Twin Cities Team of the Week: Week 10
Which players stood out last week in Twin Cities hoops? Prep Hoops has you covered with our team of the week, comprising of 10 standouts from last week’s action! Drew White (6’5 2020 W, St. Paul Washington)- Drew’s list of college…
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Continue ReadingWhich players stood out last week in Twin Cities hoops? Prep Hoops has you covered with our team of the week, comprising of 10 standouts from last week’s action!
Drew White (6’5 2020 W, St. Paul Washington)- Drew’s list of college opportunities at the D3 and Juco levels continues to grow, and it’s due to scoring performances like the ones he had last week. In three games of St. Paul City Conference action, White averaged 25 ppg as his team went 2-1. With games of 27 against Harding, 20 against Johnson, and 28 against Humboldt, White showcased his skills as one of the top scorers in the city. He has strength and athleticism to finish through contact around the rim, and is a streaky shooter from beyond the arc who can catch fire at any time throughout the game.
Dain Dainja (6’9 2020 F, Park Center)- Dain Dainja is one of the most unstoppable post forces the state has seen this decade, and he continued to be a force through two games last week. Playing a pair of tough teams, Dain scored 30 against Champlin Park and then 29 against Totino-Grace. Both games resulted in wins for the Pirates. Dain’s footwork in the post is as good as it gets at the high school level, including a lethal spin towards the baseline that leaves defenders in his dust. From the perimeter he can handle the ball like a guard, and uses that to attack the basket from the wing.
Daniel Rosenber (6’3 2020 W, Burnsville)- Rosenber is listed at 6’3, but plays much bigger than his height. With his long arms and explosiveness, he has the effect of a 6’6-6’7 player in the paint. Last week Burnsville suffered two losses, but Rosenber kept them close with strong performances. He scored 31 against a tough Lakeville South squad, and then 19 against Farmington. Rosenber is an explosive finisher around the rim, and is able to attack off the dribble or cut into openings off the ball. Rosenber can also shoot it from beyond the arc, going a combined 9-19 from three in his two games last week.
Jake Breitbach (6’3 2020 G, Robbinsdale Armstrong)- Armstrong went 2-0 last week, and Breitbach was a key contributor in both of those wins. The quick guard finished with 18 points in both games, taking down Blaine and Anoka in the process. For a 6’3 guard, Jake is extremely quick, moving like a much smaller player. That shiftiness with his size allows him to burst past defenders to get to the rim, where his 6’3 frame allows him to finish. Breitbach can also knock down outside shots, and went 2-4 from deep in the win over Blaine.
Jaylen James (6’1 2020 G, Eastview)- Eastview has a handful of guys capable of stepping up on any given night, and last week against Shakopee it was Jaylen James who came up big. He scored 19 points in the win, using his deep range and quick handle to stretch the Shakopee defense. His shooting also helped open up opportunities inside for Steven Crowl. Later in the week he scored 12 points in a blowout win over Eagan. Jaylen has a great sense of when he needs to score, and when he needs to step into the role of facilitator, and does a good job of taking what the defense gives him rather than forcing his shot.
Nico Peterson (6’5 2021 F, St. Paul Highland Park)- Nico Peterson is still a very raw player, but I like the glimpses of potential I’ve seen in him. This past week he put up two of his best scoring performances of the year, with 21 in a win over Harding, and 17 in a close loss to Central. Nico plays center for his team, and although he’s an undersized center at 6’5, he explodes effortlessly allowing him to finish above the rim without having to bring the ball down for guards to grab. He’s a scrappy player who fights for rebounds and second chance points, and even showed off some perimeter game by knocking down two 3’s against Harding.
Muja Burton (6’3 2022 W, Columbia Heights)- Muja is one of the best scoring wings in Minnesota’s loaded 2022 class, and he proved that last week in Columbia Heights’ three games. He started off with 30 points against Holy Angels, followed by 21 against Fridley and 26 at Richfield. The slender wing prospect is a deadly shooter from outside, able to come off screens or create his own shot off the dribble. If you don’t close out on him properly, he has the ability to pump fake and drive past you, with a nice floater to finish. Muja is currently scoring 17.5 ppg this season to go along with 4.6 rpg.
Devon Haraldson (6’1 2020 G, Hastings)- Hastings pulled off a key conference win over South St. Paul last week, and it was Devon Haraldson paving the way with a 38 point outburst. That came the day after he posted 20 points against Tartan. He finished off the week with just 5 points in a one point loss to Simley, but the first two games are more than enough to gain him some recognition. Haraldson is the type of guard who is able to get his shot with a limited amount of dribbles. He plays under control and at a calm pace no matter what the defense throws at him. A very crafty player who’s scoring nearly 17 a game this year.
Zach Lea (6’4 2020 G, Chaska)- Zach Lea is a real Swiss army knife type of player. He can do a bit of everything, and defensively he has the size to guard a handful of positions at the high school level. In a high level matchup against Prior Lake, Lea was called upon to score. He delivered 27 points in the win, a new season-high and nearly double his scoring average of 14.3. That was followed up by 19 points in a win against St. Michael-Albertville. Lea has plenty of athleticism built into his 6’4 frame, and is able to slash to the basket for tough finishes. Add in a great feel for the game and the ability to excel in multiple roles, and you get a player who can help a team win plenty of games.
Paris Johnson Jr. (6’4 2021 G, St. Louis Park)- St. Louis Park has themselves an absolute bucket getter in Paris Johnson Jr. He packs in plenty of length as a 6’4 guard with the ability to shoot from three or mid-range. He proved his scoring prowess last week by dropping 29 points in a close win over Robbinsdale Cooper, and then scoring 25 against Waconia. What makes Paris’ jumpshot so hard to defend is that his arms are so long that his release point is difficult to get a hand to as a defender. To go along with his smooth jumper, Paris is an explosive athlete who can throw down dunks with ease in transition. This summer will be key in determining what level of college he’ll play at.