Zy’Ierre is so fun to watch in the open floor, being one of the fastest and shiftiest players in the state. He can change direction in a flash and makes it look easy when blowing by his defenders. When he gets to the basket, he can convert on acrobatic finishes to avoid his shot from being altered. He was also flying around on the defensive end, jumping passing lanes for steals and deflections. The 6’1” guard missed some time this past winter with a hand injury, but is healthy now after helping Columbia Heights to an 18-7 record.

Zy’Ierre made the move to Columbia Heights for his senior year after some really productive seasons on state champion winning Totino-Grace teams. I saw him in a victory over St. Cloud Tech and I was most impressed with his shiftiness and ability to work around his defender. He was scoring from all over the floor and being disruptive on defense. He was jumping passing lanes for steals where he would then finish on the other end and was also going to work in isolation situations. This included some super tough stepback and fadeaway jumpers. Stewart leads the undefeated Hylanders in scoring at 22.3 points per game. 

Zy’Ierre was probably the quickest player I saw on Sunday and he was unstoppable when he got a full head of steam. He converted on numerous transition finishes and could just outrun defenders on his way to the basket. The 6’1” guard is one of the bounciest players in his class, as I saw him throw down a ridiculous poster dunk over an opponent. Stewart is also a very reliable ball handler and is in for a big senior season.

Zy’Ierre was almost unstoppable when attacking the basket in Minnesota Select’s first game of the weekend. He used his speed and shiftiness to make one move, to then blow right by his defender to get inside. He is never the tallest player on the floor, but is not scared to attack and absorb contact from larger opponents. Stewart is also very valuable to his team because of his ball handling and defensive presence.

Particularly in the championship game defenders had a hard time containing the explosive burst that Zy’Ierre has. He’s able to go 0-100 in the blink of an eye to blow by the initial defender, and even at his size he’s a threat to elevate and throw down a dunk over the top of a defender. Defensively he can be a pest on the ball with his lateral quickness, and has the ability to turn defense into offense with his ability to force turnovers and quickly get up the floor. Big weekend from the 2024 point guard.

Zy’Ierre impressed me both with scoring the ball, but also with his defensive presence and playmaking abilities. The junior guard was never the biggest player on the floor, but impacted the game in so many ways for his team. He came away with some important steals and was even able to show off his athleticism with a fast break dunk in the second half. Stewart had some other impressive finishes at the rim, rising up over larger defenders or relying on a floater further away from the basket. Zy’Ierre looks to have solidified himself as an important part of this Totino-Grace squad attempting to go back-to-back.

Zy’Ierre Stewart Zy’Ierre Stewart 6'1" | PG Totino-Grace | 2024 State MN is a six-foot point guard from Totino-Grace High School. Some players can get lost at times playing with high level talent but Stewart seems to rise to the occasion. At times during 2021-22 Stewart started on deeply loaded state championship team that featured D1 forward Ahjany Lee, guard Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino-Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN , guard Tommy Humprhies, Iowa State commit Demarion Watson, and forward Patrick Bath Patrick Bath 6'9" | C Totino-Grace | 2023 State MN . Stewart was excellent at setting the table and providing opportunities for his talented teammates. Fast forward to a summer on Grassroots Sizzle AAU team, and Stewart is showcasing further development, from scoring in multiple ways and rising up above the rim.