Top 250 Expo: More Senior Standouts
The Top 250 Expo in Minneapolis last weekend brought together a lot of talented local seniors. We’ve mentioned some already that stood out but here are some others who showed well.
Ray Adams (Rochester JM, 6-3). Adams needs to be a 4th option for the Rockets this year if they are to get past Lakeville North and the long wing was able to produce in the open runs so the Rockets should feel confident that he can play his role consistently.
Matthew Bezdicek (Osseo, 6-3). We’ve talked a lot about the Bezdiceks lately because they are key components for the Osseo season. Both Matt and John will play big roles. Matthew caught our eye working in the skill drills as his one dribble attack burst is better than we though, we really liked the way his jumper looked at the elbow, and he moves better than we thought.
Matthew Carik (Rogers, 6-1). At an event loaded with guards, Matthew was definitely one of the ten best there. When we think of Carik we think toughness and a guy that pushes the pace. The examples of Matt doing that were constant throughout the weekend. Matt is going to have a big senior year and there are a lot of D3 schools that should be calling on him.
Thunder Heyer (Zimmerman, 6-1). Much of what we said about Matthew we can say about Thunder in terms of where he lists among the guards at the camp and where he should land in the future. Thunder is the type of guard who uses intelligence and toughness to get to space against defenders that may be more athletic but are simply not as good.
Tyreeon Johnson (Coon Rapids, 6-4). Johnson was very aggressive offensively this weekend in all facets. It didn’t matter if the long armed forward was competing in the skill drills or open runs he was constantly attacking or trying to show off the jumper he has been working on. He will be an all conference potential player this year and with Sam Carver and Lionel Warner they could help the Cards take a step.
Losini Kamara (Park Center, 6-3). Kamara came to this event to compete against the best guards and show what he could do against them. Kamara is a D1 level guard. Unfortunately he sprained his ankle in the first minutes of the event.
Aloung Kang (Apple Valley, 6-6). We’ve talked a lot about the 2017s and 2018s up front for Apple Valley as they have four or five guys in those classes that will give them options. Kang has the potential to be a strong player for them if he settles in to things.
Peter Lundquist (Rochester Mayo, 6-5). Lundquist is an interesting player. Two or three times during the event I looked at the roster to see who the guy was with size that completed an impressive scoring play and it was him. A name to keep an eye on.
Daryl Mayfield (Hopkins, 6-1). Mayfield is a guy that we likely missed on previous lists and articles earlier in the week. He’s more versatile than expected. Can definitely guard a few positions and his speed both up and down and laterally on defense ranked with the best. Good athlete too.
Robert McClain (Red Lake, 6-4). McClain hurt his knee the night before and couldn’t play at the event but still came down and showed up at the event anyway. Likely the family spent the day elsewhere after some time but his appearance and the time spent to greet people was impressive.
Josh McGreal (Centennial, 6-6). Josh looks like he’s grown a bit, is definitely stronger, and he may have been the most asked about guy there. I would say at least seven times I was asked who he was by college coaches, fans, and the trainers. Young man is physically gifted.
Andrew Nissen (Prior Lake, 6-3). Nissen caught my eye three times: 1) when he was competing on defense and had a hungry, feisty look before making a play, 2) when he was knocking down jumpers in the drills, 3) when he attacked and completed a play while being fouled.
Dimiri Sanner-Robinson (Mpls Henry, 6-2). We didn’t know who this incredibly active, 100 miles per hour worker played for at the event but we now know he will be at Henry and will give them a guy who will be all energy all the time. He was getting to the rim on some very good Minnesota players.
Sean Sutherlin (Irondale, 6-3). Sean is a slasher who is likely to be among the metro leading scorers this year. Most small forwards won’t be able to move with him and teams will have to guard him with a three because bigs can’t move with him. That was the case this weekend.
Khadeem Thomas (Columbia Heights, 6-0). Hylander guard who should join the talented junior class for Coach Will Braziel and have a very strong season. He will team with the other guards and push the pace based on what we saw this weekend.
CJ Woda (Heritage Christian, 6-5). What CJ did the best this weekend was give coaches and everybody else another example of what makes him unique and that is the face-up skill and agility for a big perimeter player.