It’s formally March. Minnesota highschool hoops is winding down and the MSHSL state match will conclude this upcoming weekend. With reseeding going down on Saturday, all the pieces is about for the eight-team brackets within the 4 respective divisions that the MSHSL has to supply.
The part finals supplied no scarcity of pleasure as nicely, although. With all three video games that we took in all through the week being offered out, the ambiance was like no different. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.) beat Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) within the part 6AAAA closing to take a 2-1 victory of their 2023-24 trilogy to maneuver as much as No. 36 within the newest FAB 50 Nationwide Rankings, Orono beat Benilde St. Margaret’s in double OT within the part 6AAA closing in a sport that had three separate buzzer beaters that broke the web, and personal energy Breck College cruising to the part 5AA title over Minneapolis North.
Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, PF, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024
The state’s high senior definitely lived as much as his fame, pouring in 40 factors in a 105-76 win over rival Hopkins to advance to the state match. The versatile ahead confirmed his easy 3-point vary, scored out of fast flashes within the put up, and blew by defenders attempting to run him off the 3-point line. McAndrew is the best ranked recruit ever to go to Creighton, the place he ought to have the ability to make an instantaneous influence along with his deep vary and offensive versatility as a ahead. Jackson was additionally lately chosen to play within the prestigious Iverson Basic in Could.
Nolan Groves, 6’5, PG/SG, Orono HS (MN), 2025
There hasn’t been a junior within the state of Minnesota who has helped themselves extra in the highschool season than 6-foot-5 combo guard Nolan Groves of Orono. The J-Sizzle guard continued so as to add to this sentiment within the part finals. He dropped 43 factors, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists in a double OT victory whereas making a half court docket shot on the buzzer that was No. 1 on ESPN’s SportsCenter High 10 to ship Orono to States. Groves confirmed his easy 3-point vary, underrated means to drop pocket passes, and talent to make the most of his measurement in opposition to smaller guards in his legendary efficiency in what has been one of many higher video games in latest Minnesota playoff historical past. Groves has already visited St. Thomas, however has additionally heard from excessive main applications corresponding to Clemson, Iowa, and Northwestern.
Daniel Freitag, 6’2, PG, Breck HS (MN), 2024
The epitome of an influence level guard, Daniel Freitag has been an absolute sport changer on each ends throughout his senior season. Doubling as the highest large receiver within the state of Minnesota, Freitag opted to give attention to hoops on the subsequent stage and it has proven along with his progress as a lead guard. Daniel used his toughness/athleticism to lock down all three perimeter spots, made excellent passes with each palms, and ripped the rim off at each time he attacked the rack. The Wisconsin signee dropped a simple 27 factors en path to a state match berth for Breck.
Brady Wooley, 6’9, PF, Orono HS (MN), 2025
Some of the intriguing gamers in Minnesota’s junior class, Brady Wooley is all the pieces that you simply search for in a brand new age ahead and confirmed that in opposition to BSM with 17 factors, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists. The agile huge man with nice palms is flexible sufficient to comprise defensively on the perimeter, can playmake for others from the put up place, and is expert sufficient to punish you dealing with the basket. Wooley holds a suggestion from Ivy League energy Yale and has already visited the likes of Iowa State and Minnesota.
Jaleel Donley, 6’2, PG, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025
Whereas it was a disappointing finish to the season, the quickest guard within the state of Minnesota ended his junior marketing campaign in about as spectacular of style as one might think about. The lefty junior playmaker has proven constant enchancment on his 3-point shot (together with three to ship sport to first extra time), is excellent passing the rock with each palms, and is a really electrical finisher as soon as he will get into the paint. Donley remains to be a bit underneath the radar nationally, however shouldn’t be for for much longer as soon as he hits the EYBL with Howard Pulley.
Marcus Marshall Jr., 5’11, PG, Minneapolis North HS (MN), 2027
Many freshmen emerge all through their freshman campaigns, and Marcus Marshall Jr. was definitely a kind of dudes who saved rising, each by way of stature and by way of his sport. He’s a assured 3-point shooter with tremendous deep vary, owns tremendous sneaky athleticism, and can make you pay in the event you attempt to run him off the three level line. Marcus is coached by former NBA sparkplug scorer Ricky Davis and wrapped up his freshman marketing campaign with 31-point and 17-point video games within the playoffs, ending with a 14.9 PPG common on the yr.