Ten Best: Hopkins vs Rochester JM
The Hopkins Royals were just too deep for the John Marshall Rockets from the opening tap. The Rockets have some strong players of course: Matthew Hurt scored the 1,000th point of his young career early in the game (totaled a double-double of…
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Continue ReadingThe Hopkins Royals were just too deep for the John Marshall Rockets from the opening tap. The Rockets have some strong players of course: Matthew Hurt scored the 1,000th point of his young career early in the game (totaled a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds) and Dedoch Chan gave the team 16 points. But the defending champions are blessed with talent at all positions and at all ages.
Freshman Blaise Beauchamp came off the bench to run the offense and hit three treys (scored 11 points). Sophomore Zeke Nnaji scored a dozen active points, grabbed seven boards, and was one of the guys that was putting a lot of defensive pressure on Hurt. Junior Anthony Davis blew by the Rockets for his 13 points with eight rebounds while 6-foot-10 post Joe Hedstrom had a dozen points and seven boards. The top play came from the seniors starting with Ishmael El-Amin who has been scorching hot all season. The Ball State signed guard 11 of 16 field goals for his 22 points. Elon signed Hopkins senior Simon Wright had another Breakdown double-double 16 and 10 which was his exact numbers on this floor last week against Cedar Falls.
MVP: Ishmael El-Amin. The Hopkins guard once again stepped up and had a big game. Ishmael had a hot July and it’s not stopping. He’s been good defensively too.
Best Offensive Performance: El-Amin. We’ve seen guys get numbers on many shots but last week Ish got his 32 on half that attempts wise and then he made 11 of 16 shots for his straight 22 in this game. Nobody has been able to keep a good hand in his face.
Best Defensive Performance: Davis/El-Amin. The Royals kept length in front Hurt all night which made his 30 tough to get to but the guards on Winona State bound Isaiah Walden, El-Amin and Anthony Davis, limited Walden to only ten points and limited quality chances. Davis also scored 13 points.
Best Guy Off the Bench: Blaise Beauchamp. Freshman lead guard that came off the bench, hit three treys, and scored 11. Is fitting right in with the Hopkins starting five when he comes off the bench.
Best Under the Radar Performance: Joe Hedstrom. Joe had a nice game with a dozen points and seven boards. With so much talent around him Joe’s chances will be limited but Hedstrom rebounded strong after a fight to separate and skillfully finished his chances.
Best Underclassmen: Matthew Hurt. Despite the difference in the score Matthew put up 30 points and ten rebounds which was at one point half of his teams points. Yes Hurt needs some help from his teammates and his team has had to play Champlin Park and Hopkins in two of the first three games but Hurt’s ability to get faced with some space and hit is rare.
Best Story to watch Moving Forward: There is a big game looming. Tuesday, January 26th. Why is that night special? They play Champlin Park in what could be the game of the year. There are other quality games like Maple Grove two weeks before, Minnehaha Academy, and some Lake games but that Rebel contest will pack the house.
Best Aspect of the Environment: Hurt’s 100. So here was Matthew Hurt at 999 career points playing in the third game of his sophomore year and he was at the free throw line with the announcement ready to be made and the coaches ready to shake his hand, and he misses a free throw. And Matthew doesn’t miss many free throws. The moment brought a laugh to his father and coaches. Of course Matt made the second foul shot for point 1,000.
Best Prospect: Hurt. Of course the five star nationally ranked top ten kid with offers from everyone but Kentucky and Duke (those will come) is the best prospect.
Other: Zeke Nnaji and Simon Wright. Last week in the big Breakdown game Simon had 16 and 10, this weekend in the Breakdown big game he had 16 and 10. Zeke provided 12 and seven. Both used their length to force Hurt over the top of them all night.