WEEKLY ROUNDUP

*We pick top 50 players in each class for boys *State boys, girls top 20’s *Cleveland gears up again with scoring leader back

Volume 24 Issue No. 2 December 1 2017-2018 Three reigning champions among No. 1 boys teams By Bruce Strand

Three defending state champions start the season ranked No. 1 by Minnesota Basket- ball News and there would be four except that Minneapolis North moved up a class.

Despite formidable competition in each class, it’s a no-brainer to install Apple Val- ley in Class 4A, DeLaSalle in Class 3A and Minnehaha Academy in Class 2A at the top spots, and then see what happens.

In Class 1A, we dub North Woods (see sep- arate article, next page).

Class 4A Vince Herber, and Michael Kromer- Thomas pose with their 2017 state champion- The incomparable point guard Tre Jones has sparked ship trophy for Apple Valley. Apple Valley to championships in 2015 and 2017 and he will go for the hat trick next March. The Duke blue- chip recruit generated last year’s title despite another Class 3A D-1 player leaving the Eagles to play for a prep school. Several of Jones’ very capable role-playing cohorts in DeLaSalle is riding the longest dynasty in state bas- that title run are back under coach Zach Goring and the ketball history with six consecutive championships in Eagles are ranked No. 8 nationally by USA Today. But Class 3A achieved mostly with blowout victories. The there’s no guarantees. Cretin-Derham Hall is loaded, man who built the program to that level, Dave Thorson, including 6-foot-9 Gopher recruit . Park left to become a college assistant at Drake University Center has five kids recruited by Division I schools. in Iowa. His successor is Travis Bledsoe, a DLS alum Hopkins, despite coming off a rare season not making who had been coaching Centennial. The Islanders are state, is ranked 10th by USA Today. Continued on Page 2 Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota News December 1 Page 2 In Class 1A: North Woods or Springfield? By Bruce Strand If North Woods were to capture the title in March, they would be the North Woods of Springfield? Those northernmost school ever to do so. are the two obvious candidates for the No. 1 ranking in Class 1A once Min- Springfield’s Isaac Fink, a 6-foot-4 neapolis North vacated the position junior guard, is coming off a monster by moving up a class after cruising to sophomore season — 23 points, nine two state small-school titles. rebounds, six assists, and three steals per game. Fink has 1,685 points with The Minnesota Basketball News puts two seasons to go and is probably the North Woods first, Springfield second, top player in Class 1A. Tiger firepow- based mainly on last year’s higher fin- er also includes senior Tanner Vogel ish. Another agency doing preseason (15 ppg last year, and 1,323 in his ca- rankings went with Springfield. reer) and sophomore Decker Schef- Cade Goggleye hit 18 ppg for fler (11 points, six rebounds and four North Woods reached the state finals assists, off the bench). The top seven North Woods last year. and lost to North to finish runner-up, also has Andrew Beckman, Mitchell while Springfield lost to North in the semifinals and fin- Buerkle and Mitchell Leonard and Jordan Kieper. ished fourth. Each team returns a major portion of its talent. Each also faces a tough road to get through their The Tigers anticipate a battle just making it back to sections again. state. “We have four of the top teams in the state in our section — us, Mayer Lutheran, Cleveland, Cedar North Woods returns junior Cade Goggleye (18 ppg), Mountain-Comfrey — so it will be a tough road,” said senior Tate Olson (15 ppg), senior Brendon Parson coach Lance Larson. “We will need to stay healthy and (13.6 ppg), and junior Chase Kleppe (6.5 ppg) along work hard to develop our depth by the time the tourney with three backups. Graduating was George Bibeau, rolls around.” their top rebounder and a 9.8 ppg scorer. Still, Class 1A is anybody’s ballgame. The smallest- “If we stay injury-free and work to our potential, we school class was always a wide-open affair before Min- have a good chance,” acknowledged coach Will Kleppe, neapolis North dominated the last two seasons. We’ve adding, “Bigfork, Chisholm, and Mountain Iron-Buhl also got Cedar Mountain-Comfrey, Rushford-Peterson will all be competitive in Section 7A.” and Nevis in the initial top five. Apple Valley, DeLaSalle, Minnehaha head the lists Continued from Page 1 the most exciting athletes in the state in Jalen Suggs, always loaded with at least a starting lineup full of col- a blue-chipper both as a cager and a quarterback. The lege basketball-bound players gathered from around Redhawks, coached by Lance Johnson, have five of our the metro area. They’ve got six players in the MBBNs preseason Top 50 in the division, all veterans of last preseason top fifty for their class, led by a Gophers year’s campaign. But Minneapolis North, which won recruit, sweet-shooting Gabe Kalscheur. It didn’t hurt five state big-school titles in the old days before hit- that another stellar prospect, junior Jamison Battle, ting a decline and then being reincarnated under coach transferred from Benilde-St. Margaret’s. Larry McKenzie as a state power in the smallest divi- sion, has most of its firepower back and thinks it can play with anybody. There are several outstate powers Class 2A as well, including Caledonia, Annandale and St. Cloud Cathedral in our initial top five. Minnehaha Academy cruised to the Class 2A crown last season led by a freshman who was already one of Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 3 Kopet back to lead Cleveland By Bruce Strand The Vikings, 8-20 last year, return seniors Oakley Kress (13.9 ppg) and Jacob Gottenborg (12.9 ppg). The Cleveland boys won their first 18 games last year * * * and finished 25-4 after losing Carter Kopet with a knee Andy Berkvam, who coached a state girls basketball injury at midseason. The Clippers should be a con- champion at Lakeville North (2007), enters his fifth tender again in Section 2A led by Kopet, whom coach season as boys coach for his hometown Northfield Dan Fredrickson calls “the best player in the (Mankato) Raiders. “I am very excited about my team this year,” area, regardless of class.” Berkvam stated. “I finally have a team that can play dif- ferent defenses and play the transition game well.” Alex Kopet, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Rasmussen, a 6-foot-3 guard who made All-Big nine scored 1,428 points in grades last year, is the floor leader. Mason Zick, a 6-foot-6 ju- 9-10-11 despite missing a total nior who “can play anywhere on the floor” was the best of 26 games, and led the Valley player by the end of last season, Berkvam said. Conference in scoring twice. * * * The Clippers are 42-2 with him Mankato East boys coach Joe Madson acknowledges in the lineup the last two years. that there are “high expectations” for the Cougars, who are returning 48 of their 65 points per game from a 14- Kopet is OK now. He passed 14 team. Damani Hayes, 6-foot-4 senior, averaged 19.3 for 2,078 yards and 55 touch- points and starts the season with 994, likely to topple downs this fall, leading the the school record of 1,288 by Ben Kaus (2001). Ghana Clippers to a 9-2 record, end- Ochan, 6-foot-6 junior, is getting “lots of college atten- ing with a 36-35 section finals tion,” while Edmond Ovet, 6-foot-3 senior, had a ter- loss to Spring Grove. He threw rific summer and is also getting noticed, Madson said. a staggering 185 TD passes in * * * his career, the state record. Carter Kopet has Delano basketball all-stater Calvin Wishart went out for missed 26 games football this fall, for the first time, and all he did was Cleveland also returns 6-foot- but still scored catch 57 passes from Mike Shoultz for 1,251 yards and 1 senior guard Austin Plonsky 1,428 points the 13 touchdowns in a 7-2 season, earning Star-Tribune (17.9 ppg), two-time all-con- last 3 seasons. first-team All-Metro honors. Wishart, a 6-foot-1 guard, ference pick whom Fredrick- averaged 26.6 points last year and 18.7 as a sophomore. son describes as “an amazing competitor.” * * * * * * Breckenridge is led by Noah Christensen, 6-foot-8 ju- Hoping to crack into the metro stranglehold on Class nior forward who averaged 17 points and nine rebounds 4A is St. Cloud Tech, 22-6 last year with four of the top last year, and Derek Dahlgren, 6-foot-3 senior guard players in the St. Cloud area back. Camden Jackson, who averaged 15 points. Dahlgren missed the playoffs senior guard, is already over 1,000 points and looks like after breaking a bone in his foot in the last regular sea- a DII prospect. Trent Meyer, senior, transferred form son game. The Cowboys still won their section and fin- Sartell after averaging double digits there last year. Two ished 25-4 with two losses at the state tournament. other Tigar standouts are headed for college football — * * * 6-foot-7 forward Brevyn Spann-Ford (Gophers) and Lake City, which upset Caledonia 55-51 in the Section guard James Kaczor (North Dakota State) 1AA finals last year, brings back three double-digit * * * scorers in senior Marc Kjos (15.5 ppg) and sophomores Pelican Rapids, a two-time state champion (1984 and Nate Heise (11.5) and Reid Gastner (11.1). The trio 2009), dropped from to Class 2A to Class 1A this year. combined for 229 three-pointers last year, each hitting 45 to 47 percent. Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 4 2018 Pacesetter Youth Basketball Great Five-State Championships Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin teams to vie for titles at Target Center

Boys and girls teams from five loo and Pella. North Dakota will states, in grades 4-9, will play in hold regional playoffs in Fargo the 2018 Pacesetter Youth Bas- and Mandan. South Dakota will ketball Great Five-State Champi- hold a state championship in onships, which will be returning Yankton, and Wisconsin, in its to newly-renovated Target Cen- first year in Pacesetter, will hold ter in Minneapolis after playing a state championship in Ripon. in the Xcel Energy Center last summer. All teams that qualify for the Great State games at the Target Pacesetter Sports, which began in Center will play three games in 1980, has now invited Wisconsin an 8-team bracket, using three youth teams in grades 4-9 to join courts, with all teams guaranteed teams from Minnesota, Iowa, at least one game on the main North Dakota and South Dakota Target Center floor. in the Pacesetter Great 5-State Moose Lake-Willow River (blue jer- sey) defeated Williston (red) in the Championships for 2018. The champions last year’s Great 2017 fifth-grade finals. State games included the follow- Over 1,000 teams are expected ing teams: to play in Pacesetter state playoffs. The champion, and possibly the runner-up, from each state will advance to 4th grade girls — Bismarck Energy (ND) play in the Pacesetter Great Five-State Championships 5th grade girls — Detroit Lakes (MN) in Minneapolis at the Target Center, which has just un- 6th grade girls — Bismarck Intensity (ND) dergone a $145 million renovation. 7th grade girls — Lake City (MN) 8th grade girls — New London-Spicer (MN) This youth basketball playoff system supports school 9th grade girls — Sauk Centre (MN) and community-based teams and is sponsored by the Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves. The Pacesetter 4th grade boys — Thompson (ND) “Great State” games are scheduled to coincide with 5th grade boys — Moose Lake-Willow River (MN) Lynx home games, so all players and families can at- 6th grade boys — Sioux Falls (SD) Hurricanes tend a game. The Timberwolves support the Pacesetter 7th grade boys — Cedar Rapids Jefferson (IA) playoff system by providing a free ticket offer to every 8th grade boys — Cedar Falls Outlaws (IA) participating player for the following season. 9th grade boys — Kindred-Richland (ND)

In 2018 Minnesota teams will compete in an 8-region All playoff sites are limited to 16 teams in each gender/ playoff system in Rochester/Stewartville, Mankato, grade group. Teams may get further information and Redwood Falls, Moose Lake/Willow River, Paynes- register online at www.pacesettersports.net. ville, Moorhead, Grand Rapids/Hibbing, and Bemidji.  Iowa will hold regional playoffs in Cedar Falls/Water- Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 5

ROAD Questions?? Call Pacesetter at 320-243-7460 or TO email: [email protected] • Website: www.pacesettersports.net TARGET CENTER! Follow our Facebook page: Pacesetter Basketball 5 - state championship Wisconsin is joining in 2018! 2018 Region Playoff Schedule pacesetter ALL GRADES REFER TO THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR 4B = 4th grade boys Teams may register for more than one region. 4G = 4th grade girls See back for details Region 1 Site Date MINNESOTA 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B RCTC (Rochester) March 24 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B RCTC (Rochester) March 25 Region 2 Site Date Youth Basketball 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B MN State - Mankato April 21 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B MN State - Mankato April 22 State Championship Region 3 Site Date 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B Redwood Falls March 24 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B Redwood Falls March 25 REGION PLAYOFFS Region 4 Site Date Region Champions invited to the MN State Championship. 6G, 8G, 5B *(UPDATED) Willow River April 7 Teams with one loss invited to the MIT. 5G, 7G, 4B *(UPDATED) Willow River April 8 Top two teams at STATE advance to Target Center in Minneapolis. 4G, 7B, 9B Moose Lake April 7 9G, 6B, 8B Moose Lake April 8 Minnesota won Region 5 Site Date 5 of the 12 GREAT STATE 4B, 6B, 8B Paynesville April 7 CHAMPIONSHIP 5B, 9B, 8G Paynesville April 8 TITLES! 5G, 7G, 9G Paynesville April 14 4G, 6G, 7B Paynesville April 15 Detroit Lakes New London-Spicer Region 6 Site Date 5th Grade Girls 8th Grade Girls 2017 Great Four-State Champs 2017 Great Four-State Champs 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B Moorhead April 14 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B Moorhead April 15 Region 7 Site Date 6G Hibbing April 14 6B, 9B, 9G Hibbing April 15 ML/WR 5th Grade Boys 4G, 8G, 5B, 7B Grand Rapids April 14 2017 Great Four-State 5G, 7G, 4B, 8B Grand Rapids April 15 Champs Lake City Region 8 Site Date Sauk Centre 7th Grade Girls Wisconsin joining in 2018! 9th Grade Girls 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B Bemidji April 21 MN - IA - ND - SD - WI 2017 Great Four-State Champs 2017 Great Four-State Champs 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B Bemidji April 22 Minnesota State Championships • Maple Grove MS All grades refer to the 2017-2018 school year. 4G, 6G, 5B, 8B MIT - MN Invitational June 9 “Hometown Team” guideline: 4G, 6G, 5B, 8B State Championship June 10 All players on a team must either be enrolled in the same school system or live or attend school in 5G, 8G, 4B, 6B MIT - MN Invitational June 16 the same city, the same school district or the same tribal community. Smaller schools may combine 5G, 8G, 4B, 6B State Championship June 17 to form one team if the combined enrollment of their high schools for grades 9-12 is 400 or fewer. 7G, 9G, 7B, 9B MIT - MN Invitational June 23 Schools that combine should be from neighboring schools. 7G, 9G, 7B, 9B State Championship June 24

Team Entry Form - Minnesota Region Playoffs 3-4 game guarantee

___ All players are from one school district. School district______(Check one)

___ Combined team. School districts ______(See back for details)

Site:______Grade______Circle: Boys or Girls Team Rating: Strong Good Fair Weak (Circle one ) The Minnesota Team Contact______Team Color/Name:______State Champion and (needed if two teams from same school register) Runner-up in each Cell #______Alt #______grade are invited to the Great Five-State Mailing address______Championships in (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Minneapolis. Email address______(Email address required - Confirmation will be sent via email - Please write legibly) FREE Alternate Contact ______Cell # ______Timberwolves Tickets Send check and this form to PACESETTER, PO BOX 222, PAYNESVILLE, MN 56362 (2018-2019 season)

Registration also available online at www.pacesettersports.net All players will receive $170/team before Dec. 29 • $180/team after Dec. 29 a free ticket offer! Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 6 MBBN preseason top 50 boys in each class Class 4A HOPKINS CLOQUET Anthony Davis, sr G Bryce Turnbull, sr F APPLE VALLEY Blaise Beauchamp, so G Tre Jones, sr G Joe Hedsrom, sr C COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Luke Martens, sr G jr C Deundra Roberson, sr G Spencer Rolland, sr F Wendell Matthews, sr F Ely Hendrickson, sr G LAKEVILLE NORTH Quentin Hardict, sr G Tyler Wahl, jr G CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI DELANO Henry Abraham, so G LAKEVILLE SOUTH Calvin Wishart, sr G Shae Mitchell, sr F Derek Techam, jr G CHAMPLIN PARK Josiah Strong, sr G MPLS. SOUTHWEST DELASALLE Bennett Otto, jr G Niko Polydorou, sr G Gabe Kalscheur, sr G Kato Seley, jr G Sage Booker, sr G MPLS. WASHBURN Christian Dickson, sr F CHANHASSEN Terrell Adams, sr G Tyrell Terry, jr G Chris Wandling, sr G Jamison Battle, jr F NORTH ST. PAUL Tre Jones Malik Lamin, jr C CHASKA Goodnews Kpegeol, sr G Apple Valley Cole Nicholson, jr F DASSEL-COKATO OSSEO Trever Kaiser, sr G CRETIN-DERHAM HALL Zach Theisen, sr G ST. PAUL CENTRAL Jake Prince, sr F Daveonte Davis, jr F DULUTH DENFELD Daniel Oturu, sr F OWATONNA Luke McElroy, jr F Ben Gibson, sr G Ryan Larson, sr G Dalton Kubista, sr G Jaeden King, jr G SIMLEY FERGUS FALLS PARK CENTER Jake Binley, sr G Harrison Christensen, sr F EAST RIDGE Jarius Cook, sr G Nathan Rund, sr G Courtney Brown, jr F D.J. Purnell, sr F WAYZATA Tommy Chatman, jr F Jacob Beeninga, jr G GRAND RAPIDS EDEN PRAIRIE Khari Broadway, jr G Nate Seelye, sr G Kyler Kluge, sr G Dain Dainja, so C WHITE BEAR LAKE Drake Dobbs, so G Blake Charles, sr F HERMANTOWN PARK- David Birkeland, sr G EDINA COTTAGE GROVE WOODBURY Anders Nelson, sr G Charlie Gorres, jr F Michael Jones, sr F HIBBING Luke Lundell, jr G ELK RIVER ROCHESTER Jack Burger, sr F JOHN MARSHALL MANKATO EAST Matthew Hurt, jr F Class 3A Damani Hayes, sr F FOREST LAKE Uhana Ochan, sr F Manny Jingco, sr G ROGERS AUSTIN Jordan Belka, sr F Douth Gach, sr G MPLS. ROOSEVELT HASTINGS Tate Hebrink, sr G Leo Buchwald, sr G Sawyer Levos, sr F ST. CLOUD TECH Deszi Sims, jr G Camden Jackson, sr G BLOOMINGTON HENRY SIBLEY Brevyn Spann-Ford, sr F KENNEDY Rieshaun Satar, sr G James Kaczor, sr G Markel Aune, sr G Continued on Page 8 Trent Meyer, sr G Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 7

2018 PACESETTER 4th-5th-6th-7th-8th YOUTH BASKETBALL Grade Boys & Girls TOURNAMENT WINTER CLASSIC Sat & Sun, March 3 & 4 Sat. - Girls Grades 5, 7 & Boys Grades 4, 6, 8 Sun. - Girls Grades 4, 6, 8 & Boys Grades 5, 7

College of St. Benedict - St. Joseph, MN Register Limit 16 teams per grade/gender Early! $10 off thru Registration Deadline: Feb. 19 Dec. 29th

The Winter Classic will be held at The College of St. Benedict on Saturday & Sunday, March 3 & 4.

This tournament is open to all boys’ and girls’ teams in grades 4-5-6-7-8. All players must either be enrolled in the same school system or live or attend school in the same city, the same school district or tribal community.

A maximum of 48 teams can be accepted each day due to court space.

Each tournament is a ONE-day tournament. All teams will play 3-4 games.

Championship teams will receive a team plaque, and top finishers will receive individual medals with neck ribbons.

Registration is also available at www.pacesettersports.net Follow our Facebook Page: Pacesetter Basketball

2018 Winter Classic Team Entry Form Team rating: (confidential) Circle gender: Boys or Girls Questions? _____ Strong _____ Good Circle grade: 4 5 6 7 8 [email protected] 320-243-7460 _____ Fair _____ Weak

School ______Team Color/Name ______(needed if two teams from same school enter) Team Contact ______Email Address ______(required - confirmation will be sent via email) Cell # ______Alternate # ______

Mailing Address ______(Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Alternate Contact ______Cell # ______Mail check payable to Pacesetter & send with form to Pacesetter, PO Box 222, Paynesville, MN 56362 Up to Dec. 29 • $150/team • After Dec. 29 • $160/team Registration also available online at www.pacesettersports.net Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 8 MBBN top 50 boys in each class Continued VIRGINIA OSAKIS from Page 6 Ethan Youso, sr F Daniel Savageau, so G MONTICELLO WACONIA PERHAM Matt Todd, sr G Nick Fulford, sr F Jenson Beachy, jr G NORTHFIELD WASECA PINE CITY Alex Rasmussen, sr G Malik Willingham, jr G Clay Logan, sr G Nick Hansmann, jr G ORONO WILLMAR Jarvis Omersa, sr C Noah Slagter, sr G PLAINVIEW- Max Bjorklund, sr G ELGIN-MILLVILLE Barron Holtz, sr G PRINCETON Adam Williams, jr G Class 2A PROCTOR Brody Eldien, sr C RICHFIELD ANNANDALE Devin Wade- A.J. Hinz, sr F REDWOOD VALLEY Henderson, sr F Mitchell Irlbeck, sr G BRECK Cole Woodford, jr G ROBBINSDALE David Roddy, jr F COOPER ST. CLOUD Nathan Hill, sr C BRECKENRIDGE CATHEDRAL Derek Dahlgren, sr G Jalen Suggs Michael Schaefer, sr F ROCORI Noah Christensen, jr G Minnehaha Academy Mitchell Plombon, sr C Sam Olson, jr G BROOKLYN CENTER ST. CROIX LUTHERAN ST. ANTHONY LITCHFIELD Garrett Maag, sr G Adreone Sprinkles, jr F Owen Boerema, jr G VILLAGE Lu’Cye Patterson, so G Aaron Smith, sr F ST. CROIX PREP Tait Nelson, so G MELROSE Jayton Metcalf, sr G BRYON Reegan Nelson, jr F Michael Coble, sr G ST. CLOUD APOLLO ST. CHARLES Marquise Smith, sr G MPLS. NORTH Kaden Vaughn, sr G CALEDONIA Tayler Johnson, sr G Owen King, sr G Odell Wilson IV, sr F SAUK RAPIDS-RICE Noah King, so F SIBLEY EAST Deng Deang, sr F Nasir El-Amin, jr G Gavin Bates, sr G Elijah Campbell, jr G Cody Landwehr sr F DOVER-EYOTA Anthony Massman, sr G Brady Williams, so F SOUTHWEST MINNEHAHA ACAD. CHRISTIAN ST. PAUL HARDING Lorenzo Smith, sr G Max Steensland, jr G ESKO JaVonni Bickham, sr F Jovan Christian, jr G Adam Trapp, sr C Jalen Suggs, so G STEWARTVILLE ST. PAUL JOHNSON Kaden Johnson, so G Carter Groski, sr C HOLY FAMILY Terry Lockett, so G Kyle Lee, sr G Lincoln Cizek, sr G SPECTRUM ST. THOMAS ACAD. MINNEWASKA AREA Cole Elrod, jr G JORDAN Jackson Johnsrud, sr G Jack Thompson, sr G Eric Tiedman, sr F Sam Vascello, sr F WADENA- MORA DEER CREEK LAKE CITY Cal Wright, sr G TOTINO-GRACE Marc Kjos, sr G Noah Ross, sr G Charlie Jacob, sr G Nathan Heise, so G NEW LONDON-SPICER Reid Gastner, so F Brandon Adelman, jr G Continued on Page 10 Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 9 Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 10 MBBN top 50 boys in each class Continued from Page 8 NORMAN CO.EAST/ STEPHEN-ARGYLE ULEN-HITTERDAL Zac Fincher, sr F Class 1A Isaac Habedank, sr C Hunter Yutrzenka, jr G SPRING GROVE ADA-BORUP NORTH WOODS Alex Folz, jr G Mason Miller, so C Tate Olson, sr F Cade Goggleye, jr G WABASHA-KELLOG BIGFORK Brendan Parson, sr G Zach Kjeseth, sr G Dalton Cook, sr G Carter Cook, jr G ORTONVILLE WALKER- Tyson Powell, jr G HACKENSACK- CASS LAKE-BENA AKELEY Arnold Kingbird, sr G PELICAN RAPIDS Nathaniel Armstrong, sr G Noah DeLapaz, sr G Oakley Kress, sr G WEST CEDAR MOUNTAIN- PARK CHRISTIAN CENTRAL AREA COMFREY Steele Senske, sr G Logan Paulson, sr C Dylan Hillesheim, sr F PARKERS PRAIRIE WESTBROOK- CLEVELAND Ryan Blake, sr F WALNUT GROVE Carter Kopet, sr G Anthony Ross, sr G Austin Plonsky, sr G RED ROCK CENTRAL Brady Rasmussen, sr G DAWSON-BOYD Alex Swenson, sr G RUSSELL- TYLER-RUTHTON GOODRICH/GRYGLA- Westin Kirk, sr F GATZKE Garrett Kern, sr F Ben Groven, sr F RUSHFORD- Nasir El-Amin PETERSON FULDA Minneapolis North Dalton Slinger, sr F Jacob Paulson, sr F Dawson Dahl, sr F HANCOCK MAYER LUTHERAN Noah Kannegiesser, sr G Kobey Woolhouse, sr G SACRED HEART Jordan Tomkinson, sr G HINCKLEY- MCGREGOR FINLAYSON Carson Passer, sr F ST. CLAIR Travis Visser, sr F Mitchell Weber, sr C MINNEOTA LAKE PARK- Thomas Hennen, jr F SEBEKA AUDUBON James Clark, sr G Grant Pederson, sr G MOUNTAIN Jack Lillquist, sr C IRON-BUHL LAPORTE Joe Buffetta, jr G SILVER BAY Justin Holmes, jr G Jason Blood, sr G Riley Kline, sr G Isaac Fink MARANATHA NEVIS SOUTH RIDGE Springfield CHRISTIAN Jack Landquist, sr F Nick Carlson, sr G Beijan Newbern, sr G Michael Landquist, jr G SPRINGFIELD Isaac Fink, jr G Tanner Vogel, sr G Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 11 Gophers: a team to enjoy By Terry Kunze three. He has progressed nicely over last year. Not an MN Basketball News columnist overly gifted athlete, but smart and heady, he seems more comfortable in his expanded role this season. He The Golden Gophers are a tough team to beat in 2017- moves well off the ball. He’s a player the coach can 18. Under coach Rick Pittino, they have enough talent trust, which is important. to compete with the top teams in the country. In the front court, Jordan Murphy, 6-6 junior, and Regge Starting with Nate Mason, 6-2 senior guard, the perim- Lunch, 6-10 senior, give the Gophers toughness under eter players are exceptional. Mason will score. He is the boards along with scoring. their best outside shooter and can play both point or shooting guard. Blessed with real speed and quickness, Murphy is a real jewell, averaging about 20 points he will have to be consistent both ends of the floor. and 11 rebounds. A great leaper and a real beast on the blocks, he is tough for any “four’ in the country to cov- Dupree McBrayer, 6-5 junior, the two guard, is a long, er. He must eliminate foolish fouls because it’s difficult solid defender and adept at team defense. A good pass- for the Gophers to function like they should without er and capable penetrator, he provides good size and him on the court. Word is out, and teams are starting to can handle pressure Although a suspect shooter, he can “double” him once he puts the ball on the floor. score in many ways, and is excep- tional on the broken floor. Lynch is a rock down low, a capable scorer who gets lost on the perimeter. He boards and defends. The Beyond those two is the heralded leading shot-blocker in the Big Ten, he will neutralize 6-0 freshman Isaiah Washington, the opponent’s post players. For him, too, it is impera- who will eventually crack the tive that he avoid foul trouble — especially after the starting lineup. A natural leader Gophers lost 6-9 sophomore Eric Curry (knee injury). with top-notch skills, he is finding his way in handling the speed and Bakary Konate, 6-11 senior, backs up Lynch. He doesn’t size of the college level now, but score and is really no help on the offensive end. While a will become a solid scorer and dis- capable shot blocker, he has a habit of foolish fouls. So tributor on the broken floor. Game when Lynch or Murphy have foul trouble the Gophers minutes are vital as he tries to get will struggle against good teams. more comfortable. Currently he’s Terry Kunze struggling some, trying too hard to The Gophers will defend as a team. They are aggres- make things happen. sive and long and will make the game trench warfare. Opponents will have to work hard for points. Roles are The other freshman, 6-2 Jamir Harris, is a sweet shooter well defined. Absent foul trouble, they can be tough for and very athletic with great strength. He will blossom anyone to score against. into a solid backup. The Big Ten is down overall this year and the opportu- Moving on to small forward, 6-8 sophomore Amir Cof- nity to compete is there. My feeling is that toughening fey is a very important piece for this team. Athletic, the home schedule would have helped this team. Work- long, and a gifted passer, he can take the game ever. Al- ing on new things against poor teams doesn’t allow you though not a great shooter, he can knock it down if his to judge how effective they are. feet are set and he has time. He is very effective on the break and can create for others with his passing. This This is a team we can really enjoy and support. They lefty is a solid defender and capable rebounder and will play hard and unselfishly. And they work! They will not be called upon to do more as the season goes on. He beat themselves. With senior leadership and a wealth of is fortunate enough to have a basketball father (former veteran experience they are prepared for run a the Big Gopher Richard Coffey) and solid high school coach- Ten title. Only Michigan State might be above them. ing at Hopkins headed by Kenny Novak. They are definitely a top three team in the conference barring injuries. Let’s support this team. Michael Hurt, 6-7 sophomore, is the backup at the Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 12 MBBN boys Preseason Top 20 Class 4A Class 3A Class 2A Class 1A

1. Apple Valley 1. DeLaSalle 1. Minnehaha 1. North Woods 2. Cretin- 2. Orono Academy 2. Springfield Derham Hall 3. St. Thomas 2. Minneapolis 3. Cedar Mountain- 3. Park Center Academy North Comfrey 4. Hopkins 4. Columbia 3. Caledonia 4. Rushford- 5. Wayzata Heights 4. Annandale Peterson 6. East Ridge 5. Mankato East 5. St. Cloud 5. Nevis 7. Osseo 6. Robbinsdale Cathedral 6. Cleveland 8. Eden Prairie Cooper 6. Brooklyn Center 7. Mayer Lutheran 9. Woodbury 7. Delano 7. Esko 8. Goodhue 10. Lakeville North 8. Austin 8. Lake City 9. Westbrook- 11. Edina 9. Totino-Grace 9. Perham Walnut Grove 12. St. Cloud Tech 10. Fergus Falls 10. Breckenridge 10. Ada-Borup 13. Chaska 11. Waconia 11. Virginia 11. Cass Lake-Bena 14. Rochester 12. Northfield 12. Jordan 12. Russell-Tyler- John Marshall 13. Waseca 13. St. Charles Ruthton 15. Forest Lake 14. Alexandria 14. Kimball 13. Hinckley- 16. Champlin Park 15. Grand Rapids 15. Eden Valley- Finlayson 17. Prior Lake 16. Sauk Watkins 14. Red Lake 18. Rogers Rapids-Rice 16. Redwood Valley 15. Chisholm 19. Tartan 17. St. Cloud Apollo17. Breck 16. Braham 20. Minnetonka 18. Zimmerman 18. Pine Island 17. Norman County 19. St. Anthony 19. Minnewaska East/Ulen- Village Area Hitterdal 20. Minneapolis 20. Holy Family 18. Spring Grove Roosevelt Catholic 19. Stephen-Argyle 20. Minnesota Valley Lutheran

Minneapolis North and coach Larry McKenzie, savoring their 2017 state championship in Class 1A at left, hope to do the same in Class 2A next March. Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News December 1 Page 13 MBBN Girls Top 20 Class 4A Class 3A Class 2A Class 1A

1. Hopkins 1-0 1. DeLaSalle 2-0 1. Sauk Centre 1-0 1. Lyle-Pacelli 3-0 2. Eastview 2-0 2. Hutchinson 1-0 2. Norwood- 2. Goodhue 1-1 3. Lakeville North 1-0 3. Robbinsdale Young America 1-0 3. Hayfield 0-0 4. Centennial 0-0 Cooper 1-0 3. Roseau 1-0 4. Mountain 5. Wayzata 2-0 4. Holy Angels 2-1 4. Eden Valley- Iron-Buhl 0-0 6. Cretin-Derham 5. Grand Rapids 2-0 Watkins 1-0 5. Bigfork 1-0 Hall 1-1 6. Mahtomedi 1-0 5. Dilworth-Glyndon- 6. Ada-Borup 0-0 7. Forest Lake 1-0 7. Northfield 0-0 Felton 0-0 7. Lac qui Parle 8. St. Michael- 8. Red Wing 3-0 6. Byron 0-0 Valley 1-0 Albertville 0-0 9. Chisago Lakes 1-0 7. Rush City 0-0 8. Cromwell- 9. Park Center 0-0 10. Willmar 0-0 8. Maranatha Wright 0-0 10. Maple Grove 1-0 11. Simley 0-1 Christian 0-0 9. Southwest 11. White Bear 12. Zimmerman 0-0 9. New London- MN Christian 0-0 Lake 1-1 13. Hill-Murray 1-1 Spicer 1-0 10. Sleepy Eye 2-0 12. Moorhead 2-1 14. Hermantown 1-0 10. Minnehaha 11. Wheaton-Herm- 13. Minnetonka 0-1 15. Alexandria 1-0 Academy 2-1 an-Norcross 1-0 14. Edina 1-0 16. Waconia 2-1 11. Rochester 12. Badger- 15. Champlin Park 0-0 17. Mankato West 1-0 Lourdes 1-2 Greenbush- 16. Roseville 1-0 18. Fergus Falls 1-0 12. Annandale 0-0 Middle River 0-0 17. St. Francis 1-0 19. Waseca 1-1 13. Thief River 13. Red Lake 0-0 18. Anoka 0-0 20. Faribault 1-0 Falls 1-0 14. Cedar Mount.- 19. Farmington 1-0 14. Tracy-Milroy- Comfrey 1-0 20. Bloomington Balaton 0-0 15. Wabasso 0-0 Kennedy 2-0 15. St. Cloud 16. Stephen- Cathedral 0-0 Argyle 1-0 16. Pequot Lakes 0-0 17. Walker- 17. Duluth Hackensack- Marshall 1-0 Akeley 0-0 18. Barnesville 1-0 18. Belgrade- 19. Jordan 0-0 Brooten-Elrosa 1-0 20. Glencoe- 19. Sacred Heart 1-0 Silver Lake 1-0 20. Grand Meadow 1-0

Macy Guebert of Eastview drives against White Bear Lake’s Ella Janicki (21) and Kayla Anderson (13) at the Hamline Pat Paterson Thanksgiving Showcase. Eastview won 61-44. Photo by Bruce Strand