levels and is almost automatic when he is getting to his spots. He was connecting with some difficult shots from beyond the arc off of the dribble and was also pulling up over defenders if they did not have a hand up. When attacking the rim, he was under control and used the floater to get his shots over defenders. Ferguson’s 23 points were not enough to take down the Skippers, but I think he impressed everyone with his offensive bag.
Dylan caught fire in the win over Osseo. The senior guard connected with 4 three-pointers and was a very hard player to control defensively. He is a threat to score all the way from the volleyball line, as he was pulling up from deep in transition and in the half court. His shot mechanics are very smooth and he can get shots off quick. He was even able to show off his athleticism with a fast break one-hand throw down in the first half. Omweno had one of the best shooting performances I saw all day and finished the game with a team-high 16 points for Eastview.
Highlights
Elias has continued to impress me more and more with the more I have watched him and that did not change this past Saturday. The first thing you will notice in his game is that he is a true two-way player and was one of the best defenders I saw all day. He would sometimes pick up right from half-court and was giving opposing ball handlers problems all game. He is also a polished scorer as he can knock down a three-pointer in the catch-and-shoot or run in transition and finish at the basket at full speed. Eastview is off to a great start this season and will look to carry this momentum through the rest of the year.
Highlights
Warsame Mahat
Warsame Mahat
I was not very familiar with Warsame’s game coming into Saturday, but he really caught my eye in their matchup with Minnetonka. The 6’4” junior is very long and lanky and was making an impact on the defensive end of the floor. Where he really impressed me was offensively. He is a very confident scorer, as he knocked down 4 three-pointers on his way to a solid 17 points. He has a very quick release and is not afraid to shoot over defenders. He also had some nice moves to the basket, as I saw him use a euro-step in transition and a pump fake leading to a nice finish. Mahat will be a player to look for this season if Tech can make another state run.