#PHTwinCitesTeakdown: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Performers from the Twin Cities Takedown last weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1288835' first='James' last='Fager II'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Shepherd (Lakeville North, 6'2 Cg). When he's not busting baseballs, James looks to be an artist using the ball screen to playmake. His ability to use the screen to attack, to read and then weave to an open spot, or then step into an attempt really caught the eye. Fager looks like he will be able to step into a scoring role for the Panthers next year and replace some of the many points per game that graduated. Scored eight a game this year and was an all league honorable mention player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2104550' first='Alex' last='Franson'] of Southwest MN Stars (Marshall, 6'2, Cg). Alex has been one of the best players of April. His knack for scoring against good teams without over shooting, and doing it within the offense, has been impressive. He's a player the team can go to when it needs a shot to be created but Franson is also scoring within the offensive framework. He's had some tight window attack finishes and scores pulling up in the mid-lane that have really impressed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874834' first='Drew' last='Hjelmeland'] of Southwest MN Stars (Dawson-Boyd, 6'7, Pf). Drew has the physical make-up and the agility of the modern day forwards: he runs well, can set a ball screen and move off of it to make a play, and he can play around the basket or face up out to the arc. He was equally as good finishing and rebounding as he was moving the ball and setting screens within the Stars halfcourt offense. Also hit two threes among his 16 points against Real Phenom. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jack McCaffery of [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] (Iowa, 6'8 F). Jack is a player I have really enjoyed watching play this April and it has everything to do with his understanding of the game, his timing on the floor and his decision making. Jack is a big name player on a team with a lot of talent and he plays a team game that so many players follow. His position defense is excellent, his shot contests/blocks are outstanding, and offensively he's such a skilled face-up player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2121332' first='Deron' last='Russell'] of D1 MN Gold (Waseca, 6'2 Cg). After seeing Russell play this weekend I have to put him up there with some of the better playmakers/scorers in his grade. D1 Gold has played like Gold this year so far and it's been Russell hitting 40 percent of his threes, pushing the ball in transition, attacking gaps off of ball screens, and finishing in a ton of ways. Surely one of the best 16u players in April. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tevin Schultz of Team FSA/J Sizzle 16s (Iowa 6'7 Pf). Tevin is following up a third team all state season with regular workman like performance for FSA. He had 12 rebounds in a win over a good 17u team and then scored a dozen to go with it. He's strong, he's a worker, and his body control with the ball going to the rim was something that greatly stood out. His soft touch finishing on balance in the paint really stood out too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1574216' first='Azayah' last='Washington'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] (St. Cloud Apollo, 6'2, Pg). [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota'] obviously had a lot of guys that played well but Washington stood out a little more because he just did more. Washington rebounds more, Azayah is willing to move the basketball in the halfcourt and in transition a bit more, he is willing to get after the opposing ball handler with pressure, and his point totals included good shots that he finished with few attempts of lower percentages in a "get mine" way. I was really impressed with Washington possession to possession. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->