Ten Best: Class AAAA State Tournament
The Class AAAA Tournament might have the more talent than any other Minnesota State Tournament in recent memory. Here are the highlights of the day, The Ten Best, State Tournament style.
Heart of a Champion (MVP). McKinley Wright. The Rebels were down double figures and he scored on five straight possessions constantly attacking the paint to finish. His run took the Rebels to that final play that Sam Dubois completed in miracle fashion but his 30 points on 13 of 25 shooting plus eight boards got the team there. McKinley simply wouldn’t let the team die which is why he’s the player of the year favorite for everything.
Best Offensive Player. Tre Jones. The Eagles needed Tre Jones to have a huge offensive game, and he did. Scored 34 points on 10 of 28 shooting including a pair of threes plus Tre lived at the foul line picking up 14 attempts and making a dozen. Tre collected a dozen boards and late in the game his sequence of a turnover into a pass to Mohammed Kone followed by a board, a split of the defense into a pass for an Ely Hendrickson three, that was the sequence that turned the momentum to the Eagles. Jones got great help from wings Mohamed Kone (ten boards) and Ely “The Golden Touch” Hendrickson who scored 11.
Best Defender. Marcus Hill and McKinley Wright. Hill didn’t have his greatest day as a defender but he did have some of his biggest plays. Like his passing lane jump into a lay-up followed by a charge take seconds later. This were huge defensive plays. Wright switched over to guard Myles Hanson and after a hot start McKinley limited Myles to 5 of 17 shooting and only a dozen points plus three turnovers.
Best Play of the Day. The Miracle. McKinley got the space he needed to attack and get a shot off but it missed. The carom was swatted back by a Chaska player right into the hands of Sam Dubois. Sam launched a 28, 30 foot left handed prayer jumping off one foot and it went in. Just a miracle from the game many didn’t expect to be on the floor but he’s the worker they want on the floor. He also made a pair of threes including the biggest one of his life. Sam Dubois ladies and gentlemen.
Best Near Triple-Double. Brad Davison. Andover had a 16-15 lead on Maple Grove and at that point Brad Davison had taken one shot. Six game minutes later the Crimson went on a 16-0 run for a 31-6 lead and Brad scored six times. Davison took over the game and then controlled it the rest of the way with 22 points (6 of 11 shooting), ten assists, and nine boards. It was an easy night.
Best Shooter. Andrew Kallman. Chaska got four threes from Kallman on his way to 18 points plus eight boards. The Northern State signed talent made 7 of 11 shots and played an intelligent game both ways for the Hawks before they fell in the final seconds.
Best 1,000 Point Night to Remember. Gavin Baumgartner. Gavin needed 16 to reach a 1,000 points tonight and he scored 19. His 16th point game came late on a backdoor cut And1. His off ball movement to get to space to make plays is some of the best I’ve seen. On 6 of 9 shooting, 6 of 7 foul shots, he had 19 points, eight boards, five assists, great defense, and clutch scores.
Best Unexpected Performance. Kevin Totusek. After the game Eagles Coach Zach Goring said this was the game of Kevin’s life, and it was. He did a great job of keeping the ball from Daniel Oturu in the second half plus he grabbed six rebounds, made all seven of his foul shots, and scored seven points. He was the ex-factor in their win.
Best Under the Radar Performance. Ethan Igbanugo. Continue to feel that Ethan is one of the more under appreciated players in the senior class. Tough defender, disciplined worker, handles soundly, leads by example, and had 18 points on only six shots in this game. Had a tough time against Wayzata turning the ball over but he also fought to space to make six of seven foul shots.
Best Underclassmen. Jacob Beeninga/Tyler Wahl. Jacob had three first half scores to keep the Trojans within three scores. He finished with 17 points and made all his foul shots for the winning team. Wahl (who was an AAU teammate of Beeninga last summer) had 14 points and seven boards including a couple contested quick spin finishes in the second half. Tyler has a promising future because the bounce is there, good size, and he can play with his back to the basket or facing the cup. Active off the ball, good athlete, and works hard, that is Tyler Wahl.
Most Recruited Player Today. Tywhon Pickford. Northern Iowa had Ben Jacobson watching Tywhon today along with two of his assistants. Pickford showed off some things that really grabbed my attention including two one-dribble pull-up jumpers and a baseline attack finish. Most of his scores were early and he had 14 for the game. Dayton also stayed to watch him play today.
Most Watched Player by a School today. Daniel Oturu. The future Gopher big had his future Head Coach Richard Pitino, and future assistants Ben Johnson, Kimani Young, and Ed Conroy watching. Daniel had 18 boards, 17 points, and six blocks. His first half basket attacks were the level of one of the nation’s elite and for most of the game he controlling the paint with blocks and boards.