2016 Timberwolves Shootout Preview

Its the 2016 Timberwolves Shootout on Saturday January 2nd, 2016 before the Timberwolves vs Milwaukee game.  4 of the top 6 teams in the current Minnesota Class 4A poll are represented.  Each also brings a player who has at least 1 high major offer or is signed with a high major school.

Game 1 9:15 AM:  #5AAAA Champlin Park vs #6 4A Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (IA)
The Lynx from Council Bluffs (Omaha, NE suburb) come in 6-0 and ranked 6th amongst Iowa biggest schools.  They were 19-4 a year ago winning their league and 1 game away from state.  They return 4 starters from that group.  6'9" center Tony Bonner averages 22.3 PPG with almost 10 rebounds per night while shooting almost 63% from the field.  He was a 2nd team all-state player last season.  Shooting guard Kyle Crowl averages 16.8 PPG and has made almost 4 3s per night at almost 48% per attempt from deep.  PG Tre'Vonte Jones averages 12 PPG.  Expect star Rebels guard McKinley Wright to spend time guard one or both of these guards.  Wright averaging 19.3 PPG, 5.1 APG and an incredible 9.1 RPG.  He's ranked #147 in the Rivals 2017 rankings with offers from Iowa St, Illinois and Kansas St.  The matchup of Champlin Park center Theo John (15.6 and 7.7, Rivals #113 nationally, Minnesota, Iowa offers) vs Bonner is the highlight of this game.

Game 2 11:00 AM: #6AAAA Rochester John Marshall vs #6 D1 Milwaukee Riverside (WI) 
Milwaukee Riverside is 6-1 and ranked 6th amongst Wisconsin's biggest schools.  Along with King and Washington who have already played here, Riverside is one of the top teams in Milwaukee.  Junior wing Terrence Lewis is ranked #112 in the current Rivals 2017 rankings.  He has a number of mid-major offers.  He's averaging 24.4 PPG with over 3 3s per game for the Tigers.  Junior forward George Dixon was a double double guy last year.  He's averaging 14.9 PPG.   Soph guard Carlos Curtis averages 13.1 PPG.    Lewis will likely see time against freshman star Matthew Hurt and Minnesota commit Michael Hurt.  Michael has been recording video game type numbers so far approaching triple doubles many nights.  His stat line is currently listed at 19.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 9.3 APG.  Matthew has a chance to be one of the elite freshmen in the country.  He averages 21.8 PPG and 10.4 RPG.  Seeing those 2 is the main treat for local fans besides their trip here to play in the Tip-Off Classic.  JM is coming off a blowout loss to Woodbury in the Rochester Rotary Classic.  I think this game will be very competitive.  Riverside's athleticism is going to be a concern for JM.

Game 3 12:45 PM:  #3AAAA Maple Grove vs #1 4A Iowa City West (IA)
This is a very appealing battle of heavyweights here.  Iowa City West lost a tough game here to Apple Valley in December.  Iowa commit Connor McCaffery (15.7 PPG, almost 6 APG) was outstanding in that game.  Maple Grove guards Tywhon (18.5 PPG) and Taron Pickford will likely get the challenge of slowing him down.  Then you have Indian Hills commit Wali Parks playing up front and likely matched up with Missouri recruit Reed Nikko (9.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG).  Then we have UNI commit Tanner Lohaus for West and Maple Grove PG Brad Davison (16.2 PPG) who has a UNI offer.  But the story here is balance.  Maple Grove has 5 who average double figures.  Iowa City West has Lohaus at 8.5 PPG and 3 in double figures including 2017 G Devonte Lane (Iowa St offer).  Expect Lane to spend time guarding Davison.  Freshman Patrick McCaffrey comes off the West bench and is a national level recruit too.  I'm calling this one to be best game of the day

Game 4 2:30 PM: #2AAAA Apple Valley vs Lausanne (TN)
Isaiah Stokes leads Lausanne.  The big man is also a standout football tackle.  His brother Jarnell was a big time hoops recruit who is now on the Miami Heat roster.  Lausanne is also the alma mater of Memphis Grizzlies star Marc Gasol.  Lausanne just played in the Mike Miller Classic in Sioux Falls on Tuesday.   They lost by 13 to Sioux Falls Roosevelt.  Apple Valley features star soph PG Tre Jones (Duke offer) and wing Gary Trent (#14 Rivals 2017 ranking).  Add in Buffalo commit Brock Bertram (13.6 PPG over 9 RPG) in the middle.  Jones has seen his stock skyrocket in the last year.  His stat line is 13.1 PPG and around 7 rebounds and assists per game.  Trent is one of the most dynamic scorers in his class nation wide.  He's averaging 30.4 PPG.  I see this as the worst game of the day with Apple Valley rolling to an easy win.