The Season Opener – Five Players To Watch

<p>Who are five players we will have our eyes on tomorrow night as the season tips off?  Here those names. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774750" first="Erick" last="Burgess"]</strong> of Cristo Rey Jesuit (6’4 Guard Sr).   Burgess is a top senior in Minnesota. He’s opening the season as the Pumas top player and he has a great chance to lead his team against a top ten Class AA squad from Blake.  I’ve always liked the versatility that Burgess brings to the court along with his physical attributes.  Burgess can do a lot for the team and I’m anxious to see how he plays as the now leader of the budding Cristo Rey squad. </p> <p><strong>Kortland Johnsen</strong> of Apple Valley (6’4 Wing Sr).  The Eagles take on a highly ranked Lakeville South team that is expected to win.  The Eagles will be pumped up as they come in the underdogs and can play loose.  Johnsen is a player that caught our eyes this summer and we think he could have a great senior year.  Johnsen, [player_tooltip player_id="774871" first="Noah" last="Friedt"], Dylan Omweno, Bobbie Jackson, and others will be up for the game, and we are anxious to see how they play!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774829" first="Cole" last="Hedman"]</strong> of Benson (6’0 PG Sr).   [player_tooltip player_id="774829" first="Cole" last="Hedman"] is a quality shooter and the leader of a very good Benson Braves team.  Benson is at BOLD tomorrow and considering that BOLD is replacing so much, Benson may be considered the favorite to win. Can they win?  If so, they will need Cole to lead the way in a big game.  Hedman scored 17 a game as a junior. </p> <p><strong>Osseo’s Juniors</strong>.  It’s tough to pick just one as there are so many.  In fact, the Orioles have five top five players in the junior class and eight players that are for sure top 100 players in the class, maybe eight that are top 75 level!  So how will the chemistry start fitting now that everybody is healthy and the now veteran talent is ready to make a run.  [player_tooltip player_id="850711" first="Joshua" last="Ola-Joseph"] and [player_tooltip player_id="850721" first="Benard" last="Omooria"] will lead the way but [player_tooltip player_id="958640" first="Tyriece" last="Waits"] and Donald Ferguson aren’t far behind.  Tomorrow they face Elk River and our eyes will be on how they fare against a up and coming team that Osseo is favorited to defeat.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="774858" first="Shane" last="Stevenson"]</strong> of Nicollet (6’6 Forward Sr).  They waste no time in Section 2A.  The first game of the season is a top ten battle between Nicollet and St. Clair.  St. Clair is an up and comer with a deep roster so the ball is now in the court of Stevenson.  Hulke has moved on to college and Stevenson is the main man for his team.  Tomorrow is Stevenson’s first chance to lead his team in a big game.</p>