The Big Stage: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best of the best from yesterday's Big Stage event at Park Center High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1574220' first='Monteff' last='Dixon Jr'] of Cretin-Derham Hall (6'5 jr).  Dixon had a very active double-double scoring on 7 of 10 field goals with 15 points and ten rebounds.  Dixon did a great job of running the floor, his movement off the ball was really good, and his battle to the rebounding angle/spot was impressive.  Helped the Raiders earn a nine point win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1572691' first='Jaleel' last='Donley'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's (6'4 jr).  The only player that was able to get to space to get shots off for BSM was Donley.  The explosive guard found some rhythm with the jumper totalling a game high 24 points with his best looks coming off the pull-up beating his man off the attack move.  Donley made all his foul shots and a pair of threes on his way to a 9 of 19 shooting game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1549538' first='Jackson' last='Fowlkes'] of Park Center (6'4 sr).  Jackson used that feet set touch and the one dribble pull up touch against [player_tooltip player_id='1574215' first='Abu' last='Keita'] or smaller guards to score a team high 22 points.  His first half stretch of four straight buckets pushed the lead quickly to double digits and then Jackson made three second half threes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284180' first='Luke' last='Graff'] of Holy Family (6'3 sr).  Luke got Holy Family going with four first half triples and another four active buckets near the rim.  He hit his fifth triple in the second half but his work was done with both the feet set threes and the active scores in half one.  Graff has also rebounded well for the Fire grabbing eight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] of Oromo (6'4 jr).  For the second straight big game Saturday [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] was the best player on the floor.  His 15 shots taken were efficient as he mixed them with the right pass and the right shot taken, Groves rebounded and defended, and overall was the catalyst for his team.  Scored his 25 points on 11 of 15 shooting with six boards and six assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1287442' first='Kole' last='Hanson'] of Holy Family (6'1 sr). Hanson started slow scoring wise but his intelligence at lead guard made sure that Graff, [player_tooltip player_id='1284091' first='Brayden' last='Carlson'] and Drew Coleman going and then Hanson got his offense going with three second half threes.  He scored 24 points for the game with seven assists but also did a great job defending Armstrong point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1448601' first='Desmond' last='Ware'].  Hanson's energy on both ends was the catalyst in getting Fire to a running time number differential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284212' first='Ryan' last='Johnson'] of Lakeville South (6'5 sr).  Johnson's 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists was a great example of why he is a top 20 senior prospect and headed to CSP.  He played some point, he moved the basketball intelligently creating threes and lay-ups, he scored on 6 of 8 shots, and he used his body to board nine times and score around the basket.  A coach can use him all over the court and that will continue into college. A near triple double in a big game setting. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284167' first='Kyle' last='Jorgensen'] of Minneapolis Washburn (6'9 sr).  Kyle was solid early but the six straight bucket stretch from Jorgensen changed the game.  He hit two threes, scored on a spin move, a short jumper, and two low post turns.  Throw in the outstanding passing out of the post and a game high 11 rebounds and the Millers big made a strong statement.  Washburn has now beat Eastview, Mound-Westonka and Tartan.  Very impressive start. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284106' first='Chiang' last='Ring'] of Park Center (6'8 sr).  Ring hit three threes, scored 19, finished around the cup and had nine boards.  Every piece of that was a good thing.  But what Ring really did was keep his body in front of [player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'] and force Wilson to miss eight of his first nine attempts taking BSM out of what they wanted to do quickly.  Ring also got his length in the way of numerous attacking taking away BSM guards from getting deep.  It was a great game of blocking and contesting shots for Ring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] II of Hopkins (6'0 jr).  This was the best game I've seen Smith play.  He attacked heavy right away in transition and after ball movement he was aggressive with his jumper.  Smith was quick to attack up the floor but smart to slow it down, and then did the best job I've seen him create for others getting to eight assists.  He knocked out 12 of 18 shots and it was a mix of three threes, pretty pull-ups and transition makes.  This was an excellent combo guard showing of both scoring, and handling point duties. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1284083' first='Andy' last='Stefonowicz'] of Minnetonka (6'2 sr).  Andy's ability to quickly collect and get up the floor is a massive asset.  Tonka transitions so rapidly and Andy's ability to then move the ball within a great floor spread allows his teammates to work in space regularly.  He has one of the prettiest touches in the state which led to 21 points on 9 of 12 shooting but he also dished out nine assists allowing teammates to score in comfort.  I think he's a steal for NDSU. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288767' first='Greyson' last='Uelmen'] of Minnetonka (6'2 sr).  Greyson is one of the better defenders in the state.  His ability to fight to spots and then beat guys to angles is a huge asset to Tonka defending better.  And he's shooting the ball at a high level which led to part of his 28 points (four threes made).  The other part of that 28 comes from his attacks and cuts as Uelmen does a great job taking advantage of how Tonka spreads the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1484016' first='Brady' last='Wooley'] of Orono (6'9 jr).  Part of the reason Eden Prairie had few deep paint scores was the early shot contests and blocks from Wooley (the other reason is they just take way too many jumpers). Wooley established the middle with his defense, rebounding and finishing at the cup the other way.  He also blocked a shot at the arc moving his feet with a wing showcasing that agility that sets him apart.  Wooley had 19 points shooting 8 of 9 from the field plus he grabbed ten boards and moved the ball well for four assists.  So much more active and it's made him a far better player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->