Twin Cities Week In Review: Week 9
It was another action packed week in the Twin Cities, with some high profile tournaments on both Monday and Saturday. A lot of new faces stepped up to help lead their team’s to wins, and the big names continued their…
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Continue ReadingIt was another action packed week in the Twin Cities, with some high profile tournaments on both Monday and Saturday. A lot of new faces stepped up to help lead their team’s to wins, and the big names continued their productive seasons. Check out which players performed well, and which teams impressed in the Twin Cities last week!
Players of the Week
Detavius Frierson (6’5 2020 W, Park Center)- Detavius is one of the biggest stock risers of this high school season, impressing fans and coaches alike with his athleticism and energy. Playing for a loaded Park Center squad that shares the ball well, high scroring performances aren’t expected out of their individual players, but Detavius delivered a solid week through two games. He started off the week by scoring a season-high 24 points in a win over Blaine, before going on to score 14 in a win over Osseo on 6-11 shooting. Detavius uses his elite vertical leaping ability to finish above the rim both in the open floor, and with defenders present. When not throwing down huge dunks, Detavius is dangerous driving to the hoop and finishing through contact. He isn’t a great shooter, but has been developing his perimeter game and is capable of knocking down open jumpers. He constantly brings energy and vocal leadership to both sides of the ball, and is a key reason why Park Center only has one loss this year.
Isaac Tessier (6’1 2019 G, White Bear Lake)- One third of a three headed monster of seniors at White Bear Lake, Tessier had an extremely productive week over two games. The talented point guard scored 26 points while dishing out 9 assists in a loss to East Ridge, arguably the top team in the state regardless of class. That was followed up by 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in a comfortable win over Forest Lake. Tessier is a point guard who can contribute at every aspect of the game, whether it be scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding at a high level for a guard (5.2 rpg), or as one of the top passers in the metro (6.3 apg). Tessier won’t impress you with flair, but he delivers at a high level of consistency, and is a player who understands his role and does whatever necessary to win.
Amari Carter (6’6 2020 W, Cretin-Derham Hall)- Like Detavius Frierson, Amari Carter is in the midst of a breakout junior season that his seen his role and production increase exponentially. The 6’6 and versatile wing played two games last week, starting off with 12 points on 6-10 shooting in a win over Roseville. That was followed up by Amari setting a new career high of 33 points, complimented with 8 rebounds, in a one point victory over Park. Amari is capable of playing multiple positions with his length and fluid athleticism, running a little bit of point guard at times last year, but transitioning into more of a forward for the Raiders this season. He has grown more explosive in finishing around the rim, and has also become a more consistent outside shooter. That skill combined with his effort on both ends of the floor has made him into a dangerous inside-out threat for Cretin-Derham Hall.
Robert Jones (6’10 2019 C, Prior Lake)- Playing alongside a guy like Dawson Garcia who puts up big scoring numbers, Robert is most known for his rebounding and shot blocking. This week however, Robert showed just how capable of a scorer he is, while maintaining his productivity on the glass and defensive end. Against Lakeville North, Robert scored 13 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking 6 shots. Later that week in a win over Apple Valley, he increased his production with a 31 point explosion on 13-17 shooting, while grabbing 10 boards. Robert is a strong and physical post player that runs the floor well for transition buckets. In the post he has a variety of moves that open up good looks at the rim, and he is explosive enough to finish over height. The Denver commit showed us just why he was wanted by many schools throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Zach Zebrowski (5’11 2019 G, East Ridge)- Often overshadowed by a plethora of Division One prospects as teammates, Zach plays a pivotal role in East Ridge’s success as a team. He didn’t have huge statistical outputs this week, but if you were present at either of his games you would understand just how strong Zach played. In a blowout win over Mounds View Zach scored 8 points, and although there is no record on his assists, watching the game he had to be nearing double digits in that category. At the Border Battle on Saturday he faced off against Brookfield Central, one of the top teams in Wisconsin, and dominated in the first half on his way to 18 points and 5 assists. Zach plays with a special type of confidence, and no matter who his opponent is, he’s going to come out and compete. He is a crafty finisher around the rim, and when he gets going from distance he becomes an extremely dangerous weapon on offense. His play-making ability in the open floor opens up so many opportunities for his athletic teammates to succeed, and his effect on a game isn’t always noticed in the box score.
Team of the Week
Breck- Despite some tough opponents, Breck went an impressive 4-0 last week, proving just why they are one of the top teams in Class AA. Breck started off by taking down Henry Sibley 59-49 at the MLK Classic on Monday, led by 31 points from David Roddy and 14 points from Joey Ganley. The very next day they defeated Blake 57-51, with Roddy and Ganley once again leading the charge, combining for 37 points. On Thursday they got a blowout win over St. Paul Academy, with Jaren Morton having a solid game of 12 points. They capped the week off with an impressive 83-67 win over a talented Park squad. Roddy exploded for 37 points, while Joey Ganley also had a great offensive night with 20 of his own. With Roddy producing at as high a level as any player in the state, Breck already stands as a ranked caliber team in AA. Add in the return of a productive Joey Ganley, and an efficient two-way guard in Jaren Morton, and you have a team ready to compete come March.
Statement Win of the Week
Lakeville South takes down Lakeville North 69-66- Despite graduating most of their scoring from last season, Lakeville South returned a strong sophomore core that had them primed for a bright future. But how many would have thought that that team was ready to take down a AAAA contender in Lakeville North? Reid Patterson and co. proved just how dangerous they are by taking down the “big brother” Lakeville North squad. South was led by an outburst from Reid Patterson who scored 39 points with his smooth lefty stroke. He is capable of knocking down shots from way downtown, but is also a crafty finisher when he gets to the rim. Fellow sophomore Riley Mahlman used his size to chip in 12 points while defending well inside against some of North’s upperclassmen bigs. Though Tyler Wahl had a monster game of 43 points for North, South was able to lock down his teammates and hold on to their lead until the final buzzer sounded.
Sleeper of the Week
Zac Centers (6’1 2019 G, Mahtomedi)- Playing alongside one of the metro’s top scorers, Zac Centers has been quietly delivering 16 points per contest, in what has been a solid senior year. This past week he really upped his game, scoring well above his average in two outings. In a big win over Henry Sibley, Centers dropped 23 points in one of his best performances of the season. That didn’t seem like much after the next game however, as he scored a season-high of 33 points as Mahtomedi was able to fend off North St. Paul. Centers is a dangerous three point shooter who can really get streaky and go off for big scoring nights as he showed last week. Currently ranked #145 in our senior class state rankings, Centers isn’t the most well known player in the metro, but he is able to compete with almost anyone he matches up against, and is a big reason why Mahtomedi is looking like a real threat in Class AAA.
Freshman of the Week
Camden Heide (6’5 2022 W, Wayzata)- Camden Heide surely doesn’t have the physical attributes of a normal freshman, and last week he sure didn’t play like a freshman either. The long and athletic wing prospect put up big numbers all week, starting off with 18 points in a win over St. Michael-Albertville, before scoring 15 in a close win against a tough Minnetonka squad. His big week was topped off by 32 points in a win over Cambridge-Isanti, a number rarely seen by a freshman at the AAAA level. At 6’5 and already scary athletic, Camden can get inside and finish at or above the rim. Despite that rare athleticism at a young age, he doesn’t force his game inside, and has a smooth and methodical approach to his offense. He takes what the defense gives him, and shoots the ball with consistency from all three levels, making him an efficient scorer. Whether it be with highlight reel dunks, or big scoring nights like he had last week, Camden Heide is making a splash in the Lake Conference as a freshman, and it comes as no surprise that schools like Wisconsin are already beginning to take notice.
Other Storylines
Drake Dobbs (6′ 2020 PG, Eden Prairie)- Scored 31 points in a close win over Edina.
Zeke Nnaji (6’10 2019 F, Hopkins)- Dropped 36 points in a victory vs. Minneapolis North.
Louis McCaleb (2019 G, St. Paul Prep/HSRA)- Finished with 39 points against Kaleidoscope Charter.
Lakeville North took down Prior Lake 77-68.
Tierre Davis (6′ 2019 G, St. Paul Harding)- Scored 25 points in a win at St. Paul Humboldt.