Breakdown Summer Series: Mankato Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who was the best of the best that we saw in Mankato on Monday? We break it down today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2386616' first='Gavin' last='Bauer'] of JWP (2028). This spring Gavin has been a do-it-all player for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] totaling boards, steals, blocks and active buckets while commonly defending top guys. We've seen what he can do when his role is more than just main scoring option, but this weekend we also got to see Gavin beat Braham with his scoring touch. The perimeter jumper was falling and the form looked good plus the foul stroke was perfect throughout the game. He had 20 points in the two score win over Braham (keep in mind these are 40 minute running time games). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2815210' first='Parker' last='Maloney'] of St. Peter (2026). Parker is listed at 6'7 and 250 pounds and he is all of that. In basketball shoes and expanded hoop heights, you can call him 6'8. He averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds a game as a junior and I have to believe that his left shoulder turn-right hand touch is responsible for more than half of those points. Kids knew it was coming, Maloney plays for the Minnesota Rise which is run by Kory Kettner who was coaching the St. Peter opponent! And Kory told the kids it was coming and it didn't matter, when 250 pounds has momentum coming at you, it's hard to try and figure out what to do with it. And with his wide shoulders and strong frame, if you don't make contact with Parker, its a lay-up. And when he does make contact with you, he has the strength edge and these players often went where Parker wanted them to as he totaled 22 points and nine rebounds in a 40 minute running time game (shooting 9 of 13). Parker has really good footwork which you can see on the court but he was also a top five in state in the discus throw so obviously he has good footwork. But he also finished with both his right and his left on the court. Throw in the football recruiting and you have a three sport athlete to be aware of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braden Petzel of Mankato East (2026). I liked what I saw from Petzel both directly in front of me when East played the Jays, and from across the arena when East played Byron (watching during down time of the game I was watching). When East got Braden low post touches in the paint against the Jays he scored (five times on seven deep paint touches). His deep paint length forced the Waseca team to make perimeter shots (which they did) and to score a high percentage of Mankato mistake (which they did), but when players tried to score at the cup Braden was there to make them think twice. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Then the few plays I saw against Byron, Petzel scored in the deep paint against them as well. Braden is committed to Northern Illinois for football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2121332' first='Deron' last='Russell'] of Waseca (2026). Deron led Waseca to a win over Mankato East which is a big summer moment. For context this is summer and two hours later Waseca then lost to Austin, and East didn't have Gustafson BUT East had the rest of their very talented line-up and Waseca obviously is replacing four seniors from their seven man rotation. And while [player_tooltip player_id='1886972' first='Amari' last='Nobles'] did a fair job in effort, Russell had 24pts on 8 of 20 shooting with four threes and four of four foul shooting. Throw in nine rebounds and four assists and you have quite the individual performance from Russell. And it was at 8am on a Saturday in June! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2381766' first='Xzayveun' last='Severin'] of Austin (2027). Is it possible that I caught Severin on the best of best days? Maybe but his clean shooting, feet set stroke with range hit seven threes as the Packers smacked defending Class AA runner-up Waseca 60-32. Severing scored 11 a game last year as a sophomore and between he and the three threes/15 points of [player_tooltip player_id='2381757' first='Cole' last='Hebrink'], the Packers stretched the Jays way too thin. And with Hebrink and Severin returning for one more winter together, I have to believe they are going to torch Big Nine teams like they torched the Jays. Severin had 27 points in all making 10 of 15 field goal attempts. Severin might have one of the prettiest, cleanest releases you will see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->