The Breakdown Elite – Tip Off Classic’s Top Five
The Breakdown Tip Off Classic had sixteen games full of the state’s top talent but only five can fall into the category of The Breakdown Elite. Here are the five. Ben Carlson of East Ridge. Challenge Overcome. Carlson led a…
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Continue ReadingThe Breakdown Tip Off Classic had sixteen games full of the state’s top talent but only five can fall into the category of The Breakdown Elite. Here are the five.
Ben Carlson of East Ridge.
Challenge Overcome. Carlson led a team of mostly new to varsity basketball players against opposing big Dain Dainja and the number one ranked Pirates.
The Performance. Ben set a new school record by scoring 40 points including his matching of what Dain Dainja did plus hitting vital three-pointers in the second half. Carlson made 12 of 13 foul shots, 13 of 22 field goals, handled the ball often and then pitched it to the wing, grabbed nine boards, and was constantly engaged both ways throughout the game.
Nathan Heise of Lake City
Challenge Overcome. Lake City took on the athletic and deep Polars from Minneapolis North, a fellow top five team.
The Performance. Lake City has a proud history of high school basketball and with a career high of 39 points (and 14 rebounds) Heise moved into third place all time on the Lake City scoring list. Heise is explosive (opened the game with an alley oop dunk), he can handle the ball and distribute it at lead guard, Nathan can make shots, and he can attack just about anybody.
Tre Holloman of Cretin-Derham Hall
Challenge Overcome. CDH faced the mighty Minnehaha Redhawks, the team considered the best in the state regardless of class and Holloman went against 5-star Jalen Suggs. And prevailed.
The Performance. The way that Holloman controlled each possession was one of the biggest reasons that the Raiders knocked off Minnehaha Academy. Holloman’s mix distribution to wing shooters with his own attack, and his decision making of sharp attack versus the patient approach was vital to the victory. Tre scored 17 points, dished out eight assists, made 6 of 8 foul shots, took a charge, and helped force a load of Redhawks turnovers.
Cameron Steele of Minnetonka
Challenge Overcome. Tonka played the 9am game opening the event when most people were still getting out of bed, and Cameron dominated.
The Performance. Steele dominated Mahtomedi early from the arc (hit four early threes) and then went at the basketball to control the paint. The Abilene Christian signed forward scored 38 points plus grabbed eight rebounds for the 2-1 Skippers.
Jaylen James of Eastview
Challenge Overcome. We often hear about the four returning Eastview starters and that up and coming group of younger players, but it was the PG that shined.
The Performance. The Jaylen James jumper was plain old scorching. When playing Eastview you know you have to defend their great frontcourt of Crowl and Machacek plus you have Thissen on the wing along with them. The last thing you want to deal with is a point guard getting hot but that is what Jaylen did making eight treys for his 28 points. In addition, once the defense came out to defend him James moved the ball to his teammates for six assists.