Jack’s Section Playoff Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to attend two loaded section playoff matchups this week. I was in the gym to see Maple Grove upset Osseo on Tuesday and was in attendance to see Orono book their ticket to the state tournament with a section final win over BSM on Friday. There were some great atmospheres and some standout prospects who stepped up under the brightest lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maple Grove (61) vs Osseo (56):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1284125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDe'Mari single-handedly took over Tuesday's playoff matchup with rival Maple Grove. The junior guard was unstoppable with the ball in his hands and scored a game-high 26 points. He found major success attacking the basket, finishing through contact all game. He has so many finishes that he can go to when he is at the rim. He utilized floaters, post-up fadeaways, and layups with either hand. He also iced the game with several clutch free throws down the stretch in a tight game. Larkins was the go-to-guy with the game on the line and will lead Osseo into a section championship rematch with Park Center on Friday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa3178d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1158739"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRaoul did everything he could to keep Maple Grove in the game but just fell short in the final minutes. He is so shifty with the ball in his hands and was successfully blowing by Osseo defenders all night. He had an elite string of moves, finishing it off with a contested layup to get the crowd on their feet. He hit his defender with a crossover then a spin move to create his separation. Vaidya was also a threat to score from outside, connecting with some shots off the dribble and in the catch and shoot. He scored a team-high 22 points and was the main reason the Crimson were in the game to the very end. Hamline got a major steal with the addition of Raoul who committed a couple weeks ago.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa317f2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1293966"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHenry has continued to impress me as a prospect this season. This was the third time I have been able to see Maple Grove play this year and he has turned in consistent performances every time. On Tuesday, he did the majority of his offensive damage from beyond the arc, knocking down 4 three-pointers. The way he can step into shots off the catch is incredible. His footwork is top tier and has an extremely smooth stroke. The junior guard also had some tough makes in the painted area battling through some traffic. He made a huge difference in this game down the stretch but it just was not enough to advance to the section championship. He finished the loss with a solid 16 points. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa3184a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orono (66) vs Benilde-St. Margaret's (62):</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1189958"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIt was a relatively spread out scoring approach for the Spartans on Friday, but Zay was the clear leader and go-to guy when Orono needed it most. He filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists to do everything he could to get the win. He came away with some key steals in the closing minutes that resulted in points for his team. He also found success attacking the basket and finishing through multiple BSM defenders at a time. Hagen did not score as much as he usually does, but he was impacting the game in many different ways. He holds offers from both Bemidji State and St. Cloud State and I believe he could be a great contributor in the NSIC. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa3189c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1572689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIt's hard to believe that Jalen is still only a sophomore with the combination of his skill, strength, and composure in big moments. He was very tough to stop from finishing at the basket and used his wide assortment of post moves to shake the defense and get inside. He scored 15 points, with most of his baskets coming in his strong start in the first half of the game. The nationally ranked prospect also anchored the painted area for the Red Knights, tallying several blocks. WIlson and BSM just fell short of reaching the state tournament this season, but they should be back with pretty much the same group next year. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa318ea"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1579885"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eNolan stepped up and took over the game at certain points and did not shy away from the bright lights on Friday. The sophomore guard is the full package offensively and did a little bit of everything in the win. He showed off his range by connecting with a pair of three-pointers and relied on his floater in three different situations. He has great touch from both outside and inside, making him very unpredictable when he decides to look for his shot. He ended the victory with 16 points and was the x-factor in this game for the Spartans. Orono secured the #2 seed in the Class AAA State Tournament and will take on Hermantown on Tuesday. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa31939"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1549741"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRon was a player I did not necessarily expect to take over this game coming in, but he did anyway. The junior guard averaged 5 points per game coming into their section final matchup, but was a huge reason BSM was in this game towards the end. He was flying around the floor, fighting for steals and loose balls that ended up being extra possessions for his team. He is lightning quick and had no problems finishing in transition at full speed. He knocked down a catch-and-shoot three-pointer and a pull-up mid-range jumper in huge moments for his team and scored all of his 10 points in the second half of a tight game. Lee was one of the most experienced players on the floor. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64165ffa31988"} /-->