Granite City Classic: St. Johns Top Underclassmen
The Granite City Classic took over St. Cloud last weekend. With top teams from all class levels, there were excellent games all throughout Friday and Saturday. Here were some of the best underclassmen from St. John’s University: Jalen Cain, Minnetonka…
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Continue ReadingThe Granite City Classic took over St. Cloud last weekend. With top teams from all class levels, there were excellent games all throughout Friday and Saturday.
Here were some of the best underclassmen from St. John’s University:
Jalen Cain, Minnetonka
Watching Cain, it is hard to believe that he’s just a freshman. He’s big, strong, athletic and it looks like the game comes easy to him. He isn’t sped up mentally or physically and his skill matches his athletic skill. Cain shows the tools of being an excellent defender long term even if he can get lost at times as a helper right now and he’s excellent as a primary ball-handler both getting to the paint, knocking down shots and creating for teammates.
Kristen Hoskins, Alexandria
Hoskins does a great job controlling the tempo for the Cardinals and while he isn’t an explosive scorer, he’s a solid spot up shooter and has the burst to get by first row defenders. His defense is excellent too, as he’s strong, physical and active on the ball and in the passing lanes.
Erik Hedstrom, Alexandria
Hedstrom is the beneficiary of a handful of excellent shot-creating guards for the Cardinals, but he looks the part of an excellent inside-outside scoring big man. He’s a very good spot up shooter and has a good understanding of when to cut, when to space the floor, which lanes to fill and where to be at certain times. He looks like a guy who will be an all-conference caliber guy as an upperclassman.
Peyton Belka, Rogers
In a game where very little went right, Belka was a bright spot for the Royals. The sophomore guard was aggressive looking for his shot against guys five-plus inches taller than him and he had some success. He’s an explosive slasher, showing he can get to the paint and finish over length.
Dominic Fairbanks, Cass Lake-Bena
Fairbanks is one of several underclassmen playing big minutes for the Panthers and he looks like the team’s next multi-year stud. He’s a combo-forward with good size and length, a solid outside shot and a nose for the ball. He’s active on the glass and has the versatility to defend multiple players too.
Leroy Fairbanks IV, Cass Lake-Bena
Just an eighth-grader, Fairbanks made an impact as a shooter in Saturday’s loss to BOLD. Right now, his game is going to be about long-range shooting and moving. He’s aggressive and fearless handling the ball, and as develops physically, he’ll have a chance to be a terrific player.
Vlad Ciubotaru, Minnetonka
Ciubotaru was awesome Saturday for the Skippers. He got involved early in the game, knocking down 3-pointers in transition or in spot ups but he seemed to gain confidence as the game went on. His defense was outstanding on and off the ball and he showed a willingness to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim.