By Matt Krumrie
MaxPreps.com
Starting Five
1. Byron Big in Win: A number of players had big games for Byron in a 69-30 win over Dover-Eyota Tuesday. Zach Southwick scored 17 points and made five 3-pointers, Kyle Krings added 16 points (two 3-pointers) and Evan Morris and Angel Talamantes had eight points in the win. Byron improved to 3-0.
2. From Football to Basketball: A number of players who played key roles on Rosemount’s 2008 Lake Conference football championship team are getting it done on the basketball court. Included is quarterback Chase Vogler and wide receiver Zach Vraa. Vogler scored 12 points and Vraa added 16 in a 74-55 win over Lakeville South Tuesday.
3. Johnson Favorite in City Conference: St. Paul Johnson is the preseason favorite in the St. Paul City Conference. The Governors are ranked No. 3 in 3A and have opened the season with impressive wins against Woodbury, Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis Washburn. A number of players have contributed to the early-season success, including Dion Suggs, Maxie Rosenbloom, Mike Talley, Estan Tyler, Donte Warlick and Lamar Anderson. Suggs leads team with 16.1 points per game.
4. Sibley Gets Revenge, Sort Of: Henry Sibley let a 21-point lead slip away in last year’s big school title game against Minnetonka. The Warriors came back to win their match in a game with far less meaning in a key early-season matchup. Maurice Hernandez scored 30 points for Sibley in the 90-76 win. Mike Bruesewitz added 16 and Chris Halvorson 15 for the winners.
5. Shootout Set: The 13th Annual Timberwolves-Gatorade Shootout at the Target Centeris set for Jan. 3. The tournament features six games between squads from South Dakota and Wisconsin in addition to Minnesota, including; Robbinsdale Cooper vs. Eden Prairie, Cloquet vs. Pelican Rapids, Osseo vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt (S.D.), Henry Sibley vs. Madison Memorial (Wis.), Hopkins vs. Lake Geneva (Wis.) and St. Cloud Tech vs. Manitowoc Roncalli (Wis.).
Three to Watch
1. Michael Lindberg, West Lutheran: The junior guard has been a scoring machine for the Warriors, who won four of their first six games. Lindberg is averaging 18.4 points per game and has twice scored 28 points in a game this season. Lindberg also has 21 assists and is shooting 40 percent from 3-point range (12-for-30).
2. Kurtis Mickelson, Ashby: Mickelson has been a force inside for the Arrows. In fact, he is cleaning up for those who are not shooting straight as an arrow. If it’s brick city, Mickelson is the man on the boards. He has 76 rebounds in four games and has grabbed 20, 29, 15 and 12 rebounds in those games. He can score too – pouring in just over 20 points per game. If there is a flaw in Mickelson’s game, it is at the line, where he has converted only 3-of-13 free throws.
3. Jordair Jett, St. Bernard’s: Jett is jet quick and a key player for a talented St. Bernard’s team that is the top-ranked team in 2A. Jett, who scored 17 points in a season-opening win against PACT Charter, is reportedly receiving interest from Big 10, Big 12 and Conference USA schools.
Two Hot Too Handle
1. Chaska Hawks: Chaska appears to be a contender in the Lake Conference this season and is off to a 4-0 start that includes wins over Rochester Mayo, Eastview, Eagan and Eden Prairie. Jake White leads the team with 16.6 points per game, while Tyler Goetz is averaging 13.5, Bronson Byrne 12.2 and Erik Wenz and Derek Jerde just over 8 points each per game. Goetz scored 26 points in the big win over rival Eden Prairie.
2. Minnesota Transitions: The team scored 108 points in a 108-60 win over Bethany Lutheran. Kevin Noreen scored 30 points for MT, Jerrell Washington 22 and Kyle Noreen added 20. MT is ranked No. 2 in the state in 1A.
Inside the Numbers
84 – Points Minneapolis Henry scored in an 18-point win over Delano. Jordan Hughes had 24 points for Henry.
25 – Assists for St. Michael-Albertville’s Jason Dehmer through three games.
23 – Assists through four games for Forest Lake’s Tyler Cremisino.
20 – Points Connor O’Brien scored in a 70-39 New Prague win over Simley Tuesday.
