Section 7AAAA First Look: Player Profile

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top players in 7AAAA this year? We give you the best three guys back from each team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anoka </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2121367' first='Dre' last='Ellis'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite']). Ellis scored over 11 points a game last season playing with a state tournament team. The six foot guard has a scoring feel and he helped make [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite'] a tough team to defend backcourt wise all 17u season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2118481' first='Brody' last='Lakanen'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite']). Brody was a 7th/8th man for Anoka last year averaging about four points a game. He played with [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite'] this 17u season and he's a forward with some pop. Could be a double figure scorer as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2486564' first='Kolden' last='Johnson'] (2029, [program_tooltip program_id='2075431' first='D1' last='Minnesota']). A 6'4 talent that ranks with the best players in his class, Johnson found himself getting time more and more as last season. Anoka was a veteran, state tournament team last year and Johnson still found his way on the floor at times when Anoka went nine deep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andover</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2381649' first='Eddie' last='Miles'] (2026). Miles is a 250 pound future college football player that also gave his basketball team 11 points and five rebounds a game a season ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1936143' first='Caden' last='Roessler'] (2026, Minnesota Splash). Caden averaged 10.5 points a game a season ago shooting over 38 percent from behind the arc. Can play both guard spots for the Huskies</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2382253' first='Colton' last='Miller'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat']). Miller averaged nine points and seven rebounds a game a year ago and the 6'5 forward had a great 17u season with the Heat. Briar Cliff recently offered the rapidly improving 6'5 forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blaine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874931' first='Shiloh' last='Ayitey'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075496' first='Grassroots' last='Sizzle']). Shiloh averaged 19 points a game last season surrounded by seniors and I think we should prepare for this young man to be one of the leading scorers in the metro. The 6'1 guard is also an outstanding high jumper in track! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tulla Gemta (2026). A six foot guard/wing that scored nine points a game last season and will move right into a secondary scoring role this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2430773' first='Cade' last='Nielsen'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075496' first='Grassroots' last='Sizzle']). Cade scored three points a game last season as the Bengal 7th man. He's a 6'4 wing/forward that should also move into a much bigger role as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cambridge-Isanti</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2835657' first='Jameson' last='Epple'] (2027). Epple scored 14 points a game last winter and now as an upperclassmen he should move into the go-to guy role for the Jackets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2814089' first='Eddie' last='Lundeen'] (2027, Minnesota Crossfire). As a sophomore forward, Eddie gave his team a five point, three rebound average playing in every game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lane Nelson (2027). Nelson is a 6'4 forward that was a part of the nine man rotation a season ago and should step into a big role as a forward with Lundeen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560850' first='Tristan' last='Hanson'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat']). Hanson scored 15 points a game for the Cougars last year and will move into that leading scorer role likely putting up 20 a night. Hanson had a great 17u season with the Heat earning some NAIA attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874940' first='Zach' last='Espinosa'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Reyes). Averaged four points a game as a junior and played a nice role for a Fury 17u squad that lost few games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2431146' first='Shawn' last='Eline'] (2026). Elite is a 5'11 ball handler that was in that 9th man role last year also playing some junior varsity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coon Rapids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kieran Wymore (2026). A 5'8 guard that will be the Cards leading returning scorer at just over seven points a contest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1874905' first='Konnor' last='Young'] (2026). Another 5'8 guard, Young scored four points a game for the Cardinals playing in the varsity rotation all of last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cody Dagogo (2026). Cody came off the bench last year scoring a basket a contest, the 5'10 guard will team with Wymore and Young and give the Cards some experienced ball pressuring opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Duluth East </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560767' first='Ty' last='Nyberg'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite']). Nyberg scored 19 points a game as a junior and he moved right into 17u season and kept his hot hand. Nyberg had some outstanding shooting games for [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite'] and he should be ready for a big senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140693' first='Simon' last='Winkels'] (2027, [program_tooltip program_id='2078859' first='Starks' last='Elite']). Simon is a 6'6 forward that scored about six points a game for the Greyhounds a season ago. He's also the tallest player that we have written about in this article!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LaDainian Bowman (2026). Backcourt mate of Nyberg returns after scoring six/seven points a game last year as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Forest Lake </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560745' first='DJ' last='Westman'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075496' first='Grassroots' last='Sizzle']). DJ scored 16 points a game for the Rangers last year and he had a nice passing season for the Sizzle this year as well!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Dillard (2026). Jayden scored just under eight points per game last year as a junior and should be a key piece for Forest Lake in a year which we think they could take a nice step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adam Sorenson (2026). Adam scored seven points a game last year and is one of several Ranger seniors-to-be that have experience looking to have a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->