The Big Stage: Top Performers

Here were the top players from the Big Stage, the best of the best from yesterday's biggest event!   [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] of CDH (6'11. Senior).  Tommy was too big and had his way to quality of position for the Raiders to slow him down. Even more important, he controlled the glass and passed the ball exceptionally well giving his team some of everything.  It was a 17 point (on ten shots), 13 rebound, and 7 assist game for the Raiders beating Orono.    [player_tooltip player_id='2126467' first='Baboucarr' last='Ann'] of Maple Grove (6'5, Sophomore).  Ann does so much for his team.  He hit three threes, played quality defense, grabbed six boards, blocked a couple shots and moved the ball for five assists in a morning win over Eden Prairie.  For a young player, Ann's focus each possession is my favorite part of his game.  Mistakes are limited, effort is high level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574223' first='CJ' last='Armstrong'] of Richfield (6'2 Senior). CJ had 53 points in a loss to Hopkins.  That's surely one of the highest scoring games in the history of Breakdown events.  There were times where Armstrong scored against multiple defenders, there were times where Hopkins was napping and CJ attacked them quick in transition. Armstrong hit five threes including four in a row in the first half.     [player_tooltip player_id='1560835' first='Tian' last='Chatman'] of Totino-Grace (6'4 Junior).  Chatman has returned and he looks great.  Defensively the Eagles look even better with Chatman hounding the ball.  He also did a lot of ball handling, scored a dozen points and quite simply provided a lot of great energy.    [player_tooltip player_id='1589407' first='Marley' last='Curtis'] of St. Louis Park (6'8 Senior). People love the potential of Marley not just because he has the strength and explosive agility, but he shoots the ball so cleanly and with good percentages from the arc.  The O's were up double figures late but the back to back Marley threes late took a four score game and made it a blowout.  He scored 27 in the win.    [player_tooltip player_id='1874916' first='Micah' last='Curtis'] of St. Louis Park (6'8 Senior).  Micah had 32 points as he continued to just outwork other frontcourt players on the floor.  When you run harder, rebound with more effort, and lock in with energy every possession, you give your team results.  When you do that at 6'8, strong, explosive and agile, you do that in monster numbers and that was Micah.    [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] of Orono (6'5 Senior).  This is a game that Nolan would like to have attempts at the rim back as he missed some chances but man, his ability to compete and put his team on his back is so uncanny.  He scored 29 points on 10 of 26 shooting and the way he works to space against good defense (one or two guys on him) is special.  His ability to use his frame and/or footwork to get good attempts is different as his feel is high quality.  Nolan is a joy to watch and I would say he might lead for Mr. Basketball at the moment.    [player_tooltip player_id='2436860' first='Jacob' last='Hudson'] of Minnetonka (6'0, Senior).  A heck of a story continues for Hudson who scored 28 and led Tonka past Waconia in a key section win.  The young man can defend, and he can handle, but scoring 28 is not something that was expected so Hudson continues to surprise.    [player_tooltip player_id='1560741' first='Will' last='Kirsch'] of Waconia (6'1, Junior).  Ran the offense for the Cats while also scoring a monster 36 points as Wawconia nearly knocked off the defending champion Tonka Skippers.  Kirsch handling both the creative duties and the scoring numbers is what had people talking.    [player_tooltip player_id='1574221' first='Max' last='Lorenson'] of Eden Prairie (6'2, Senior). Lorenson scored his 25 points making half of his 24 field goal attempts.  Lorenson attacked the rim, got to his pull-up several times, and he moved off ball for a couple buckets (putback and transition).  He had some late foul shot misses that will haunt him but it was still an impressive game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] of Hopkins (6'0, Junior).   I've said it a few times but again, I think Jayden is not only the best player in his class but I think he's proving right now he's the top prospect at the moment too.  I know he didn't have the shooting day he wanted but his pace push is A+, maybe the best we've seen in Minnesota?  And I think his decision making has went from good to damn near as perfect as you can grade a player.  He just makes the game so much easier for his teammates.   [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] of Hopkins (6'1, Senior). Smith is scoring at a percentage rate that in games I have watched, has to be near 60 percent.  That's fast break finishes, attacks and of course perimeter jumpers.  His early season numbers have been outstanding includign 34 points in beating Richfield today.    Chace Watley of Totino-Grace (6'2, Senior). When Watley is scoring a high percentage of his attempts but his attempt number is reasonable and not too many, and he's creating for others and rebounding, the Eagles can beat anybody. He had 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists plus joined his team in a fantastic defensive effort limiting Breck to 58 points. Shot 7 of 12 and put the game away with a few late scoring possessions and assists to the frontcourt players (Zoa the final one).   [player_tooltip player_id='1484016' first='Brady' last='Wooley'] of Orono (6'9, Senior).  There are things Brady does that are just uncommon for his size.  He played a lot of point guard today as his handle is solid and his spin move baseline into a one hand dunk in traffic may have been the play of the game.  He had 17 points on 8 of 11 shooting with seven boards but got into foul trouble with some bad fouls early.

Here were the top players from the Big Stage, the best of the best from yesterday's biggest event!