Hoops Challenge – Senior Top Performers

<p>Who are some of the seniors that stood out in Rochester at the Mayo Civic Center at the Hoops Challenge?  We run through those names now. </p> <p><strong>Brandon Holschlag</strong> of Stewartville. To beat a solid Jordan team the Tigers needed a role player to step forward and this 6-foot-2 guard did just that. Holschlag helped well with the pressure and moved the ball to open shooters quickly allowing the floor to be spread.   He was key at the foul line making all six and gave the Tigers a needed dozen points plus four assists and four boards.</p> <p><strong>Moses Idris</strong> of Austin. Moses came off the bench and scored five times in seven attempts for his 11 points. Idris caught my eye with how well he passed the ball to cutters and open shooters piling up five assists playing about 18 minutes of game action. Most of his scores were of the active variety running the floor to finish or quickly catching to score versus a moving defense.</p> <p><strong>Jackson Nibbelink</strong> of Winona.   Jackson is a quarterback prospect at 6’4 that throw for 17 touchdowns and 1,500 yards while also rushing for 663 yards and 17 more scores. Has offers from Minnesota State-Moorhead and Northern State football wise. Also a very impressive basketball talent with a 34 inch vertical bounce that led to two impressive dunks, a nasty trail block and the lift on his jumper that produced three threes including the game clincher. At 6-foot-4 he could be a really nice MIAC player if he doesn’t want to play NSIC football.</p> <p><strong>Ochan Obany/Ogur Gari</strong> of Austin. The Packers have had several seniors make improvements to their game and step into key roles. It’s something that Agwa Nywesh talked about in a recent article and it was on display today. Ochan and Ogur are both 6’3/6’4 forwards that scored nine points against St. Thomas. Gari did a really nice job rebounding and finishing around the basket and Obany scored with a three, an And1, and an open jumper.</p> <p><strong>Wyatt Olson</strong> of St. Peter. Once St. Peter was able to get Olson touches he became very affective. To start the game Olson had a lot of attention on him which forced him into early misses but Olson did a fantastic job passing the ball out of the post to moving teammates for four early assists. In the second half Olson was physical with the Byron size opening up early in possessions to catch deep leading to scores on six of his last seven touches (four field goals and three foul shots). Olson stuck a shoulder into the opposition’s chest clearing space for his short one hand hook that usually goes at an 80 percent rate if the space is there and he’s balanced. Finished with 15 points and eight boards after a rough start.</p> <p><strong>Ethan Prodzinksi</strong> of Winona. It takes all of one second to realize that Ethan is a talented football prospect at 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds. He helped lead one of the most dangerous offenses in the state football wise (has D2 football offers and major conference walk-on options) and now he’s playing in the post for Winona and providing solid production. Scored 11 points on seven attempts plus he grabbed eight boards. Ethan has very good post moves and if he is able to get players on his backside the post entry is there.</p> <p><strong>Ryan Samuelson</strong> of Jordan.   When Ryan Samuelson sits down to check on his daily job description it reads: handle the ball, defend the top guard or sometimes big, board, hit from the perimeter, attack the rim to score, lead by example, lead verbally, enjoy the day. I think Ryan accomplished eight of those nine against Stewartville, he may not have taken the loss that well though because he’s a competitor. Had 21 points on 9 of 16 field goals including a couple threes plus grabbed six rebounds while being the main worker in the press and then hustling back to defend one of the top two guys. I have a ton of respect for Ryan’s game.</p>