Section 5AA – Who are the best returning players?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We give you the best two returning players from each of the top dozen teams in a wide open Section 5AA (transfers not included, the best RETURNING players from each team). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2118459' first='Carson' last='McMichael'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select']). Carson is one of the best shooters in the senior class. He scored 18.6 points per game as a junior and is one of the top MIAC recruits out there. A big senior season is expected. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2416987' first='Aiden' last='Wilson'] (2026). Wilson is a quick and speedy guard that is best known for his defensive back work on the football field but this three sport athlete is the other returning starter for the basketball team. Scored nearly nine points a game as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muaath Muhamad (2026, Real Phenom). Mu is the top returning scorer at 10.6 points per game for the Mustangs plus he averaged four assists and three rebounds a game last season. Mu is coming off of an outstanding 17u season with Real Phenom as well and is a preseason All State talent in Class AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560864' first='JP' last='Musoke'] (2026, Hoop Habits). The 6'6 and versatile Musoke is a forward that averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game for a state tournament team last year. JP should be at the four spot this year and is looking at a big senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dassel-Cokato</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2399197' first='Judsen' last='Whittaker'] (2026). Judsen scored 13.5 points per game a season ago and is the top returning Charger player. The 6'2 wing had a couple explosive halves last year that really made people take notice including a 22 point second half to beat HLWW.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaleb Kraemer (2027). A football and basketball standout for DC, Kaleb was in that 5th starter/6th Man area last season and is the second leading returning scorer. He is a 5'10 guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hiawatha Collegiate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2404942' first='King' last='James'] (2027, Team GA). James averaged 16.5 points and 14.3 rebounds per game last year as a sophomore and now he is the go-to player for this team. James had an all state level 16u season and is one of the most explosive players in the state of Minnesota. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myshawn Washington (2027). Washington is the top returning guard scorer for the Wolves. He averaged just under six points per game as a sophomore and steps into a much bigger role with two backcourt starters graduating. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Holy Family</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1213758' first='Andrew' last='Coleman'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select']). I think Coleman is on the verge of a big senior year. He averaged 12 points and six rebounds last year earning all league honors and with [player_tooltip player_id='1560786' first='Lexyn' last='Grof'] now around to score from the perimeter it will open the floor for more Coleman opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140617' first='Geno' last='Ward'] (2027, [program_tooltip program_id='2075672' first='Minnesota' last='Fury'] Goring). Ward led the team in assists and scored 10.4 points per game as a sophomore. Ward had a really good 16u season and should be in a great spot as the playmaker with Grof on the wing scoring, and Coleman and Carson Kuchbecker back up front. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2491720' first='Alex' last='Stueven'] (2027). Stueven is an absolute worker. He defends hard, attacks, boards and does this as a 6'1 wing. He averaged 7.8 points and 6.5 rebounds as a freshman, and then led the team with 17.5 points and around eight boards a game as a sophomore. Relentless worker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843337' first='Hunter' last='Bush'] (2028). A three sport athlete that scored nine points a game as a freshman and then moved to track, and then moved to football where he is a quarterback. Another hard worker at 6'1 that is a very good two way players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560806' first='Mitchell' last='Schmidt'] (2026, Minnesota Swish). Here is another player that I think could have a huge senior season. A key player for the Swish that played a role, the 6'2 active forward averaged 15.6 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block a game shooting 60 percent from the floor and he made 46 percent of his threes! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graham Helgerson (2026). Graham is the other player returning from the Jordan top six. Graham scored 6/7 points a game as a 6'1 guard and he is the top returning backcourt player for the Hubmen. Graham is also the quarterback off the football team that is being recruited at a couple levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maranatha Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daijior McCrimmon (2026). A really good football player that is the top returning hooper from last year's rotation. Daijior averaged 14 points a game last season making 40 Percent of the 6-7 threes he took per game last season and 48 percent of his attempts overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2691123' first='Eli' last='Ahrends'] (2026). A 6'5 forward that gave MCA ten points and eight rebounds a game last season on average. Eli made half of his field goal attempts a season ago and he is one of four starters returning. When you add Marshall to the four returning starters, I think it's time to start thinking about the season that the team of Al Harris could have in terms of being a top ten team, at least. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minneapolis North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2486899' first='J'Marion' last='Sanders'] (2026). Sanders is the top returning scorer/player for the Polars as a 5'10 guard that scored 17 points a game last year. He is the leader of this team but right now he is focused on a football season as he's one of the state's better wideouts. Sanders has a UST football offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2388631' first='Cordae' last='Williams'] (2026). Another top returning Polar hooper that is a college football prospect and a really good North football player. Williams scored 10.5 points per game last season as the team's third leading scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southwest Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2845973' first='Jack' last='Burke'] (2026, [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select'] Mantey). Burke scored ten points a game for the Stars last season and is the top returning player. Burke had a really good year for the Stars and really made himself known as a high quality shooter for Select Mantey this 17u season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2447536' first='Jed' last='Streed'] (2026, Minnesota Swish). Streed drew high remarks from all the PH scouts this 17u season. Streed is a long and skilled forward that moves well and has a chance to really blossom as a senior. Scored almost eight points a game last season and Jed's agility and versatility will allow his team to play him with Burke and [player_tooltip player_id='2860672' first='Jameson' last='McCarthy'] with [player_tooltip player_id='1560799' first='Adam' last='Dye'] supporting them. If the Stars have a backcourt playmaker step up they can be quite dangerous. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2715225' first='Ethan' last='Robran'] (2027, Minnesota Crossfire). Ethan just had a nice showcase event at the Expo showing off a smooth skilled game as a 6'5 forward. Ethan is a near 4.0 grade point average student that plays three sports and is the top returning scorer for Rockford at 8.6 points per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mason Mooney (2026). Mason is the top returning guard for Rockford, he scored six points per game and is a shooting threat they will need even more from this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Watertown-Mayer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560776' first='Isaac' last='Ostlie'] (2026, Minnesota Swish). Isaac scored 14 points per game last season and is a player that I think could have a huge senior season. He was a role scorer for the Swish and the top option for the Royals a year ago. A player that has the strength to score around the rim and the skills to score on the wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560772' first='Micah' last='Schmidt'] (2026, Minnesota Swish). A 6'3 195 pound wing that scored 11 points a game and was an 82 percent foul shooter as well as a key shooter for the Swish. Ostlie and Schmidt are double figure returning scorers and the Royals should have solid expectations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->