Class AAA State Tournament X-Factors
The Class AAA State Tournament tips off Wednesday at Williams Arena. Here are some players that could help tip things in their respective teams’ favor: Charles Johnson, Holy Angels Johnson is the fifth-leading scorer for the Stars but he’s arguably…
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Continue ReadingThe Class AAA State Tournament tips off Wednesday at Williams Arena.
Here are some players that could help tip things in their respective teams’ favor:
Charles Johnson, Holy Angels
Johnson is the fifth-leading scorer for the Stars but he’s arguably the team’s most important player. He’s one of the top defenders in the state and rebounds extremely well for a guard. His lack of shooting ability hurts and his free throw shooting could ultimately make for some scary late-game situations but he’s likely going to be tasked with trying to slow down Malik Willingham in the first round of state.
Dongrin and Ngor Deng, Austin
The Deng twins are the third and fourth leading scorers for the Packers but they are the two best perimeter shooters and disruptive pieces in that wonky press. Both guys get steals at a high rate and defend at a high level in the halfcourt and with Monticello likely dedicating a lot of its defensive attention to Medi Obang and Agwa Nywesh, the Deng brothers could have a lot of opportunity to knock down shots or get layups.
Blake Thompson, Monticello
The Austins (Wetter and Puppe) handled the offensive load for Monticello for most of the season but Thompson is a valuable third scorer and arguably the team’s best small defender. He’s pesky and tough and his energy is the kind of stuff that can give a team a big boost. He’ll have his hands full with the Austin guards and if Monticello wants to make that a game, he’ll have to play well.
Devin Melzer, Mahtomedi
Melzer is the definition of solid and while he takes a bit of a backseat to J’Vonne Hadley, he’s incredibly important for the Zephyrs. He’s one of the team’s best shot-creators and will likely need to produce points in game that figures to be fast-paced and against a team that will likely load up to slow down one of the two perimeter scoring studs.
Andrew Morgan, Waseca
Morgan’s Waseca’s second best player so he’s hardly under the radar but the matchup with Holy Angels will be in interesting one because the Stars’ big men, Matt Banovetz and Thor Holien are such good outside shooters. Those two combine to score more than 30 points per game and while Waseca’s got an advantage on the perimeter, Morgan’s a big key to making the Bluejays complete on the offensive and defensive end.