2024-25 Week 2 - What did we learn?

The 1st complete week of the season included the 1st big event of the season.  My thoughts on the Tipoff Classic main court can be found here.   Here's what I noticed in the rest of the week.

Team that caught my eye
Chaska had a couple of good wins this week to start their season 2-0.  That included a win over Shakopee that was only a 5 point final but Chaska was up 20 late in that game.  Tray Lenzen with a couple of 20+ point performances to lead the Hawks.  This is great prep for a tough schedule over the rest of the month.  They get Prior Lake at home followed by tough trips to Farmington and Champlin Park.  Then Minnetonka at home before playing at East Ridge to start the holidays.  You have Lenzen on the front line, Jimmy Coddington on the wing and Tyler Forrest at the point. All are veteran starters returning in a down year in section 2AAAA.  Its a very wide open section right now and I have to believe Chaska is in the mix.

Adjustment of the week
I love the whiteboard and the X and O side of things.  Even better when its junk defense.  Props to coach John Towle at Liberty Classical. He broke out a box and 1 on Trinity's Nathan Adbebe which contributed to Trinity sitting their top guard for the last 10 minutes of a big section game.  Liberty gets a 3 with 30 seconds to get the 47-44 road win.  It was an important section win as these 2 teams are on the next in line list behind Heritage in section 4A.

Southside Showcase
I didn't see every game there online but I did take in a couple of the big school games.  Osseo having to replace everybody in their rotation except 1 reserve guard.  They get 1 FG in the last 6:55 in a 70-59 loss to Park of Cottage Grove at the Southside Showcase on Saturday.  Forward Nebil Mohammed was a new name inside for the Orioles and had a productive 12 point game.  The Park guards just too much quickness though.  Miskir Esayas and Anthony Giadyu have another gear off the bounce and vertical bounce to go with it.  The tough combo combined for 37 points in the win.

Eagan took down Spring Lake Park 65-59 in a battle of teams that have promising futures.  Spring Lake Park usually reloads with seniors but only 2 in this year's starting lineup.  Junior wing Nolan Myren with a very nice 17 point game knocking down 3 triples.  14 of those points in the 2nd half to keep the Panthers close.  Add in forward Aaron Jeppson who can play inside and out plus guards Colin Welch, Cal Spencer and Sawyer Thomsen.  That's a group I like for this season and next season.  Eagan junior Alex Schroepfer continues to play well as he led all scorers with 23 points.  Soph forward Donjae Knox makes for a nice combo with center Kevin Kemp in the middle.  Junior guard Mikey McKenzie 3 of his 5 triples in the second half for the Wildcats.  He's the kind of shooter who can fill it up in a hurry.

Tipoff Classic Court 2
I took in the 1st 2 games online from the Edina Community Center.  Good win for Champlin Park over Farmington in the opener.  I expected Farmington's size and toughness to give the Rebels problems and it really didn't.  Cole Wilcek was fantastic for Farmington with 26 points but the Tigers guard play didn't really contribute.  Tyler Wagner with his 3rd straight game of 30 points in the win.  The Rebels get it done without soph guard Kwa Silikpoh in the lineup.  He turned an ankle earlier in the week.  Preston Thielke held down due to first half foul trouble.

In a matchup of 2 of the winningest coaches in Minnesota history, Tartan took out Lakeville North 65-62.  Tartan doesn't really have a true big man but they run their 5 out stuff really well.  Lots of Princeton like screen/away reject action in the game.  But they'll also pass and cut or have their big man chase into ball screens.  With a couple of starting freshmen, they have a bright future.  But it was senior CJ Banks who stole the day with 21 points and 3 triples to lead the Titans to the win.  Lakeville North on the other hand once again has a huge lineup.  Junior Dane Danielson with 18 points, Drew Kolander with 14 inside as they were a problem all day.  Add in an experienced backcourt and the Panthers may not have a huge name, but as shown by their win over East Ridge during the week, they're still going to be a tough team to play against.

Books and Balls
Eagle Ridge hosted the 2nd annual Books and Balls tournament.  Nova Classical took home the title with wins over section rival Mounds Park Academy and the hosts.  Caleb Taylor huge opener with 30 points to lead the Knights to a win on Friday night.  That over came a big night from Wyatt Srsen of MPA. Srsen just passed the 1000 career points mark.  Nova also beat section foe Humboldt on Wednesday to win their last 3 games of the week.  3-1 start for coach John Carrier's crew.  Math & Science lost do everything star Josh Balami to graduation, but coach Jamey Strand may have a better team this season.  Center Adam Olaoye has developed into a nice player in the middle and frosh Elisee Voumadi.  Voumadi will be a nice player for them as they move from the EMAC to the MCAA next season.  They had a big win over New Life Academy earlier in the week.

Miscellaneous
I mentioned Mikey McKenzie above but want to get in another couple of hot shooting performances that I saw this week.  Cole Kruschke of Owatonna with 7 triples in a loss at Waconia.  Keaton Ressler absolutely flammable for Lakeville South with 37 points and 7 treys in a win over Chanhassen.  He also had 21 in the Tipoff Classic loss to Chaska and 16 in a win over Eden Prairie this week.  

Community of Peace was too much for North Lakes.  Soph big man Joey Myatt with 31 for the Tigers in that win.  He looks he'll be one of the top interior guys in the EMAC over the next couple of seasons.  Speaking of small school soph forwards, Hiawatha's King James with a nice game against Minneapolis North to begin the week.  12 points, 16 rebounds with most of that damage in the 1st half.  Sat a huge chunk of the 2nd half with fouls and then promptly fouled out when he returned.  North's small lineup stole one from the Wolves late.  I think Hiawatha wins if James doesn't foul out.  Kam Solomon tried to carry them in the 2nd half.  Good measuring stick game that even though it was a tough loss should give Hiawatha confidence that they can compete with anybody in section 5AA.

Czar Viewing Stats Year To Date

Number of Varsity Games Watched: 29
Number of Teams Seen: 55
Pepsi Consumption at games: 56 ounces

1 12 pack of Coke wasted on Ryan James thanks to Minnesota winning Paul Bunyan's Axe.