NHR Scout: St. Croix blows past D-G-F
It’s a meeting of two teams that are fairly opposite in terms of exposure. St. Croix Lutheran has rocked the metro all year, enjoying a historic season in Class AA. D-G-F is a small community east of Fargo, and this…
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Continue ReadingIt’s a meeting of two teams that are fairly opposite in terms of exposure. St. Croix Lutheran has rocked the metro all year, enjoying a historic season in Class AA. D-G-F is a small community east of Fargo, and this reporter has to admit that the geography is basically all he knows. Blake Kragnes comes in as their top scorer by far, putting up 20.2 PPG.
SCL races out quickly, building a double-digit lead within minutes. But DGF doesn’t back down, as they’ve got several guys who know how to score around the rim. The biggest thorn in DGF’s side is a crazy shooting performance from SCL’s Aage Rovney, as he cashed six from deep in the first half. Each hit got the SCL crowd rowdier and DGF more discouraged. He finished with 22 and SCL went into the break up 54-30. They shot 61.8% from the field.
SCL cooled a bit in the second half, shooting “only” 52.2%. They cruised in this one, converting fast breaks and just outrunning DGF. The lead increased to as much as 37 at one point, as the Crusaders ran DGF straight out of town.
Player Notes
Aage Rovney, SCL — Good lord, this senior came out HOT. He hit six straight threes in the first half to low past DGF. Quieted down after DGF went diamond-and-one on him, but his damage was undeniable. 22 for him in the first half, 29 in the second. Schools were certainly asking about him after this one.
Gunnar Payne, DGF — Undersized senior forward who has a nose for the hoop. Shows that you can make an impact with effort. 8 points in the first for him, 10 total.
Trenton Krueger, SCL — Duluth-bound senior who made a great first-half impact around the rim. He used a collection of old school post moves, hooks sand reverses to get his points. 13 points on 6-7 shooting in the first half. 19 points and 8 rebounds.
Ade Murkey, SCL — Senior wing looking to boost his stock. Again played a bit of point forward, bringing the ball up for SCL and charging into the lane at his own discretion. Nobody in this game (and maybe this whole class) can stick with his combination of size and speed. Scored 21 and shot 7-8 from the line as he drew a lot of contact.
Jamaris Johnson, SCL — I’m liking him more and more. He’s a great piece alongside Krueger down low, and he converted all four of his attempts under the hoop. Long frame and fearless… 11 pts.
Kyle Rothschadl, DGF — Tied with Kragnes for DGF’s leading scorer with 14. Shifty little guard with a quick release. Had a tough game turnover-wise, giving up four.
Blake Kragnes, DGF — 14 points for DGF’s leading scorer, Kragnes is a big body who uses his size very well. I like him as a D3 sleeper. He’s pretty strong and has finesse down low.