Top 250 Expo – Sophomores to Know
The Top 250 Expo had a number of sophomores with something extra to their game that made Prep Hoops remember their name. Blessed Barhayiga of Osseo. At at least 6 feet and 8 inches tall Blessed has all the frame…
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Continue ReadingThe Top 250 Expo had a number of sophomores with something extra to their game that made Prep Hoops remember their name.
Blessed Barhayiga of Osseo. At at least 6 feet and 8 inches tall Blessed has all the frame to work with to be a high level prospect. There’s an agility there and body control developing that coaches should start to get in on early. Blessed showed a balanced shoulder turn into a finish while moving the opponent with his core strength.
Muja Burton of Columbia Heights. There is a lot to look forward to with this young man. Muja simply has a different juice to him. His length at 6-foot-4 is quite disruptive and I loved how he played defense with his hands active and harassing. The transition push into smooth finishes looked like your traditional scholarship wing prospect but in addition to that Burton had an energy to him that others fed off of.
Alonzo Dodd of South St. Paul. The Packers have something in Dodd. You could quickly see that there is a natural ability to the way he produced points. He has a knack for finding space to move the ball to and it’s easy to see how he was a 15 point scorer as a freshman in the Metro East league. A great start to what could lead to a fantastic four year career as a 6-foot-2 guard.
Sam Fliehe of Lakeville South. The defenses at Burnsville had now way to move to the space that Sam attacked for high percentage finishes. Sam’s feel for moving without the ball ranks with one of the best I’ve seen at a young age and it was worth about four baskets a game. Good touch, strength to keep him balanced, Sam has the knowledge and skill to be a three year double figure guy.
Hassan Kamara of Osseo. Kamara was at a physical advantage against nearly everybody that tried to guard him in Burnsville. This is a strong young man with agility that most players aren’t ready to defend yet. He rebounded, Hassan blocked shots, he scored 9 of the 19 shots he took in game one, and overall if the skills catch up to the physical gifts this could be a special player.
Nicholas Katona of Shakopee. Nicholas Katona has a chance to be a special talent. The first play he had was a baseline attack trying to throw down over about four players. He backed that up with three more slashes for scores, jumpers made, and length that was a problem. Katona looked to be as efficient a player that was at the event and physically Katona is more than I thought he was.
Emmanuel Manyuon of Austin. This young man has a serious bag of tricks to him. In three halves of basketball he scored in just about every way a player can without auditioning for a dunk contest. There were known players on the court in nearly every game but they often gave way to Emmanuel slashing, pulling up, and scoring in a quick transition. Another Austin talent.
Logan Schmidt of Eagan. There is promise in this 6-foot-8 low post player. Loved his position fight to offer a passing angle plus Logan has a point to prove on the glass collecting them in solid numbers. We look forward to seeing what Logan can do this winter.
Jason Speath of Mound-Westonka. Spaeth is a shooter, a hard working intelligent player, his floor runs were excellent, and he was comfortable near the rim and at the arc. The last guy in the gym but the first guy to record a score, a board, and an assist likely in every game he plays.