Class AAAA Title Contender Series: Hopkins

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals out of Hopkins won 19 games a season ago despite having three of their top players being underclassmen in the toughest league in the state. Here are the Royals!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Wins in 22-23 (19-9)</strong>: Farmington, Bloomington Jefferson, Maple Grove, Tartan, Andover (x2), Osseo, Eden Prairie (x2), Minnetonka, Edina (x2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oops</strong>: Orono, Wayzata (x3), Minnetonka, DeLaSalle, Buffalo (x2), Totino-Grace</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moving On</strong>: Vincent Hillesheim was the Hopkins big man, he scored 14 points a game and gave the Royals a post threat. The loss of Hillesheim is a reason I do have concern for the Royals because they lost their big and really don't have a guy to step into that spot. Starting guard Jacob Rothman - a shooter and hard working defender - scored six points a game a season ago, he also graduated. Reserve worker Thomas Okemwa also graduated. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returning Starters (3)</strong>. For starters, [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] was an all state honored talent. Moore is a high major offered guard that has top 100/125 level talent nationally and first team Class AAAA level potential this year. Jayden averaged 21 points a game last season while also leading his team in assists. Moore is one of the elite players in the state of Minnesota. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also returning in the backcourt is [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'], one of the top scoring combo guards in the state. Smith was the Hopkins leading scorer last year (by two points) with his 21 points per game average playing along with Moore. The pair scored 42 points a game last season and could hit for 45 or 46 a game this year combined. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secret ingredient here might be [player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko'], a 6'5 junior wing shooter. Semanko has a really nice touch and he seems to be getting taller every day. Looked stronger and better getting up and down the floor this spring/summer and with playmakers like Moore and Smith, Semanko will surely get his fill of catch and shoot jumpers to knock down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reserves Playing a Bigger Role</strong>. I really like the potential of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2175446' first='Daveion' last='Hart'] to have a breakthrough junior season. The 6'4 win scored 4-5 a game as a sophomore, Hart has looked great this off-season both at 16u and at the Expo events, and he could give the Royals a fourth double figure backcourt/wing scorer. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2175435' first='Anthony' last='Walker'] played some varsity, some junior varsity last year. He is the other returning player with some varsity experience. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Potentials from the JV</strong>.  Sophomore Quincy Johnson is one to keep an eye on. He's another wing but a talented wing that could help this stacked backcourt off the bench. Johnson is a 6-foot-3 wing. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2422771' first='Tyson' last='Moore'] and senior Caden Knutson are two others that have solid junior varsity seasons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New to the Varsity program</strong>. There really isn't anybody to add here. We thought there were going to be a couple frontcourt bigs that this team desperately needed but that transfer did not happen. No transfers in or out at Hopkins that I am aware of. Hopkins does need some size. I am doubting they would dip down to the freshman class for that but Vincent Bottolene is a 6'4 frosh that looked good at the Freshmen Showcase. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong>. One of the best backcourts in the state when you look at the main three. When you add in Hart it makes them tougher, and with the lack of size I would expect the Royals to be starting four guards/wings. The Royals are about to be one of the top scoring teams in the state, I just worry about their lack of size in the paint. And I also look at the senior class and see only three guys: three guys that will work hard and help the team but not the level of punch to make this team deep. All that said, good luck to all the defenses that have to figure out a way to defend Moore, and defend Smith, and figure out how to close out on Semanko, and keep an eye on transition flying Hart. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->