Max's Weekend Top Performers

Eight of the top prospects I saw compete over four games on Saturday! I saw Annandale defeat Breck, Delano fend off BSM, Caledonia pull off the comeback against Totino-Grace, and Minnehaha Academy beat Twin Cities Academy. [player_tooltip player_id="1284231" first="Will" last="Strandemo"] (5’11 2024 PG, Delano)- His pull-up jumper wasn’t falling like it usually does, but Will made some adjustments throughout the game and just found ways to contribute. In the first half instead of using his shiftiness to create separation for his jumper, he started using it to get into spaces and force a help defender over before kicking it out to a wide open shooter. Then he started utilizing a quick hesitation move to blow by his man and get to the rim for some tough finishes with either hand. His mid-range finally started falling in the second half, and despite missing time in foul trouble he still scored a game high 19 points in a win. One of the quickest underclassmen you’ll find in the state, and he utilizes that quickness on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id="958756" first="Trent" last="Techam"] (5’10 2022 PG, Delano)- In a resume building win over BSM, [player_tooltip player_id="958756" first="Trent" last="Techam"] was in control off the ball all game long. With [player_tooltip player_id="1284231" first="Will" last="Strandemo"] battling some foul trouble, Trent was the go-to ball handler late, and he handled it well under pressure, forcing BSM to foul because he wasn’t turning it over late. His calm presence on the ball ultimately helped his team hold on to their lead. Throughout the game he was using his quickness to get into openings off the ball, and knocked down his threes at a high percentage. Added in a few slashing finishes at the rim on his way to 18 points. Techam also showed he can facilitate, getting into the paint and kicking it out to hit his open shooters on multiple occasions. [player_tooltip player_id="796949" first="Ryan" last="Warren"] (6’3 2022 SG, Benilde-St. Margaret’s)- BSM couldn’t seem to get much going in the first half against Delano, and it was [player_tooltip player_id="796949" first="Ryan" last="Warren"] making big plays to keep them close after the slow start. The lefty guard showcased a smooth release on his shot, knocking down multiple threes off the dribble, while also being able to attack the basket and extend using his length to finish. He’s tough to guard with the ball in his hands because of his ability to score at all three levels, and against Delano he also flashed some passing vision once he got into the lane. Defensively he’s able to block shots as a guard, and isn’t afraid to step in and take a charge. Scored a team high 17 points. [player_tooltip player_id="1225624" first="Thane" last="Meiners"] (5’11 2022 G, Caledonia)- Thane just makes big plays on both ends for this Caledonia team. Against Totino-Grace, he drew a five second call as well as a charge late in the second half that gave his team huge boosts of momentum in their comeback effort. It’s that type of scrappy defense that helps this team win big games time after time. Offensively he was a threat from beyond the arc, and despite being smaller than anyone on Totino-Grace, he showed he’s not afraid to get to the rim and finish as well. Big time performance from the senior. [player_tooltip player_id="958762" first="Carson" last="Gagnon"] (5’8 2022 G, Annandale)- Carson started off the game slow, hitting a pair of threes in the first half, with one of them in the closing seconds. Something clicked over that halftime break though, as he came back and immediately drained five shots from range within the first 5-6 minutes of the second half. He was the smallest player on the floor, but made a huge impact in taking a 4 point halftime lead and turning it into a 28 point win. So quick off the ball to get to his spots and always has his hands ready to catch and shoot. Carson looked comfortable getting a shot up over some length as well, and once he got into a rhythm he was tough to stop. [player_tooltip player_id="850702" first="Prince" last="Aligbe"] (6’7 2022 F, Minnehaha Academy)- Prince was simply unstoppable in the paint on Saturday night, scoring all 34 of his points in the paint in a win over Twin Cities Academy. The Boston College commit was just too strong attacking the basket, often times catching at the elbow, facing up, and taking one strong dribble to get to the rim. Once there he was able to elevate over the top of the smaller defense to score with touch, or with a few dunks. Did a really good job of playing off of two feet to go up balanced even with defenders swarming around him. [player_tooltip player_id="958730" first="Carrington" last="McNeal"] (6’2 2022 G, Twin Cities Academy)- Carrington was hitting tough shot after tough shot to keep TCA right in it until the end with Minnehaha. He has a shifty handle to create space off the dribble, and was able to elevate to knock down some tough pull-up jumpers with a hand right in his face. A tough shot maker with the ability to score at all three levels, Carrington is having a big senior year. Defensively he’s not afraid to pick up full court on his own, applies heavy ball pressure, and is great at jumping passing lanes to get out in transition. [player_tooltip player_id="958693" first="Carmello" last="McNeal"] (6’2 2022 G, Twin Cities Academy)- Carmello may not have scored as much as his twin on Saturday night, but he just made so many plays defensively. Not many players in the state hustle as much as these twins do, and Carmello was evidence of that as he was diving on the floor for loose balls, and constantly pressuring opposing ball handlers to force a handful of turnovers throughout the game. Offensively he’s a tough finisher through contact, and has some explosiveness around the rim. Having a big senior season averaging 21.9 ppg for TCA.