Hidden Gems: Northwest Suburban
As the season approaches, preview content begins to escalate for the 2019-20 hoops campaign. We’ll continue this series called Hidden Gems by naming one sleeper prospect from each team, conference by conference. Who is poised for a big season with…
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Continue ReadingAs the season approaches, preview content begins to escalate for the 2019-20 hoops campaign.
We’ll continue this series called Hidden Gems by naming one sleeper prospect from each team, conference by conference. Who is poised for a big season with new responsibilities? NHR details an up-and-comer from every angle, today in the Northwest Suburban.
Andover: Calvin Foy, 5-11 PG, Jr. The constant uptick in performance and skill development for Calvin Foy will bring him to good places as he grows. The 2021 guard led the Huskies in scoring last season at around 11 points per game in his first year of varsity play. That’s a promising start with two years left on his prep career. Andover has some young guns who could make a difference in the coming seasons.
Anoka: David Ayeni, 6-2 SF, Jr. Anoka graduates the top three scorers from their roster but two return that were on the cusp of double figures and one of them is athletic forward David Ayeni. The junior scored 9-plus per game last year and was second on the team in three-pointers made. His length and developing perimeter skillset will go a long way to hold up the Tornado offense.
Robbinsdale Armstrong: Adam Biewen, 6-3 SF, Sr. Biewen broke out as a long-range sniper and strong leader for the better-than-expected Falcons, including a strong 18-point output when Armstrong defeated #1 Park Center in January. Averaging 11 a game last year, he’ll split the usage duties with point guard Jake Breitbach and I do expect his shooting percentage and scoring average to jump considerably.
Blaine: Patrick Perrault, 6-0 G, Sr. As the most experienced returner for the Bengals, Perrault could be expected to shoot, dribble and pass at a high level and up that 7 PPG to somewhere in the high teens. He’s a gym rat with speed and quickness that can be used to his advantage with the ball in his hands and is a smart cutter without it.
Centennial: Carter Anderson, 6-4 F, Sr. There are few frontcourt players as bruising as Carter in the northwest metro. He will hopefully have a fully healthy season after missing about half the year in 2018-19, albeit scoring at a 16 PPG clip. His wide base and quick jumping ability are a deadly combo in the paint where offensive rebound putbacks can be had.
Champlin Park: Jared Walter, 6-3 SF, Sr. Walter’s game is low-maintenance and full of good shot selection. He’s a three-pointers/layups kind of player who can pass off a drive really well. He also defends and rebounds like a 4 at a proficient level. This will be his third year of varsity play and I’m sure he’d like to increase his scoring production toward double digits alongside his other positive skills. The ball opportunities are there.
Coon Rapids: Jackson Aurelius, 6-4 F, Sr. The Cardinals have some more juice coming back in Aurelius as a frontcourt stat-getter — he put up 11 points and five rebounds a contest last year. Along with David Osayameh’s returning 11 PPG as well, Aurelius will have plenty of chances to go to work inside and out against offensive mismatches.
Elk River: Alex Eng, 6-9 C, Sr. We’ve seen other big men really blossom over the last year (Jennissen, Sisk, etc.) in Minnesota and Eng could be next up. He’s been steadily growing throughout high school and you can bet new coach Ryan Servaty will find a way for him to have an impact on one or both ends of the floor. He won’t bury you on the block but there’s consistent effort there to be rewarded.
Maple Grove: Lovell Williams, 6-0 PG, Sr. Lovell transferred to Maple Grove from STMA and had a strong junior year as a reserve point guard. Now with the Crimson’s top three scoring threats graduated, he takes the reins in leadership and ability. His shooting range has expanded, he’s stronger and taller and he’s vocal for his team. Maple Grove is in pole position to win Section 8 for a fifth straight year — can Williams lead them there?
Osseo: Joshua Ola-Joseph, 6-4 F, So. There’s endless athletic potential with Josh. He was a force on the Oriole JV throwing down standing dunks and tossing in high-arcing three-pointers. His long limbs score him automatic points as a prospect and he’s got plenty of time to grow into his body. One of the many uber-promising sophomores coming up in the Osseo program.
Park Center: David Ijadimbola, 6-2 G, Sr. I don’t think we’re talking enough about how important David is to the teams he’s played on. He was the Breakdown Tip-Off hero last December hitting the game-winner against Eden Prairie and did the same thing on Minnesota Select this spring and summer. He’s gaining NAIA interest lately, rightly so. He’s a sharpshooting lefty with good lateral quickness defensively. I think he can make a huge difference in PC’s success this year.
Rogers: Thomas Glad, 6-3 F, Sr. I saw more Rogers games than I thought I would last season and was always impressed by Glad’s efforts. He’s got length and ability to shoot over defenses and scored 10 a game in a balanced, slow-pace offense. His size is plus for his position and he’ll rebound willingly too. I’m a fan.
Spring Lake Park: Daydor Phillips, 6-2 F, Sr. I enjoy watching Daydor work on the glass as an undersized power forward with not a lot of desire to be the center of attention. He runs the floor faithfully waiting to catch passes on rim cuts where he finishes at a high rate. Phillips also is the perfect complement to Gabe Myren and Blake Remme who rightfully take most of the shots. Daydor could be a 9 PPG/11 RPG kind of player with a 55% shooting percentage.
Totino-Grace: DJ Akpati, 6-0 PG, Jr. The Eagle lead guard has a great push-and-pull feel for directing an offense. He’s good at getting a defender at a disadvantage on his hip and seeing dropoff passes for his big men. There’s a ton of good young talent coming up the ranks and DJ is in a great position to lead and facilitate while showing his own skills as a complete player.