Hopkins 91 Totino-Grace 78: Prospect Report

Hopkins defeated Totino-Grace 91-78 in a wild and fun game as the season opened for both teams. We break down what we saw out of the players as prospects.   The Game. Hopkins was full strength, TG had [player_tooltip player_id='1560740' first='Dothan' last='Ijadimbola'] off the bench as he recovers from his injuries, and [player_tooltip player_id='1560835' first='Tian' last='Chatman'] didn't play. This game was full of fast shots, fast attacks, bad turnovers, and fun plays, pretty much what you would expect from talented teams that have only been working with their coaches for 2.5 weeks. I feel Hopkins just had less possessions that were rushed and they took better advantage of the Eagle rushed possessions to earn the win. This was win 969 for Ken Novak Jr, second all time in Minnesota high school history.   Stock Up!   [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] of Hopkins (PG, 2026). I thought Jayden was the difference in the game. Jayden didn't play a perfect game by any means, but I thought his decision making in transition, and the times he was able to slow his team down to move the ball, it made all of the difference. By no means was Coach Novak happy with the shot selection for the full game, but I thought Jayden did a great job of making sure Hopkins had better possessions than TG. And he was outstanding in transition. Jayden hit two threes, scored 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting, dished out nine assists, and five boards.   [player_tooltip player_id='2175446' first='Daveion' last='Hart'] of Hopkins (Wing, 2025). This slasher is going to some day get a scholarship and then people are going to look back and wonder why he wasn't a bigger name. I will have him flying up the rankings in the next update because he is 6'5 and long, and athletic, and better shooter than given credit for. His length and agility is what schools love on the wing in the modern game with the ability to hit some perimeter shots. He hit three threes and 9 of 15 shots overall for his 22 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='2420169' first='Ahmed' last='Nur'] of Hopkins (Forward, 2027). Nur has immense potential. Like top five potential in his state class potential. He is 6'9 with length, agility, some explosion, and a shooting touch that looks good. He's raw and needs game experience and game understanding, but his natural ability is likely to have him as a high major basketball prospect. Hit a three last night, scored at the rim twice, grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574227' first='Chace' last='Watley'] of Totino-Grace (Guard, 2025). The natural ability of [player_tooltip player_id='1574227' first='Chace' last='Watley'] I think shined last night. I think we saw more of what he can do as a scorer than we have seen before. That pump fake into a one dribble step-back hitting over closing length was a play that will stick with me. Watley scored his 32 in a skilled way making tough shots AND getting to the rim for some easy ones which is what scorers do: find a way to score tougher shots while working hard away from the ball for easy ones as well. He also had seven assists and eight rebounds. His ability has me thinking his stock is on the way up. My only item on the negative side was that - and this is more something the team learned as the game moved on and less on Chace - when he was on a scoring run, his four teammates were standing and watching as the scores were coming in an individual creation way which means the rest of his teammates were not in a rhythm with him in the comeback. But Hill then started handling more late which put Watley in the pure scoring role with the ball moving and things did move better, but it was a bit too late. Overall, an eye opening game for a very talented player.   Solid Games   [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] of Hopkins (Combo guard, 2025). The division one level has made it very clear that lighter combo guards are not something they will be going to for high school much any more, they are going to transfers. So with that, Augustana has Tameron Ferguson off to a great start, they have [player_tooltip player_id='1574223' first='CJ' last='Armstrong'] coming in next year, and St. Cloud State has [player_tooltip player_id='1574216' first='Azayah' last='Washington'] coming in. The next guy that D2s should look to is Smith who is very similar. Smith scored 26 points on 9 of 13 shooting with three threes and ten foul shot attempts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560740' first='Dothan' last='Ijadimbola'] of Totino-Grace (Forward, 2026). Dothan came off the bench and gave his team a needed double-double as TG is not a big team. He scored on 6 of 15 attempts for 14 points and I think as he gets more comfortable those percentages are going to improve and he will be able to give his team more.   [player_tooltip player_id='2126117' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] of Totino-Grace (PG, 2027). I think I really like Hill as the ball handler and Watley as the scorer, and both pushing in transition with every turnover or miss. Hill got middle consistently for his 21 points scoring 9 of 14 shots and I think he plays the right matured game at his age to be able to get this offense running in it's best rhythm.     Not Their Best   Totino-Grace Depth. I like their depth but it's a bit short of experience in game like this when a guy like Chatman is out, and when Dothan is sitting TG really only has Hill and Watley to score the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='2126166' first='Jaylan' last='Hynes'] was fine with his six points and five boards, but as he gains experience he might be that all around other option.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko'] of Hopkins. A very tough shooting day to open the season, JJ had ten points and six rebounds but he had a 4 of 12 shooting day and he missed all his threes. He is obviously a better shooter than we saw.

Hopkins defeated Totino-Grace 91-78 in a wild and fun game as the season opened for both teams. We break down what we saw out of the players as prospects.