Comets Shootout – The Five Best
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Who were the five best players in St. Cloud regardless of class? We talk Best of the Best today at Prep Hoops! The Five Best Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN of Minnesota…
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Continue ReadingWho were the five best players in St. Cloud regardless of class? We talk Best of the Best today at Prep Hoops!
The Five Best
Jackson Loge Jackson Loge 6'7" | C Morris Area | 2022 State MN of Minnesota Fury Wilde 17U (6’8 2022, Morris Area). Loge is the current Minnesota 17u poster child for low post ability. Loge’s ability to use both hands, turn off each shoulder, and give the crowd outstanding footwork will be loved by some college program, a mid-major especially. Loge has a great touch that does extend to the arc and he’s got a year to go of high school hoops but already has 1,000 career rebounds! Had 18 points and nine boards in the title game.
Pharrel Payne Pharrel Payne 6'9" | C Park Of Cottage Grove | 2022 State #84 Nation MN of Minnesota Select Ohnstad of 17U (6’9 2022, Park of Cottage Grove). Payne led his team to the weekend championship and what’s more amazing is that Pharell is young for his junior class! At 6-foot-9 and length to high five both coaches at the same time when they are standing in their separating coaching boxes (maybe?) Payne is an outstanding shot blocker and so quick off his feet. The skills to be an elite rebounder and explosive finisher plus a developing post game. I can see him playing high major basketball someday and surely at the mid-major level. The physical gifts of a high major player.
Makuei Riek Makuei Riek 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2022 MN of Minnesota Heat MacDonald of 17u (6’62 022, Rochester Mayo). I think Makuei Riek Makuei Riek 6'5" | SF Rochester Mayo | 2022 MN has the potential to be special if he continues taking steps. Think about it: Riek is a 6-foot-6 wing, perfect size. Riek shoots the ball with more confidence than anybody I saw last weekend, certainly a quality in a top player. Riek has a pretty shooting stroke and while there might be some tough shots taken, he’s also the guy that’s willing to take the big shot, and often times make the big shot. Riek averaged 16 a game this past season and led the Heat in scoring this weekend.
Jeremiah Sem Jeremiah Sem 6'3" | SG Fargo North | 2024 State #303 Nation ND of ECI Prospects 15u (6’2 2024). Sem has the physical tools to be a special, special player. Sem led ECI to the 15u title exploding down the stretch with a three, foul shots, and a punctuating dunk finishing off an MVP weekend. Sem scored ten points a game at Fargo North this year at the big school level and did it shooting an impressive 41 percent from the arc. Skills are strong, the physical gifts are special.
Max Shikenjanski Max Shikenjanski 6'2" | PG Stillwater | 2023 State #288 Nation MN of Minnesota Fury 16U (6’3 2023). Fresh off a 25 point per game sophomore season in the Suburban East, Shikenjanski led the Fury to a 4-0 record and a St. Cloud championship on opening weekend. A big note here is that Max looks bigger adding strength and what looks to be another inch to his frame. Max is a 40% Club member but his ability to create for others was the biggest takeaway (in addition to the added size). He had eight assists in the title game and his ball handling pushing through Playmaker pressure put the game away.