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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2126108' first='Jack' last='Thelen'] - The 2027 seven-foot sophomore center showed off his summer improvements versus Bemidji Saturday in STMA's 73-61 win. As a freshman it was clear early Thelen struggled with the pace of play of Varsity level basketball. That is no longer an issue. Another difference I saw Thelen used his size to his advantage. Thelen showed off a bit of back to basket scoring with a left hook move, in the future however I'd like to see better positioning getting closer to the basket. Another little wrinkle was his passing, especially inside close to the basket.</p>
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<p>Three 2025 seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2103351' first='Jordan' last='Holm'], Hudson Hochsteadler, and [player_tooltip player_id='1586882' first='Jeremiah' last='Johnson'] will be a very formidable trio for the Knights. The backcourt combo of Hochsteadler and Johnson give STMA a very stable duo while Holm spread the floor to shoot 3's. Johnson showed a strong mid-range presence versus Bemidji while Hochsteadler hit a couple 3-pointers.</p>
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<p>A couple seasons ago [player_tooltip player_id='2103379' first='Jackson' last='Soroko'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125143' first='Brayden' last='Dollard'] as Sophomores suffered through a tough year at Monticello as the Magic won just one game. For 2024-25 they started the year off with a 72-53 win over Delano behind their two seniors.</p>
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<p>The six-foot-two-inch combo guard Dollard scored 23 points while hitting three 3-pointers and the six-foot-seven-inch forward Soroko had 18 points. Soroko in June/July showed a lot of growth in his game playing AAU with the Minnesota Comets. The upward momentum seems to be continuing for him.</p>
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<p>Monticello also got a solid contribution from 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2140576' first='Carson' last='Deibele'] who scored 17 points while hitting four 3-pointers. The six-foot-three-inch Deibele is a good athlete who went straight from starting quarterback for the Magic to the basketball court.</p>
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<p>Cannon Falls 2025 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1874846' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] is off to a great start for them as well as he had 25 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks in their opening win versus La Crescent-Hokah 78-58. Johnson is a long six-foot-five-inch wing that has lots of point guard skills.</p>
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<p>Other Performances</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2126460' first='Donte' last='Branch'] - 23 points versus Columbia Heights in 88-55 win</p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2121382' first='Noah' last='Stencel'] 34 points and [player_tooltip player_id='1617713' first='Harrison' last='Lupkes'] 32 points for Princeton versus Hermantown in a 95-87 win</p>
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<p>Griffin Pohlen, 2028 Freshman from Delano scored 22 points in his Varsity debut.</p>
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Jack ThelenJackThelen
7'0" | C
Maple Grove | 2027 StateMN
- The 2027 seven-foot sophomore center showed off his summer improvements versus Bemidji Saturday in STMA's 73-61 win. As a freshman it was clear early Thelen struggled with the pace of play of Varsity level basketball. That is no longer an issue. Another difference I saw Thelen used his size to his advantage. Thelen showed off a bit of back to basket scoring with a left hook move, in the future however I'd like to see better positioning getting closer to the basket. Another little wrinkle was his passing, especially inside close to the basket.
Jack
Thelen
7'0" | C
Maple Grove | 2027
State
MN
- The 2027 seven-foot sophomore center showed off his summer improvements versus Bemidji Saturday in STMA's 73-61 win. As a freshman it was clear early Thelen struggled with the pace of play of Varsity level basketball. That is no longer an issue. Another difference I saw Thelen used his size to his advantage. Thelen showed off a bit of back to basket scoring with a left hook move, in the future however I'd like to see better positioning getting closer to the basket. Another little wrinkle was his passing, especially inside close to the basket.
