The Prep Hoops Perspective: Hopkins 66 Minnehaha Academy 59
In the much anticipated showdown between the Hopkins Royals and Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, the Royals picked up a 66-59 victory. What was/Who were the difference makers? Prep Hoops offers our perspective. The Difference. Andy Stafford and Dane Zimmer each had…
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Continue ReadingIn the much anticipated showdown between the Hopkins Royals and Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, the Royals picked up a 66-59 victory. What was/Who were the difference makers? Prep Hoops offers our perspective.
The Difference. Andy Stafford and Dane Zimmer each had multiple scores cutting behind the defense 20-30 seconds into the possession and there was no Minnehaha Academy defender to be found. The Hopkins halfcourt offense broke down the Redhawks with ball movement and activity, and the deeper in the clock the Royals went the more ball watching Minnehaha Academy did. When Redhawks were ball watching, Royals were cutting and I would say between ZImmer and Stafford they had three scores behind the defense each. When you look at the score those twelve points make all the difference.
The Senior Stepping Up. One of the best senior upgrades game to game I’ve seen so far this year is from Andy Stafford of Hopkins, a Southwest Minnesota State signed wing. Stafford grabbed my attention with a deep stance plus a glare at his man that led me to believe he was going to move his feet and force Jalen Suggs into tough shots throughout the night. Teaming with the help defenders behind him, Stafford and the Royals limited the highly talented Suggs to 4 of 19 shooting from the field. Suggs was at the foul line 17 times as the Royals smashed him every chance they could get and Jalen made 15, but Stafford and the Royals sent their message clearly. Andy wasn’t just good defensively, he quickly put ten points on the board with those hard cutting scores catching and finishing plus he made a pretty floater in the first half. Stafford recorded 17 points on 8 of 17 shooting.
Chet Holmgren Backed his Lofty Ranking. This past summer Prep Hoops put Chet Holmgren of Minnehaha Academy in the national top 25 for the 2021 class and tonight Holmgren backed up that lofty ranking. His seven foot size, pterodactyl length, excellent feet, and quick bounce make for a very unique prospect that can move his feet around ball screens and contest everything. Holmgren missed a triple double tonight by one block. He recorded nine swats and Chet was the biggest reason that Arizona bound Zeke Nnaji was 6 of 18 from the field for the game. Back the other way Holmgren made eight of 12 field goals totaling 18 points mixing in basket cuts for dunks with touch shots both in the middle of the lane and on the perimeter.
The Silent Producers. Kerwin Walton doesn’t say much but his shooting stroke scored a team high 21 points including a dagger of a three and the late game foul shot clinchers. Everybody that stepped into the gym seemed to understand that Kerwin Walton is a shooter that must be located. Walton hit four treys and a few step backs totaling 7 of 14 shooting for the game. Inside, Minnesota State-Moorhead committed Dane Zimmer missed a double-double by one point. Zimmer grabbed 11 boards and made four shots (nine points) plus moved the ball for five assists. Speaking of assists, Jalen Dearring recorded seven assists and many of them came in the second half when the Redhawks defense seemed to tire (and when Jalen Suggs had four fouls).
A Rematch is Likely. I believe Minnehaha Academy and Hopkins will be favorites in their first two Augsburg holiday event games meaning they have a strong chance to win setting up a rematch. The highlight names of Jalen Suggs and Zeke Nnaji did not shoot the way they normally will (Jalen did make 15 of 17 foul shots, Zeke still had a double-double) so it will be fun to see what game two looks like (assuming it happens).