CSP Holiday Classic Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Friday at the Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2118449"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202eea2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason put together a big first half for the Class AAA contenders en-route to a win over Maple Grove. The lefty guard is so good at getting to his spots off of limited dribbles, and was knocking down shots from mid-range and three at a high percentage. Guys know they need to keep a hand up on him as he'll make you pay, and Mason still finds ways to get free off the ball and find pockets of space to catch and shoot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202ef0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Irvin consistently proves to be one of the best on-ball defenders in the state. Against Minnetonka he was harassing opposing point guards, picking up a handful of steals on the night, and often times turning those steals into a quick two points going the other way. His defensive energy is infectious, and you always see him trying to fire up his team after big plays. Offensively he can run the show as a facilitator, but isn't afraid to get to his spots for mid-range jumpers when his team needs a bucket. Helped his team pick up a win over Minnetonka.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202ef56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evan's size was key in the win over Minnetonka. I'm not sure they played anyone above 6'2 the whole game, so Evan's long 6'5 frame allowed him to control the paint. He came up with key rebounds throughout the game, including an offensive board off a missed free throw during the final seconds. Did a nice job of finishing from dump-off passes, and getting to the rim from the wing at times as well. Finished with a team high 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103251"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202ef9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ganden helped Mankato East cruise past Park Center on Friday. He has a strong frame at 6'5 that allows him to play in the paint or out on the wing, and he also showed the quickness to go right at some of the Park Center wings. Got out in transition for a one handed slam during the first half as well. Mankato East didn't need much out of him in the second half, but he showcased his versatility on both ends in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1567964"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202efe2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Isa missed a chunk of time earlier this month, but looked to be in mid-season form on Friday. The 2025 guard kept his team in it until the end, knocking down tough shot after tough shot with defenders all over him. Isa showed range beyond the arc, good elevation on his mid-range shot, and crafty finishing ability that allowed him to finish inside against taller players. His pace on the ball makes him so unpredictable, and even against a tough Islander defense he was able to get to just about any spot he wanted to off the dribble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2126467"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202f025"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Babou looked more aggressive offensively than I've seen him be in the past, as he was looking to keep his team in it against a tough Alexandria team. He started off by draining a number of threes early in the game, and getting to the rim for a tough and-one finish. Throughout the second half he showcased that smooth and fluid driving ability that allowed him to weave through defenders and get to the rim just about any time he wanted to. His long frame and ability to play balanced off of two feet allowed him to finish at a high percentage with either hand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574214"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677174202f068"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This hasn't been an ideal start for Park Center as they dropped another one to a tough Mankato East team. One of the bright spots in that game though was the energy and effort that [player_tooltip player_id='1574214' first='Temi' last='Omotoyinbo'] played with. He's constantly battling on the glass, competing defensively, and fighting to finish through contact inside. He's a strong and explosive wing/forward who's going to go out and play hard on both ends until the final buzzer. You can tell he goes out there wanting to compete and isn't going to be satisfied until Park Center gets back to their winning ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->