2027 Rankings Update: Class AAA New Names to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are adding junior names to the list in bulk as many players are making big impressions in their first extended chances at varsity basketball. Here is our first set of Class AAA New names to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2569253' first='Leo' last='Clifford'] of St. Paul Highland Park (6'2).&nbsp; Clifford had a great junior season scoring 20 points per game for the Scots and performing as one of the best players in the St. Paul City league.&nbsp; Watching his game tape, I really liked the intelligence of how he worked his way to getting balanced open jumpers.&nbsp; Off ball movement off the screen, using a quick dribble, hustling to beat defenders, etc.&nbsp; I also liked that Clifford played with some pop, some confidence to his game. He will pass the ball well and make some splash defensive plays.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3510466' first='Laviance' last='Gales'] of Minneapolis South (6'4). Gales gave the City Conference all season with his strength, toughness, and playing within his role, but playing that role very well. Averaged 11 points and was one of the top rebounders in the Minneapolis City Conference at 8.5 boards a game.&nbsp; Gales caused a lot of problems with his screens and his immovable position on the block/boards this year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2421555' first='Max' last='Hayes'] of St. Thomas Academy (6'2).&nbsp; Hayes can play both guard spots and after scoring 12.7 points a game this season he will be the key returning scorer for the Cadets. A player with quickness and the skills to playmake for himself or his teammates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Howard Jr. of St. Paul Johnson (6'2). The top scoring average among the Governor junior, Howard scored almost nine points a game and will step into a huge role next season as they have graduated a number of seniors.  AJ is the Johnson type of “get a bucket, lock in on full court pressure defense, create a turnover” type mentality that fits them so well. Can finish on either side of the rim and is one the better junior shooters from all over in the city. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140668' first='Michael' last='Kincaid'] of Princeton (6'0).&nbsp; Michael is in that category of players that can catch fire really quick and change the momentum of a game.&nbsp; Really good scoring touch and on a balanced unit he scored about a dozen a game. Will be the top returning Tiger scorer next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3559951' first='John' last='Omoyeni'] of Hill Murray (6'5).&nbsp; The Pioneers had a nice back end to the season winning seven of ten games before falling in the playoffs.&nbsp; Omoyeni's 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds a game was a big part of that working hard in the paint to outplay several Metro East opponents. Big John is more than that though.&nbsp; He is very quick off his feet with a huge wing span.&nbsp; More of a forward than a big but works hard enough and has the size/length to work against size.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2413138' first='Isaac' last='Sorenson'] of Byron (6'1). Sorenson gave his team just under a dozen points and about 5-6 rebounds a game this year playing the wing for the Bears.&nbsp; He's a strong, 195/200 football recruit that became a reliable basketball player for Byron this year as well.&nbsp; Top returning scorer for next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2826033' first='Pete' last='Tschetter'] of Stewartville (6'1).&nbsp; A really nice season for the high academic sometimes quarterback, sometimes point guard, always dependable second leading scorer of the Tigers.&nbsp; Stepped into the varsity and did a good amount of playmaking while scoring 11 plus points a game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->