Minnesota First Look: Caledonia
One of the best basketball programs in Minnesota, Caledonia, by its typical standards, had a bit of a down year in 2018-19. Playing a number of underclassmen and less-experienced players, the Warriors went 23-6 but lost before reaching the Section…
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Continue ReadingOne of the best basketball programs in Minnesota, Caledonia, by its typical standards, had a bit of a down year in 2018-19. Playing a number of underclassmen and less-experienced players, the Warriors went 23-6 but lost before reaching the Section 1AA finals. But with one more year for Noah King, plus the emergence of several young studs, the Warriors have the look of a legitimate state title contender again for 2019-20.
KEY RETURNERS: Noah King, Eli King
Noah King made the transition to point guard last season for the Warriors, taking over for his brother Owen, and while it took him some time to get fully comfortable with the new role, he was terrific, especially over the second half of the year. The 6-foot-2 senior averaged 19 points, 6.4 rebounds and more than three assists per game. He’s one of the best all-around players in the state and can dominate a game with his strength and three-level scoring ability.
Eli King is well on his way to becoming an elite prospect after a monster summer playing with Caledonia and the Comets. The 6-foot-3 sophomore guard averaged 13 points, five rebounds and five assists as a freshman, going from dead-eye shooter to all-around stud. He’s an excellent defender with the length, strength and athleticism to guard up or down a lineup. And he’s becoming more and more aggressive looking to dominate games. Watch out.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Sam Privet, Casey Schultz, Andrew Kunelius
If you want a breakout guy, Privet’s it. The 6-foot-7 forward was in the rotation last year as a sophomore and started to play really well late in the year. But it looks like he’s ready to take his game to another level this winter. He was a force over the summer for the Warriors, showing excellent skills in the low post, a soft shooting touch and a hot motor. He’s going to average a double-double.
Schultz and Kunelius didn’t see a lot of varsity time last year as underclassmen, but look like readymade contributors going into this season. Both guys had solid summers playing with SE MN Lightning on the AAU circuit.
Schultz has solid size and strength and uses both to his advantage particularly on the defensive end of the floor and getting to the rim. Kunelius is a steady ball-handler who can make plays for his teammates, which should give the King brothers an opportunity to get off the ball and utilize their shooting.
QUESTION: Just how good can Eli King be?
Eli King has been on the radar for a while and while it gets a little bit cliche to say the youngest of a group of brothers has a chance to be the best one, this isn’t hyperbole. Eli isn’t as thick or as strong as Noah and he isn’t as polished (yet, as a sophomore), as Owen was, but he’s more athletic, longer and might be the best shooter (which is saying a lot). He’s the best defender as well. He averaged 13 points per game as a freshman and had an awesome summer playing up two age levels on the AAU circuit and he’s showing a nastiness in his game that makes it feel like he’s going to be dominant this year. Can he take his game to a dominant level? He’s going to be good. He’s just a sophomore, so perspective is important, but he’s good enough to be the best player on this team and good enough to be the best player on the floor in every game the Warriors play this year.
SEASON OUTLOOK
It seems like Caledonia is never not good, and the Warriors won’t not be good this winter. With one more year left of multiple Kings on the varsity court, expect this team to be a factor come March. They are the most talented team in the Three Rivers Conference and have the look of a top-five team and a title contender in Class AA. While Section 1AA is arguably the toughest in the state, this group has the component pieces to navigate it.