State Tournament: Wednesday’s Top Performers
The top performances from today’s state tournament action are listed below after twelve games of action at the Target Center and Williams Arena. Read who made our list now. Allen Anderson, Osseo (5-ft-11,2016). Had the type of game that you…
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Continue ReadingThe top performances from today’s state tournament action are listed below after twelve games of action at the Target Center and Williams Arena. Read who made our list now.
Allen Anderson, Osseo (5-ft-11,2016). Had the type of game that you may not notice in the stat sheet but his decision making of when to push, when to pull-out, when to rotate, etc was nearly perfect. Scored 11 points on six shots but the smart things he does are so crucial. For example Allen will dribble hard to one wing, rotate the ball to the other side rapidly and the offense will be kick started against a defense that has to turn and move hard. He’s excellent at the things that set up an offense.
Kameron Bettie, Osseo (6-ft-4, 2016). Bettie is an undersized forward who may be one of the best basket rollers I’ve seen all year. After he sets his screen and releases the guard that was screened can’t get by his pick and then Bettie releases into space and does an excellent job finishing. One of the best players within an offensive structure I’ve seen as he plays his role so well. I would imagine that whomever he plays for next year at whatever level will have a guy that fits into what they do without much issue. He’s been well coached and received the coaching well.
Bodey Behrends, JCC (6-ft-9, 2016). This is the best I’ve seen Bodey play since the summer of 2014. He was so active: ran the floor for three second half follow-up put-backs, ran down a key loose ball, chased boards out of his area. Totaled 18 rebounds and many of them were out of his area that he attacked and then came down with elbows out. Love the quickness of his bounce to finish the several shots including three dunks, had four blocks, and several boards all leaving his feet much quicker than those around him. Hit free throws late and was as active and energetic as I’ve seen him in a long time. If he plays like this they will be tough to beat.
Xavier Johnson, Hopkins (5-ft-11, 2016). The Royal lead guard was simply too quick for the Polar defenders. Usually he scores with range at the arc but today his first three baskets were on back-cutting to produce and then he followed that up with a dribble separation move that moved his man six feet to the right and he came back with a floater in traffic. Made 8 of 13 shot attempts overall scoring a game high 20 and his pace was too quick for the opponents. Has progressed from a shooter to an improved ball handler as well who loves to push the pace.
Owen King (6-ft-0, 2018). Fouled out when his team was making a comeback which is not the way he wanted to finish the year but gave his team 25 points, six boards, four assists, and a couple steals. His best play was a late game rapid pace attack finished at the rim when he was beat in the chest and then finished the foul shot. Had a rough night at the arc and had some turnovers but he has been moved off ball in a scoring role but also creating for others. Didn’t get to see the lead guard ability but definitely saw his potential as a scorer.
Cameron Kirksey (6-ft-6, 2016). With schools like NDSU and USD watching his every move Kirksey slashed for a quick three field goals, pulled in a double-double of 11 points and ten boards, and went to the bench early as Blaine’s forwards could physically do nothing with him.
Goodnews Kpegeol (6-ft-4, 2018). Played lead guard for the Polars, knocked out three treys, scored on the attack twice for his 13 points. Facing the Hopkins defense is a scary experience for anybody the first time and while Goodnews struggled early, thing went better for him after he become more comfortable. Kpegeol fouled out with six minutes to go but his shot looks quality with feet set and he scored on five of nine attempts. Has the potential to be a combo guard with great size based on his touch with feet set and how he dribble separates.
Colton Lampert (6-ft-0, 2016). The ultimate scrapper. Plays with so much heart and backs down from nobody. Was shoved in the chest by a big and went right after his opponent. Wil do some of everything (scored 19 with seven assists and eight boards) and is always going with 100 percent motor.
Matthew Monke (6-ft-5, 2017). Monke continues to move behind defenses, run the floor, and flash into open spaces to catch and finish within the rapid ball movement that you see from the Otters. Monke did a great job of clearing the defensive glass and sprinting the other direction moving to the rim and finishing over a bigger frontcourt. Monke was too agile for the Waseca size to stop from finishing at the rim.
Ben Munson (6-ft-0, 2016). The Red Wing guard enjoyed the rims at Williams Arena a great degree as he hit five treys and all four of his foul shots for a game high 21 points. Munson was able to get his feet set and the way Red Wing dissects teams defensively Munson did a great job widening out to get to space and then completing plays. He also boarded well and had only one mistake which was an early turnover.
Tessy Pal, Fridley (6-ft-7, 2016). His team lost by 13 but Tessy scored on half of his 20 field goals including a pair of treys. Also grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked five shots to go with his dominating low post presence. Great game to end the career on and the type of game that will get sent to schools looking for a talented forward.
Nathan Reuvers, Lakeville North (6-ft-10, 2017). Reuvers had to produce his points tonight over Reed Nikko which of course is a very difficult thing to do. He had trouble finishing from the field as Nikko was stronger and knocked Nate off balance but Reuvers did get to the foul line making all nine of his attempts leading to a game high 19 points as well as 14 rebounds. Not quite the glamourous game he had against JM but more of a low post fight and he helped put Reed Nikko on the bench which was very important to the win.
Brady Rudrud, Eden Prairie (6-ft-3, 2016). In his last game as a high school basketball player Rudrud was able to go out with his head held high. Brady scored getting an Osseo player on his hip and then extended with the drive, he set his feet at the arc to complete, and he made a couple scores in the halfcourt set off of one dribble (a finger roll at the rim and a pull-up). Many of his baskets were countered by Osseo but Brady showed the type of versatile offensive game that grabbed him so much attention from college programs last June and July. The package of skill, size, and body control in the backcourt will work early for him in college wherever he lands. Made 11 of 16 attempts scoring 30 points.
John Larson, Braham (6-ft-2, 2016). Chris Olson was the high scoring man with 23 but John Larson had 19 on less shots and was the top rebounder on the floor grabbing a dozen for the game. Showed his toughness inside and out and was able to battle with some bigger Maple River players and get the upper hand.
Vinnie Shahid, Hopkins (6-ft-0, 2016). One of the most talkative guys on the floor Shahid is great in defensive talk as well as leading his team verbally. In the second half Vinnie scored three straight times to take away any chance that the Polars had in coming back. Love his physical approach on both ends and he leads verbally and by example.
Gary Trent Jr, Apple Valley (6-ft-6, 2017). Trent was physically unstoppable. He scored regularly in the open floor as no Blaine player could retreat and get in front of him in time to keep enough space between he and the goal so Trent easily lifted into the air, squared up, and completed. Blaine tried to be physical with Gary but Trent is so strong his path to the basket was never slowed. He was at the foul line regularly and scored his 23 in 22 minutes.
****Tomorrow morning we will have a Breakout Performers Article from Wednesday so many other names who performed well will be listed there in addition to these names (including Aage Rovney of St. Croix Lutheran who could have been on both).