The Race for Mr. Basketball: Opening Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We break down the opening week as far as the top Mr. Basketball candidates go. Here are some quick notes of the early performances!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='962198' first='Taison' last='Chatman'] of Totino-Grace. Taison is the highest ranked player in the class, he's the player returning as Class AAA Player of the Year, he's the player returning as State Champion, and he's the player returning as First Team All State. That gets you in this spot. Totino-Grace does not play their first game until Saturday, and they face Lakeville North. Talk about a stiff opening opponent, just ask East Ridge!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962212' first='Boden' last='Kapke'] of Holy Family. Kapke opened his year with 37 points and 15 rebounds making 18 of 21 foul shots in a 25 point win over Chanhassen. Kapke was completely dominant in all ways for the top ranked Class AA team in state. Their next game is at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic this Saturday against PEM (the Watertown-Mayer game has been moved). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962214' first='Nolan' last='Winter'] of Lakeville North. Winter was defensive rebounding dominant (13 boards), he was efficient scoring within the motion offense and scoring with his own creations (24 points), Nolan hit a three, scored on 11 of 13 shots, and did that against [player_tooltip player_id='1284091' first='Brayden' last='Carlson'] and 5th ranked East Ridge in a blowout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Five</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962199' first='CJ' last='O'Hara'] of Park Center. The top ranked Pirates crushed Edina 82-45 last night and O'Hara was one of six players scoring in double figures (he had 13 points). The Pirates face DeLaSalle tomorrow night meaning O'Hara and another top candidate are going head to head. And that candidate is....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962218' first='Nasir' last='Whitlock'] of DeLaSalle. Whitlock and the Islanders open their season with Park Center tomorrow and then Minnetonka at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic this Saturday. Whitlock is a Lehigh commit coming off a Class AAA All State First Team season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962206' first='Max' last='Shikenjanski'] of Stillwater. Max finished off an incredible football season and moved right into scoring 25 points for the Ponies in a win over North St. Paul.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962203' first='Tommy' last='Humphries'] of Totino-Grace. Humphries is of course a teammate of Chatman so the Eagles have not played yet. The Furman signed guard is coming off a great 17u year with D1 Minnesota. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962200' first='Jack' last='Janicki'] of White Bear Lake. We will keep Jack here because he belongs among this group even though he is going to miss the start of the season to injury. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='962284' first='Isaac' last='Matti'] of Hayfield. The two time state champ and returning Class A Player of the Year has his team at 2-0. Has scored 1,546 career points. Averaged 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists a season as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1220360' first='Chiddi' last='Obiazor'] of Eden Prairie. The powerful, explosive big put up 29 points on perfect 10 of 10 shooting from the field last night with another 9 for 9 foul shooting and 13 boards. The Kansas State football commit would likely be a favorite for this award but it sounds like he might be headed to college after the New Year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->