2023 Border Battle: The Top Performers
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Who were the best players from the Minnesota side of the river at this year’s Border Battle? We break that down now! Owen Carlson Owen Carlson 6'3" | SG Mahtomedi | 2023 State MN of Mahtomedi (6’4 St). Carlson took…
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Continue ReadingWho were the best players from the Minnesota side of the river at this year’s Border Battle? We break that down now!
Owen Carlson Owen Carlson 6'3" | SG Mahtomedi | 2023 State MN of Mahtomedi (6’4 St). Carlson took a close game and made it his in about 2 minutes time. He hit back to back threes, then stole a pass and dunked, and then hit a corner three. That was a part of a 16-2 run that flipped the contest and he had 11 points of that 16. Carlson recently committed to Concordia-St. Paul and with his length, explosion, and the way he’s been shooting the ball Carlson looks to have a really bright future as a prospect. Today he knocked out seven threes and made 10 of 21 attempts for a game high 29 points.
Buay Koak Buay Koak 6'4" | SG Lyle-Pacelli | 2023 State MN of Lyle/Austin Pacelli (6’4 Sr). Koak was box and one zoned all game so he only took eight shots but Koak did score on a late game isolation play that was huge and he hit clutch foul shots (11 points for the contest on 4 of 8 shooting). Koak’s biggest impact was his low post shot blocking as he blocked six shots plus grabbed ten boards.
Hunter Lorenson Hunter Lorenson 6'0" | PG Lake City | 2024 State MN of Lake City (5’10 Jr). Hunter’s ability to make the first read and quickly get the offense going was at an elite level. His cuts in the offense are elite level and his transition push was unstoppable. Lorenson’s pretty jumper was made a couple times but the Lake City offense was so efficient few jumpers were needed. Lorenson scored 19 points with 4 assists on 7 of 11 shooting.
AJ McCleery of Mahtomedi (6’1 Sr). McCleery had one of the best all around floor games of any player in the Border Battle. He did a fantastic job of rotating the ball as well as breaking down his man with a dribble then extending the possession with the right pass. He totalled six assists, used his toughness to grab eight boards, and scored 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting including two threes. Tough, steady player.
Keegan Ryan Keegan Ryan 6'2" | SF Lake City | 2024 State MN of Lake City (6’4 Jr). The contributions of Ryan were also key to the Lake City win. Ryan was the top rebounder collecting 11, he was another efficient passer within the frame work totalling six assists, and he scored on four possessions. I also thought Ryan getting his length on the ball in help was another reason Aquinas had a terrible time getting many good shots off.
Jaden Shones Jaden Shones 6'1" | SG Lake City | 2024 State MN of Lake City (6’3 Jr). Lake City’s offense went through Shones after a few passes in the offense and he picked Aquinas apart with cuts, with back door dime drops, with turn around attacks, and with putbacks. Shones got going and then he started scoring with his short jumper and transition buckets. Shones had 29 points on 13 of 15 shooting with six assists and six boards.
Zy’lerre Stewart of Totino-Grace (6’0 Jr). Stewart was the one Eagle player that I thought competed and played in a way that matched Pewaukee. He scored on 5 of 6 field goals and 5 of 6 foul shots for his 15 points and defensively he was one guy that was working to passing lanes and trying to cut some drives.