State Championships: Top Performers
NHR finishes off state tournament coverage with the State Championship Game’s Top Performers from all four levels (plus adds in top ten from 3rd place games) Bodey Behrends (6-ft-9, 2016) of JCC. Continues to get better position to catch and…
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Continue ReadingNHR finishes off state tournament coverage with the State Championship Game’s Top Performers from all four levels (plus adds in top ten from 3rd place games)
Bodey Behrends (6-ft-9, 2016) of JCC. Continues to get better position to catch and quickly turn and finish. Had a great state tournament and part of that was his ability to secure a spot low and quickly get off his feet to the rim plus he was so active on both the offensive and defensive glass. Was a shot blocking threat all week including in this game where Braham scored 96. An excellent three game run overall.
Jacob Christopher (5-ft-10, 2017) of JCC. He’s not big, not that thick, but if you get him in space he will sink shots. A feet set shooter that teams must game plan for and chase hard around screens. Jacob is the kind of guy that makes you take one more step away from the help position you need to be in.
Patrick Dembley (6-ft-2, 2016) of Mpls North. Patrick’s pace push in the second half was a big part to North getting past a slow first half and putting the game away. One of the best transition players in the state Dembley jumped passing lanes for four steals and accumulated most of his 14 points and four assists during the second run. Always amazes me how it looks like Dembley will be cut off but finds an angle to produce a basket off the glass. Love watching him lead a team up the floor.
Amir Coffey (6-ft-7, 2016). Went down to the block in both halves and attacked a North defense that has little beef. His recognition of where the help was led him to where he turned and then his length and touch produced over the top of Reuvers or whomever was behind him. Made 7 of 8 foul shots showing off his touch, rebounded strong, and had a great March plus a dunk that will be his signature play form this event.
Harrison Christensen (6-ft-3, 2018) of Fergus Falls. This the guy who really made a name for himself. Harrison went from a guy most didn’t know to a player scoring on the vaunted Islander defense. Made 10 of 14 shots including two three-pointers against athletic defenders and defensively he will outwork most. Love him off the ball position and physical wise and on the ball he’s deep in a stance and aggressive. Outstanding state tournament and a lot of room to grow.
Nick Fossey (6-ft-2, 2016). Continued his amazing March by actually posting up and scoring most of his 11 point in the paint. Also had eight rebounds. Just found a way to contribute in all of his team’s big games and became somewhat of a hero for the effort he put in.
Isaac Johnson (6-ft-4, 2017) of Mpls North. Isaac was the key for the second half as he picked up the energy level on both ends and used his length and body control to get ahead of the retreating Goodhue defense and produce. Made 6 of 7 free throws, battled for 11 boards, and scored 18 points. Has the length, size, body control, and lateral agility to be a division one talent. Love his potential as a wing defender at that level.
Tyler Johnson (6-ft-2, 2016) of Mpls North. This was a career award for Tyler who has done so much for the Minneapolis North community. Leader on the football field and hardwood Tyler had a chance to throw a couple more dunks down for the viewing public including an alley-oop were he nearly jumped completely over a small Goodhue guard for a dunk and that photo will be remembered forever.
Samm Jones (6-ft-1, 2016). Samm was praised for his work ethic by Coach Thorson in the post game conference as Thorson loves Samm’s leadership ability through his words and his actions. Jones had another quality defensive game but he also picked up more of the offensive going at the basket to score 14 with four assists. The Otters didn’t have a guy who could get in front of Jones and the senior flourished.
Gabe Kalscheur (6-3, 2018). Gabe saved one of his biggest scoring games of the season for the title game. With Goanar Mar being defended heavily the Islanders leaned on Gabe for offense and he came through in a big way. Has a great frame for a sophomore and does an outstanding job of creating space without the ball to then get set and release. Made half of his six treys, eight of ten foul shots, and grew again as a scorer. Next year could be a monster seasons number wise for Gabe who has grown in every way as a prospect.
Ryan Larson (5-ft-11, 2018) of Braham. This week Ryan gained a lot of respect from those in the local basketball community because of his pace and because he is such a dangerous threat to hit with space. Made an outstanding 11 of 13 shots in the title game most of which were on the move but he also hit a couple shots from deep. The quickness is there but what impressed me this week was Ryan’s toughness, his controlled play with pace, and consistency of his jumper.
Goanar Mar (6-ft-7, 2017). Mar was once again entrusted with an assignment of limiting a top guard scorer and he did a great job limiting Rund to just five scores and one was a bank shot. Goanar is so good laterally, so long, gives the effort, and is smart defensively so he just hounded Rund. Was able to score five second half five goals near the rim pushing him to 13 points and a game high seven boards.
Nathan Reuvers (6-ft-10, 2017). Again Reuvers scored in ways that just scream nationally ranked potential. Had two deep top of the key treys, scored a face-up at the elbow twice, and had a one dribble dunk from the top of the key into the heart of the defense. Can’t wait to see what he does on the Adidas circuit this summer.
Nathan Rund (6-ft-1, 2018). After the game Coach Thorson called Rund a Minnesota version of Seth Curry based on his demeanor and some of the tough shots he’s made this tournament. In the final Nathan didn’t have the results he had wanted scoring 13 points on 13 shots but this state tournament he showed the potential for a great future.
Alec Olson (6-ft-1, 2016) of Braham. A dangerous threat that extends defenses. Hit three treys and scored 16 points in the title game. Alec also has more fire to him than I though. When he got a technical foul for taunting an opponent it wasn’t good but I liked seeing his fire and I liked how vocal he was in motivating his teammates. There is more fire to him than we had known.
Chris Olson (6-ft-0, 2016) of Braham. A volume shooter who can be streaky but there is always the threat of being explosive. He can change games in a minutes time with his catch and shoot touch or the improved dribble separation game. Chris has worked on his dribble separation moves to get into space quickly and he used that for part of his 33 in the title game. Made big plays as well any time Braham made a run including the steal out of a JCC timeout and a couple treys that extended his team’s lead.
Ben Opsahl (6-ft-1, 2017) of Goodhue. His effort behind the defense was the biggest part in Goodhue being able to build a lead at the half. Chased down four offensive rebounds and turned all of them into Goodhue scores. Had a team high dozen points and his high energy effort signified the upset bid for a half.
Jacob Pasch (5-ft-11, 2016) of Goodhue. He’s a shooter and that is what he did all year as Goodhue’s second leading scorer. Made three first half treys that gave Goodhue a chance when they went into the break with the lead. Pasch wasn’t able to find space for more but his first half treys had fans wanting an upset on the edge of their seats.
Matt Ringkob (6-ft-0, 2016) of JCC. Scored 21 and he’s at his best when he is attacking downhill. Plays bigger than he is because he physically attacks the defense to make contact and then separate on his continuation to the rim. A physical guard who became a consistent go to scorer this year.
Vinnie Shahid (6-ft-0, 2016). His defensive plays in the second half was one of the two individual things you can point to as why the Royals won this game. He scored 13 points but half of that was on his own defensive playmaking. The blowing up of screens and the steals sneaking in to make a play will be something people will always remember. The young man is a leader vocally and with his actions.
Colton Timmer (6-ft-5, 2016) of JCC. The 6-foot-5 Timmer has shooting range that we didn’t know of. Made three treys in the final and he was affective moving off the post inside as well. Good rebounder Colton is a guy I could see land someplace on a D3 roster and then play when he gets older.
ODell Wilson IV (6-ft-5, 2018) of Mpls North. Wilson was too strong for Goodhue to stop on the block. They were not able to move him and when Wilson turned a shoulder he instantly cleared space to place off the glass. Excellent low block touch, scores on the move well too, and is immovable. Love his demeanor on the floor.
Simon Wright (6-ft-6, 2017). The unsung hero of this Hopkins run. Scored four of his six shots for eight boards, led his team with seven boards, and maybe most importantly his defense in the post kept the Panthers from throwing any low post passes to Reuvers. He simply would not allow a post entry or a deep post position.
3rd Place Game Player Stat Line Stars
- Aadge Rovney of St. Croix Lutheran. Hit eight treys and scored 27 points on 9 of 20 shooting plus grabbed seven boards.
- Taylor Slagter of Central Minnesota Christian. Made 13 of 21 shots scoring 31 points with nine rebounds.
- Trenton Krueger of St. Croix Lutheran. Made 10 of 14 shots for 23 points with 14 rebounds.
- Cameron Kirksey of Apple Valley. Scored on 11 of 17 shots for 26 points and 8 rebounds.
- Travis Toivonen of Red Wing. Finished his basketball career with a win, 22 points and 11 boards.
- Tre Jones of Apple Valley. Had 22 points on 13 shots, nine assists, and four rebounds.
- Ade Murkey of St. Croix Lutheran. Dished out five assists and hit on 7 of 16 shots for 18 points.
- Joe Sevlie of Red Wing. Scored 20 points on nine shots with seven boards and four assists.
- Gary Trent Jr of Apple Valley. Scored 22 points on 19 shots, hit four three-pointers.
- Donate Jones of Osseo. Hit four triples, scored 22 points and grabbed nine boards.