Max’s Section Title Game Standouts
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This past week, I was able to catch three section title games as Wayzata took on Hopkins, Totino-Grace faced off with Mahtomedi, and Holy Family matched up with Minneapolis North. These are seven of the prospects who impressed in those…
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Continue ReadingThis past week, I was able to catch three section title games as Wayzata took on Hopkins, Totino-Grace faced off with Mahtomedi, and Holy Family matched up with Minneapolis North. These are seven of the prospects who impressed in those games!
Totino-Grace has so many weapons this season, and on Thursday night Tyler Wagner Tyler Wagner 6’6″ | SF Totino Grace | 2025 State #366 Nation MN was one of the ones that impressed most. The sophomore guard was floating off the ball as his guards slashed into the lane, and was able to find pockets of space to receive a kick-out pass and fire off a three. Wagner was nearly automatic from the corner, and as soon as the ball left his hands you could tell he knew it was going in. Finished with 15 points helping lead Totino-Grace to a big win.
If you just look at the box score it may not seem like an impressive night as Taison finished with 8 points, but he was making some high level passes to create great looks for his teammates throughout the night. He opened the game off with a tough mid-range jumper, and added two 3’s including a step-back for the rest of his points. Used his change of speed to beat his initial defender off the bounce and get into dangerous spots. Taison was constantly reading the floor and knew instantly when a teammate became open. Had a dime of a scoop pass leading to a dunk, was delivering accurate full-court passes to sprinting teammates, and had some laser kickout passes right into his shooter’s hands. Delivered his passes in a variety of ways, and made difficult passes look routine.
The Mr. Basketball contender delivered again, stepping up when his team needed him the most. Wayzata was down 13 with 8 minutes to play, but Tibbits made some big plays down the stretch to help his team comeback and win. He can accelerate so quickly with the ball in his hands, able to lull his defender to sleep and then take off like a jet to get into the lane. Tibbits has excellent body control allowing him to hang in the air and just find ways to finish against size around the basket, but also has the ability to stop on a dime for a pull-up jumper. Even with the deficit he remained poised, and finished with a game high 23 points to lead Wayzata back to state in front of one of the most packed gyms I’ve ever seen.
Highlights
Vincent capped off his breakout senior season with 19 points against one of the top teams in the state. All season long he was one of the biggest back-to-the-basket scoring threats in the state, and even against the Wayzata size he was still producing. Hopkins likes to play fast and shoot a lot of threes, but were also able to rely upon Vincent’s post scoring for efficient buckets. If he catches away from the basket he had the strength to back his man down deeper, but if he caught in low post position he could quickly turn and score with either hand. Vincent has exceptional footwork on the block and also a nice turnaround jumper in the lane. Makes good use of a shot fake to get guys in the air but could also power up and score through outstretched arms. Had a team high 19 points in the close loss.
Kole was receiving a lot of trash talk from the stands on Friday night, and it only seemed to make him play even better. Hanson has had some of the most impressive lay-ups I’ve seen all year, and added a few more of those on Friday against North. There were times he was nearly parallel with the floor but was still keeping his eyes on the rim and finding ways to finish through contact. Just fearless attacking the rim and going straight into a defender to draw a foul and convert. Did the bulk of his scoring at the rim but showed that lighting quick release that makes him so dangerous from three. Has one of the quickest releases in the state which allows him to get a shot off with limited space. Added some toughness plays on the defensive end including taking a hard charge, and also chasing a man down from behind and blocking his lay-up off the glass. Was able to consistently break the North press off the dribble, and had a couple of key assists late in the game. Finished with 29 points to help Holy Family advance to state.
Highlights
Paul Dorr
Paul Dorr
Holy Family doesn’t sub very often as their starting five is very talented and has the conditioning to play for most of the game. But with Boden Kapke Boden Kapke 6’11” | C Holy Family | 2023 State #153 Nation MN fouling out with roughly 8 minutes left, Paul Dorr came in and played some big minutes down the stretch. The 6’4 forward splashed a corner three with confidence that I’m not sure many in the game were expecting him to take, and added in a pair of finishes to end the night with 7 points. When Kapke went out it looked like North was ready to make a comeback for a moment, but Dorr’s key buckets down the stretch made sure that didn’t happen.
Zashon Rich
Zashon Rich
Zashon Rich just plays with so much heart when he steps on the floor. Defensively he just makes plays as he can sit deep in a stance and pressure the ball hard, but is also gifted off the ball. He reads the floor so well allowing him to jump cross-court passes, trap the ball in dangerous areas, or step in and contest under the rim. On the offensive end he was finding success getting to the rim both off the drive or in transition. Also flashed a smooth jumper that he gets good elevation on off the dribble. Throughout the year he’s really developed his point guard skills, able to handle under pressure and get his team into their offense. Does a nice job of controlling the pace of the game when he has the ball, and making sure his team is organized. Had 15 points and kept things very competitive with #1 ranked Holy Family.