Ten Best: Hopkins vs. Wayzata
I find myself back in Plymouth for another Lake matchup at Wayzata, this time to see the NHR-second-ranked Trojans face the #10 Hopkins Royals. On a rare night of few metro games, this caught my eye because if Hopkins won,…
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Continue ReadingI find myself back in Plymouth for another Lake matchup at Wayzata, this time to see the NHR-second-ranked Trojans face the #10 Hopkins Royals. On a rare night of few metro games, this caught my eye because if Hopkins won, it would shake up the Top 10 in a big way and prove that the Royals still belong in the contender conversation.
Wayzata led at the break 41-29. Seven different players scored a bucket in the first half led by Ryan Lindberg. Hopkins, on the other hand, couldn’t find any rhythm offensively and mysteriously forgot that they had three starters taller than Wayzata’s center. Ishmael El-Amin and Blaise Beauchamp found the bottom of the bucket to come within 44-36 but the last ten minutes was all blue and gold from a hustle and shooting standpoint. 81-55 final.
Hopkins falls to 10-3 and 0-2 in the Lake. You can’t ever count them out though, and the season is only halfway over. Wayzata moves to 11-0 and 2-0 in the Lake. They are the consensus #2 in Class 4A, if there was any doubt before.
MVP: Ryan Lindberg (SG, 6-2, Sr., Wayzata)
It baffles me how wide open he was all night. You know what elite shooters do: make the easy ones. And that’s what Ryan did. He tallied 20 points on five makes from deep, getting standalone kickouts from offensive boards and running Royal defenders through screens to get set-foot catches. A great night for Lindberg.
Best offensive performance: Ishmael El-Amin (SG, 6-3, Sr., Hopkins)
On a very stale night for the Hopkins scorers, Ball State signee El-Amin never stopped trying to find his groove. He had 16 to lead the Royals and it was highlighted late in half two by a hustle save running out of bounds, not missing a beat and stepping in to hit a trey. That sequence showed the fearlessness and composure Ish has when the ball is in his hands.
Best defensive performance: Gavin Baumgartner (SF, 6-4, Sr., Wayzata)
Gavin has a big role on this team: he’s arguably the best player, but he’s also the glue that holds both ends together. He finished with 17 points and several assists, but cleared the glass with his jumping ability and physicality over Hopkins size to grab five rebounds. Another steady all-around game for Baumgartner.
Best rebounder: Simon Wright (SF, 6-6, Sr., Hopkins)
This should come as no surprise, since Simon is probably in the running for best rebounding wing in the state. He has tremendous strength and agility at 6-foot-6 and works harder than most inside and out. Six points and seven rebounds for the Elon-bound Royal.
Best underclassman: Blaise Beauchamp (G, 5-10, Fr., Hopkins)
You can’t leave Beauchamp when he camps out around the three-point line. He won’t miss! 4-4 from deep for 12 points. His release is low but as he grows and gets stronger it will improve, and it’s already a very quick shot. He can fill it up in a hurry and Hopkins will need that down the stretch.
Best under-the-radar performance: Jacob Beeninga (PG, 5-10, So., Wayzata)
One of the more slippery point guards around, Beeninga impresses me more and more every time I see him. He penetrates the paint with ease, sees and connects with open shooters, and shoots the lights out. He had 14 on four bombs to go with three assists and three steals. Coach Schnettler will have terrific PG play for another two years with this kid.
Biggest difference maker: Hustle plays/offensive fluidity
All night it just seemed like Wayzata wanted it more. Diving for loose balls, saving seemingly-unsavable plays, offensive rebounds, fast breaks… it all went to the Trojans. I was also struck by how little structure Hopkins has on offense; they never ran one set or motion. That strategy made it easy for Wayzata to predict and jump passes and get one-and-done defensive possessions.
Best shooter: Drew Galinson (G, 6-2, Jr., Wayzata)
He’ll be a really hot Division 3 recruit next spring/summer. His shot form is picturesque, always has his feet set, and knows where he is on the floor. His pull-up game shows he can create for himself a little too. 14 points on three treys for Galinson. Reminds me a lot of Andover’s Logan Rezac.
Best aspect of the environment: Full gym
The Royal/Trojan matchup on Peony Lane always attracts a big crowd. I was at this exact game last year and it felt the same. Pep band jamming to the Imperial March, student sections in candy-stripe pants, alumni sprinkled in around the bleachers, and multiple rival coaches scouting; it was a great Friday night HS atmosphere.
Best storyline moving forward: The Hopkins dilemma
I think it’s safe to say that Hopkins has the talent to be a top 10 team. And nobody will count them out until they actually are out. But three losses and one of them to Minnehaha Academy hurts them in a class where many teams have zero, one or two losses. Come playoff time I believe they’ll have regrouped and settled down, but Wayzata still sits there as the projected 1 seed in section 6. Should be a doozy!