Class AAA State Tournament: Totino-Grace Goes Back to Back

Totino-Grace started the season at number one and tonight finishes the season at number one with a 50-46 win over DeLaSalle.

Back 2 Back

This was at times a tough season for the Eagles because they faced an incredibly tough schedule while dealing with injuries to two of the top five players in the senior class.

Totino-Grace got Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino-Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN and Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN back healthy right about the time they defeated Andover. And from that point they often looked unbeatable earning lopsided wins over Mahtomedi and Saint Francis as well as final four victories over Alexandria and DeLaSalle.

Chatman was at his aggressive best right away tonight while Mr Basketball favorite Nasir Whitlock Nasir Whitlock 6'2" | PG De La Salle | 2023 State MN was forced to deal with a strong Eagles defensive game plan. Chatman had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds plus the Eagles limited Whitlock to three field goal makes.

Top Three

Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino-Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN of Totino-Grace (sr). Chatman is the top ranked prospect in the Minnesota senior class and this March he has shown the entire state exactly why. At his size it's very difficult to defend him with a guard so just about every team has to because of the size of Eagles have in their lineup. Most wings aren't quick enough to move with the exceptional skill of Taison. Tonight at 20 points and 12 rebounds, and he's rarely had a turnover in the last four games. The Ohio State signed guard was truly out to prove he's the best prospect in the state and his team is the best in the state.

Jayden Livingston Jayden Livingston 6'2" | PG Totino-Grace | 2023 State MN of DeLaSalle (sr). Remember last year when the Demarion Watson sacrificed nearly all of his offense to chase one of the two Islander options and limit his good touches? Livingston did that same role tonight and played it very well denying and chasing Whitlock. His contributions were as important as anybodies.

Nasir Whitlock Nasir Whitlock 6'2" | PG De La Salle | 2023 State MN of DeLaSalle (sr). I'm honestly not even interested in his game tonight, I'm more interested in the incredible season that he had. Lehigh got a steal as Nasir is without a doubt a top five senior prospect and senior player in this class. A lot of guys don't grow as all around players as a senior when they have to shoulder so much load but I feel that Whitlock certainly did. I have a load of respect for the season he had, the player he became, and I think he's the front runner for Mr Basketball.