The Class AAAA True-Minnesotans Team
What is the definition of the “True-Minnesotans” from a basketball standpoint? Guys that were either afterthoughts or unknowns that have stepped forward to have fantastic years. The type of grinders and workers that we and Minnesota respect so much. Hayden…
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Continue ReadingWhat is the definition of the “True-Minnesotans” from a basketball standpoint? Guys that were either afterthoughts or unknowns that have stepped forward to have fantastic years. The type of grinders and workers that we and Minnesota respect so much.
Hayden Johnson of Burnsville. The 6-foot-2 win improved from a part time player producing a couple scores and boards a game to being the Blaze leading scorer at nearly 14 points a contest. Johnson recently scored 19 versus Prior Lake.
Jacob Johnson of Champlin Park. Rebels wing Jacob Johnson was mostly a junior varsity player last year. Now as a senior Johnson’s put up 16.4 points per game for a Rebels team that has lost just five games and has been in the top ten in Class AAAA. Of all the guys on this list Johnson’s rise may be the most incredible as h’s playing for a top program in the state year to year.
Hunter Nielson of New Prague. Hunter is far and away a better player than I thought this summer. I always respected his work ethic but his skill level, motor, and production have been taken to a much higher level this year scoring 17-18 a game. Nielson is long, active, tough, and getting better by the day. I’ll say it again, D2 schools should take a look to see if he can help them with his size and effort.
Gavin Patton of Minnetonka. Gavin has pushed his ability from being a three basket a game junior to a leading scorer at Minnetonka scoring just under 20 points a contest. The Skippers didn’t have the depth to have the Lake Conference record they hoped to but Patton has been consistent against all levels of competition. Patton just had 33 in a win over Henry.
Ben Recksiedler of Stillwater. The 6-foot-6 forward leads Stillwater in scoring and has helped the Ponies to an 11-14 season. Ben is coming off 56 points in recent games against the best teams on the Stillwater schedule and he’s been a part of a strong Stillwater senior class that we didn’t expect to be as good as they are.
Jack Rusch of Lakeville North. We expected Jack to have a solid year for the Panthers supporting them with depth. Never did we expect him to be explosive from the three point arc as the Lakeville North second leading scorer. He’s headed to Minnesota State-Moorhead with a scholarship because of the work he has put in.
Joey Sauer of Brainerd. Six-foot-5 wing Joey Sauer is a Brainerd senior has led his team to a 15-9 year and his numbers have been huge. Joey is scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds a game while also moving the ball and playing strong defense.
Terrance Waits of Osseo. Waits is the leading scorer for the 14-11 Orioles this year including a 30 point game against Spring Lake Park. Waits scored 21 varsity points as a junior, but is averaging 14 points a contest as a senior. Waits joins Jacob Johnson as guys that have come from the JV to being guys that colleges are now wondering about.
Zach Zebrowski of East Ridge. When you look at an East Ridge highlight reel after the game or the front page of the East Ridge Hub page you commonly see the three big names because Courtney, Ben, and Kendall are that good. But you can make an argument that Zach’s improvements have as big of an influence on the season in a way because he’s providing ball handling, 11 points a game, defender, and leadership.