Granite City Classic – Top Underclassmen Performers
The Granite City Classic games at Apollo included several young players making a big impact. Here are the names you should know going forward. Braeden Carrington of Park Center (Soph). Carrington plays a bench role for the Pirates and in…
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Continue ReadingThe Granite City Classic games at Apollo included several young players making a big impact. Here are the names you should know going forward.
Braeden Carrington of Park Center (Soph). Carrington plays a bench role for the Pirates and in his limited minutes on Friday I saw some steps forward as an all around player. Moved to spots better on defense, went after some boards, and passed the ball with team purpose helping teammates. Hit two shots but I liked some of the other things that looked improved even more.
Casmir “Cash” Chavis of Brooklyn Center (grade 8). Cash scored his team high 14 points in a win over the Zephyrs but it was his defense that was game changing. His ball pressure in man to man was a nightmare followed by his ability to zone trap in the second half. Love his defensive desire at such a young age.
Thomas Diew of St. Cloud Apollo (Soph). Diew is starting up front for Apollo giving Puoch Dobuol a skilled face-up player that can attack of the dribble, pass from the high post, and score with his back to the basket next to Puoch. Diew scored just three times versus MCA but his screens and rebounding efforts (grabbed six) helped Apollo earn the victory.
Malcolm Jones of Prior Lake (Soph). Malcolm has worked his way into a starting role and you can see the 6-foot-8 post getting more comfortable and consistent. Jones battled with scholarship Park Center senior size for eight boards plus he was able to win position battle more than the last we saw him versus older players. Scored on four possessions as well. Every day getting better.
Avery Mast of Lakeville South (soph). The 6-foot-5 sophomore went against future college basketball players for the Rebels and he was the best big on the floor scoring 16 on 6 of 10 shooting. Mast was outstanding with his balanced drop step into finishes as well as his face up one dribble completions. Mast runs the floor very well at his size and his effort is every play. He looks like a tough player that brings it every play.
BJ Omot of Mankato East (soph). The 6-foot-6 tenth grader is starting to make his move as a high level prospect in his class. If you are a D1 coach it’s time to start looking into what this skilled and agile wing is able to do in the type of long frame that colleges love moving around screens on defense. Omot has the type of handling comfort that can lead a break and take the size that guards him off the glass. The touch is soft and his attack is controlled.
Domanik Paulson of WEM (soph). Paulson is the next standout leader for the Bucs going forward based on what we saw today. He’s a 6-foto-2 forward that right now plays a worker role grabbing boards (8 for the game) and scoring in active off ball ways. Showed a bit of skill creating twice in one on one situations and as that part of his game grows WEM will continue to get better.
Camren Smith of Brooklyn Center (grade 8). Smith was defending a player six inches taller than himself but he kept everything in front and did a masterful job sprinting to traps and jumping passing lanes defensively. Slashed his way to the rim for 11 points in the win over Mahtomedi.