Ten Best: Rocori vs. Orono
A formidable drive up I-94 W brought me to the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud on Thursday to see an impressive slate of games throughout the day. I showed up just in time for the 2:15 matchup between Spartans.…
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Continue ReadingA formidable drive up I-94 W brought me to the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud on Thursday to see an impressive slate of games throughout the day. I showed up just in time for the 2:15 matchup between Spartans. Rocori controlled the halfcourt game early with Connor Schoborg working hard on both ends. Orono’s Max Bjorklund gave an offensive spark for Orono getting to the rim and drawing fouls. High-octane finish to the first half and somehow it’s a tie game despite Rocori’s stretch of ten minutes without a three-point make.
Derek Thompson took over and scored 18 second half points, but Colton Codute‘s energy and quickness defensively paired with Bjorklund’s finishing abilities gave Orono the edge. 81-76 final in favor of Orono.
MVP: Connor Schoborg (G/F, 6-5, Sr., Rocori)
Schoborg will be a perfect fit at St. John’s next season. A long and broad perimeter player, he has awesome court vision and is not afraid to bang around down low on a mismatch. Scored 12 along with four assists and two steals. He was the steady hand for Rocori all afternoon and had great composure.
Best offensive performance: Max Bjorklund (PG, 6-0, Jr., Orono)
20 points for Max Bjorklund today, most on layups. He leaks out in transition and completes plays over length with impressive touch and focus. He returns next year as the go-to guy for Orono.
Best defensive performance: Orono guards
Multiple steals leading to fast breaks kept the Orono Spartans in control. Colton Codute was a big part of that and a majority of Orono’s scoring came from stingy perimeter D.
Best prospect: Jarvis Thomas (PF, 6-7, Jr., Orono)
Orono likes to get out and run, but they run halfcourt offense very smoothly. It seems that Jarvis still isn’t up to speed or comfortable with that kind of play, and he’s not a post player, which is mostly his role with the Spartans. As he becomes a wing/stretch four and can work with the ball in space, he’ll produce big. Still had a great game rebounding and outjumping Rocori’s posts along with 12 points.
Best rebounder: Derek Thompson (PF, 6-8, Sr., Rocori)
When it came to efficiency down low, Derek Thompson killed it. He showed some range as well, knocking down several treys and finishing every time inside over Jarvis Thomas’ length. Huge game for the Bemidji State commit with 28 points, 11 rebounds and a beast chasedown block in the final minute.
Best shooter: Griffen Sage (SG, 6-3, Jr., Orono)
Sage was quiet in the second half, but there’s no doubt he can stroke it. Perfect in four bomb attempts early and had 18 points overall. One of the best guys around beyond the arc.
Best intangibles: Colton Codute (PG, 5-9, Jr., Orono)
Codute is just a junior but his defensive awareness and composure hurt Rocori many times. He’s a competitor, scored 10 and had four steals and three assists.
Best under-the-radar performance: Sam Olson (G, 6-2, Jr., Rocori)
The junior guard is not a household name but he effectively scored 18 in a supporting role for Rocori. That type of performance will help Schoborg and Thompson and he will be a sufficient scoring option for Rocori next year.
Best storyline moving forward: Building off of this game
Rocori has struggled this year against decent competition. Orono has been impressive all season. The way Orono is running they could do some damage come playoff time. Derek Thompson and Rocori have a tough section but could do special there too. The way this game was played, I wouldn’t be surprised to see these teams deep in February or March.
Other: This was the first of five games I see today and it didn’t disappoint. The talent level brought to St. Cloud in December every year is deep. Great competition all day today and more tomorrow.