Five Things to Know: Prior Lake 65 Chaska 53
After a one score loss to Park Center a week ago Prior Lake was hungry for their next challenge. Dawson Garcia led his team through that challenge playing the national elite talent that he’s considered to be. Dawson Garcia Separates…
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Continue ReadingAfter a one score loss to Park Center a week ago Prior Lake was hungry for their next challenge. Dawson Garcia led his team through that challenge playing the national elite talent that he’s considered to be.
Dawson Garcia Separates Himself. There was a lot of talent on the floor last night in the Chaska/Prior Lake game. At least four future D1 players competed including a pair of seniors who will travel to the state of Colorado next year to compete at the college level (Robert Jones to Denver, Cole Nicholson to Northern Colorado). Among all that talent, Dawson Garcia was the clear MVP of the game and definitely the most talented player in the gym.
It wasn’t just the 25 points or the 12 point win, it was how Dawson Garcia controlled last night’s game on both ends. Garcia started the contest making shots both near the paint and at the arc over the top of the often well positioned length that Chaska put on him. In the second half the agility/speed of Garcia led to transition baskets sprinting ahead of the defense as did sharp 4-step or 5-step cuts that the defense had a hard time reacting to. Add in the free throws made and the affective use of his length producing second chance points and Dawson was the best offensive player on the floor.
I think what I was most impressed with though was how Garcia has grown as a defender using his ability to become a crucial defensive piece as well. Garcia defended Nicholson and Cole couldn’t shoot a high percentage over that 6-foot-10 length size stretched to over eight feet in the air. Dawson did a fantastic job moving his feet laterally to step through screens. He also took contact and continued his movement to desired angles and his quick footwork allowed him switch to the ball and cut off any type of penetration.
I realize that 25 points isn’t a giant number that catches the eye in the morning paper or on twitter, but in this physical game Garcia’s 25 points was a strong effort and the only thing overshadowing it was Dawson’s defensive impact.
Krenos Gives Chaska a Legit Three Scorers. Cole Nicholson is obviously a 20 plus point per game guys and junior Zach Lea had his big game scoring 25 against Eastview. Lea had a rough Thursday but he’s scoring 14 a night and will continue to do that. The shooting touch of Conner Krenos is known to be an impact item (he hit five more threes last night) but the basket attack of Krenos is also something that must be gameplanned for.
After making his five threes Krenos attacked the rim to create a couple shots of others followed by basket attacks completing plays for himself. Conner had a game high 22 and if he can continue to give the 15 a game he is providing now, Chaska will be in great shape.
Lakers Deeper Than Expected? They might just be. The Lakers have a legit all-state star in Dawson Garcia and he’s paired with a talented D1 center in Robert Jones. Robert grabbed himself a dozen boards on Thursday for a double-double of 10 and 12. Sam Nissen scored a dozen plus made a few clutch plays down the stretch. Sam hit the dagger three to put the game away and also had a couple passes to his bigs that brought his team momentum.
Those are the three stars and around them PL has pieces. Jakcyse Jacox looked like a very good defender last night plus he’s a primary ball handler. Senior Colin O’Connor might be a reliable shooter for the Lakers, junior Tyree Ihenacho has found a bench niche moving the ball and chasing down boards, and Carson Schueller is a 6-foot-9 back-up big that proved he can play over the summer.
Hawks Future. Chaska has lost a pair this year to big teams (Eastview and Prior Lake) but they will be fine and pushing for a top ten spot soon. Players of size have hurt Chaska but when their young talent gets experience, they will be very good. Spencer Goetz is a 6-foot-3 sophomore that can play either forward if needed (had a nice hook shot last night) and 6-foot-8 Brady B. Nicholson is just a freshman but a big body with the potential to be very good. Add in sophomores Jack Frick and Luke Strazzanti and you see that Chaska will be good for many years to come.
What’s Next? Chaska (1-2) should even their record playing at Como Park but that will be followed by games with Lakeville North, Shakopee, Wayzata, and then the holiday event (Edina, EP, Shakopee) so they schedule is quite tough. Prior Lake gets their shot at East Ridge tomorrow followed by games with Minnetonka, Shakopee, and Osseo.