Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic Standouts

Seven prospects who impressed in the four games I watched at the Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic!    The 6'3 guard has been one of the most entertaining players in the state this season. He helped lead Johnson to a tough win over Irondale, making plays on both ends of the floor. Jermaine showcased his explosiveness with a transition dunk over a 6'9 defender as well as a backdoor alley-oop dunk. He added in a handful of pull-up jumpers to bolster his scoring total. Defensively he's tough as nails on the ball, and his pressure helped force a few turnovers throughout the game. Having an impressive start to his senior year.     Donte was unstoppable down the stretch in a win for South St. Paul. Coming up against a ranked Holy Family squad, defenders just didn't have an answer for his blend of length and athleticism. He got to the rim for some acrobatic finishes, showing good body control to hang in the air and score against the Holy Family size. Can lull his defender to sleep and then explode by off the dribble to get into the lane. Donte finished the game with 37 points including some clutch buckets late in the overtime win.     Friday night was the best I've seen Jaeden play in the past calendar year. DeLaSalle was without three of their key players, and Jaeden stepped up to lead them past Alexandria. He started off hot in the first half draining a handful of his signature deep threes. Udean has such a quick release with the ability to shoot off the catch or dribble, making him so tough to stop when his shot is falling. He also showed improved shot selection, not forcing as much from outside and instead working to get some good looks at the basket. Showed more intensity defensively than I had seen in the past as well.     He may not have the flashiest game, but Kenny Turner simply produces. Against an Irondale frontcourt that featured 6'7 and 6'9 forwards, Turner's effort on the glass was huge. He was battling for good position to secure a number of offensive boards, and used his strong frame to power his way right back up for two points on a handful of occasions. Just seemed to be in the right spots at the right times to make plays around the basket. Kenny did a nice job of holding his ground to prevent deep post position on the defensive end, and capped off the win with a transition dunk.     More of a long-term prospect than someone who would be looked at to produce early this season for DeLaSalle, Jonas stepped up when his number was called against Alexandria. DeLaSalle was missing some key players, so Jonas played big minutes throughout the game, and his off-ball movement was key. Jonas was constantly finding pockets of space off the ball, and when his teammates found him he wasn't missing. McCreary converted on a handful of tough looks around the basket, and also knocked down a three in the first half. High ceiling prospect with his blend of length, skill, and athleticism at 6'6.     Despite the loss against St. Paul Johnson, Cameron had a monster game. The Irondale big man stretched the floor for a handful of threes, and was dominant as a shot blocker. Defensively he sent shot after shot right back to the sender, and also did a nice job of moving his feet out on the perimeter against smaller players. On the offensive end he proved a threat to score with his back to the basket or out of the pick & pop. Really impressed with his ability to catch and shoot off the move at 6'8-6'9.     Sincere was dropping dimes in a win for South St. Paul against Holy Family. The senior point guard was constantly scanning the floor for an open man, and did a nice job of getting two feet in the paint and forcing the defense to collapse on him. Sincere finished the game with 9 assists, and created countless other scoring opportunities for his team with his ball movement. Also added in a handful of finishes inside, doing a nice job of playing off two feet to finish through contact.

Seven prospects who impressed in the four games I watched at the Concordia St. Paul Holiday Classic!