Twin Cities Team of the Week: Week 12
We’re closing in on the end of the regular season, and games are as competitive as ever with teams fighting for high seeds in their sections. Some intense matchups saw for big time performances last week, and Prep Hoops gives…
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Continue ReadingWe’re closing in on the end of the regular season, and games are as competitive as ever with teams fighting for high seeds in their sections. Some intense matchups saw for big time performances last week, and Prep Hoops gives you ten of the best from throughout the metro.
Anthony Martin (6’2 2021 G, Minneapolis South)- Anthony Martin continues to prove himself as one of the Minneapolis City Conference’s top scorers, putting in three strong performances last week. South went 2-1, with Martin scoring 30 in a win over Hope Academy, then 10 in a win over Minneapolis Washburn. He capped off the week with 26 points as South narrowly lost to Southwest. Anthony Martin is a three level scorer who can catch and shoot threes, pull-up off the dribble from mid-range, or attack the basket in the halfcourt or transition. Currently averaging 17.5 ppg.
Caleb Hoilien (6’5 2020 W, Hope Academy)- Caleb Hoilien consistently puts up big numbers, but last week he took his game to another level, starting off with 33 points and 10 rebounds against Minneapolis South. He then added 37 points with 18 boards against Hiawatha Collegiate, and 34 points plus 16 rebounds against Trinity. Caleb is a solid shooter coming off of screens, knocking down 36% of his threes this year. That shot also allows him to pumpfake and beat his man off the dribble to the rim.
Hezekiah Iyawe (6’5 2020 F, Robbinsdale Armstrong)- Hezekiah is one of the hardest working post prospects in the state, and that hard work translated into some of his best offensive performances to date. He started off the week with 19 points as Armstrong beat Rogers, and then he had 23 in a win over Osseo. He finished off the week with 18 points as Armstrong lost to Spring Lake Park. Hezekiah is a high effort defender who plays much bigger than 6’5, and excels at shifting over as a help defender to stop attacks at the rim. Offensively he has a reliable drop-step move, and is also able to turnover his left shoulder and finish at a high rate.
J’Vonne Hadley (6’6 2020 W, Cretin-Derham Hall)- One of the top unsigned seniors in Minnesota, J’Vonne showed off his scoring prowess for CDH last week. He started off with 26 in a win over Irondale, had 12 in limited time against Roseville, then exploded for 33 in a win over DeLaSalle. He also averaged 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game during that stretch. J’Vonne has prototype size as a next level wing, combined with the athleticism to make him an above the rim threat. He excels at getting to the basket off the dribble, and powers through contact to finish. J’Vonne also knocks down threes at a 32% rate.
Drake Dobbs (6’1 2020 G, Eden Prairie)- Drake Dobbs lives for big games, and once again he proved that by coming up huge for EP in a close win over Hopkins. Drake finished with 32 points that night, taking over in the second half by hitting some outside shots and getting to the free throw line at will. It doesn’t really matter who you put on Drake, because he can hurt you in so many ways. His range goes well beyond the arc, and he’s a really crafty attacker off the dribble who does a good job at using the rim to guard off shot blockers. Dobbs finished the week with 11 points in a comfortable win over Buffalo.
Alonzo Dodd (6’2 2022 G, South St. Paul)- Alonzo Dodd has been lighting up the metro area with his scoring performances, and last week he took it up a notch in two tight wins. He started off with a 35 point outburst in a win over Hill-Murray, then scored 31 in a win over a tough Mahtomedi squad. Dodd has such an explosive first step that allows him to blow by almost anyone off the dribble, and is one of the best I’ve ever seen at getting to the free throw line. He shot 20 against Hill-Murray. His ability to attack off the dribble at full speed while keeping his head up to avoid charges or possibly kick out a pass to an open shooter is what has allowed Alonzo Dodd to be such a dangerous player this year.
Taison Chatman (6’3 2023 G, Totino-Grace)- Taison Chatman already holds multiple D1 offers, but plays on a well-balanced offense so he doesn’t often put up big scoring numbers. That changed last week. He started off with 14 points in a big win over Rogers, but then had a very impressive 26 against a loaded Park Center team. That total is his new season-high, and more than double his average. Taison has such a smooth feel to his game offensively. He creates a lot of space off the dribble with a long crossover or stepback leading to a pull-up jumper. Taison also has advanced athleticism allowing him to score around the rim.
Blake Remme (6’6 2020 W, Spring Lake Park)- Spring Lake Park vs Maple Grove was likely the game of the week last week, and Blake Remme hit clutch shots late to help SLP win. In his 25 point performance, Remme knocked down a three pointer at the buzzer in regulation to send the game into OT, then hit the game winning lay-up with 4 seconds left in 2OT. His outside shot wasn’t falling like it usually does, so Remme used his lanky, long frame to extend for some tough finishes around the rim. The smooth wing prospect has extended range beyond the arc, and is a capable finisher with either hand around the rim. He capped off the week with 13 points in a win over Robbinsdale Armstrong.
Cam Steele (6’8 2020 F, Minnetonka)- Cam has been a big time scorer for Minnetonka this year, and put in three strong games last week. Starting off with 20 points against Buffalo, he added 37 in a win over Chanhassen, then finished with 31 points against Minneapolis Southwest. The 6’8 stretch-four has a high releasing three point shot that he knocks down at a high rate, and that range extends a few feet back from the high school line. On the block Cam has a controlled an on-balance attack that leads to some high percentage finishes turning over the left shoulder.
Dylan Wheeler (6’1 2022 G, Mounds View)- The talented sophomore helped lead Mounds View to a 1-1 week behind two of his best scoring performances to date. In a narrow loss to White Bear Lake he scored 20 points, and then he scored 21 to help Mounds View knock off Stillwater. Wheeler excels at coming off screens and getting his feet set to shoot off the catch from three. In the fast break he has shown the ability to finish, and when a defender beats him to the rim he has a soft right-handed floater to finish.