Heat/Fury Showdown – Playing the Role
Playing the Role. Guys that were top performers, guys that among the best players, guys that helped their team as much as anybody because they played their role so well. Maddox Alipate Maddox Alipate 6'1" | PG Benilde-St. Margaret's |…
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Continue ReadingPlaying the Role. Guys that were top performers, guys that among the best players, guys that helped their team as much as anybody because they played their role so well.
Maddox Alipate Maddox Alipate 6'1" | PG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2022 State MN of Fury Wilde (6’1 PG of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, 2022). I still have this image in my head of Maddox getting the angle on an opponent, attacking, and leaving the ball for a teammate to finish off the possession. And as they do Maddox has this smile on his face just ready to run back with a grin knowing his team has momentum. This team executes sets so well and he is a big part of it.
Zaa Buffalo of Playmakers North (6’3 SF of Duluth East, 2021). I really like what Zaa can offer a basketball team, and what he offers the Playmakers. Rebounds at his position very well and the team has a comfort with him pushing the basketball and getting it to the open guy up the floor. Buffalo plays hard and he defends with a passion. Doesn’t get many shots but doesn’t need them to be an impact guy.
Liam Carney Liam Carney 6'2" | PG Providence Academy | 2022 State MN of Heat Grow 16s (6’2 PG of Providence Academy, 2022) Liam has grown from just under 6-foot-0 to be a true 6-foot-2 in the past year. He is an elite passer who makes great decisions with the ball. Nearly averaged eight assists per game this weekend. He was disruptive on the defensive end with about a dozen steals on the weekend. Look for his role to take a huge leap next year at Providence.
Spencer Goetz Spencer Goetz 6'3" | SF Chaska | 2021 State MN of Fury Zirn (6’3 SF of Chaska, 2021). I love what Spencer gave his team this weekend. If the event charted hustle plays that allowed his team to win the possession, Spencer would have been number one on the list and likely would of had twice as many as the second guy on that list. On Sunday in three games Spencer made 12 of 15 shot attempts and he busted his tail to get those shots as they were in transition, second chance buckets, and on cuts. He was a go get the score guy. And he was a battle for the board guy. He forces nothing but creates chances for others.
Rj Joiklow of Select Davis 16s (6’1 PG of Simley, 2022). RJ does not force attempts. From what I have seen Joiklow has what it takes to be a leading scorer for a team but that may not be what his team needs and this young man gets that. He is the creator, he is the leader, and RJ is the guy that creates chances for others. Therefore he was a top three bucket getter for his team this weekend AND likely the 16u assist leader. Where did that get his team? In the title game.
Terence Larmouth of Minnesota Lockdown (6’5 SF of Maple Grove, 2021). Terence is a 6-foot-5, or 6-foot-6 wing that is the most versatile player on his basketball team. Terence leads the Lockdown in blocks, he leads the team in assists, he’s been a 40 percent three point shooter, and Terence has been one of three double figure scorers for the squad. Because the Lockdown aren’t exactly big to others in comparison, he’s had to play out of position a bit too. And he is playing all these roles helping his team win.
Joshua Strong Joshua Strong 6'0" | PG Champlin Park | 2021 State MN of Heat Tauer (6’0 PG of Champlin Park, 2021). I watched the Heat three times this weekend and in every game Josh hit four jumpers (each game he hit two threes), had four boards, and had at least four assists. Strong allows Ryan Dufault Ryan Dufault 5'11" | PG Waseca | 2021 State MN to be a scorer, Josh makes sure that Andrew Morgan Andrew Morgan 6'9" | C Waseca | 2021 State #178 Nation MN and Will Tschetter Will Tschetter 6'8" | PF Stewartville | 2021 State #96 Nation MN get the scoring chances they need, and Josh knows that often teams he is the third option on the floor so he has to score. And he is doing that. I really like the way Josh has played with the Heat this year and I fully agree that he is a top D2 guard and a player that can help run a low major pgram.