Individual Matchups To Watch This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season is in the final stretch as teams are competing to clinch conference titles and fighting for better playoff seeds. With that, there are big games taking place all across the state. I'll be taking a look at five individual player matchups to keep an eye on in key games across Minnesota this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday - [player_tooltip player_id='1287440' first='Jonathan' last='Mekonnen'] (Eastview) vs [player_tooltip player_id='962214' first='Nolan' last='Winter'] (Lakeville North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday night features a matchup of AAAA heavyweights in the South Suburban Conference, and it could be a key game in deciding who goes on to win conference. [player_tooltip player_id='1287440' first='Jonathan' last='Mekonnen'] has been huge in his first full season of varsity basketball, as the 6'7-6'8 junior has agility that you rarely find at his size. His ability to put the ball on the floor and finish explosively at the rim has led to consistent scoring production all season long, while he also has the ability to step out and knock down open jumpers. On the other side is Wisconsin commit [player_tooltip player_id='962214' first='Nolan' last='Winter']. He's as long as they come, has a smooth outside shot, and despite a slender frame he isn't afraid to play physical around the rim. With his length he's able to simply turn over his shoulder and score with hook shots inside. Lakeville North is such a talented team that he can play unselfishly, but as his 47 point outburst last week showed, Nolan can take over a game when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wednesday - [player_tooltip player_id='962235' first='Jaheim' last='Houts'] (Hiawatha Collegiate) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1638427' first='Michael' last='Cooper'] (Robbinsdale Cooper)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is an intriguing non-conference matchup to watch on Wednesday night as two talented senior wing/forwards face off. Jaheim recently earned an offer from Madison College and is a versatile player at 6'6. He may not put up big scoring numbers, but handles it well at his size and dishes out 4 assists per game with his ability to handle in transition and get into the paint to make plays for others. Big time rebounder who's length can cause problems for opposing wings on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1638427' first='Michael' last='Cooper'] has been a consistent double-double threat because of how well he finishes and how hard he competes on the glass. Cooper can take smaller wings to the block and go to work from there, he runs the floor hard in transition, and he can also put the ball on the floor and attack from the wing. With his size and body control he's extremely tough to stop once he gets into the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thursday - [player_tooltip player_id='1288733' first='Isaac' last='Asuma'] (Cherry) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1284165' first='Kaydin' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1284127' first='Dominic' last='Fairbanks'] (Cass Lake-Bena)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thursday night features one of the best Class A matchups you'll find all year as Cherry takes on Cass Lake-Bena. [player_tooltip player_id='1288733' first='Isaac' last='Asuma'] has been establishing himself as a high major prospect, featuring good positional size, an advanced feel for the game, and the ability to put points on the board for himself while also creating for teammates. He can take over when he needs to, but throughout the game you'll see him running the offense like a seasoned vet keeping everyone on the team involved while taking high percentage shots for himself. For Cass Lake-Bena's backcourt duo, it's hard to mention one without mentioning the other. Both Kaydin and Dominic have been 20+ ppg scorers this season, as they're so quick with the ball in their hands. They share the ball well not just between themselves, but also by creating open looks for their teammates by drawing in extra defenders. Unlike some top small school teams that are led by a clear star player, opposing defenses can't just focus in on slowing down one guy when they play Cass Lake-Bena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Friday - [player_tooltip player_id='1572691' first='Jaleel' last='Donley'] (Benilde-St. Margaret's) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1288716' first='Maxwell' last='Woods'] (Chanhassen)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the quickest guards in the state will match up on Friday night. [player_tooltip player_id='1572691' first='Jaleel' last='Donley'] runs the show for an exciting group of young talent in BSM, who have proven to be contenders at the AAA level this season despite their youth. He plays with flair and is very unpredictable for opposing defenders because they never know what he's going to do with the ball. Jaleel has the ability to blow by guys off the dribble and deliver a flashy assist, but isn't afraid to pull-up for an outside shot either. Chanhassen's overall record may not impress, but at 5-3 in the conference, a win here could pull them within a game of 1st place. [player_tooltip player_id='1288716' first='Maxwell' last='Woods'] has them at 7-3 over their last 10 games as defenders just can't stay in front of him. He's so shifty with an explosive burst to get downhill and attack the basket. Once at the rim he seems to just float in the air and finish over guys half a foot taller than him. He's also a gifted shot creator on the perimeter who can go and get a bucket when needed. Rebounds very well at his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saturday - [player_tooltip player_id='1284132' first='Eli' last='Ehrke'] (Glencoe-Silver Lake) vs Braeden O'Neil (Norwood Young America)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two both have the ability to put up some big scoring numbers. At 6'3, Eli is more of a guard but is listed as the tallest player for GSL, while Braeden is a talented forward for Norwood Young America. Eli comes in averaging 21.7 points per game including a 37 point outburst earlier in the season. He's a tough finisher at the rim who can get their in a variety of ways. Braeden is scoring 27 a night to lead his team to a 19-2 record, and also had one of the craziest stats of the year as he poured in 61 points in one game against Monticello. He's a skilled forward who can handle the ball well at his size, score off the drive, and also feast on offensive rebounds. Has the ability to stretch the floor from three, but is so efficient around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->