Players to Watch in the University of St. Thomas Holiday Tournament
Want some good hoops action without having to leave the metro area? The University of St. Thomas is the place to be as six of the best teams in Class AAA and AAAA will be on hand for two very…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWant some good hoops action without having to leave the metro area? The University of St. Thomas is the place to be as six of the best teams in Class AAA and AAAA will be on hand for two very competitive days of hoops Thursday and Friday. Wayzata, Cretin-Derham Hall and St. Thomas Academy are state tournament teams from a year ago, Eagan looks like one of the most improved teams in the state, Waconia has one of the state’s leading scorers and Benilde-St. Margaret’s always has talented kids.
Here are some of the players to watch:
Jacob Beeninga, Sr., Wayzata
One of the best guards in the state, Beeninga hasn’t been scoring at quite the clip he did a year ago thanks to an improved supporting cast. Wayzata has been more successful as a whole and Beeninga is still the engine for the whole operation as he’s a terrific scorer on all levels and defends his butt off.
Jack Thompson, Sr., St. Thomas Academy
Thompson has been awesome to start the season, averaging 20 points and better than four assists per game. He’s one of the top unsigned seniors in the state and has taken his game to another level this winter. He’s an outstanding perimeter shooter and has an innate ability to control the game.
Jaeden King, Sr., Cretin-Derham Hall
The lone returning starter from the Raiders’ championship team a year ago, King’s gone from complementary guy to star as his scoring is up to 24 points per game. He’s yet to get on track and shoot the way he’s capable of too, which speaks to how deadly he can still be this year.
Noah Chamberlain, Sr., St. Thomas Academy
Chamberlain has taken his game to a level few would have predicted even if he was a predictable breakout candidate. Chamberlain’s averaging better than 19 points and nearly 10 rebounds, providing everything from interior defense to playmaking to inside and outside scoring.
PJ Hayes, Jr., Waconia
Hayes is off to a monster start to the season, averaging 26 points for a Wildcats team that has several good wins to its resume. He’s an excellent long-range shooter and has the size and strength to bully people on the wing.
Luke Paulson, Sr., Wayzata
Paulson is averaging better than 14 points per game and is always under control. He’s a calming influence on the floor, can shoot the ball from anywhere inside about the volleyball line and can play on or off the ball effectively.
Tre Holloman, Fresh, Cretin-Derham Hall
The point guard spot in this tournament is loaded and Holloman will undoubtedly be the best one long term. The freshman is averaging better than 10 points and nine assists and while his shot hasn’t consistently fallen yet, he impacts the game in a major way on both ends of the floor.
Dylan Drees, Sr., Benilde-St. Margarets
Drees is the leading scorer for the Red Knights, averaging better than 13 points per game. He’s one of the best interior players in this tournament and plays both ends of the court extremely well.
Kurt Ohlhues, Jr., Eagan
Ohlhues was another guy who was expected to breakout this winter given how well he played as a sophomore and over the summer. And he’s done so, averaging better than 17 points per game for a 5-1 Eagan team. He’s one of the best pure scorers in the tournament.
Other Players to Watch:
Amari Carter, Jr., CDH
Kody Williams, Soph, Wayzata
Curtis Jones, Jr., CDH
Camden Heide, Fresh., Wayzata
Cam House, Jr., Eagan
Nick Peterson, Jr., Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Sam Nelson, Sr., Waconia