Deepest Returning Metro Teams Pt. 1
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The 2020 class in Minnesota was special, with a handful of nationally ranked talents and depth of prospects at all levels. But they’re moving on to college, leaving a lot of holes to fill. Which metro teams come back with…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 class in Minnesota was special, with a handful of nationally ranked talents and depth of prospects at all levels. But they’re moving on to college, leaving a lot of holes to fill. Which metro teams come back with the depth to compete for state during the 2020-21 season? NHR has you covered with five of the deepest returning metro teams!
Osseo
Key Players: Joshua Ola-Joseph Joshua Ola-Joseph 6'6" | SF Osseo | 2022 State #166 Nation MN (2022), Benard Omooria Benard Omooria 6'2" | CG Osseo | 2022 State MN (2022), Donald Ferguson Donald Ferguson 6'1" | SG St. Cloud Tech | 2022 State MN (2022), Blessed Barhayiga Blessed Barhayiga 6'9" | C Osseo | 2022 State MN (2022), Tyirece Waits Tyirece Waits 6'1" | PG Osseo | 2022 State MN (2022), Hassan Kamara Hassan Kamara 6'4" | SG Columbia Heights | 2022 MN (2022), James Spencer James Spencer 6'6" | PF Park Center | 2022 State MN (2022)
Many thought that Osseo would have a big season last winter, but the young group ended up finishing 10-17. Next season expactations will be high, as they return an absolutely loaded group of 2022 players with length, athleticism, and skill. Josh Ola-Joseph blossomed into a young star as a sophomore, loaded with length, explosive finishing ability, and the skill to create his own shots going to the basket. Benard Omooria Benard Omooria 6'2" | CG Osseo | 2022 State MN and Donald Ferguson both stretch the floor with deep shooting range and crafty ball handling. Tyirece Waits Tyirece Waits 6'1" | PG Osseo | 2022 State MN was a major stock riser as a quick guard with the ability to attack the rim and finish. Hassan Kamara Hassan Kamara 6'4" | SG Columbia Heights | 2022 MN adds additional depth on the wing as an athletic 6’4 small forward with shooting touch. The front court is manned by James Spencer James Spencer 6'6" | PF Park Center | 2022 State MN , a 6’5 bruiser with mobility, and Blessed Barhayiga Blessed Barhayiga 6'9" | C Osseo | 2022 State MN , a 6’9 center with a soft finishing touch and rapidly developing footwork. They’ll have the talent and depth to compete for a section title.
Lakeville South
Key Players: Reid Patterson Reid Patterson 6'2" | SG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN (2021), Avery Mast Avery Mast 6'5" | PF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN (2022), Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'9" | C Lakeville South | 2021 State MN (2021), Sam Fliehe Sam Fliehe 6'5" | SF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN (2022)
Lakeville South had a great chance at advancing to state this past season, and they return most of their key contributors from that successful squad. Reid Patterson Reid Patterson 6'2" | SG Lakeville South | 2021 State MN is a high level scorer who returns after putting up 17.1 ppg as a junior. He has a smooth stroke from three and is a vocal leader on the floor. Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'9" | C Lakeville South | 2021 State MN is a Wisconsin football commit, and he provides plenty of size and strength in the paint at 6’9. He has great feet for a player his size, and is an immovable object on the defensive end. Sam Fliehe Sam Fliehe 6'5" | SF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN and Avery Mast Avery Mast 6'5" | PF Lakeville South | 2022 State MN are two long and lanky 2022 prospects who combined for 17.8 ppg last season. Add in a deep group of guards who contributed off the bench and starred at the JV level, and Lakeville South will be one of the toughest teams in Class AAAA.
Minneapolis North
Key Players: Davon Townley Jr Davon Townley Jr 6'6" | PF Minneapolis North | 2021 State MN . (2021), Willie Wilson Willie Wilson 6'2" | CG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN (2022), Mario Sanders II Mario Sanders II 5'11" | PG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN (2022), Jacob Butler Jacob Butler 6'3" | SF Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN (2022), De’Meiko Anderson De’Meiko Anderson 6'1" | SG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN (2022), Clifford Brown III Clifford Brown III 6'2" | SG Minneapolis North | 2021 State MN (2021)
Minneapolis North loses just one starter from a top-5 ranked AA team that once again went undefeated in conference play. Davon Townley is one of the top 2021 prospects in the state as an explosive and agile 6’6 forward. He can beat defenders with his quickness and finesse, or power through them for explosive finishes. Willie Wilson Willie Wilson 6'2" | CG Minneapolis North | 2022 State MN is one of the best scoring talents in the 2022 class, and he returns after averaging 16 ppg. He’s as dangerous as they come as an isolation scorer. Rio Sanders is a play-making point guard with quickness to blow by his defender and the vision to pick out an open teammate. Butler, Anderson, and Brown are all talented wings who can stretch the floor with deep shooting range. They combined to average around 24 a game last season. North has the talent to return as one of the favorites in Class AA.
Wayzata
Key Players: Camden Heide Camden Heide 6'7" | SF Wasatch Academy | 2022 State #129 Nation UT (2022), Kody Williams Kody Williams 6'0" | PG Wayzata | 2021 State MN (2021), Carter Bjerke Carter Bjerke 6'9" | C Wayzata | 2022 State MN (2022)
Wayzata had a talented team this past season, but never put all the pieces together and ended up finishing below .500. Next season they’ll return with talent all over the floor, led by nationally ranked 2022 prospect Camden Heide Camden Heide 6'7" | SF Wasatch Academy | 2022 State #129 Nation UT . Heide will return as one of the state’s best players after putting up 15.1 ppg as a sophomore. He has a smooth stroke from deep, is one of the most explosive finishers in Minnesota, and has a soft floater from five feet that he hits consistently. Manning the paint will be 6’8 forward Carter Bjerke Carter Bjerke 6'9" | C Wayzata | 2022 State MN who had a breakout sophomore season. He has a sweet stroke from three but can also bang in the post for tough finishes. Kody Williams Kody Williams 6'0" | PG Wayzata | 2021 State MN is one of the top 2021 point guards in Minnesota, using quickness to penetrate the lane to finish or set up his teammates. Drew Berkland Drew Berkland 5'11" | PG Wayzata | 2022 State MN and Ryan Harvey Ryan Harvey 6'3" | SG Wayzata | 2022 State MN will provide additional depth as returning 2022 guards.
Totino-Grace
Key Players: Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN (2023), CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN (2023), Devin Burger Devin Burger 6'6" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN (2021), DJ Akpati DJ Akpati 6'0" | PG Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN (2021)
After playing without a single senior this past season, Totino-Grace has a chance to be special next season. Standout 2023 prospects Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN and CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN led the scoring charge this past winter, and will likely do the same again next season. Both elite athletes, Taison knocks down pull-up jumpers at a high percentage while CJ attacks the rim off the dribble. Devin Burger Devin Burger 6'6" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN is one of the top 2021 forwards in Minnesota, with the ability to score with nice footwork in the post or stretch the floor with his shooting. DJ Akpati DJ Akpati 6'0" | PG Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN is a vocal leader at point guard who brings intensity to the defensive end. Joe Alt Joe Alt 6'6" | C Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN is a big body in the post at 6’6, and 6’4 wings Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN and Carter Weierke Carter Weierke 6'4" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN are both extremely talented players in their own right who add shooting touch and defensive versatility. With a strong starting lineup and a number of players who can contribute off the bench, Totino-Grace will look to compete for a trip to state in Class AAA.