Ten Best: Breck vs Annandale
Annandale punched their state tournament ticket for the 5th straight season under Skip Dolan beating Breck 74-60 led by another double-double from Jarod Wilken.
MVP. Jarod Wilken. The Cardinal 6-foot-6 forward was too big and too skilled for the Mustangs to deal with. On the ball he was able to catch and face from the arc making the right reads and plays. Coming off screens Wilken destroyed Breck either grabbing the dribble hand off and attacking or catching and finishing. Off the ball his cuts and active movement was beautiful. Often handled as well. The only issue he had was knocking out foul shots. Put together a 20 point, 11 rebound game making 7 of 13 attempts plus the 5-12 foul shooting. Blocked four shots too. Wasn’t a 43 point game but it was a needed double-double.
Top Offensive Player. David Roddy. This is not the David Roddy I last saw. Did the 6-foot-4 strong sophomore did a few things with his back to the bucket? Yeah. But most of that was diving to the rim, receiving, and quick bouncing to make plays. All of his scores were active buckets attacking with one dribble, diving into the post to catch and finish, or moving off ball and quick bouncing for Jordan Murphy like baskets. His shoulder turn is so rapid and so powerful that Annandale could do nothing with it. Too strong. Also a skilled player too pushing the ball in the open floor and making comfortable plays. Had 25 points and 13 rebounds (at the half he had 5/5). One of the state’s best sophomore producers and he’s doing more on the wing. Think Jordan Murphy meats Bonzi Colson in this state.
Top Defensive Player. Trenton Peterson. What we will all remember is the eight foul shots made late in the game and the three treys in the first half, but his defense is what sets him apart. Skip Dolan has this team using about three different defenses and every one of them starts with what the junior does above the arc. Trenton is overwhelming physically at about 6-foot-1 but his consistent harassment, well educated positioning, and consistency of effort is nearly unmatched.
Top 6th Man. Leo Healy/Josh Roddy. Leo came off the bench and hit six of six foul shots for Annandale plus he did a great job moving the ball. Roddy scored on two high arcing threes for Breck. Both are juniors for their respective teams.
Top Underclassmen. Roddy/Kerwin Walton. Roddy had the 25/13 and was helped by the 13 from freshman Kerwin Walton. Kerwin made his first three, missed six straight attempts, and then got going with his one dribble attacking floater from the right side. Kerwin actually made four of those shots using his silky smooth one dribble into the soft touch. At 6-foot-2 he’s an interesting prospect as there is a world of growth to come and if he grows look out.
Top Under the Radar Player. AJ Hinz. Did a nice job of defending Roddy early before Roddy fouled him out. Hinz just does some of everything consistently. The junior is not only tough but six boards, four assists feeding cutters, made a three and scored two other field goals. Dependable and tough.
Top Touch. Nick Bieniek. Twice during the game Nick found himself in space to catch and hit threes within a couple minutes of each other. Once was back to back. He got loose after ball reversals, curled hard to the ball, caught, and hit. Had 14 points and most was on threes. Nick is a 6-foot-3 junior guard who also defends very well.
Best Storyline going forward. Easy choice, this is five straight state tournament appearances for Skip Dolan and the Cardinals. Dolan was a massive difference in every way. The way his team plays such a disciplined team game on both ends of the court is nearly unmatched and they do it year after year. Five straight appearances at state.
Best Aspect of the Environment. So many to pick from. Playing at St. Cloud State is great. The crowds for the game were fantastic. Annandale’s postgame celebration was very unique with their entire fan base while Breck did a nice gathering singing the school song after the loss. Good comeback, good talent, fun atmosphere.
Other. Quinlan Faeth of Breck was quite good as a role playing starter. Six-foot-1 senior guard. Hit a pair of threes, had four assists as he’s a pass first halfcourt guy that only took quality shots, had four boards, and defended hard….Annandale’s Trent Peper is a solid 6-foot-6 forward prospect with a touch although he didn’t have a great game tonight…