#MNStateHoops19 – Class AAAA Top Performers
Today’s Class AAAA State Tournament Quarterfinals were short on drama but heavy on outstanding performances. NHR walks you through the day’s top performers and what they did to separate themselves at State. Henry Abraham of Cambridge. Let’s be honest the…
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Continue ReadingToday’s Class AAAA State Tournament Quarterfinals were short on drama but heavy on outstanding performances. NHR walks you through the day’s top performers and what they did to separate themselves at State.
Henry Abraham of Cambridge. Let’s be honest the came was ugly. Hopkins was up early and never looked back. That said Henry Abraham gave the state a nice sample of his continually growing ability. Henry hit five threes as that is what he’s always done, knock down perimeter jumpers. But Henry has helped several teammates improve their game by creating open high percentage shots this year with his vision. Henry had five assists and there were other scoring chances from teammates that weren’t completed because of the talented Hopkins size in front of them.
Nate Adams of Maple Grove. The only Crimson player who found any space to work today was Nate Adams. Part of that is his shooting range as Nate made three deep triples but Adams scored four moving at the rim as well for a team high 18. I think the biggest thing I took for this game is the fire he has competing with edge regardless of where his team was sitting score wise.
Khari Broadway of Park Center. After five years of varsity basketball Khari Broadway stepped on the big stage and made all seven of his shots for a game high 19 points. Maple Grove had nobody that could move their feet with Broadway straight up one on one and especially after the ball was moved to him for a quick first step attack. Seven boards too.
Courtney Brown Jr of East Ridge. Picture what Jordan Murphy does for Minnesota and then imagine that ability on a high school floor in a relative way (Murphy is a much bigger guy but we are talking type of game). Brown scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting finishing several high percentage shots before the rotating defense could make any type of play on the ball. Brown has also been hitting threes all season at a 40 plus percent clip and he did that again today.
Kendall Brown of East Ridge. Most teams don’t have an answer for Kendall Brown, and that went double for Eastview who is a team with smaller wings. Brown looked to be on an open run all game long making 8 of 11 shots for 17 points with nine boards and five assists. Even when the Lightning tried to get physical with Kendall he was able to finish through contact. Honestly it was such a wide open free game for Kendall to his explosive ability that it’s tough to dive to far into anything else other than, dominance.
Ben Carlson of East Ridge. Carlson’s biggest responsibility versus Eastview was to make sure that Steven Crowl didn’t have a monster game as Crowl is the main weapon for the Raptors. That deed was done with three steals, three blocks, and six defensive boards. Carlson sat with some fouls once but his defensive both on Crowl and in helping over on others. Add in the 11 points and it was a job well done.
Tommy Chatman of Park Center. With coaches at the D1 and D2 level looking on and wondering if TC is talented for them, or hoping his talent with them, Chatman bottled all that pressure (along with the pressure to win) and put together a 16 point, seven board performance. Forget the assist total, Chatman was the unselfish intelligence on the floor that made the quick zip pass to the corner, the quick pass up the floor starting transition attacks, and the simple passes forcing Crimson movement. He was in the passing lanes, destroying his man off the bounce, and controlling the game for win 29.
Steven Crowl of Eastview. In a losing effort I thought Steven showed a lot. Scored a couple back to the basket moves against Ben Carlson turning with a touch, and also scored facing up as well as back to the basket against SJU committed big Alex Carlson. Throw in a contested three made and the open floor dunk and the D1 coaches in the crowd had to be impressed.
Dain Dainja of Park Center. When Dain touched the ball on the block with deep post touches or on second chances the Crimson had no answer. Not just because of a lack size but because Dainja’s quick turns and soft touch lead to a constant basket. A double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Drake Dobbs of Eden Prairie. Nobody had space against this EP defense today but Drage was able to get into space for 13 points and four assists to put together some production. The EP offensive didn’t have the same rhythm it’s hand but individually Drake was able to give his team some offense.
Tommy Jensen of Lakeville North. Tyler Wahl dealt with mid-game foul trouble and initially the thought was “EP can make a run here”. The first time they did. The second time Tyler sat, Tommy Jensen made a wing three, scored twice at the rim while being fouled, and took a charge. Scored 23 points on 8 of 14 shooting but it was his momentum building plays that pushed the Panthers to the big edge on the scoreboard.
Zeke Nnaji of Hopkins. Nnaji didn’t just put on a display of physical dominance, he also showed some of the excellent footwork that Zeke has continued to improve on. The quick pivot on balance to the dunk shaking a defender is what I will remember the most. Nnaji totaled 25 points on 9 of 13 shooting from the floor and 7 of 9 free throw shooting. Also grabbed nine boards in the 22 minutes he played.
Tate Staloch/Jack Rusch of Lakeville North. I’m pairing them together again because what they do is so clutch. Both rebound, both defend, both score high percentage open shots around the basket, and both stretch the defense with corner/wing threes. Tate had 11 points and 6 boards, Rusch had 10 points/9 rebounds.
Tyler Wahl of Lakeville North. Who deals with foul trouble eating at their minutes and still records a 15 point/12 board double-double? Tyler Wahl. Throw in four assists too and the two guys he spent time on defending, Wahl helped in holding them to 5-17 shooting for the game.
Kerwin Walton of Hopkins. Walton looks longer and stronger every time I see him compete. Walton is also one of the best shooters in Minnesota from the three point line. Only made two today but scored on half of his 14 shot attempts for 19 points. The release on his shot has definitely quickened and there is no hesitation from Walton when it comes to shooting in space. As an upperclassmen Kerwin is seeing his shot and knocking things down where as a younger player there was a bit more hesitance.
Zach Zebrowski of East Ridge. Either I only go to the games where Zach does amazing things or he is truly one of the most improved players in the state of Minnesota. Eastview has a few good guards but Zach completely torched them by scoring 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting. But more importantly the transition attacks and the halfcourt reads led to possessions in a perfect rhythm.
Dane Zimmer of Hopkins. The Royal power forward is one of the best players moving off the ball in the state. Few guys know how to move off of a screen like Dane does as his timing after a strong screen clears so much space for himself and others. A 61 percent field goal shooter this year, Dane scored on 7 of 10 shots for 15 points with 8 boards and six assists.