Breakdown Summer State Tournament – Top Five Performers
The Breakdown Summer State Tournament was last weekend and won by Park Center, Mankato East, Caledonia, and Eastview. Here are the event’s top performers that I was able to see. Ben Carlson of East Ridge. Ben was out for about…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Breakdown Summer State Tournament was last weekend and won by Park Center, Mankato East, Caledonia, and Eastview. Here are the event’s top performers that I was able to see.
Ben Carlson of East Ridge. Ben was out for about a month and it was good to see him back, and he wasn’t just back, Ben was dominant. Carlson is not just filled out and strong, but he’s also agile and active. Going against Dainja, Carlson was the more active rebounder and the more consistent defensive player. Carlson hit two threes but also went at the basket in one on one space situations beating defender number one and then finishing over the help. He had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks shooting 12 of 16 from the field playing about 60 percent of the game, and this came from Ben after he had to sit out five to six weeks!
Dain Dainja of Park Center. I’ve said it many times before and I will say it again, Dain Dainja is the most skilled post player we have had in Minnesota since Royce White. And Dain is near Royce in terms of going at the basket but also stronger than Royce was at this time of his career. I marvel at Dain sometimes because he has such an amazing handle for a big plus the soft hands finishing near the rim are so rare. Then you add the strength and you have a near unstoppable package with the ball. Royce was (and I guess still is) an inch or two taller and had about one percent body fat in high school but Dain is stronger, and the skills they have/had are so similar. Dainja had 31 points and eight rebounds shooting 13 of 20 from the field against a combination of Carlson and the young Raptor size.
Drake Dobbs of Eden Prairie. Have I told you lately that I think Liberty traveled to Minnesota and completely stole a recruit of talent? Drake led Eden Prairie to three wins and then sat the final game with cramps. What I love about Drake the most is his mindset of taking possessions over when it’s needed while balancing out the point guard role. There is a determination to score in his game that few people have plus he dished out six assists (and grabbed seven boards) when EP beat Buffalo. Also in that game, Drake scored 20 while attacking to hit the game winner with three seconds left.
Eli King of Caledonia. There is an excitement around Minnesota to see what Eli King will become. His body control going at the rim is like that of a cat in that it is always on balance regardless of what way his body is contorted. Then add to that Eli has a bounce at the rim that you better help over to early or he will be flying by you and finishing above the rim. King is a fearless sophomore-to-be. The North Polars were on the other side of the court with their talent and history of success but Eli never changed his expression going straight at them for nine scores. In the title game (fourth game in seven hours) Eli’s floor run and bounce to the glass was the same as it was in game one. Eli had nine points, seven boards, and four assists in the 24 minute game/victory over Waseca.
Parker Fraki of Henning. Parker had one of my favorite quotes of the 2018-19 season: “Our goal all year was to get to state. Then once we got here, we realized we belonged.” Henning doesn’t just belong, they play better team basketball than any team in the state. Let me repeat that ANY TEAM IN THE STATE. The state champs won all four games this weekend once against competing with great ball movement, outstanding team defense, and a determination to take a high percentage shot every single time down the court. Incredible consistency of execution and Parker is the model of consistency for the team. We watched Parker defend, move the ball, and have near double-doubles against Nicollet and Parkers Prairie.
Extra Credit: Josh Brown of Park Center. His shooting touch is the game changer. Gives PC a steady weapon that others simply don’t have.