The Race for Mr. Basketball
The first games of the 2015-16 season will be played this Thursday and we noticed that Final Five Mr. Basketball candidate Dalante Peyton is playing with SPA and St. Croix Prep so I figured, time to get “The Race for…
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Continue ReadingThe first games of the 2015-16 season will be played this Thursday and we noticed that Final Five Mr. Basketball candidate Dalante Peyton is playing with SPA and St. Croix Prep so I figured, time to get “The Race for Mr. Basketball” started up again. So without any more wait, let’s get the season started!
The Leaders
Steffon Mitchell, Shakopee. I throw Steffon out there first for a reason, if there was a Junior Mr. Basketball he would have won it. Why? He’s taken his team to third place in state the last two years and was the man leading the team as a sophomore and junior. Steffon is coming off a 24.8 point and 8.8 rebound per game season and he’s motivated to show the state he is the best, and to show colleges he is a high major player. Steffon will be in this to the end.
Amir Coffey, Hopkins. Amir was injured last year. Missed all but two games. Had he not been injured he would be the overwhelming favorite for this award, and many think he still is. Coffey is a top 40 recruit nationally and we in Minnesota hope that the people that pick athletes for the McDonald’s All American game keep an eye on Coffey despite his missing of his junior year and his final Grassroots season. Coffey’s team is one of the favorites to win state and he will be the center of attention this season.
Michael Hurt, Rochester JM. Like Steffon, Michael has had fantastic sophomore and junior years, plus like Steffon, Michael was a key contributor as a frosh. Three years of success, Michael put up 21.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game last year and is ranked in everybody’s top 200 nationally. Hurt is what all high school coaches dream of, a hard working, skilled, high academic, respectful young man that always competes at a high level playing on both sides of the ball.
What is the difference between Steffon and Michael? Steffon has taken his team to state twice and is 4-2 at state, while Hurt and the Rockets have lost to Lakeville North in the section final. That’s it.
Michael can argue that Shakopee’s section hasn’t been as tough, and Michael would be correct. That said, Shakopee beat Lakeville North. Things could change this year though, JM has the talent to beat North, and Shakopee’s section is much tougher this year. Don’t forget, Shakopee and John Marshall go head to head at the Tip Off Classic this year and that’s a match-up you don’t want to miss.
Bottom line, our leader group is fantastic and this will be an exciting race to the finish.
Final Five Potential
Brock Bertram, Apple Valley. As a freshman Brock averaged 11 and 8 each game and that has climbed each year including last year’s 14 and 10. Brock has started for two state champions and is working for a third. He’s had much team success and has been consistent since day one. What takes away from his individual award hype is that he has been playing with some of the best in the nation (Tyus, Gary, and Tre).
Tyler Johnson, Mpls North. No, Johnson has not been able to take his team to state yet. That said, if he does, he has a chance to be on this final group. North is the heavy favorite to win Class A after falling in the section final the last two years and if they do Johnson will be the leader and the man considered.
Amar Miller, Minnetonka. Like Johnson, Miller’s team hasn’t had the post season success he’s wanted and last year’s section first round loss to Minneapolis South still stings. That said, Amar’s numbers for the past three years have been massive including two all league years in the Lake. To make the final five he will need to have a good team year but the numbers of the previous years puts him here.
Reed Nikko, Maple Grove. The Crimson are going to make a run at state this year. Nikko is a Mizzou bound talent and although his numbers as a junior weren’t huge, he has a chance this season to put up about 14/11/5 playing with a lot of talent around him. He does that and they make the run expected, Nikko will be looked at hard for that final five we would guess.
Worthy of Mention
Tyler Peterson, Centennial. If the Cougars can surpass what they did last year and Tyler has even better numbers, he will move right up.
Seth Coatta, Minnetonka. The best shooter in the state, Coatta could put up massive numbers if he gets the attempts to do so. Lots of backcourt talent there though so shots are spread around.
Cole Dahl, Northern Freeze. His numbers are massive. Cole will have the numbers. If they get to state, they will likely look close.
Dalante Peyton, St. Paul Academy. Peyton will be in year five of leading the Spartans plus he’s taken them to state as a sophomore. If they get back, he will be in contention.
Johnny Beeninga, Wayzata. Johnny has an outside shot as I believe Wayzata will lose very few games and he will be the leading scorer and distributor. Has had a nice career as well.
Luke Harris, Northfield. What does a guy need to make the list? Team success, Luke’s team was much improved last year. Numbers, Harris had 18 and 10 as a junior. Wins, Northfield moved down to AAA and has a great chance to make state. Highlights, Harris will have about 30 dunks this year to pick from.
Samm Jones, DeLaSalle. When you are the graduating senior leader and you have a state title every season you were in the program, you have a shot.
Ade Lamu, St. Croix Lutheran. If the Crusaders have a similar year to last, or if they win it, one of the two seniors (Ade and Trenton) could be there. We go with Ade as he will bring make flare to catch the eye of the public. He and Trenton have fairly equal production all around though.