NHR Senior All State
First Team Amir Coffey (Hopkins). Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball winner led his team to a state title with a 31-1 record scoring 19 points a game shooting 64 percent from the field and 67 percent from the foul line. Also gave…
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Continue ReadingFirst Team
Amir Coffey (Hopkins). Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball winner led his team to a state title with a 31-1 record scoring 19 points a game shooting 64 percent from the field and 67 percent from the foul line. Also gave the Royals 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and a couple steals a night. His state tournament performance scoring inside against Lakeville North and in the semi-final limiting Gary Trent Jr to a low field goal performance were key items in Coffey earning Player of the year awards this winter.
Michael Hurt (Rochester JM). At 19.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. The future Gopher had five triple doubles this year plus he shot 56 percent from the floor, 75 percent at the foul line, and 43.2 percent at the arc. The JM Rockets finished the year 24-5 and Hurt was also the team leader in steals plus blocked 65 shots this season. He was also the best defender on the squad so he excelled in several roles.
Steffon Mitchell (Shakopee). Mitchell wasn’t able to lead his team to state for the third straight year but he did push them to 22 wins averaging 24.9 points. 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 3.3 assists a contest. Mitchell at tomes led the team at point guard, played on the wing, and controlled the paint. Scored a season high 37 against Lakeville South and 36 against Woodbury.
Ade Murkey (St. Croix Lutheran). Ade led the Crusaders to state twice (they had been there only one other time, 2012) plus they beat DeLaSalle for the first time ever. Ade averaged 21.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and he tied with Aage Rovney for the team lead in assists. Shot 61 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from the arc on 43 treys, and 75 percent at the foul line. The Crusaders lost just five games in two years with Ade as an upperclassmen.
Tyler Johnson (Mpls North). Johnson led the Polars to a state title and with what he’s done in all sports at North has led him to being the biggest figurehead in pushing North forward after a tough time school wise years back (they were about to close because of enrollment). Tyler scored a team high 15 points per game for the Polars while also leading the squad in rebounding, steals, and blocks plus he was second in assists.
Second Team
Chris Olson (Braham). Led the Bombers to the state championship at the Class AA level averaged just over 22 points a contest on a team that had five games average in double figures. Olson’s Bombers won 31 games this season and beat teams by an average of 37 points a game. Olson led the way in the state tournament earning Class AA state MVP honors.
Travis Toivonen (Red Wing). The Wingers finished 29-3 on the season led by the 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game which were all team highs plus Travis led the team in blocks and steals as well. Travis had nearly a 3 to 1 assist to turnover ratio plus shot 58 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the foul line. Travis will play football at North Dakota next year.
Vinnie Shahid (Hopkins). Maybe one of the most overlooked players out there Shahid’s control of the game on both ends at state was essential to the Royals bringing home gold again. He followed in the line of Siyani Chambers, Kamali Chambers, and Marcus Williams as tough lead guards leading Ken Novak’s charge. Shahid averaged 15.2 points and three assists a night shooting 51 percent from the arc and 85 perfencet from the foul line.
Nick Dufault (Waseca). Took the Bluejays to state for the first time in 14 seasons in one of the most amazing games of all time when Waseca beat Marshall after several buzzer beaters. Nick scored 41 points in that game and averaged 24.3 points a game shooting 50 percent from the floor for the year despite much defensive attention, 50 percent at the arc on 192 attempts, and 86 percent from the foul line.
Nate Albers (Mounds View). The Mustangs were 22-7 on the season and the explosive scoring of Nate Albers became the people had to just get out and see. Averaged 24.8 for the year and went over 30 points six times with a high of 40 that was second against East Ridge. Low for the season was 14 points which is the highest “low” of anyone on this list.
Third Team
Johnny Beeninga (Wayzata). The Trojan lead guard guided his team to 21 victories with 15.2 points and five assists a game saving his best performances for some of the best guards on this list including 18/7 in a win over Tonka, 24/6 in a win over Minneapolis North, and 23/6 in a win over Hopkins,
Allen Anderson (Osseo). The Oriole leader led his team to a 30-2 season with 11.1 points, 4.1 assists, and a couple steals per contest. Showed off his three point stroke at the state tournament against Lakeville North as he shot 36 percent from the arc for the year. Had a 1.57 to one assist to turnover ratio and shot 43 percent overall for the year (65 percent at the foul line).
Cameron Kirksey (Apple Valley). Put up 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and two blocks a game shooting 50 percent from the arc on 40 treys and 60 percent overall from the field. Played a key defensive role as well for the Eagles who took third place in state and finished 30-2 on the season.
Carter Brooks (Lakeville North). Brooks was the do everything senior for the Panthers averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds a game working to slow down opposing team’s top scorers and producing 55 percent from the field each night. Brooks was a key figure in the Panthers returning to the state title game for the third time in five years and he did whatever he was asked to with full effort.
Amar Miller (Minnetonka). Miller gave the Skippers 23.1 points and 6.5 assists per contest. Had a season high 36 points in his last game (first round section loss to EP) and his Tonka squad finished 14-11.
Fourth Team
Brock Bertram (Apple Valley). The Eagles center gave his team 13 points and 9.8 rebounds a game putting up around double-figure numbers for the fourth straight year shooting an outstanding 65 percent from the floor on the eight shots he took a game.
Pat Dembley (Mpls North). Produced a dozen points a contest for the state champions while also leading them in assists at just under five a game. Dembley had a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio and shot 35 percent at the arc this year.
Melvin Newbern Jr (Cooper). Helped the Hawks have a turn around season that included 18 wins, a playoff upset of Wayzata, and they gave Hopkins a run for their money in the section final. Newbern put up 20.1 points and just over nine boards a game.
Matt Keller (Elk River). Keller knocked out 23 points a contest with three assists a game for the Elks who went 23-6 which was a much better mark than many expected. Keller was the driving force behind that team improving greatly as a scorer
Trenton Krueger (St. Croix Lutheran). Teamed with Murkey to push the Crusaders to state twice and lose just five games in two seasons. Put up 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds a game shooting 70 percent from the floor for the season.
Fifth Team
Jack Stensgard (Simley). Put up 27.7 points a game for a .500 team that made the state tournament with Jack leading in scoring, assists (4 per), boards (6 per), steals (3 per), blocks (2 per), and everything in between. Led the metro in scoring.
Reed Nikko (Maple Grove). The Mizzou signed big averaged 10.5 points per game shooting 61 percent from the floor on his 6-7 shots a game. Also put up 6.9 rebounds and just over three blocks a contest.
Taylor Slagter (Central MN Christian). With 17.4 points and 6.3 rebounds on a balanced team Taylor led the Bluejays to 28 wins out of 32 shooting 54 percent from the floor (37 percent at the arc) as a 6-foot-2 guard.
Demario Armstrong (Osseo). Put up a dozen points per game while leading the team in steals, was second in assists, and his biggest impact was likely what he did defensively against some of the state’s best scorers.
Ben Scherer (Blaine). Led the Bengals to 19 wins and the state tournament putting up 15.6 points and 7.9 rebounds a night. The UMD signed big shot 63 percent from the floor this year and continues to progress down low.
Julian Jackson (Mpls Henry). Throwback post up 21.3 points and over eight rebounds a night often at times proving unstoppable once he touched the ball on the block. Led Henry to 20 wins this year and is also one of the best students on this list.
Sixth Team
Cole Dahl (Northern Freeze). Dahl led his team to the section title game with 20.2 points and eight boards a night. The small forward had to play often in the post for his team but was still able to lead them to a strong season.
Xavier Johnson (Hopkins). The Royal guard scored 14 points a game including an explosive 43.5 percent shooting at the arc this year. Missed only three free throws all season and his early attack against Apple Valley at state was a confidence producing stretch.
Tessy Pal (Fridley). Averaged a healthy 16.4 points and 11.3 rebounds a game for a Fridley team that went to state. Pal shot 56 percent from the floor this season and led his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, and blocks.
Kent Hanson (SPA). Before becoming injured Kent was having an excellent season with 18 points and eight rebounds a night but then he hurt his back and missed the final portion of the season.
Jamil Jackson (Mpls North). Scored 13.5 points with 5.9 rebounds a contest (both were second on the team). He shot 48 percent from the floor, 20 percent from the arc, and 68 percent from the foul line.
Bodey Behrends (JCC). Averaged 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks plus had an outstanding state tournament. Bodey had teammates with more scoring numbers but his numbers and defensive value was huge.
Seventh Team
Jaxson Turner (Esko). Was the ball handler for Esko for four straight seasons and in that time he won a state title and played in four state tournaments. This year Turner averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, two steals, and 4.4 assists a game which were all team highs.
Kyle Birr (Albany). Scored 21.9 points a game with 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds for a 21 win team that was a game away from the state tournament. The team’s win over Melrose ended a back to back opportunity.
Sam Baker (BSM). Gave the Red Knights 17.7 points per contest and 17-9 record overall with the biggest win being an upset over DeLaSalle midway through the season.
Samm Jones (DeLaSalle). The Islander senior leader scored nine points a contest with five rebounds and five assists a contest earning yet another state title for his school and a medal for the bedroom.
Adreon Wadlington (North St. Paul). Was the key figure for the Polar senior class turning a 6-21 season into a 24-6 year. Led the team in scoring (12.2 points) while also being a top defender as well.
Brady Kuckinka (Lake City). The Tiger leader scored 20.6 points per game with three assists a night and 6.7 rebounds on average. His team won 24 games.
Eighth Team
Seth Coatta (Minnetonka). NDSU signed shooter averaged 16.5 points per game and shot 45 percent from the arc (47.7 percent for his varsity career).
Luke Harris (Northfield). Put up 17.4 points a contest for the 18 win Raiders. The future UMD talent continues to show a stroke from deep and an explosive finish in transition.
Eli Cave (BSM). Put up 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds a contest improving once again in rapid fashion. A steal for St. Mary’s.
Sam Sustacek (Orono). With 14.8 points and 9.7 rebounds a game Sam led the Spartans to a 19-9 record facing a difficult schedule.
Will Moreton (Edina). Had an excellent season as a wing scorer putting up 20.3 points per game with 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists a night.
Ethan Novacinski (Apollo). Scored 18 points a game and battled every night for an Apollo team that played way better than the talent on their roster and Ethan led with effort.
Braxton Raymond (Kasson-Mantorville). Braxton put up 23.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game for a .500 club this winter and he leaves the school’s all time leading scorer.
Jack Jenson (SW Christian). Scored 26.8 points per game which was good for the second best total in the metro.