Thursday Night’s Starting Five
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What players stood the tallest on the opening night of the high school basketball season? We give you our “Starting Five” from Thursday night! Ashton Sivilay Ashton Sivilay 6'0" | PG Jordan | 2022 State MN of Jordan. We’ve talked…
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Continue ReadingWhat players stood the tallest on the opening night of the high school basketball season? We give you our “Starting Five” from Thursday night!
Ashton Sivilay Ashton Sivilay 6'0" | PG Jordan | 2022 State MN of Jordan. We’ve talked a lot about Ashton this fall as a player that is likely to explode as an all around playmaker. He did more on opening night than anybody expected! In a 78-72 victory over Glencoe-Silver Lake, Ashton exploded for 42 points! The right handed shooter scored inside and out including late game clutch finishes. Even more impressive, Ashton was just named the offensive MVP for the Jordan football team. He’s a six foot combo guard that was the day one MVP.
Isaac Asuma Isaac Asuma 6'3" | PG Cherry | 2024 State #102 Nation MN of Cherry. If Ashton wasn’t the MVP, Isaac was. And it’s hard to argue that this wasn’t the breakout take note performance that Isaac was bound to have. Deer River was the preseason number one and Isaac scored 32 plus moved the ball to help a pair of teammates score in high percentage ways for supporting double figure numbers. Asuma is a top sophomore in the state and now has a heck of a new performance on his resume.
Will Strandemo Will Strandemo 5'11" | PG Delano | 2024 State MN of Delano. Will was one of the top big school freshman scorers last year using his quick first step and outstanding pull-up jumpers. He scored 11 a game as a 5’10 guard. How did his sophomore year start? In dominating fashion. Will put up 33 on the Saint Anthony defense while the Delano defense held the Huskies to 49 points. Even more impressive, Will just finished an all conference, all area honored soccer season. Considering what we saw from Ashton and Will on opening night fall sports helped kick start these talents.
Jack Janicki Jack Janicki 6'4" | SG White Bear Lake | 2023 State #277 Nation MN of White Bear Lake. The soon to be nationally ranked junior guard scored 29 for the Bears leading WBL to an overtime win over St. Croix Prep. Jack attacked left to score, he attacked right to score, he dribble separated into attempts and he attacked to draw defenders delivering passes for open shots. The lefty knocked out threes and scored at the cup. It was an all around opening night performance that has the Bears 1-0.
John Mueller John Mueller 6'5" | SF Watertown-Mayer | 2023 State MN of Watertown-Mayer. Big John and the Royals spoiled opening night in the new Lester Prairie gym with a 27 point near double-double showing. The game was clear mid way through the first half but then a 10-0 Mueller run followed by a three shortly after changed the game and led to a 60-38 victory. Mueller is the low post muscle that is tough to guard inside because of his footwork, strength and touch but the face-up touch with range makes him an even tougher player to defend.
Sixth Man. Liban Tushar Liban Tushar 6'0" | SG Minneapolis Edison | 2022 State MN of Minneapolis Edison. The Tommies put together an excellent opening night win defeating Holy Angels by ten led by 5’11 guard Liban Tushar Liban Tushar 6'0" | SG Minneapolis Edison | 2022 State MN . Tushar, a player that made a name for himself at the Top 250 Expo in the spring and has surely improved from his 10.5 point per game junior season, was the main piece scoring most of his field goals in a 40 point first half. Micah Young Micah Young 6'3" | SF Minneapolis Edison | 2023 State MN scored 24 next to Tushar.