Recruiting Report: Mitchell Stanchina (2019)
Northfield has played better than many expected this winter as a fringe top ten team in Class AAA. Why? Because of supporting players like junior Mitchell Stanchina.
Alex Rasmussen is a known name in the senior class and Mason Zick stepped up a year ago as a strong second option. Those two players had Minnesota expected a solid year from the Raiders.
But the support of Carter Hodapp, Mason Otterdahl, Blake Christensen, and Stanchina has the Raiders excited for the final chapters of their season.
“So far this season things have been going well for me and the team,” Mitchell said. “I think we play well together and we all have good chemistry.
“As for me things have been going well and I really contribute to the team with my scoring in the paint, high energy, and solid defense as well as being a leader for my teammates.
Stanchina, a 6-foot-5 junior forward, is the team’s third leading scorer. NHR has stats for 13 of the 20 Raiders games and in those 13 games, it shows that when Mitchell is in double figures, the team is undefeated.
“This year I’ve become much stronger and physical in the paint, Stanchina said. “My rebounding has also improved from previous years. I’ve also gained confidence in my game from playing at the varsity level since I was a freshman.”
The Raiders will be favored in four of the final six games they play. If things go as planned they should be a 20 win team overall (including playoff wins) and be the top challenger to Austin in Section 1AAA.
“There’s a lot of potential in this team and we all know that. We have the ability to go deep into sections and even state as long as we keep working and pushing each other in practice. As for the rest of the season we’re taking things one game at a time and trying to get better everyday.”
Mitchell played running back for Northfield this year at 185 pounds and helped them team to an undefeated regular season. He’s looking at both college football, and college basketball if the opportunity presents itself.
“I have had multiple schools approach me about football, but I’m open to play basketball at a collegiate level,” Mitchell said.