Standouts From Thursday And Friday
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Seven of the prospects who stood out across the three games I saw on Thursday and Friday! Liam Farniok MN #71 SG #21 HEIGHT 6'3" POS SG CLASS 2024 View Profile Liam Farniok Instagram Twitter State: Minnesota School: Minneapolis Southwest…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the prospects who stood out across the three games I saw on Thursday and Friday!
They nicknamed him the “lethal weapon” for a reason, as Liam hit some huge shots on Thursday night against Columbia Heights. With just a couple of minutes left in a tight game, Liam hit a key three, and also hit two free throws to give his team the lead, and ultimately the win. Farniok has a quick release on his three with no shortage of confidence, combined with range that extends to well beyond the arc. Defenders were left chasing him off the ball all game long, but he still found ways to get off clean looks. He’s not just a shooter though, as Liam showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get two feet in the paint due to his agility to quickly change directions. Once in the paint he showcased the touch to score, but also had the vision to find a cutting teammate and quickly zip the ball to them. Finished with 30 points on the night.
Highlights
Emmaureon Rulford Emmaureon Rulford MN
Emmaureon Rulford Emmaureon Rulford MN
Emmaureon has continued to improve as the season has progressed. On Thursday night he was on fire as he dropped 29 points in a close matchup with Minneapolis Southwest. Heights was missing a couple of key players, so Emmaureon really stepped up his production. He’s an explosive athlete who showed he can just hang in the air to convert on tough looks around the rim, but can also knock down the outside shot. Was excelling at creating separation to get off a jumper, and the elevation he got on his shot made it hard to contest. Uses his athleticism on the defensive end to pressure the ball, as he has good lateral quickness and isn’t afraid to scrap for loose balls/rebounds.
The long and lanky wing prospect made some big plays in the afternoon win for Tartan. Weems moves really well at his size, and has a nice burst of quickness to attack the basket. When he saw a gap, he was able to penetrate and get to the rim, using his long frame to extend and finish. Had a couple of tough finishes early in the game that really set the tempo for his team. Helped lead Tartan to a win over North St. Paul.
Elijah Adzimahe Elijah Adzimahe 6'1" | SG North St Paul | 2026 State MN
Elijah Adzimahe Elijah Adzimahe 6'1" | SG North St Paul | 2026 State MN
The game was never really close, but the freshman point guard was making some big plays down the stretch to get it into single digits. All game long he was handling the ball well under pressure, and was dangerous in pick & roll settings because he has the vision to hit his big rolling to the hoop, or could tuhe corner and attack on his own. Also knocked down a three from the top of the key in the second half. Skilled and poised freshman with a sense of maturity to his game.
The Concordia St. Paul commit had a big game on Friday night, going for 34 points in the win over South St. Paul. SSP didn’t really have someone who could match up with his size and athleticism, while also being able to change directions as quickly as Owen can. He was dangerous running off screens for catch-and-shoot threes, but also was able to recognize when his defender was trailing, allowing him to put the ball on the floor and attack with a clear path to the rim. In the first half he showed off his explosive athleticism with an and-one dunk in transition. Did a nice job of beating his man with some backdoor cuts for easy buckets as well.
Elonzo Simmons
Elonzo Simmons
Elonzo really impressed on Friday night. His team was trailing by about 25 at one point in the second half, but Elonzo just took the game over and had cut the lead to 6 late in the game. The comeback attempt ultimately fell short, but Elonzo’s 29 points (most of those in the 2nd half) really stood out. He displayed excellent change of speed on the ball to hesitate and then blow by his man to the basket where he’s a crafty finisher. Late in the game when his team needed points he was on fire from deep, draining in a number of shots off the dribble. Even taking out all of his baskets, what Elonzo was doing was still impressive. He was picking up full-court most possessions and making it difficult for Mahtomedi to even get the ball past half-court at times. He has that type of lateral quickness and effort on the ball. If there was a loose ball, no one was going to beat Elonzo to it either. Back on the offensive end I also like how he looks to pass the ball ahead after a defensive rebound to try to get a numbers advantage for a couple of his teammates moving forward.
Mahtomedi was missing their second leading scorer, and Cole really stepped up to make up for some of that lost production. The senior guard put up 22 points in the win, and he did so getting high percentage shots close to the basket. He was finishing in transition in a variety of ways, while also finding ways to get into the paint in the half-court for short jumpers or more finishes at the rim. I liked how he stayed patient and played off two feet in the paint, allowing him to pivot and see the floor for a kickout pass when a shot attempt wasn’t there.