Previewing the Saturday Slate for the Monticello Invitational
We have to wait a week still for the full-fledged Breakdown Tip-Off Classic on the guys side of hoops, but this Saturday features some juicy matchups as well. A lot of attention will be paid to Hopkins High School where…
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Continue ReadingWe have to wait a week still for the full-fledged Breakdown Tip-Off Classic on the guys side of hoops, but this Saturday features some juicy matchups as well.
A lot of attention will be paid to Hopkins High School where six of the best teams in the state open their seasons in what should be thrilling fashion.
The Monticello Invitational features a number of Class AAA teams ranked in the top 10 in Monticello, Orono and Rocori. It’s also got the likely favorite in Class AA, Minnehaha Academy.
Also in the field is Central Minnesota Christian, which enters the year ranked in the top-10 in Class A off a third-place finish last year in the state tournament.
Throw in Chisago Lakes, team that went to state last year in AAA, Willmar and Zimmerman and there’s a lot to be excited about.
Monticello and Orono play Friday night as something of a preview for the full slate Saturday. Zimmerman and Willmar play as well.
Saturday Schedule:
2:30 p.m. — Game One: Orono vs. Minnehaha Academy
The Spartans and Redhawks kick off the day in what might be the best game of the day on paper. Orono’s Jarvis Thomas and Minnehaha’s JaVonni Bickham could see a lot of each other inside in a matchup between two of the state’s best 2018 prospects. Max Bjorklund and Colton Codute could have their hands full with the Redhawks backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Terry Lockett but it’s a game that is sure to be a lot of fun early in the year.
4 p.m. — Game Two: Chisago Lakes vs. Rocori
Rocori and Chisago Lakes could both find their way to the state tournament this season. Both teams were taken out by Monticello last season — Rocori in the section final and Chisago Lakes in the state tournament — but both have plenty of cause for optimism heading into the year.
The Wildcats have senior point guard Trevin Nelson back and a new head coach in Todd Dufault, who coached Waseca to the state tournament last year.
The Spartans bring back big man Derek Thompson and point guard Connor Schoborg, which sets up what could be really intriguing individual matchups between Nelson and Schoborg and Thompson and Chisago big man Logan Hendricks.
6 p.m. — Game Three: Central Minnesota Christian vs. Zimmerman
The Bluejays won 28 games a year ago and finished third in the Class A state tournament. All they did is return six of their top seven players including Matthew Van Eps and Ethan Brouwer.
Zimmerman didn’t have as much success a year ago but the Thunder have plenty of quality players too. Thunder Heyer and Chandler Wellman should lead the way in what could be a high-scoring affair.
7:45 p.m. — Game Four: Monticello vs. Willmar
Monticello might have been a year ahead of schedule when it made a run to the state tournament last spring. This year, the Magic should be even better. The backcourt of Matt Todd and Rezi Useh might be one of the best in Class AAA this year and Carter Hangsleben is a name to watch for them in the frontcourt.
The Cardinals struggled last year, winning just six games in a tough Central Lakes Conference. But they’ve got a lot of new faces this year. Noah Slagter and Tyler Johnson are two names to watch for them in what could be an interesting final game of the night.
It’s the opening game for some of these teams and more than half of them will be playing the second half of a back-to-back, so in the long run, these games might not end up meaning a whole lot. But anytime one gym can host a field that could include elite teams in three classes, there’s bound to be a lot of intrigue.