Tip Off Classic: The Top Performers

The best of the best from the Hopkins slate of games at the Tip Off Classic   [player_tooltip player_id='1310206' first='Tommy' last='Ahneman'] of Alexandria (6'11 Big, 2025).  The Notre Dame signed big man scored 22 points with 13 rebounds and had some beautiful post finishes including a shoulder fake left into a pivot right finish, a Dirk fallaway clutch shot late, and a lot in between.  Ahneman's rebounding in the paint was a crucial piece in the Raider win.    [player_tooltip player_id='1572691' first='Jaleel' last='Donley'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's (6'2 Guard, 2025).  This was one of the better games I have seen Jaleel play.  Everybody knows his explosion with the dribble and leap, and when he uses those gifts to lift into a good jumper, lift into a rim finish, or explode to a spot and create, Jaleel is very tough to deal with.  Against Shakopee he was exactly that and his team followed him to a blowout win.  Donley had 27 points and if keeps playing like that, BSM is a real title contender.    Caleb Francois of Minnetonka (6'2 SG, 2026).  This junior has made quite the name for himself so far this season. He had 15 points in the opener and then knocked out three threes scoring 23 in a win over East Ridge.  Francois has a strong frame and he used the dribble very well to find space to score. Touch looked good as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] of Orono (6'5 Guard, 2025).  The Yale committed guard scored his 30 and won the battle with Illinois State signed Mason Klabo in impressive fashion.  What did Groves do different?  Same thing he does different than all guards, finish physically in the paint more often and do the extra work to get easy baskets that other players that say they are scorers won't.   [player_tooltip player_id='1579917' first='Keller' last='Hanson'] of Sauk Rapids-Rice (6'6, 2025).  Keller's back to back threes at one point helped his team come back down eight and there was another Keller run that brought his team back from down.  He had key scores that chopped away leads from Breck on his way to a 27 point game hitting four threes.    [player_tooltip player_id='1574225' first='Miles' last='Newton'] of Breck (6'5 Forward, 2025).  Miles is surely one of the best unsigned players in this state right now.  His three point touch has really continued to develop, he's as strong as anybody on the wing, and he's got some explosive pop to his game as well.  Newton scored 36 against SRR and he had four threes in that total.    [player_tooltip player_id='1579918' first='Hudson' last='Omoke'] of Sauk Rapids-Rice (6'3 Forward, 2025). Newton had a huge first half but Omoke's defense was able to make things tougher for Newton in half two which was huge.  Hudson also started the second half with nine quick points, hit two threes in the game, and scored 27 points!  Huge game for Hudson.    [player_tooltip player_id='2103394' first='Dorian' last='Pruitt'] of DeLaSalle (6'4 Forward, 2025).  Pruitt had 20 slashing to the rim and using his length to finish.  He was at his best with a two dribble face-up attack and using that length to get over the help but he also faced up to hit a couple jumpers and played so well in transition.  A very good and active forward for the Islanders who continues to grow as a player.    [player_tooltip player_id='2126094' first='Ty' last='Schlagel'] of Cretin-Derham Hall (6'7 Forward, 2027).  Ty's fire is something that I love.  The bigger the game, the more physical the game, it seems the better he is.   Schlagel had 20 points for the game including two Laker cut scores and a steal and finish late that really turned the game in the favor of CDH. .   [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] of Hopkins (6'1 Guard, 2025).  Anthony is off to a wonderful start this season scoring 55 points in his first two games including 29 points today in a way over Mankato East.  The Cougars did not have the agility or the speed on the wing to really do anything with Smith.  Between his fast transition, his shooting range, and the quick first step middle, his 29 was efficient and for East, unstoppable.    [player_tooltip player_id='1617798' first='Spencer' last='Swenson'] of Sauk Rapids-Rice (6'8 Forward, 2025)  Spencer had a team high 28 points and he did it in a variety of ways taking advantage of smaller size trying to defend him.  Spencer hit from the arc three times, he put the ball up face up style to score, and he did things in the paint to put up point production.  Throw in some blocks and boards and it was a difference making game for Spencer.    [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] of Alexandria (6'8 Forward, 2025). The Clemson commit had three threes, nine rebounds, a couple dunks, a handful of blocks, good post defense and everything needed to give the Cards a three score lead half way into the second half. Unfortunately he got hurt in the second half, tried to give it a go, but the shoulder was too hurt. Finished with 19 points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560882' first='Cedric' last='Tomes'] of East Ridge (6'2 Guard, 2026). Tomes flashed some of the signs of brilliance that have made him the talked about prospect he is: some dribble separation moves that opened eyes, a couple passes that most players wouldn't even see, and the touch to score 23 points. At this point the Raptors are still trying to figure out the right chemistry as Tomes is being hounded in denial plus help swarming to him, but the skills of Tomes are clear.   [player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'] of BSM (6'7 Forward, 2025).  Jalen has always been a player that shot the ball well facing the basket from the perimeter but I thought his range and form looked even better. He scored 21 and he moved well too.  Good looking first week for the UNI signed forward.

The best of the best from the Hopkins slate of games at the Tip Off Classic