#MNStateHoops21 – Class AAA Semis – Top Players

<p>The Class AAA State final is set: it’s Minnehaha Academy vs Alexandria. Who were today’s top performers in the semi-final games? Prep Hoops watched every minute to give you this group.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="774836" first="Lamar" last="Grayson"] of Richfield (6’1 Sr). [player_tooltip player_id="774836" first="Lamar" last="Grayson"] was clutch down the stretch when the ball came to him and he had the green light to go at the rim. Grayson hit two late pull-ups and all four late foul shots. Grayson scored a game high 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting ending a fantastic senior season that has many looking forward to what is next.   Grayson’s quickness into his move and the lift on his jumper have been so tough for people to stop all season.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="532574" first="Chet" last="Holmgren"] of Minnehaha Academy (7’0 Sr).   Chet was simply unstoppable around the basket. The Islanders never got a body in him to move him much when shots went up so Chet was an offensive rebounding constant. He hit a three, had a finger roll and another score in transition, but most of it was getting to the right spots for one foot production. Dominated with 25 points and 16 rebounds making 11 of 14 shots.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958679" first="Mitchell" last="January"] of Richfield (6’0 Jr). January might be the most undervalued guard in the state. He does so much for his team. He’s the main ball handler, Mitchell attacks to score highlighted by his 17 points including a couple gorgeous spin moves. January also chased down six boards and is the main creator. Even more impressive to me is the way he moves his feet and slows the fastest of guards (Kris Hoskins is a future Big Ten wideout, he’s quite fast).</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="855974" first="Kobe" last="Jenson"] of Alexandria (6’5 Sr). Arguably the team MVP today considering the way that Kobe covered up the Cardinal defensive rebounding troubles by blocking shots (5) and contesting many others. Jenson also scored a team high 15 points of 7 of 11 shooting 7 of 11 with most shots coming behind the defense on excellent passing.</p> <p>Mercy Miller of Minnehaha Academy (6’2 Fr). Mercy still has that baby face but he looks an inch or two bigger than that listed 6-foot-2 height. Rebounds the ball well for his size and continues to score with feet set or going at the rim to take a hit and compete. Had ten points.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="774753" first="Colton" last="Roderick"] of Alexandria (6’4 Sr). The continual improvements that Colton has made handling the basketball, beating opponents off the dribble, and creating attempts for others has me thinking he will contribute early in his Bemidji State career. Colton had seven assists and created about a dozen quality shots for others. Roderick didn’t have his normal perimeter shooting game but still scored 12 on 5 of 12 shooting. Don’t forget Colton had the game winning rebound and assist as well!</p> <p>Myles Sansted of Alexandria (6’1 Jr). Simply put, Myles is now an Alexandria hoops hero. He only played 10 minutes but Myles hit two of three foul shots down the stretch and then got open for the game winning three. Eight points in ten minutes, three clutch makes.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="850724" first="Donovan" last="Smith"] of Minnehaha Academy (5’10 Jr).   Gave the Redhawks more perimeter shooting hitting 3 of 7 threes on his way to 15 points plus Smith’s defensive activity led to four steals. This was a true “he’s returned” type of game as Smith made jumpers and disrupted defensively.</p> <p>Carter Stefensmeier of Alexandria (6’0 Jr). I loved Carter’s effort. All four of his scores were hustle buckets at the rim plus he made three of four foul shots for his 11 points. A couple steals, a couple deflections as well helping Alex make the last comeback. With Carter, Sansted, Kris Hoskins, and [player_tooltip player_id="850732" first="Erik" last="Hedstrom"] back next year, this team has a strong chance at being very good again next year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="962218" first="Nasir" last="Whitlock"] of DeLaSalle (6’0 Soph). The Islanders were blown out but the score wasn’t quite as bad as it could have been because in the second half Nasir was on the attack. He was constantly at the foul line (9 of 10 foul shooting) and had a team high 16 points. Just has a knack for buckets.</p>