Top Ten Big Wing/Forward Groups in Minnesota

Ryan James October 2, 2024 @ 02:09 PM

It used to be called the forwards but now we also call them big wings and stretch fours. It's the skilled version of players that get out on the wings, the top ten groups in the state.   (1) Park Center. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='1574215' first='Abu' last='Keita'] at the three, [player_tooltip player_id='2614702' first='Emmanuel' last='Jentzen'] at the four and likely [player_tooltip player_id='1574214' first='Temi' last='Omotoyinbo'] at the five is really going to be three forwards playing up front. Keita has had a great last four months, Temi has looked great this fall, and Jentzen could be one of the surprises of the season. Abu scored ten a game at BSM last year while Temi scored ten a game for PC.   (2) Totino-Grace. The Eagles will likely have [player_tooltip player_id='1560835' first='Tian' last='Chatman'] sliding down to the three as a third guard and [player_tooltip player_id='1560740' first='Dothan' last='Ijadimbola'] playing four, and maybe at times going five guards/wings when [player_tooltip player_id='2575645' first='Luther' last='Bunge'] is not at the five. That pair at the three and four is excellent and [player_tooltip player_id='2434730' first='Josiah' last='Young'] and Dan Zoa will certainly help there too.   (3) Champlin Park. The [player_tooltip player_id='1874925' first='Preston' last='Thielke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1288748' first='Tyler' last='Wagner'] wing duo is going to be one of the more dangerous scoring duos in the state. Many know what Tyler can do shooting it, I don't know if people are prepared for what Thielke can do scoring like a linebacker on the court in bulk. Throw [player_tooltip player_id='2422769' first='Mo' last='Jalloh'] out there too after he scored nine a game last year and it's a talented trio.   (4) Breck. The [player_tooltip player_id='1560864' first='JP' last='Musoke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1574225' first='Miles' last='Newton'] combination is a big reason many think Breck will win back to back titles. Newton scored 13 a game for the champs while Musoke averaged a dozen. And both had strong off-seasons. Breck has a solid five but I would guess they will go small too, and when that happens Teddy Koch can jump in as a forward as well.   (5) Orono. With what this team has, I would guess that [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] and Nathan Chavez are the starting wings/forwards. Nolan is a 25 to 30 point per game player that you can pencil in and Chavez has some really good potential for a good year. We have heard Chavez may have been hurt but we are not going to let that get in the way for now. Not sure the depth but anything with Groves and Chavez is tough to deal with. Groves is really more of a two guard but with this team he will be a three.   (6) Hopkins. The sharp shooting [player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko'] on one side and the athletic Davion Hart on the other give Hopkins a great pair of threes that will be on the floor together. Semanko scored 17 a game last year while Hart averaged a dozen. The Royals have some options at the five and they have a ton of guards, but Semanko and Hart are likely the only true forwards.   (7) Maple Grove. The group of [player_tooltip player_id='2126467' first='Baboucarr' last='Ann'], [player_tooltip player_id='2126442' first='Bennett' last='Cizadlo'], [player_tooltip player_id='2121337' first='Kaden' last='Harney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617766' first='Keegan' last='Harney'] is likely a group of twos and three that can all be on the floor together, but will likely all mix in at the two, three and four sports rotating. Ann and Kaden are pry more twos but I would guess they play some three as well. Whatever way they are mixed in, it should be a really good group.   (8) Mankato East. [player_tooltip player_id='1886972' first='Amari' last='Nobles'] should step into a bigger role this year as the three and then Minnesota State-Mankato committed [player_tooltip player_id='2103251' first='Ganden' last='Gosch'] can be the four when they use a true center. Both can slide down and play undersized at this level too.   (9) Sauk Rapids-Rice. Bemidji State committed football player [player_tooltip player_id='1579918' first='Hudson' last='Omoke'] and up and coming sophomore talent [player_tooltip player_id='2575638' first='Izayah' last='Cook'] are the wings/forwards for this team and they should supply a great mix. Omoke is your Dennis Rodman type athletic worker while Cook is the gifted up and comer.   (10) DeLaSalle. The Islanders have so many guys that they can throw at you in waves. At the wing spots they will likely give a constant dosage of [player_tooltip player_id='2103394' first='Dorian' last='Pruitt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560744' first='Evan' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2126474' first='Kamar' last='Thomas']. There are some young guys too and even though he is a guard, I want to get [player_tooltip player_id='2533408' first='Deon' last='Wallace-Johnson'] in here as well because the sophomore is very good (and I forgot him yesterday).

It used to be called the forwards but now we also call them big wings and stretch fours. It's the skilled version of players that get out on the wings, the top ten groups in the state.