Don Ferguson: National Sports Editor – Hoop Stars Media “Sideline to Online We Do Hoops”
Twitter: @HoopStarsMedia
Hoop Stars Media High School season opener Notes
We are excited to dive into a new high School basketball season in Minnesota. Giving the state of affairs with playing basketball through the COVID pandemic the Student Athletes are excited to be back playing and we are looking forward to covering all the talented Student Athletes. In this article we will take a look at some of week ones players that took off right out the gate.
Chet Holmgren 7’1” – Forward – 2021 – Minnehaha Academy
The ESPN number #1 rated player in the country opened the High School season with 26 points scoring in a variety of ways, off the dribble, pick and pop and catch and shoot. Many times looking like a guard on the court. Holmgren is picking up right where he left off this summer and fall. After settling the debut as who is the nations best High School player between Chet Holmgren and Emnoi Bates, Holmgren still remains as the nations best player and future NBA prospect.
Holmgren will take home many awards this high school season, one being the states Mr. Basketball and we are predicting another state championship for the Red Hawks to hang in the raptors. This seasons tournament appearance and win will make 5 years in a row for the Red Hawks.
Will Tschetter – Stewartville – 6’9” – 2021 – Stewartville
Will Tschetter has been a big time player for years and started the season off right with a 35 point 13 rebound season opener. Tschetter could very well avg. close to 40 points per game this season. He is one of the most skilled offensive players we have seen in a long time in the state of Minnesota. He’s great with his back to the basket and a face up game to match his scoring production making him a tough player to guard. Will is tough as they come and soon the country will know as he will play for University of Michigan next season playing in the Big Ten.
When you have a Mr. Basketball candidate and All American, we can see Stewartville make a deep run to the state tournament this season.
Taison Chatman – 6’3” – Guard – 2023 – Totino Grace
Taison is one of the most exciting metro players to watch and hardest to guard in the metro and on opening night against one of the better Northwest Metro Suburban Conference teams, he exploded for 24 points. Chatman comes in highly ranked in ESPN and rivals. Taison is highly recruited by Division one schools such as the University of Minnesota, Marquette, Iowa State to name a few.
When you watch Chatman play he plays a free flowing game with a quiet confidence on the court. He has an all around game with a great offensive mind set, his stop and pop pull up jump shot has an old school feel not used by many players and Chatman uses it to his advantage, and is consistently a long distance shooter. Totino Grace has some of the best talent in the state of Minnesota currently in the class of 2023 and one of the top wing prospects in the class of 2022.
Totino plays a 4A regular season schedule in the tough Northwest Suburban conference but plays 3A in the state tournament and will be in a battle with Minnehaha Acadmey to see who begins at class 3A.
Reid Patterson – 6’2” – Guard – 2021 – Lakeville South
Reid Patterson of Lakeville South is one of the best scoring guards in the South Suburban Conference. Lakeville South comes in the season as one of the top 2 or 3 teams in class 4 A. Patterson scored 28 points opening week against Eagan and 20 points agains Apple Valley. He can score from all three levels. Reid and Lakeville South will be one to watch as the season unfolds. Lakeville South has been trending over the past few years and now a year older the leadership should produce a deep run into the playoffs. Patterson is a guard that can put up big numbers on any given night.
This fall Patterson committed to Concordia University Golden Bears in St. Paul.
Francis Nwaokorie – 6’7” – Power Forward 2021 – Champlin Park
Francis hands down is one of the most physical power forwards in the state of Minnesota and will be a dominate force for Champlin Park this season who plays in the tough Northwest Suburban Conference. A player that can get you a double double on any night, he is a force in the paint. The experience of Champlins returning seniors, many of which have already committed to 4 year universities will position them again as one of the best teams in the conference. Francis will play next season at Division 1 University of California – San Diego
Demarion Watson-Saulsberry – 6’7” – Small Forward – 2022 – Totino Grace
When College Coaches start thinking about athletic wings in the class of 2022 to fill a roster spot, one name comes to mind Demarion Waston a very explosive unselfish player. The biggest growth and one year turn around of any prospect in the Minnesota class of 2022. Waston is a high major prospect who is very active on the glass, he runs the floor and stays in attack mode who shoots the three ball well. Demarion’s stock over the summer has grown playing with Grassroots Sizzle and many high major schools have taken notice with offers such as: Marquette, Xavier, Creighton, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa State, Missouri, Vanderbilt and Hampton.
