Twin Cities Takedown: Counce and Udean, an Elite Pair

[program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] went undefeated this weekend and [player_tooltip player_id='2126472' first='Owen' last='Counce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean'] put the state on notice.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Counce/Udean = Elite Pair</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] beat the Lightning 75-70, [program_tooltip program_id='2821775' first='Buffalo' last='Legacy'] 87-62, Fury Zurn 76-55, and Hoop Habits 77-72. And in every one of those wins over top ten level teams in Minnesota, the backcourt of [player_tooltip player_id='2126472' first='Owen' last='Counce'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean'] just out shot, out play-made, and out competed all of their opposing backcourts.   Counce was a big part of Osseo winning 22 games this winter scoring 14.6 points per game. Counce has always been a very good player but what we saw this weekend, it was different. Facing other guards listed as some of the best in the state, Owen had a quick step than many of his opponents. He had a quicker release in the small window of opportunity than many of his opponents. And Counce played with a different toughness than many of his opponents.   Counce opened the game against Hoop Habits with five quick threes, and then he transitioned into more of a distributor putting together seven assists. Counce totaled 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting. He also had a 14 point, six assist game to beat the Fury, and on Saturday Owen had 26 in the win over Buffalo. [player_tooltip player_id='2126472' first='Owen' last='Counce'] was the elite ball handler of the event.   And if Owen was the elite ball handler/creator of the event, [player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean'] was the elite shooter of the Twin Cities Takedown.   When you are defending Udean you know he is going to hit some shots behind the arc, you just hope its three or four, and not six or seven. No Minnesota team that faces Udean is "surprised" by what he can do, the trick is trying to defend him late in possessions, and trying to defend him high above the arc. Udean's range is so deep that trying to defend him for that long and covering that much space can be exhausting.   Twice this weekend Jaeden had three threes made before the other team had two baskets in the books. When you are down 9-0, 11-2, or 13-1 right away it can be demoralizing. Udean had 30 points hitting six threes to lead to the Fury win, and he scored 20 points making six of seven foul shots in the Hoop Habits win. His release is so quick that you can chase him perfectly and still the catch and shoot is something you can't bother.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2824358' first='Nicholas' last='Taylor'] is a Scholarship Prospect</h2>   Every summer I go through the Breakdown book submissions, I scan the rosters, and I will see names with good height that I look into. Finding a young outstate player at 6'7 that was all league happens more than people think. But when I go find the video often that player is really 6'5, or that player is really unathletic, or that player has a really hard time moving. NONE of those items described [player_tooltip player_id='2824358' first='Nicholas' last='Taylor'].   Taylor is actually 6'8, he's very agile, he plays super hard, is skilled, and he followed up a good sophomore year with a 24 point per game junior season for Lanesboro.   Now Taylor is with the Lightning and when college programs are storming.... lol yep I am proud of that one..... to the baselines to watch Taylor, you will know why. Taylor was defended both by a center at his size that he moved around, and a quicker wing that he moved with and scored over. Then you had the 15 rebound effort in the blowout win over All Wisconsin and you find the effort piece.   Nick Taylor is a potential D2 prospect, a serious NAIA prospect, and a D3 high level player that many schools will want to go see soon.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quick Hitters</h2>   Sticking with the Lightning, [player_tooltip player_id='2815371' first='Owen' last='Potts'] should be getting some strong looks pretty soon as well. You could likely call him a combo guard and I like that idea because Owen is 6'3 and skilled. Play him as a two and Potts can move in your offense to find space and create shots with that touch that was used to hit four threes in a game on Sunday. Play him at the one and he can use that playmaking and IQ to lead the team with a balanced attack. Sure, some players might be quicker so you play him off the ball if need be. Versatility to fit in most situations   [player_tooltip player_id='2841269' first='Niko' last='Steward'] of Minneapolis North scored 23 points as both the playmaker and the main scoring option leading Forward Thinking past MN Lace Up at 17u. Teammate Harrison Weisneth is the biggest human in Minnesota high school hoops. When you combine his 6'10 height with what has to be 270 pounds of strength, he's the biggest. And when I tell you 270 I don't mean King Kong Bundy, I mean Braun Strowman. If Weisneth puts in the time he has a chance to do a lot of things.   I was really impressed with the way [player_tooltip player_id='2569247' first='Jiech' last='Jiech'] (St. Cloud Tech) played for [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite']. He's in that third playmaking role for the blue and when he touched the ball he made the most of his chances. Scored twelve in the final game.   [player_tooltip player_id='2527105' first='Jameson' last='McCarthy'] of Southwest Christian has been tasked with being a full time paint worker for [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] and so far it sure looks like he is listening. McCarthy had 16 points and nine rebounds, and 13 points and seven boards in the other games playing a key role in the wins. If he keeps doing this actively in the paint he has scholarship opportunity because Jameson moves well at 6'7.   [player_tooltip player_id='2126450' first='Gavin' last='Walter'] of Hoop Habits, committed to Northern Iowa, saved his best for last this weekend scoring 22 points against [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite']. Walter's skill is what separates him and first you saw four threes made against [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] followed by basket attacks to get to the cup and/or the foul line.   Maple Grove needs some players to step up next winter and based on what we saw from [player_tooltip player_id='2402042' first='Akan' last='Berisso'] of the [program_tooltip program_id='2075310' first='Northstar' last='Titans'] he could be one of those guys. When it comes to players that got downhill this weekend Berisso was a regular. Good combination of strength, smarts, and quicks that led to 16 points and a win over the Heat.   [player_tooltip player_id='2491720' first='Alex' last='Stueven'] of HLWW and the [program_tooltip program_id='2075674' first='Minnesota' last='Heat'] PBB was certainly one of the toughest guards for teams to deal with. After using that strength to score 22.6 points per game this winter, the always balanced Ram Man of the Heat got deep to score regularly.   Six-foot-6/6'7 [player_tooltip player_id='2673170' first='Covin' last='Winter'] of Mankato Loyola is on my players to know for the Class A level list. And we are talking potential All State honors and a college prospect. He is really really two way good. Love the way he plays and competes

Gain Elite went undefeated this weekend and Owen Counce Owen Counce 5'11" | PG Osseo | 2027 State MN and Jaeden Udean Jaeden Udean 6'2" | SG De La Salle | 2027 State MN put the state on notice.