Northstar Daily: Big Boys Games at Girls Breakdown Tip-Off
Thursday and Friday games will be played throughout the state but Saturday, all eyes will be on the Girls Tip-Off Classic where several boys teams will be opening up against a high level of competition.
The Tip-Off Classic, both boys and girls, is considered the premiere one day event in Minnesota high school basketball with a full slate of games but December 2nd and December 9th. The December 2nd event has 16 games total, a dozen on the girls side and four more on the boys side. Who is playing in those four boys games?
3:45: DeLaSalle vs Iowa City West. Minnesota signed Gabe Kalscheur vs Iowa committed Pat McCaffery is the headline but it’s more than that. The DeLaSalle juniors Tyrell Terry and Jamison Battle are very familiar with McCaffery having played Pat’s Iowa Barnstormers team several times over past spring and summers (Terry and Battle play with D1 Minnesota). The Islanders are of course defending their six straight state titles this year with a new coach (Travis Bledsoe). Along with Kalscheur, Terry, and Battle (all D1 offered players) the Islanders also have Malik Lamin and Jalen Travis inside plus Sage Booker and CJ Dickson on the wing. ICW has a strong senior class with D3 level prospects Evan Flitz, Hakeem Odunsi, and Seybian Sims as seniors competing with McCaffery.
5:30: Orono vs Robbinsdale Armstrong. This game was originally set to have Gopher signed Jarvis Omersa taking on now Indiana Hoosier Race Thompson. However, Thompson went to college early so now we have Orono, one of the state’s elite teams, taking on Armstrong who will be motivated with something to prove, but playing with nearly a whole new line-up. Orono on the other hand brings back their starters led by Omersa, Bemidji State bound Max Bjorklund, Colton Codute, and shooters Griffin Sage and Thomas Lecy. Armstrong will counter with a solid backcourt of Cole Priem and Isaiah Miller but fresh new bodies will be up front.
7:00: Cretin-Derham Hall vs Hopkins. The game so good it’s possibly the game of the year on night one (Apple Valley and CDH is likely the most anticipated of the year though but this could potentially top it). It’s number two (CDH) in state against number three in state (Hopkins). Its Minnesota signed Daniel Oturu in the post facing Wisconsin signed Joseph Hedstrom on the block. It’s a top three 2019 prospect in the state Zeke Nnaji facing D1 offered Sy Chatman at power forward. It’s Jake Prince likely facing some Nnaji and facing some young but well sized sophomore Kerwin Walton at forward. It’s Anthony Davis taking on Augustana committed Jaeden King. And then senior PG Ryan Larson battling sophomore Hopkins PG Blaise Beauchamp. Yes the match-ups are awesome and their is more talent on the bench. Get their early fans, it’s going to be a fantastic night.
8:30: Minnehaha Academy vs East Ridge. Oh wait, there is more. If you are looking to find the best young talent in the state of Minnesota chances are it’s in this game. For example, top sophomore Jalen Suggs? Of course, the second ranked player in the country! Second ranked player in 2020? Ben Carlson is here as well for the Raptors. Don’t forget Terry Lockett and Kaden Johnson, both top ten sophomores as well. How about the 2021 class? Two of the state’s best in Kendall Brown of East Ridge and Chet Holmgren of Minnehaha Academy. Grade eight standout Prince Aligbe of Minnehaha Academy also should see some time. Are there any veterans? Of course. Minnehaha has Denver signed JaVonni Bickham and shooter Lorenzo Smith where as East Ridge will have junior D1 offered Courtney Brown Jr. Talent all over so the game should be outstnadin