State Tournament: Friday’s Top Performers
NHR runs you through the top performers from the four semi-final games in the Target Center today in Class AA and Class A action. Bodey Behrends (6-ft-9, 2016). This is the best back to back performances from Bodey that I…
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Continue ReadingNHR runs you through the top performers from the four semi-final games in the Target Center today in Class AA and Class A action.
Bodey Behrends (6-ft-9, 2016). This is the best back to back performances from Bodey that I have ever seen and likely the best he’s played in nearly a year and a half. Annandale stopped going near the basket because of his shot blocks and shots altered while on the offensive end he first scored with his back to the basket and then started throwing down putback dunks like it was some type of high school dunk competition. This is the Bodey Behrends that D1 schools came to see in the fall of his junior year and Augustana is getting a steal if he plays like this going forward.
Ryan Christopher (6-ft-0, 2017). One of the best players on the floor and he shot only a few times. Don’t need to score to be a top contributor and Ryan was a great example of that. Had two early defensive hustle plays forcing a turnover, scrambling for the loose ball, and then getting it forward. Ryan is an excellent passer, does a lot of the ball handling for JCC, and is a strong rebounder from the backcourt.
Pat Dembley (6-ft-2, 2016). It was another game of Dembley pushing the pace, weaving through traffic, not turning the ball over, and getting to the rim for extensions to finish or creating for a teammate a wide open look. Dembley loves to take a long board and fly which played a big part in his 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Jamil Jackson (6-ft-6, 2016). Minnesota got another look at the vast potential that Jamil has running well and quickly bouncing off his feet to finish in highlight ways. Scored 21 points with nine rebounds and did a lot moving behind the defense for putbacks and finishing off creations. Red Lake didn’t have a player that could deal with him in terms of size and agility.
Trenton Krueger (6-ft-5, 2016). I love how Krueger plays within a halfcourt system. So good at fighting for and holding position. Does a great job moving off ball screens and cutting away from the ball to score, really good out of the post with quick spins or a face-up one dribble attack, and tonight he making some plays in the open floor too. Had 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting, 11 rebounds, and his lateral movement and activity pressing full court was something I did not expect to see against guards but he did it well.
John Larson (6-ft-2, 2016). It seems like he was just a young underclassmen shooting the lights out and now he is a physical, strong 6-foot-2 forward headed to UMD for football but also rebounding like a man for the Bombers and he still has the face-up skill to hit jumpers. Thought he did a nice job with a dribble or two getting to the rim and making shots despite contact. John is a crucial player for this team that may not get the attention he deserves since he’s become more of a football name.
Ryan Larson (6-ft-0, 2018). The Crusaders could do nothing with his speed pushing in transition. Ryan would catch the outlet and race past players as few have the pace to run with him much less get in front and stop his advance. Very crafty player too. Loved his hesitation into a high scooping lay-up over Murkey and another part of his creation that caught my eye was his one dribble attack into zips to cutters or the fastballs from one wing to the opposite corner for trey attempts. Good vision, good pace, has the ability to score when defenders don’t respect him giving Ryan space.
Jacob McNamara (6-ft-4, 2017). Was the biggest and strongest player on the floor leading to a controlling nine boards in a slow paced basketball game. Had troubles at the foul line but not at the arc where he showed the touch knocking down three treys and would then go back the other way and swat four shots. Scored 14 points with nine boards in a three point win.
Ade Murkey (6-ft-5, 2016). Murkey was outstanding. He did some things colleges are hoping to see him do like hit stationary jumpers, hit with a pull-up after a dribble, handle the ball for long periods of time and then create, and move the basketball with the right decisions. He also scored explosively like he usually does with one of the nastiest 1-hand putback dunks I have ever seen and it was about his fourth dunk of the night. Had 26 points, a dozen boards, and four assists and this was including his time on the bench with three fouls in the first half. Also need to mention how well he moved laterally against guards pressuring full court. Definitely looked like a guy who will be at a D1 program next year.
Alec Olson (6-ft-1, 2016). The guy is an outstanding feet set shooter and if he gets space he will hurt you instantly. Scored on three triples and five jumpers total giving him 17 points. Liked how he moved without the ball to set himself up to catch after clearing the defender after a screen.
Chris Olson (6-ft-0, 2016). His rebounding was crucial. The Bombers were smaller but Chris grabbed ten of them plus scored 24 points. One of the most confident shooters I’ve seen, if you give him space and he’s on balance Chris will punish you fast. He can go from looking at his defender and surveying the floor to getting a quick rising look at the rim hitting in no time. Guys have to constantly be aware of his threat to hit.
Matt Ringkob (6-ft-0, 2016). Physical guard that found space in the Cardinal defense and drained three treys. Also scored bullish attacks making contact with his left shoulder, staying on balance, and scoring with his right. Had 19 points and led the Huskies backcourt scoring efforts.