Twin Cities Week In Review: Week 10
Minnesota winter weather struck again last week as the extreme temperatures led to cancellations of basketball games for half the week. Despite the limited amount of games, the players made the most of their time on the court, and delivered…
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Continue ReadingMinnesota winter weather struck again last week as the extreme temperatures led to cancellations of basketball games for half the week. Despite the limited amount of games, the players made the most of their time on the court, and delivered some exciting performances. Prep Hoops runs through some of those players who impressed, as well as a couple of teams that came up with big wins last week.
Players of the Week
Zeke Nnaji (6’10 2019 F, Hopkins)- Zeke Nnaji delivered when it mattered most in a highly anticipated match-up against Wayzata. The Arizona signee scored 41 points against one of the state’s best teams, leading Hopkins to a key conference win in the Lake Conference. Zeke started off the game with three mid-range jumpers, before dominating inside for the rest of the game. He couldn’t be stopped as he used a combination of powerful post moves, put-backs off the offensive glass, and some fast break dunks to rack up an impressive scoring total. Zeke had crafted a versatile perimeter game last season, and after bulking up this off-season he is a force in the paint now as well. This combination of inside-out scoring prowess makes him a match-up nightmare for opposing squads looking to stop him. With Zeke playing like this, Hopkins will be a hard team to stop in March.
Jack Rusch (6’5 2019 F, Lakeville North)- Thought 41 points was impressive? Try 42 from Lakeville North’s Jack Rusch. The streaky lefty had scored just 10 points combined over the last two games, but something sparked as he exploded for 42 to lead North past a solid Eastview team. At 6’5 he has the height to be effective inside, but Jack proved to be most dangerous from beyond the arc as he knocked down 8 three pointers and 16 field goals in total on the night. Rusch plays with a toughness and swagger on the court, and is willing to throw all rankings and offers aside to flat out compete on the court. That competitive spirit showed as he lit up the box score in one of the most impressive scoring performances the metro has seen this season.
Tait Nelson (5’9 2020 G, St. Anthony)- The impressive scoring performances didn’t stop with the two previously mentioned, as junior Tait Nelson went off for 35 points of his own in a close loss to Brooklyn Center. The 5’9 junior has been electric scoring the ball all season, and delivered one of his best performances to date, using his crafty ball-handling and quick decision making to exploit gaps in the defense and create his own scoring opportunities. Tait can also scored as an off-ball guard, getting into open space and knocking down shots from deep. He leads the Tri-Metro East in scoring, and has St. Anthony sitting at 9-9 on the year.
Jamison Battle (6’7 2019 F, DeLaSalle)- For our next player we transition over to the Tri-Metro West conference where Jamison Battle used his smooth shooting stroke to score 37 points in a big win over St. Croix Lutheran. That total is his second highest scoring night on the season, and brings his average up to 23.8 ppg. Jamison is one of the deadliest three point shooters in the state, and has added a face up post game that makes him a difficult guard inside. His turnaround jumper from the baseline is near impossible to stop when he finds his rhythm, making him one of the most dangerous offensive players in the state, and he will play a pivotal role in DeLaSalle’s attempt to get back to the state championship game.
Curtis Jones (6’2 2020 G, Cretin-Derham Hall)- Perhaps flying a little under-the-radar on a team with multiple big name players, Curtis Jones has played a pivotal role in CDH’s win streak that has seen them jump back into the state rankings. In a highly anticipated rematch against White Bear Lake, Curtis scored 26 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists. That production allowed Cretin to pull off a four point win. Curtis is a streaky shooter from distance, and has a soft floater inside that he finishes with consistency over length, allowing him to get a lot of easy buckets when he moves off the ball into space. The Minneapolis South transfer has been contributing in all facets of the game, stuffing the stat sheet consistently and has quietly been making his presence felt.
Team of the Week
Cretin-Derham Hall- Though they were having a solid season, CDH was yet to beat a high level AAAA school. That all changed as they took on White Bear Lake for the second time this season, having dropped the previous game 68-69. This time Cretin came out firing without breakout junior Amari Carter, and came away with a 72-68 win. Curtis Jones, who we previously discussed, finished with 26 points while Jaeden King chipped in 19. Freshman floor general Trejuan Holloman scored an efficient 8 points while dishing out 11 assists and grabbing 6 boards. Stepping up in the absence of Amari Carter was Will Burke, who finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Burke is a coaches dream as a role player, knocking down his open shots, and giving all-out effort on defense and rebounding the ball. His contributions were key in allowing Cretin-Derham Hall to knock off a talented White Bear Lake squad in conference play.
Statement Win of the Week
Prior Lake beat Shakopee 72-70- A Prior Lake win over Shakopee, though a talented team, otherwise wouldn’t be much of a storyline. But when you realize they did it without Dawson Garcia’s near 30 points a contest, then it becomes a statement to just how talented this team is even without Dawson. Dawson’s partner down low Robert Jones dominated with 23 points using his size and mobility inside to finish at the rim. Sam Nissen also added 17 points with his sharpshooting ability, as well as facilitating the flow of the offense as a floor general. Tyree Ihenacho is a talented wing who used his athleticism to chip in 11 points as well. These three, along with a few other talented players, combined with a healthy Dawson Garcia form a team that no one will want to play in the playoffs, and they could very well find themselves in the state tournament.
Sleeper of the Week
Charles Johnson (6′ 2019 G, Holy Angels)- One of the best defenders in the state, Charles Johnson is a scrappy guard that can do a little bit of everything on the court. Last week he proved his versatility with an impressive stat line of 14 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals. For a guard his size he rebounds extremely well, among his team’s leaders in the stat. His on-ball defense combined with his ability to jump passing lines has allowed him to average 4.7 spg, and those turnovers he creates lead to a lot of open transition buckets for himself or teammates. He won’t get the most recognition on his team since he isn’t a big time scorer, but his ability to make an impact in every area of the game make him an exciting prospect.
Freshman of the Week
Emmett Johnson (5’10 2022 PG, Holy Angels)- Alongside our sleeper of the week was his brother Emmett Johnson. Emmett is already a scoring threat as just a freshman, and he proved that last week by scoring 24 points in a win over Concordia Academy. He is extremely quick getting to the rim and has proven to be able to finish over height inside. Though his strongest attribute at this time is his scoring prowess, Emmett is also a capable distributor, and fights for rebounds on the glass. He is extremely quick and can get up in ball handlers’ faces on defense, acting as a pest just like his older brother does. With both of the Johnson brothers playing at a high level, Holy Angels is 15-2 and looks dangerous as we approach the post-season.
Other Storylines
John Henry (6’5 2020 W, Eden Prairie)- Scored 24 and 23 points in two wins.
Park Center handled rival Champlin Park 71-54.
Antwan Kimmons (6′ 2019 PG, Tartan)- Totaled 27 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Mahtomedi.
Jacob Beeninga (5’10 2019 PG, Wayzata)- Scored 21 points against Hopkins.
Matthew Willert (6’5 2020 G, Buffalo)- Dropped 28 points in a win over St. Cloud Tech.