Minnesota Week In Review: Week 8
High school basketball in Minnesota has reached the halfway point of the season, and the action was as exciting as ever last week. Metro area powers faced off in competitive games, and multiple school scoring records were broken with some…
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Continue ReadingHigh school basketball in Minnesota has reached the halfway point of the season, and the action was as exciting as ever last week. Metro area powers faced off in competitive games, and multiple school scoring records were broken with some explosive performances. Find out which teams pulled off important wins, and which players performed well in the Twin Cities Week In Review.
Players of the Week
J’Vonne Hadley (6’6 2020 G, Mahtomedi)- Records are meant to be broken, and that’s exactly what J’Vonne Hadley did last week as he exploded for 48 points in Mahtomedi’s win over Hastings. A lot of Division One coaches are starting to take notice in Hadley, and the scoring ability he had on display that night is a big reason why. But the fun wasn’t over yet as J’Vonne continued his hot scoring week by dropping 40 points in another win, this time against Hill-Murray. With coaches from Minnesota in attendance at that game, he made sure to impress the home town school with another big night. The big junior season continued for J’Vonne Hadley last week, and he continues to raise his stock as a prospect.
Cole Nicholson (6’6 2019 F, Chaska)- Speaking of school records, Northern Colorado commit Cole Nicholson had some magic up his sleeve as well last week, putting in a dominating performance of 51 points in a win over Robbinsdale Cooper on Tuesday. Not only was the 51 points an astonishing feat as an individual, but it also helped Chaska pull off the 82-69 win that might not have happened had it not been for Cole dominating. On Thursday Cole added 26 points to his weekly scoring total, helping Chaska to another win by a margin of 65-52 over Bloomington Kennedy. Cole is a physically strong player who was able to dominate inside all week, taking high percentage looks and finding success in finishing at the rim. He has Chaska at 9-4, and has been playing phenomenal all season long as a senior leader.
Eli Campbell (6′ 2019 PG, Minneapolis North)- Eli is one of he better unsigned guards in the state’s 2019 class, and he put his talent on display in three games last week. He started off by scoring 23 points in a win over Minneapolis Edison on Tuesday, and followed that up in a win over Minneapolis Roosevelt by scoring 13 points. Minneapolis North traveled to La Crosse on Saturday to take on a loaded Martin Luther (WI) squad, where Eli competed well and scored 21 points. Eli is lightning quick and can use that agility to get in the lane where he can finish with a soft floater or dish out a pass to an open teammate at the rim. He is also becoming increasingly dangerous from beyond the arc, knocking down deep threes with ease to increase his versatility on offense, and that has allowed him to find success scoring the ball this season.
Jeremy Beckler (6’8 2019 F, White Bear Lake)- Recently committed to Carleton, the 6’8 big man from White Bear Lake helped his team continue their hot streak with two more wins last week. WBL took on Roseville on Tuesday, where Jeremy went to work in the post and finished the night scoring 25 points. That success translated to Friday against Park, where Jeremy once again dominated inside and dropped 30 points in another conference win. Jeremy is a physical presence who knows how to go to work in the paint and can finish through contact and size. He is also capable of stretching his game, and occasionally knocks down some mid-range jumpers or three pointers to keep defenders on their heels. Jeremy’s 22 points a contest this season have White Bear Lake at 13-1, and that success has been consistent all year for both Jeremy and his team.
Erick Burgess (6’3 2021 W, Cristo Rey Jesuit)- Cristo Rey Jesuit has a trio of players that can dominate on any given week, and last week it was Erick Burgess who stepped up to the plate. Erick poured in 27 points in a win over Community of Peace on Wednesday, while adding 8 rebounds. On Friday he showed off his versatile game by scoring 17 points and dishing out 7 assists with 5 rebounds in a win over Eagle Ridge Academy. At 6’3, the sophomore wing has the size and skill to play a multitude of different positions at this stage, and whether as a scorer or a facilitator he is capable of contributing to his team’s success. An athletic wing prospect, Erick can use that athleticism to finish at the rim, while also increasing his range and becoming more comfortable in knocking down outside shots this season.
Team of the Week
Chaska- Chaska didn’t pull off a win over any of the state’s “powerhouse” teams, but they did knock off two solid squads to boost their record to 9-4 at the season’s halfway point. The week started off on Tuesday with an 82-69 win over Robbinsdale Cooper, a team that may no have a great record, but has the talent to compete with most teams. Chaska was led by Cole Nicholson’s historic 51 points, and while no one else scored in double figures, the team competed on defense and held Cooper’s Jalen duo(Jalen Justice and Jalen Miller) to a combined 16 points. That win was followed up on Thursday when Chaska defeated Bloomington Kennedy 65-52. Cole Nicholson once again dominated with 26 points, while teammate Conner Krenos provided a secondary scoring option by putting up 14 points. The all-around team defense from Chaska once again stood out as they were able to limit Kennedy’s scoring opportunities, and gave up just 52 points as a team. With Nicholson putting up big number, the whole team competing on defense, and guys like Conner Krenos and Zach Lea capable of having big games, Chaska will be a tough team to face moving forward.
Statement Win of the Week
Wayzata takes down Edina 74-70- After suffering a defeat at the hands of Park Center, Wayzata bounced back in a Lake Conference match-up against a red hot Edina squad. A strong first half proved to be crucial for Wayzata, as they led 46-26 at the break. Edina made a big push in the second, but Wayzata was able to defend well enough down the stretch to hold on to their lead. Jacob Beeninga had arguably his best game of the season, and stepped up when it mattered most by scoring 29 points with his knockdown shooting ability. Luke Paulson was consistent as always, and chipped in 18 points to compliment Beeninga in the backcourt. Sophomore Kody Williams was also in double figures, and he used his quickness getting to the lane to finish with 11 points. Wayzata doesn’t have the size that the state has come to expect out of an elite Class AAAA team, but their depth at the guard spot makes them tough to defend, and they play so unselfishly that no matter which player a defense focuses on, there is always the risk of another stepping up.
Sleeper of the Week
Mohamed Ahmed (6’6 2019 F, St. Paul Como Park)- Como Park may not have the best record as a team, but has proven to have a couple players that appear ready to play at the next level. One of those players is Mohamed Ahmed, a lengthy and athletic forward who can stretch the floor with his shooting or finish at the rim inside. Against St. Paul Humboldt last week Mohamed scored 32 points to help Como Park escape with the win. He is an intriguing prospect to watch as he has exciting potential to improve at the next level with his size and mobility. Mohamed is a comfortable three point shooter who can get into hot scoring streaks at team, and in the open floor he is hard to stop going to the rim with his fluid athleticism and ability to take off on one foot.
Freshman of the Week
Hassan Kamara (6’4 2022 W, Fridley)- The freshman from Fridley was at it again last week, continuing his reign of scoring dominance for a rebuilding Fridley squad. In Fridley’s tight win over St. Anthony, Hassan chipped in 11 points. On Thursday however, Hassan set a new career high by going off for 30 points in a big win over a rival Columbia Heights squad. Hassan faced off with some talent and length on Columbia Heights, but no one was able to stop him has he piled on the points on Fridley’s way to a big win. Hassan has such a confident stroke from beyond the arc that he has been knocking down with consistency this season. He gets off a high arching shot that is hard to get a hand on, leaving him free to shoot within limited space. That shooting is supported by his ability to get to the rim where he uses his 6’4 strength and vertical leaping ability to get up and finish over defenders. The high ceiling freshman is having as good a year as any other 2022 in the state, all evident by his 30 point outbreak against Columbia Heights last week.
Other Storylines
Dajuan Carter (6′ 2019 G, North St. Paul)- Scored 40 points in a win at Hill-Murray.
Dawson Garcia (6’10 2020 F, Prior Lake)- Dropped 44 points in a Prior Lake victory against Eastview.
Totino-Grace took down Osseo 55-45.
Hakim Daniels (6’2 2022 G, Marantha)- Went off for 26 points and 13 boards against St. Croix Prep.
Park Center defeated Wayzata 72-64 at home.