NHR State Tournament: Best Shooters
I run through the best snipers at NHR State last weekend between 16U and 17U!
Jake Kettner (SG, 6-2, 2019, D1 MN Rise 17U/MN Valley Lutheran) – The Cavaliers should have picked up Kettner for Game 3, because on Saturday he was in rhythm for multiple corner treys. Playing up on the 17s gets him valuable speed of the game and good exposure. His name will be on lists for next season.
Jason Kaul (SF, 6-4, 2019, Crossfire Bellefeuille/Blaine) – A phenomenal combo of size and agility and shooting ability. He’ll bring a deadly stroke to the NWSC next season with the capability of bodying up smaller guys in the post. Kaul knocked out dagger after dagger to help his squad reach the title game.
Jared Rainey (PG, 6-0, 2019, Heat Bui/Maple Grove) – Rainey’s a smooth ballhandler who excels off the high ball screen. He can get his defender on his hip and manipulate for a layup or pull up beyond the arc. Will be an offensive threat to the northwest metro in the coming years in a brand new Crimson rotation.
Deland Phillips (PG, 6-1, 2018, 43 Hoops/Bay Port) – The former CDH guard returned to play with his old buddies and 43 Hoops, while taking on a spot up shooter and vocal leader role. His three treys in the semifinal propelled 43 Hoops into a comeback win and title game berth.
Luke Paulson (PG, 5-10, 2019, Fury Kaupa/Wayzata) – Paulson exploded onto MN hoops radars this year as a sophomore sharpshooter in a top five AAAA rotation. He buried Lake teams night in and night out for the Trojans, and now with Fury Kaupa is also handling the ball more. I can’t wait to see his variety of shot selection grow, and you have to think he learned a bit from elite snipers like Ryan Lindberg and Gavin Baumgartner.