Minnesota Invades Vegas: Five Thursday Standouts
There are 22 17u teams and overall 40 Minnesota teams in all from the top three divisions. Here is a quick run down of some of the Minnesota kids are that played well on Thursday.
Perhaps the biggest game of the day belonged to Jeremy Beckler who exploded to give Heat Henderson a 31 point/8 rebound game in a four point loss. Beckler was one of the hottest names of the spring and now we have a performance that is going to put him on the minds of many once again. Jeremy is a 6-foot-8 2019 power forward from White Bear Lake High School.
Matthew Hurt finished up playing in Los Angeles last Saturday night, got a one day break, and then was back at it at an Adidas camp on Monday and Tuesday. Hurt and his teammates spent Wednesday traveling, and then playing in a Wednesday night game. Rest up Matthew, you have a few hours until 28 points were dropped on Team Eleate. By Thursday night playing five star forward Trendon Watford in front of Bill Self, Penny Hardaway as well as assistants from Indiana, Minnesota, UCLA, North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky, Matthew looked tired and understandably so. But he still battled with Watford to the end.
Howard Pulley made quick work of their pool play opponent 77-42 on Thursday with David Roddy and Courtney Brown scoring 16 points each. Antwan Kimmons put 11 on the board for the Panthers as well and 2022 Trejuan Holloman scored four times including a nasty dunk that’s quick made it’s way to social media. After the game Courtney Brown Jr was offered a scholarship by Cal Poly.
Andrew Morgan of Minnesota Select’s 15u group has really grabbed the attention of the 2021 crowd. The 6-foot-7 Waseca power forward has grabbed a taste of the explosive finishes and he continues to go back for seconds! Sometimes even thirds. He scored a combined 42 points in his Thursday games and did it looking like one of the most agile players on the floor. Remember his name Minnesota, Morgan is going to be a top 2021.
You have to love the way Minnesota Select Brown is finishing this season. No, the year long record has not looked pretty at times. But, this is a group of kids that shows up to practice consistently every week (all of the players) and now in Vegas they are tasting some success. Select Brown beat the Ranco Ballerz by 24 and they took out The Posse by 34. Ryan Bowlin of Holy Family and Evan Brodtman of St. Paul Highland Park have put up double figures in both games with Bowling combing in for 31 over the two contests.