The Race for Mr. Basketball: Class AAA Strong

Ryan James March 12, 2025 @ 10:38 AM

There is a very real chance that Mr. Basketball could be all Class AAA players and we explain why!   Four of the ten names on the Top Ten were from the Class AAAA level but three of those players are out of the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id='1567964' first='Isa' last='El-Amin'] of Minnetonka had a tough game of turnovers and poor shooting (10 points total) in the loss to Prior Lake while [player_tooltip player_id='1874916' first='Micah' last='Curtis'] had his season end to Hopkins, meaning his team went 14-14.   In that no defense, all points all the time game, [player_tooltip player_id='1874916' first='Micah' last='Curtis'] had 45 points and fellow candidate [player_tooltip player_id='1574212' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] had 41 points. Huge numbers! Last night Smith had 20 points on 6 of 16 shooting as Hopkins lost to Wayzata.   This is a season where those last three spots could go any direction and it's possible that a .500 record or an okay at best game in the spotlight, could knock a player out of the Final Five consideration. El-Amin's rough game against Prior Lake likely cost him a chance.   The only other AAAA name is [player_tooltip player_id='1288748' first='Tyler' last='Wagner'] from Champlin Park. When you compare Wagner to a few of the other scorers that are battling for the other final three spots, Tyler is shooting it as well as anybody plus he is getting the ball to the rim to score and he is rebounding in bulk. Some of the other scorers in contention aren't doing that. Problem for Tyler was a rough game with foul trouble scoring just 13 points as the Rebels just got by Mounds View.   Then you look to Class AAA. We know [player_tooltip player_id='1579885' first='Nolan' last='Groves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1572690' first='Chase' last='Thompson'] are going to be there. Thompson's Cardinals have blown out their first two playoff games in play part of the game and sit the rest of the game like scenarios (one win was by 74 points, the other by 43). Thompson had 21 points in 15 minutes against Little Falls and then 32 points against Detroit Lakes.   Groves was incredible against Richfield scoring 45 points on 14 on 24 shooting from the field and 15 of 21 foul shooting, plus he had eight assists! That is a Mr. Basketball like performance right there, and he did it against fellow finalist [player_tooltip player_id='1574223' first='CJ' last='Armstrong'] who was also quite impressive. Armstrong had 34 points on 13 of 22 shooting with eight boards and four assists. Armstrong's missed dunk late might haunt him forever but he led this team to the top ten most of the season with 30+ points per game pushing his team much further than expected.   Groves is a favorite to win it, Armstrong has a strong case for the final five. Thompson is the top contender to Groves.   From there you have [player_tooltip player_id='1572689' first='Jalen' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1437303' first='Brogan' last='Madson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1574227' first='Chace' last='Watley']. All three should be right there battling for the final five.   When it comes to Wilson, unfortunately he got hurt in the Kennedy game, he missed the Mound-Westonka playoff game, and he will be a game time decision against Orono.   Madson had 18 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals in the 23-point win over Mankato West. They play Marshall tonight in the section final.   Watley and his Eagles beat Fridley and play Monticello tomorrow. No stats shown for the Fridley win.

There is a very real chance that Mr. Basketball could be all Class AAA players and we explain why!