Twin Cities Week In Review: Week 7
High school basketball in the Twin Cities was back in full action last week after some off days due to the holidays. This past week was full of upsets at the Class AAAA level, with many of the top teams…
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Continue ReadingHigh school basketball in the Twin Cities was back in full action last week after some off days due to the holidays. This past week was full of upsets at the Class AAAA level, with many of the top teams suffering defeats, and other teams making strong cases for a spot in the top ten. Here at Northstar Hoops Report we give you a rundown of the top performers and teams from the seventh week of the season.
Players of the Week
Dane Zimmer (6’8 2019 F, Hopkins)- Not known for high scoring nights or strong statistical outputs, that ended up being exactly what Dane delivered last week for Hopkins. He started off with just 4 points on Tuesday in limited time during a blowout win over Annandale, but proceeded to score 21 points against Edina later that week. Dane then followed that up with 24 points in a win over St. Paul Central, picking up production after Zeke Nnaji left the game for an injury. Zimmer is a high effort and very intelligent player that does everything necessary to help his team win. He’s a strong rebounder who consistently puts himself in the right position to succeed, and uses his length to finish off putbacks or post feeds. The Minnesota State-Moorhead commit put in a strong week of play, and will be a key piece in Hopkins’ attempt to get back to the state tournament this March.
Luke Paulson (6′ 2019 G, Wayzata)- Paulson has been having a great senior year for Wayzata, and last week was no exception as he had two big nights leading Wayzata to wins on both occasions. His week started off Tuesday as Wayzata took on Columbia Heights, where he scored 17 points to help his team to a comfortable win. That was followed up on Friday against a loaded Eden Prairie squad, where he scored 20 points to help his team pull off a one point win. Those 20 points were capped off with a fading-away jump shot as time expired to secure the win for Wayzata. A great shooter, Paulson is a threat when left open from anywhere on the court, able to find space off the ball, while also being capable of creating his own shot off the dribble.
Sam Nissen (6’1 2019 G, Prior Lake)- Playing for a Prior Lake team known for its frontcourt, Sam Nissen has provided the perimeter play that has them as our new #1 team in Class AAAA. Nissen contributed to Prior Lake’s three wins last week with some solid individual performances. Against Farmington on Tuesday, Nissen scored 17 points to help get the win for his team. On Friday taking on Eagan Nissen scored 27 points, good for his season’s highest total. The week ended with a win over New Prague, as Nissen scored 8 points. Nissen provides senior leadership for his team and is a tough point guard on both ends of the floor. Able to handle the ball and distribute on offense, Nissen has also developed into a good defender who takes on the challenge of guarding talented guards from opposing teams. When looking to score, Nissen is a sharp shooter from outside who can also slip into the lane and finish at the rim. His solid play all season long has Prior Lake sitting at 9-1 nearly halfway through the season.
Bennett Otto (6’4 2019 G, Champlin Park)- The senior leader on Champlin Park this season has been Bennett Otto, and his shot was falling last week through two games. Otto scored 14 points in a tough loss to an Osseo squad that has been contending with a lot of good teams this season. On Friday he helped his team recover with a win over Andover, as he scored a season high 32 points that night. Otto has developed into more than just a shooter, and is now capable of getting buckets for himself and teammates. He has been displaying great vision in the lane, dumping off passes inside, often not even needing to look at where his teammates are as he is so good at anticipating the open space they will have. Otto has shown he is able to score from all three levels, retaining his sharpshooting ability while also getting inside and finishing with a soft touch.
Connor Christensen (6’6 2020 F, Eden Prairie)- On a team with as much talent as Eden Prairie, it’s rare for a player to have the big scoring night that Connor Christensen did last week. Though Eden Prairie suffered two losses by a combined two points, Christensen had a big week indivudally to keep Eden Prairie fighting in both games. He scored 10 points in the loss to Minnehaha Academy, and followed that up with 31 points against Wayzata. The 6’6 forward is a vocal leader who brings intensity to the floor at all times. He is one of the better defenders in the metro with the ability to guard forwards and guards due to his length and athleticism. On the offensive end he is a threat from beyond the arc, with a high arcing shoot that he can hit with consistency. Though Eden Prairie hasn’t gotten off to a hot start this season, Connor is a big reason why they remain such a big threat going forward.
Team of the Week
Edina- To go 3-0 against any level of competition in one week is impressive, and Edina managed to pull off three wins last week playing against as tough a schedule as any team in the state. Their week started with a 71-41 win over Class AA ranked Holy Family. Jack Middleton continued his strong senior year with 25 points, while Jacob Hutson added 17 in the win. On Friday Edina faced off against Lake Conference foe Hopkins, winning in a thriller by one point, 80-79. Once again Middleton and Hutson excelled, combining for 45 points. Charlie Haff had a big game of his own, using his size and outside shooting ability to score 21 points in the win. The very next afternoon they took on defending state champs Cretin-Derham Hall, winning in another close game 76-70. Middleton, Haff, and Hutson all scored in double figures for the Hornets, combining for 58 of Edina’s 76 points. Middleton and Hutson form one of the state’s top inside-out duos, and with guys like Charlie Haff who are capable of contributing in big games, Edina is looking like a threat to continue to rise in the state rankings.
Statement Win of the Week
Robbinsdale Armstrong beat Park Center 62-56- Robbinsdale Armstrong had gotten off to a solid 6-3 start, but they were yet to pull off a win against one of the state’s elite. That all changed last Tuesday as Armstrong defeated the undefeated Park Center Pirates 62-56. Armstrong got strong performances from everyone who touched the floor, whether it was scoring the ball, or helping limit Park Center standouts Dain Dainja and Khari Broadway to a total of 9 points. On offense, Armstrong got double-digit scoring performances out of four players. Adam Biewen (18), Devyn Frye (13), Jake Breitbach (13), and Hezekiah Iyawe (10) all helped paved the way for Armstrong on offense. Armstrong went into the game looking to slow down the fast paced Pirates, and they did just that. Building up a 7 point lead into halftime, they were able to keep the game slow and defend in the half-court to hold on for the win. This win proves just how tough Class AAAA is this season, with any team having the potential to win on any given night no matter the opponent.
Sleeper of the Week
Kameron Givens (6′ 2019 G, DeLaSalle)- A senior who has been growing into a very good guard as of late, Kameron Givens stepped up for DeLaSalle last week in a premier matchup against Minneapolis North. The six footer dropped a season’s best 20 points in the 66-57 win, stepping up in the absence of Jamison Battle for the Islanders. That game was followed up by 8 points in a comfortable win over Concordia Academy. Kameron’s quick growth as both a player and college prospect over the past year has been exciting to watch, and he now forms one of the deadliest backcourt duos in Minneapolis with teammate Tyrell Terry. Though DeLaSalle has a lot of star power, the emergence of Kameron Givens will be a key factor in the Islanders’ attempt to regain their state crown.
Freshman of the Week
Trejuan Holloman (6’2 2022 PG, Cretin-Derham Hall)- After proving himself as an eighth grader at Minneapolis North last season, Tre enrolled at Cretin-Derham Hall for high school and is running the show for the Raiders. Last week he proved he can be equally dangerous distributing or scoring the ball in two big games. In a win over Forest Lake on Tuesday, Holloman scored 7 points while dishing out 12 assists. The focus then turned to scoring on Saturday as Tre dropped 26 points in a close loss to Edina, while still finishing with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. With 26 more total assists than any other player in the state, Tre has distinguished himself as one of the top playmaking talents in the state, and if he can start scoring consistently like he did against Edina, the state of Minnesota will be in big trouble over the next four years.
Other Storylines
Minneapolis North defeated Caledonia 79-74 in overtime.
Antwan Kimmons (6′ 2019 G, Tartan)- Scored 26 points against North St. Paul to eclipse 1,000 on his career.
Jarvis Wright (6’1 2019 F, Columbia Heights)- Finished with 31 points in a win over Brooklyn Center.
Osseo took down Champlin Park 50-44.
Gavin Patton (6’6 2019 F, Minnetonka)- Scored 30 points vs. Chanhassen.