Hoops Challenge – Junior Top Performers
Who were the top juniors at the Breakdown Hoops Challenge? We discussed a few yesterday, here are several more that had impressive games on Saturday, Ethan Grant of St. Peter. A key to the season for St. Peter was guys…
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Continue ReadingWho were the top juniors at the Breakdown Hoops Challenge? We discussed a few yesterday, here are several more that had impressive games on Saturday,
Ethan Grant of St. Peter. A key to the season for St. Peter was guys taking pressure off of Riley Olson in the middle. They didn’t get enough of what they needed in that area to beat Byron but Ethan Grant did his share hard cutting off the ball and scoring against contesting defenders. Despite taking contact Grant scored 15 (most of the points game early) on nine field goal attempts.
Easton Hulke of Byron. There is one image that will really stick with me from this Byron/St. Peter game and it’s Easton Hulke flying by the defense with the ball or catching a pass and making very difficult shots at full speed over defending arms. Hulke seemed to have this knack for lightly touching in shots in these very small windows and he did it over and over again. I also liked the way Hulke rapidly moved the ball to shooter, cutters, or just the snap reversal. Good passer who scored 16 points on 8 of 13 shooting.
Teyghan Hovland of Austin. Hovland is a guard, he is a wing, and with Austin not being very big he is also a willing back to the basket player as well. Does it bother him? No way. This is a three sport athlete that led his team to the state tournament in baseball as a sophomore, has been the QB for a couple years, and is now one of the top two hoopers on the team. Hovland will simply do what it takes to win and whatever his coach asks of him. Austin needs him to board so Hovland grabbed ten boards. The Packers need Hovland to score inside and out so he catches and turns deep in the post or he attacks with the dribble plus he makes mid-range jumpers with a pretty shot (including a three). Shot 5 of 6 for his team high 13 points.
Austin Klug of Caledonia. Klug has grown three inches since last year and is now standing 6-foot-3 as a wing (also a quality baseball prospect). His impact this past weekend was a massive three with 40 seconds to go that put Caledonia up 77-71 on Waseca. It was the fifth three of the game for Klug as he scored 19 points on 7 of 12 shooting. The Warriors are the state’s number one Class AA team not just because of the King brothers but also because guys like Austin are stepping as well.
Cameron Latvis of Henry Sibley. Latvis is your 6-foot-2 give everything he has role guy. He’s a two or three basket a game guy but against Kasson-Mantorville has early game efforts made all the difference. First it was a full court sprint into an And1 finish, then two hustling putbacks, and then another full court sprint into a score. Four quick scores with an excited bench cheering him on heavily, Latvis made the impact. A shining example of why a team needs guys 1-9 to win.
Andrew Morgan of Waseca. First off as always Andrew Morgan is good for several boards over ten every game. It’s his best trait and it’s a constant. He is as consistent of a high school rebounder in both high school and spring/summer ball as we have. Scored 20 points on 8 of 15 attempts and looks to be working to that short jumper/mid-range jumper commonly. The results have been okay in games we’ve watched but its building. Runs well and so strong.
Okey Okey of Austin. One reason that Austin is again their regular defensive pressuring, long, multi offensive weapon team is Okey Okey. The 6-foot-2 junior shooting guard has developed an outside shooting stroke that has him scoring in double figures as the team’s third top scorer. The Packers beat St. Thomas 74-41 and Okey opened the floor hitting three triples.
Sam Privet of Caledonia. We need to mention Sam here not as much for the results but for a few others reasons: 1) after dealing with some lung issues Sam is just now getting back on the court and it’s great to see, and 2) he has surely grown two inches since the same as he looks a very legit 6-foot-8. Scored three times, rebounded well, and was in defensive position when he could play. Time is still limited.
Dewayne Thompson of Henry Sibley. Thompson has been the Sibley playmaker all year long scoring 19 a contest and handling the ball creating some shots for others as well. I was only able to watch Sibley for about a dozen game minutes but in those minutes it was easy to see how Thompson has the potential to lead Sibley to a quality next two months and a good senior season. Defensively his activity forced three turnovers by my count and in transition the KoMets weren’t quick enough to get back and make a play on him. A darting attack player in the halfcourt game in the limited time I was able to watch. Looks like a promising future for the Warriors with Thompson leading the way.
Travis Underwood of Byron. Let’s handle this one quickly. Travis is a 5’10 guard with a stroke that needs to be located. St. Peter did not locate him and they lost. Underwood knocked out five threes and scored a game high 18 points leading St. Peter to the victory. During the Bears second half run Underwood made three threes and then was fouled twice late and he hit three of four foul shots helping put the game away. Find Travis or you will pay.
Kyreese Willingham of Waseca. Kyreese is an explosive prospect just waiting for that ignition towards the next level to be lit. He’s a very, very long 6-foot-5/6-foot-6 wing that runs very well and is one of the quickest leapers out there. His length and agility is why he is a very pesky defender when in position. Willingham is one of the best wing shot blockers in the state and he’s a better passer than credited for. Can shoot it from the arc but working on consistency. Scored 13 points on 5 of 15 shooting with six boards and four assists in the big game vs Caledonia.