Section 4AAA: DeLaSalle Looks to Win State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Mahtomedi or Johnson end the insane Islander streak of state tournament trips? They are looking to make it 16 straight his year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Section Power Rankings</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DeLaSalle - Six of their eight players are back from the rotation that finished second in the state and they have more than enough talent between the up and coming youth,and what is returning, to make up for two players that moved on.  Is this the year the title goes back to the Island?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mahtomedi - With seven of the nine guys gone from the rotation, the Zephyrs have spots to fill.  That said, the returning players [player_tooltip player_id='2843078' first='Joey' last='Wright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140712' first='Willie' last='Roelofs'] are really good pieces to return and the Zephyrs develop well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Paul Johnson - Johnson is looking to get a trophy back in their trophy case: Central has won the last three St. Paul City Conference titles and Johnson hasn't been to state since 2015.  Is this the team that gets them a trophy?  They have five guys from the rotation back. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Columbia Heights - The Hylanders took a nice step forward last year and should take another step this winter led by [player_tooltip player_id='2140640' first='Jayvion' last='Gardner']. Jayvion scored 17 points a game as a junior and he is one of three double figure scorers returning. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hill-Murray.  I like the direction of this team right now.  They have a new coach that is respected, they have a really good frontcourt, and some young guard that have been good this spring.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Minneapolis Camden.  With four starters back and a lot of potential in those four, Camden has a chance to be really good if those pieces fit well to win games.  They won nine games last season, they have the potential to win at least 15. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St Anthony Village - While St. Anthony lost their top two players they only had three seniors last season so there will be an experienced group of players returning from a 14-11 team.  </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Minneapolis Edison - Edison won eight games last season although they were winless in league play in all twelve games. Played the right non conference schedule and went 8-5.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>North St. Paul.  The Polars didn't win a regular season game and then won their first playoff game last year!<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Preseason All Section 4AAA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2533408' first='Deon' last='Wallace-Johnson'] of DeLaSalle (Sr).&nbsp; A top ten player and prospect in the state, Deon does some of everything for his team and he does those things with the explosiveness of a D1 athlete.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140712' first='Willie' last='Roelofs'] of Mahtomedi (Sr).&nbsp; Willie had a great winter scoring 22 a game for the Zephyrs last year and we think he can have an all state level senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2557528' first='Ichima' last='Idoko'] of DeLaSalle (Jr).&nbsp; The top junior prospect in the state has the ability to do everything a small forward and a power forward can do for a team on either end.&nbsp; As he becomes more consistent he will become a more dominant player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2126102' first='Jaeden' last='Udean'] of DeLaSalle (Sr).&nbsp; One of the most explosive shooters anywhere, Udean can change a game quickly with his touch.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayvoin Gardner of Columbia Heights (Sr).&nbsp; The playmaking guard that scored 17 points a game last year is looking to lead his team to another big step forward this winter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2858361' first='John' last='Omoyeni'] of Hill-Murray (Sr).  Big John battled his way to a 16.3 point, 8.7 rebound season last year at 6'5 and he has been really good in 17u as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2559428' first='Taaj' last='Whitlock'] of DeLaSalle (Jr).&nbsp; A crafty, smart, skilled and hard working lead guard that can do things at both guard spots for the islanders.&nbsp; Started for the state's second best team in AAA last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colin Moore of St. Paul Johnson (Sr).&nbsp; The Governor starting point guard is back after scoring 11 points a game as a junior.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843078' first='Joey' last='Wright'] of Mahtomedi (Soph).&nbsp; Moved right in with a veteran team and did a great job in his role scoring six a night.&nbsp; His role will massively increase for 26-27.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2388674' first='Jonas' last='McCreary'] of DeLaSalle (Jr).&nbsp; McCreary looks a bit taller, stronger, and more explosive.&nbsp; At 6'6/6'7 as a wing, he is skilled as a three and we are now seeing him do big things physically.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2560501' first='Koa' last='Fuller'] of Hill-Murray (Jr).&nbsp; Koa is an active and versatile forward that can athletically do things at either forward spot.&nbsp; He scored 11.4 points a game last season and has the potential for a big junior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Third team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2879718' first='Omar' last='Ali'] of DeLaSalle (Sr). Ali is a center that I think is better than people realize.&nbsp; He is 6'9, strong and a really smart player.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trequan White of Minneapolis Camden (Sr).  This is a 6'5 or 6'6 long armed explosive forward with a lot of potential.  He scored 15 points a game last season and has the potential for a big senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2392217' first='David' last='Addai'] of St. Paul Johnson (Jr).&nbsp; Came off the bench last winter scoring five points a game but is having a good 16u season and should take a huge step forward as a junior.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Howard of St. Paul Johnson (Sr).&nbsp; Scored eight points a game last year as a junior and steps into a main starter role as a senior.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Damarcus Whitmore of Columbia Heights (Sr).&nbsp; Damarcus scored 11 points a game last year as a junior and makes a great backcourt pair with Gardner.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2411777' first='Lavon' last='Jordan'] of Minneapolis Camden (Sr). A point guard that averaged nearly five assists a game last season and 13.4 points a contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fourth Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2508258' first='Lamar' last='McBride'] of Minneapolis Camden (Soph).&nbsp; McBride is a strong 6'2 forward that averaged ten points and eight boards a game as a frosh.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2433721' first='Logan' last='Buck'] of St. Anthony (Sr).&nbsp; Scored nearly 14 points a game last year as a 6'3 forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2844517' first='Galen' last='Kamp'] of DeLaSalle (Jr).&nbsp; Kamp is scoring in a way for Fury Shepherd that is top five level point production at the 16u level in box score totals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nico Luitjens-Weatherspoon of Columbia Heights (Sr).&nbsp; Scored just under 11 a game last winter as a junior.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ian Page of St. Anthony (Sr).&nbsp; Page scored seven points a game and is the key returning backcourt player.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2887249' first='Brody' last='Schmidt'] of Hill-Murray (Soph).&nbsp; Brody has been really good for the Titans this 15u season and is the top returning Pioneer guard.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>4AAA Summary</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DeLaSalle has won their section the last 15 seasons.&nbsp; They have done this in a few different sections meaning other teams have had their chances….. Until De showed up in their section.&nbsp; Will things be different this year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doubtful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mahtomedi was deeper last season and while they will be good, they need a lot of depth to develop.&nbsp; Johnson might have their best chance to win their league in five years but last year's team likely had the better chance to beat De. Columbia Heights, Hill-Murray, and Camden all have good players to win games but beating De is another level entirely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->