Class AAA Title Contender Series: Totino-Grace
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The favorite for the Class AAA state title and likely the favorite for the most talented line-up in Minnesota this year is Totino-Grace. Key Wins in 20-21 (16-5): Maple Grove, Armstrong, Park Center, Osseo, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights Oops:…
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Continue ReadingThe favorite for the Class AAA state title and likely the favorite for the most talented line-up in Minnesota this year is Totino-Grace.
Key Wins in 20-21 (16-5): Maple Grove, Armstrong, Park Center, Osseo, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights
Oops: Minnehaha Academy, Park Center, Champlin Park, Spring Lake Park
Moving On: Whenever I saw the Eagles playing Devin Burger Devin Burger 6'6" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN was starting and this 6’6 senior had an excellent year, especially late in the season. He and DJ Akpati DJ Akpati 6'0" | PG Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN will be missed more than people know. Akpati was the starter in the backcourt later in the year and he was a strong two way player. CJ O’Hara CJ O’Hara 6'4" | SF Park Center | 2023 State #285 Nation MN was perhaps the best all around two way contributor and also the leader in total points scored for the season. O’Hara is now at Hopkins. Joe Alt Joe Alt 6'6" | C Totino-Grace | 2021 State MN didn’t play last year (college football player at Notre Dame) so he’s not a loss but he was a good player as a junior and it’s worth noting that he is no longer in the program. The other player no longer at TG is Carter Weierke Carter Weierke 6'4" | SF Totino Grace | 2021 State MN who was a shooter and excellent defender. With DJ, CJ, Burger, and Carter done that means four of the top eight players from last season have to be replaced.
Returning Starters (3): Iowa State committed and nationally ranked Demarion Watson Demarion Watson 6'8" | SF Totino-Grace | 2022 State #150 Nation MN (6’8 wing), top 25 national talent Taison Chatman Taison Chatman 6'4" | PG Totino Grace | 2023 State #35 Nation MN (6’4 guard), and D1 offered Tommy Humphries Tommy Humphries 6'5" | SF Totino-Grace | 2023 State #283 Nation MN (6’5 wing) all return with starting experience. Watson and Chatman each averaged 12.8 points a game last season while Humphries scored just under ten a game. Watson has as much potential as just about any senior in the state and now he’s committed and free to have a strong senior year. Chatman had a solid year playing with the D1 Minnesota 17s and is the top prospect in the 2023 class. Humphries helped the Sizzle 16s to a solid summer. All three are key pieces for TG.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Patrick Bath Patrick Bath 6'9" | C Totino Grace | 2023 State MN came off the bench last season averaging 7.4 points and 6/7 boards a contest. The 6’9 junior D1 offered big is one of the best frontcourt players in his class and one of the harder working upperclassmen frontcourt players. He will move right into a starting role and have high expectations.
Potentials from the JV: The three names we have our eyes on from the junior varsity that could play a quality role off the bench this year are 6’3 senior guard RJ Spencer RJ Spencer 6'3" | SG Totino-Grace | 2022 State MN , 6’9 senior big PJ Ebeling, and 6’2 sophomore guard Zi’Yerre Stewart. Spencer and Stewart make the Eagles backcourt quite deep with both of them being capable playmaking options, one as a combo, one as a wing. Ebeling pairing with the two starting bigs makes the Eagles frontcourt line one of the biggest and best in the state especially when they move Watson to the four. Spencer could be one of the top scoring 6th men in the state.
New to the Varsity program: Nationally ranked top 150 talent Ahjany Lee Ahjany Lee 6'9" | C Byron | 2022 State #145 Nation MN , committed to UST, moved from Byron to the north metro. The Eagles lost O’Hara in the backcourt but they added Lee who is one of the elite defending bigs in the state. He blocks shots, Ahjany contests shots in and out of his area, and he moves his feet well on ball screens. He also has the potential to be a dominant rebounder and a dominant low post scorer.
Final Thoughts: When you look at this list of names, Totino-Grace has the most talent in the state. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as last year they were one of two teams in Minnesota that gave Minnehaha Academy a legit run before letting the game slip away late. The Eagles should win Class AAA and they are a top candidate to be the best team in the state.