Twin Cities Week In Review: Week 12
The playoffs are just around the corner in Minnesota, and thankfully the weather was kind enough to allow a full week of games for the first time in a while. With the action in full swing, the Twin Cities was…
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Continue ReadingThe playoffs are just around the corner in Minnesota, and thankfully the weather was kind enough to allow a full week of games for the first time in a while. With the action in full swing, the Twin Cities was full of talent putting together big weeks as both individuals and teams. Northstar Hoops breaks down the best of the best from last week.
Players of the Week
Hunter Nielsen (6’7 2019 F, New Prague)- Hunter Nielsen has been quietly putting together a productive senior year, and that production continued into last week as his two big nights helped his New Prague team come away with two key wins. On Monday Hunter scored 30 points to help lead his team past Hastings. He followed that up later in the week by dropping 22 on Waconia, helping New Prague come away with a 58-52 win. Hunter is a versatile big man who can score in a variety of ways. He has solid footwork inside that allows him to create space and finish over length. He can also stretch out to the perimeter where he possesses a solid stroke from distance, making him even more of a scoring threat. Hunter is a player who improved a lot in the off season, and has been catching fire late in this season.
Domenik Block (6’2 2019 G, Park)- Domenik is as electric as they come at the guard spot, and he used his explosiveness to dominate through three games last week. He started off on Monday by going off for 37 points in a win over Brooklyn Center. The very next night he scored 13 against Roseville, though Park was defeated. He responded to the loss by coming back with 25 points on Friday to lead Park to a win over Forest Lake. Domenik is an explosive athlete who can get up and punish the rim in transition, but he is more than just a leaper. He has handles that allow him to open up looks for himself, and is a capable shooter from beyond the arc. He is a dangerous scoring guard capable of putting together big runs during games to open up a lead for his team. A hard nosed competitor, he has a tough name fitting of his tough game.
Eli Campbell (6′ 2019 G, Minneapolis North)- Due to some rescheduling, Minneapolis North played a loaded schedule of four games last week, and we saw multiple big nights from their star point guard Eli Campbell. In three straight wins against conference opponents, Eli finished with scoring totals of 24, 21, and 31, an impressive run of play from the crafty guard. North finished off the week against Waseca, where Eli would finish with 8 points in the loss. Eli is an elite three point shooter who perhaps doesn’t get some of the recognition he deserves for his range. He has the ability to pull-up off the dribble from deep, or come off screens in designed plays and let them fly from deep with his quick release. When needed, Eli can use his quick handles to penetrate the lane, shifting defenders out of his way with ease. Eli could very well take home conference player of the year honors, and his performances this week are one of many reasons why.
Ronnell Porter (5’7 2019 PG, St. Paul Central)- Most known for his defensive energy and facilitating abilities as a point guard, Ronnell showed us last week that he can get his own buckets too. His week started off with an explosion of 30 points in Central’s big win over St. Paul Washington. He followed that up with 20 points in a loss to Minnehaha Academy. Though no stats were posted, Central took down Como Park later in the week. Ronnell is as shifty as they come at the guard spot, and he uses every ounce of that agility to zip around the court on both ends of the floor. He excels at picking opposing guards up full-court, forcing turnovers and limiting that team’s ability to get into a good flow on offense. With the ball in his hands Ronnell can get into the lane and dish out assists at will to cutting forwards, and also finish against length (He had an impressive lay-up over Minnehaha Academy’s 7 footer Chet Holmgren on Wednesday). Garnering looks from a few D3’s and Juco’s, Ronnell is a guard to watch in the St. Paul City Conference.
Jacob Hutson (6’9 2020 C, Edina)- Jacob Hutson is as big and powerful a post as they come, and that strength, combined with a soft touch made for a big couple of nights for him last week. In a tough loss to Hopkins on Tuesday, Hutson tallied 13 points. He would go on to triple that total on Friday night however, scoring 39 points in a big win over Wayzata. That 39 points was a career high, and helped his team to a key conference win. Jacob is one of the top emerging bigs in the state, and has been progressively improving his perimeter game to become an even more versatile player. His strength makes him difficult to move on the block as a defender, and he excels at going straight up to block or alter shots without fouling. As he continues to improve his skills and become more confident offensively, Hutson will be a major problem for the Lake Conference.
Team of the Week
Lakeville South- After a rough start to the year, Lakeville South has put together an impressive run of play towards the back end of the season. Last week South player in, and won three games in a row against big school competition. Two of those wins also came without star sophomore Reid Patterson. They started off the week with a 56-53 win over Farmington, behind Abe Strader and his 22 point night. The very next night they took on Apple Valley, and dominated to come away with a 79-53 win. Four players scored in double-figures for South, including Avery Mast with 19, and Riley Mahlman with 18 points. They capped off the week with a low scoring win over Eagan, 45-40. Abe Strader was once again in double-figures with 14, while Joe Bachinski added 10. Despite losing their leading scorer, South proved they have the depth to compete with some solid teams, using a combination of talent and youthfulness to pull off three wins before a tough run of play over the next few games.
Statement Win of the Week
Cretin-Derham Hall defeats Eden Prairie 86-78- With both teams fighting through some injuries, Cretin-Derham Hall managed to take down a talented Eden Prairie squad. Holding a slight lead early in the second half, Jaeden King left the game injured, forcing some fellow Raiders to step up. They barely managed to hold on, forcing overtime where they were able to knock down free throws to seal the deal. Freshman Trejuan Holloman had one of his best scoring performances to date, knocking down a few threes and getting inside to score 24 points. He was also credited with 11 assists in the win. Curtis Jones took over in the second half, and used his three point shooting, along with some clutch free throws, to record a game high 27 points. Will Burke has been a consistent glue-guy all season long for the Raiders, and he had an impressive 13 points, with many coming late in the game, to match his tough defensive play. He was the unsung hero and played a key role in this win.
Sleeper of the Week
Josh Brown (6’3 2020 G, Park Center)- A true sniper from beyond the arc, Josh Brown has played a key role off the bench for arguably the state’s best team this year. He is a long guard on the wing at 6’3, with lanky arms to match. This past week he chipped in a key 11 points for Park Center as the beat Robbinsdale Armstrong 55-46. That was followed up by 6 points in a big win over Irondale. His play off the bench was huge for Park Center in avenging their loss to Armstrong, as their starting guards struggled to get much going offensively. His deep shooting provided a spark off the bench, and he was the second leading scorer on the game. Over the past four games Josh is averaging 11 ppg, and he will play a key role in Park Center’s push for a state tournament birth.
Freshman of the Week
Quyavant Douglas (6′ 2023 G, Brooklyn Center)- Yes I know Quyavant isn’t a freshman, but the eighth grader put in a huge week of play at the varsity level that is worthy of recognition this week. Brooklyn Center played four games, and Quyavant was a force to be reckoned with, finishing with scoring totals of 33, 14, 24, and 5. That made for a 19 ppg average through the week. Quyavant has been the leading scorer for Brooklyn Center as just a middle schooler, leading the youth charge that has emerged after losing a number of players to Prep School. He is a quick and crafty guard that gets to the paint and has phenomenal body control to contort his way past defenders and finish in traffic. His ability to get to the rim also earns him a good amount of trips to the free throw line, where he makes the most of his opportunities, shooting 73% this year. Playing alongside a number of other talented young players, the future looks bright at Brooklyn Center.
Other Storylines
Clarence Daniels (6’5 2019 F, Marantha)- Scored 22 points with 12 boards against New Life Academy.
Cole Nicholson (6’6 2019 F, Chaska)- Dropped 29 points in a win over Minnetonka.
Chaska put together a 3-0 week against Robbinsdale Cooper, Minnetonka, and Bloomington Kennedy.
DeLaSalle defeated Cretin-Derham Hall 83-63.