Mankato East 75 Rochester Mayo 51 – The Top Performers

Last Friday night Mankato East knocked of Rochester Mayo 75-51 in a game the Cougars controlled from start to finish.  Who were the top players? (1) BJ Omot BJ Omot 6'6" | SF Mankato East | 2022 State MN of Mankato East (6’7 Jr Wing).  Omot played in the high post against the Mayo zone and with Omot getting way too many easy touches he picked them apart.  You don’t see players at 6’6/6’7 that move like Omot and have his skills.  The pair of dunks he had mixed with the attacking Euro step, spin move, and short jumpers became a constance of production.  Omot made 9 of 15 shots plus grabbed 11 boards.  I am really looking forward to seeing him in the sections and in the 17u season.  I think he could be the next 2022 to explode on to the high major prospect lists.  (2) Puolrah Gong of Mankato East (6’6 Jr Wing).  Gong is a raw prospect that has so much room to grow.  Right now Gong uses his length, strides, and natural body control to extend over or around for completions.  When he gets a bit stronger in the core and more comfortable with his skills Puolrah could be an extremely dangerous wing player.  Had 15 points and six boards making half of his 14 attempts.  (3) Makuei Riek Makuei Riek 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2022 State MN of Rochester Mayo (6’5 Jr Wing). The Riek shooting touch is quality.  When he attempts shots on balance he’s really tough to get a hand up on.  Riek took some tougher off balance looks against East but as the game moved on and Riek got to better spots he was a dangerous finisher with that high release.  Scored 19 points on 8 of 16 shooting.   (4) Jalen Hayes of Mankato East (6’2 Jr Guard).   Hayes is so steady.  Every pass, every dribble, it was concise and put his team in a better spot.  He played with patience before missing part of the second half with some injuries.  Hayes went at Mayo methodically and it built a big lead.  Had nine points, five assists, and five rebounds.  Very steady. (5) Pal Kueth Pal Kueth 6'5" | SF Mankato East | 2021 State MN of Mankato East (6’5 Jr Forward). Kueth is back in a Cougar uniform and you all likely saw that with his game winner recently hitting a corner three for the wing.  Last Friday it was the ball movement of Kueth that helped his team the most.  Pal’s assortment of passes led to six assists plus he grabbed four boards, had six steals, and three scores. (6) Andre Crockett Andre Crockett 6'0" | PG Rochester Mayo | 2021 MN Jr of Rochester Mayo (6’0 Sr Point Guard).   Crockett was on the attack throughout the first half and he was the one player that East had trouble with.  Crockett’s speed to the middle of the floor gave the Cougars troubles leading to most of his scores coming in half one.  Shot 6 of 11 and hit all five foul shots. (7) Sean Clement Sean Clement 6'3" | SG Mankato East High School | 2022 MN of Mankato East (6’2 Jr Shooting Guard).   Clement is the Cougars shooter and he knocked out a couple threes and 6 of 14 shots overall for his 14 points.   (8) Mohamed Hammadelniel Mohamed Hammadelniel 5'11" | PG Rochester Mayo | 2021 MN of Rochester Mayo (6’1 Sr Guard).  Throughout the game Mohamed stayed steady trying to move the ball and get his team going.  His team rarely found a grove but I admired his effort.  He played defense had, threw out four assists, and stayed the court.  (9)  Michael Sharp Michael Sharp 6'2" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN of Rochester Mayo (6’2 Sr Wing).  Sharp had a rough game shooting but he did grab seven boards. (10) Isaiah Hanson Isaiah Hanson 6'3" | SG Mayo High School | 2023 MN of Rochester Mayo (6’3 Soph Guard).  The one underclassmen starter in this game.