Hopkins v Orono Game Report: The Prospects

<!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imymk3z8N00","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imymk3z8N00 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undefeated #2 in 4A 9-0 Hopkins visited 5-2 #2 in 3A Orono Friday night and the game didn't disappoint. Both teams featured highly ranked Minnesota prospects in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 class. Hopkins led by dynamic back-court of [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] while Orono has [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1484016' first='Brady' last='Wooley'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early, Orono's offense was flowing, and they were in relative control led by Groves who was poking and working the Hopkins defense. However momentum turned mid-way when Wooley picked up his second foul and Groves picked up his third, and by half it was Hopkins 42-29 advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2nd half featured shot making and back and fourth we thought we'd have the entire contest. Orono besting Hopkins by two points with a 50-48 2nd half score but that first advantage was the difference. Hopkins depth and length showed to be too much for Orono and a reason why Hopkins now has won all 10 games by at least 11 points to start the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1550877"],"_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-677959689525f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The six-foot 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1550877' first='Jayden' last='Moore'] had control on offense the entire game like a true point guard controlling pace. Moore showed off ability to make shots from outside making 2 3-pointers and inside at the rim. His athleticism allows him to D up on the perimeter and he works inside when he finds himself on bigger opponents. Moore's athleticism also allows him to draw contact going to the basket and maintain an advantage the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1579885"],"_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-67795968952e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] is a big time player ready for every moment. While he found himself in early foul trouble he came out in the 2nd half makes plays at the rim or from the outside. Scoring 33 points on 11 of 16 shooting hitting 2 3-pointers and making 9 free throws. Grove drove the basket with aggression and control to draw fouls, finish more often than not while drawing contact and completing the 3-point plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1574212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2716410,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6779596895375"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 Hopkins guard really showed that he plays at a high level on the perimeter scoring 23 points on 3 made 3-pointers, and one off the dribble 3 in front of the Orono student section silence them for that moment. Smith did well inside the perimeter as well making 4 of his 6 attempts. Smith really plays well off of Moore in the combo guard role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/a3_anthony?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@a3_anthony</a>) Highlights vs Orono Jan 2025<br><br>2025<br>Guard<br>Hopkins<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepHoops</a> <a href="https://t.co/UgRP0zBEla">https://t.co/UgRP0zBEla</a> <a href="https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS">https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS</a> <a href="https://t.co/l4lOHQSCv5">pic.twitter.com/l4lOHQSCv5</a></p>&mdash; StreetHistory Videos (@streethistory) <a href="https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1875944786919837872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1484016"],"_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-67795d048db7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wooley showed off his size and why he was the only real big guy on the floor grabbing 14 rebounds, and in the 2nd half finished over and over at the rim. Wooley at times got smaller guard on him and he immediately took advantage when he had the ball. In the first half Wooley showed he can step out beyond arc and knock down shots as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1484016' first='Brady' last='Wooley'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/BradyWooley25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BradyWooley25</a>) Highlights vs Hopkins Jan 2025<br><br>2025<br>Center<br>Orono <a href="https://twitter.com/BoysOrono?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoysOrono</a> <br>Adidas D1 MN <a href="https://twitter.com/adidasD1MN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adidasD1MN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NorthstarHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorthstarHoops</a> <a href="https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS">https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS</a> <a href="https://t.co/v7M6WbiriF">pic.twitter.com/v7M6WbiriF</a></p>&mdash; StreetHistory Videos (@streethistory) <a href="https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1875602504555352516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2420169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2716427,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67795d048dc13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The six-foot-nine-inch [player_tooltip player_id='2420169' first='Ahmed' last='Nur'] has the potential to be high major prospect. His body movements are fluid in transition and the half-court as he's agile. His has length along with his size to be a serious 3&amp;D perimeter player or if he puts on weight, a stretch four who can defend all over. 3&amp;D part Nur seems to have right now as he hit a 3-pointer and was blocking shots inside. One baseline turnaround jumper looked really smooth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595734"],"_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-677964c296a5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko'] is the glue on this Royals team. He gets the tough defense assignment (Groves), he rebounds, he passes (6 assists), and he cuts within the offense for short lay-ups. As he didn't shoot it from the perimeter at his best, he was 1 of 7 from 3, he was 4 of 5 on 2's, and most of the 2's were of the at the rim variety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1595734' first='JJ' last='Semanko'] (<a href="https://twitter.com/jjsemanko_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jjsemanko_</a>) Highlights vs Orono Jan 2025<br><br>2025<br>Wing<br>Hopkins<br>Gain Elite <a href="https://twitter.com/gainelitemn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gainelitemn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bigjessups?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bigjessups</a> <a href="https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS">https://t.co/yQAO8CtWFS</a> <a href="https://t.co/AHcaALbSyZ">pic.twitter.com/AHcaALbSyZ</a></p>&mdash; StreetHistory Videos (@streethistory) <a href="https://twitter.com/streethistory/status/1875978996657361246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2175446"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2716435,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-677964c296b4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 six-foot-four-inch Hart plays a bit taller than he is biggest of his length that enables him to gather loose balls and snag steals as he had 3 in this contest. Hart is most dangerous in transition as he runs well in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1391203"],"_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-677964c296bdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1391203' first='Mitchell' last='Kauch'] is a six-foot-two-inch guard from Orono that really moves the ball for the Orono offense either by starting the play with his passing or moving the ball on the swing. Game stats say Kauch assisted on 12 makes for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last='']. Kauch didn't light up the scoreboard in points but he did knockdown 2 pretty large 3-pointers in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2424180"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2716438,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-677964c296c74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The five-foot-eleven-inch Hansen showed his outside shooting skillset and floor spacing for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075852' first='Spartans' last=''] hitting two 3-pointers. His role within the offense seemed that and he filled it. Hansen didn't over do it or try to force anything that wasn't there. The 2027 guard held up well on defense and probably played a bit more minutes because of fouls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560534"],"_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-677964c296d26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The freshman Moore didn't show much more than that he definitely belongs. After a pretty impressive season on the gridiron throwing for 1,438 yards and 14 TDs, Moore has proven he's a capable athlete at the varsity level. His role for the Royals is the supplement the seasoned squad with cutting on offense (his lone basket) and being well enough on defense in this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->