Class AA Forwards to Watch
Class AA is loaded with talented players all around the state. Minnehaha is the clear-cut best team, but there should be a long list of capable contenders creating fun nights regularly throughout the winter. Here are some guys to watch for:
Drew Leistikow, Sr., St. Charles: St. Charles has been really good in recent years thanks in large part to its ability to put up a lot of points and knock down perimeter shots. That may not be the Saints’ identity this year but they should be strong again thanks to Drew Leistikow. The senior forward averaged 17 points and nine rebounds last year and should be even better this year as he’s improved his overall skills.
Jacob Jennison, Jr., Sauk Centre: Sauk Centre should compete in the West Central Conference this winter and Jennison’s ability to control the paint will be the big factor. The 6-foot-11 junior might not be a go-to scorer but if he can defend at a high level and score when called upon, the Mainstreeters should be much-improved.
Will Tschetter, Soph., Stewartville: One of the top players in the 2021 class, Tschetter averaged better than 11 points per game as a freshman for the Tigers. At 6-foot-8, Tschetter’s inside-outside skillset makes him a pain to try to defend and as he steps into a more prominent featured role, his numbers should explode.
Josh Jeziorski, Sr., Perham: Perham’s one of the best teams in Class AA and Jeziorski is a key cog in that effort. His athleticism allows him to defend and score on bigger and guys and he’s got the size and strength to abuse smaller defenders. As a junior, he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds and if Perham is going to get over the hump and get to the state tournament again, Jeziorski will need to be really good.
Dylan DeChampeau, Jr., Greenway: Greenway won 24 games last year but lost to Proctor in the section semifinals. Expectations are high for this group this year and Dylan DeChampeau is one of the best players in northern Minnesota. The 6-foot-5 junior averaged better than 23 points per game as a sophomore and should be even better as an upperclassman.
Reegan Nelson, Sr., Melrose: Melrose was supposed to head into a rebuilding phase last year but Nelson and company had other ideas. As a junior, the 6-foot-3 forward averaged better than 13 points per game while showing an impressive variety of skills. Melrose is a fringe top-10 team heading into this season and if the Dutchmen are going to dethrone St. Cloud Cathedral, Nelson will have to impose his will on the game.
Luke Schwartzhoff, Jr., La Crescent: La Crescent was one of the surprise teams in the state last year, winning 15 games. The Lancers should be even better this winter and Schwartzhoff moving into his upperclass years is the reason why. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 13 points per game a year ago and could take a step towards being a dominant player in a guard-heavy Three Rivers Conference.
Prince Aligbe, Fr., Minnehaha: Aligbe looks like the next big thing in Minnesota after earning minutes as an eighth-grader and showing an impressive combination of athleticism and skill. He’s only a freshman but he’s got the size, explosiveness and motor to be a double-double machine for a Minnehaha team that’s gunning for a third-straight state championship.