Class AA State Preview: Backcourts to Watch

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s never too early for way-too-early season. With fall sports hitting the halfway point soon, attention will start turning to the winter season. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the top backcourts in Class AA for this upcoming season:</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Caledonia:</strong> Eli King and Noah King</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caledonia will be among the five best teams in Class AA this year and the King brothers are the primary reason. Noah King’s been a stud for years and heads into his final season more comfortable in a primary ball handling role. Eli King has gotten bigger, stronger and better and could be one of the best players in Class AA as just a sophomore. These two could combine to average 40-45 points per game. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>St. Cloud Cathedral:</strong> Jacob Stoltzenberg and Andrew Weisser</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crusaders graduate two really good guards, but will still have two double-figure scorers in the backcourt next year with Jacob Stoltzenberg and Andrew Weisser. Stoltzenberg’s been a starter for two years already and is one of the best shooters in the state. He’ll have an opportunity to showcase his ability as more than that this year. Weisser started and averaged nearly 12 points per game a year ago and has already shown he can also fill it up. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>East Grand Forks:</strong> Julian Benson and Sam Votava</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">East Grand Forks won 22 games a year ago and should be as good or better this year. The star backcourt of Sam Votava and Julian Benson gives the Green Wave an advantage over a lot of teams as both guys are really good on both ends of the floor. Votava is an athletic point guard who can finish at the rim and make plays for others. Benson is a strong combo guard who can knock down perimeter jumpers, defend at a high level and create off the bounce.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Cristo Rey Jesuit:</strong> James Sommer, Erick Burgess and Derek Burgess</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Pumas benefit in a big way with Minnehaha moving up to Class AAA and they’ve got a group of guards that’ll lead them to a lot of wins. James Sommer is one of the best players in Class AA and can dominate a game on both ends of the floor. Derek Burgess and Erick Burgess give Cristo Rey two strong, athletic guards who push the tempo and get into the paint at will. They’ll stress a lot of teams out with their athleticism and ability to press the pace. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Jordan:</strong> Ryan Samuelson and Reagan Koch</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ryan Samuelson has been a stud for the Hubmen since his freshman season and he enters a senior year where he’ll have a chance to lead Jordan back to state. He’s got the size, athleticism and skill to carry an offense and defend up or down a lineup. Koch averaged better than 11 points per game as a sophomore and is the team’s top shooter. If he takes that typical sophomore-to-junior jump, Jordan will be a contender in Section 2AA and the favorite in the Minnesota River Conference.</span></p>