Class AA State Tournament: Semifinal Standouts
Here are 10 standouts from the Class AA semifinal action on Friday night:
Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha Academy, So. – Suggs played with an aggression and sense of urgency in this game that I had not previously seen from him. His shot from deep wasn’t falling on Friday night, but he got to the rim on many occasions. He finished at the rim in traffic and through contact a number of times and attacked the glass with ferocity. Suggs finished with 25 points, 9 REB, 4 AST.
Kaden Johnson, Minnehaha Academy, So. – The sophomore wing was the beneficiary of a number of nice assists from his teammates. He got wide on the wing and ran the floor well, finishing with 15 points, 3 REB, 3 AST on a very efficient 7 for 8 from the field.
Terry Lockett, Minnehaha Academy, So. – Lockett played a few more minutes than he had in previous games, and it seemed to help him get into a rhythm on Friday night. He showed how dangerous he can be shooting the basketball, finishing 3 of 5 from deep for 13 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Mitchell Plombon, St. Cloud Cathedral, Sr. – Plombon had the play of the night, and possibly of the week, in the State Tournament. He flashed from the wing, caught a pass, and rose up over 6’10” Chet Holmgren to through down an authoritative one-handed dunk. He played exactly like a senior who is facing elimination should, with intensity and passion. The senior ended up with 20 points, 5 REB, 3 AST.
Michael Schaefer, St. Cloud Cathedral, Sr. – Much like his teammate Plombon, Schaefer left it all on the floor Friday night. He has brought his lunch pail all season for the Crusaders, averaging a double-double during the regular season. He had to battle the length and size of Bickham and Holmgren all night and ended up just short of yet another double-double, finishing with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Lu’cye Patterson, Brooklyn Center, So. – I think that Patterson has turned a lot of heads with his play in tournament time, and during the regular season. His ability to use the hesitation dribble, get to the lane, use a spin move, and finish through contact was displayed time and time again on Friday. He shot 50% from the field but was also able to convert 9 of 12 attempts at the stripe. Patterson finished with 29 points, 6 REB, and 4 STL.
Quentrell Douglas, Brooklyn Center, Jr. – Douglas is an athletic wing that is active on defense and can get to the rim in the half-court and transition. His athleticism allows him to play bigger than he is, attacking the glass on both ends of the floor, altering shots and getting in passing lanes on defense. He finished the game with 14 points and 7 rebounds on 7 for 10 shooting.
Marten Morem, Caledonia, Sr. – The senior forward has saved a couple of his finest games for the State Tournament. He displayed a soft touch around the rim and in the paint, as well as stepped out to hit 1 of 2 attempts from deep on Friday. His length was able to challenge shots on defense, ending the game with 4 blocks. In addition, he added 25 points and 6 rebounds for the Warriors.
Noah King, Caledonia, So. – The sophomore struggled from beyond the arc on Friday but used his strength and athleticism to get into the lane and either finished in traffic or earn a trip to the line. His strength and size made him a factor on the glass, collecting 8 rebounds to go along with 18 points and 3 assists for the game.
Owen King, Caledonia, Sr. – He got himself into foul trouble in the first half and picked up his 4th foul early in the second half. Having to used caution, he wasn’t as aggressive going to the basket, but displayed a number of other ways that his complete game can impact a contest. For the night, King had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.