Don Ferguson: National Sports Editor – Hoop Stars Media “Sideline to Online We Do Hoops”
Twitter: @HoopStarsMedia
In the Hoop Stars Media weekly standouts news and notes we feature some prospects that are playing great basketball and helping lead their teams to victory this past week.
Hoop Stars Media – News & Notes Weekly Player Standouts!
Joshua Strong 6’0” | PG | 2021 | Champlin Park
Josh Strong is having a great senior campaign and the hard work in the off season has propelled Strong to the head of the pack as one of the best PG’s in the class of 2021. The 6’0” guard committed to play for the University of Minnesota Duluth in the fall. He is leading Champlin Park team to an 9-0 record in the Northwest Suburban conference and is the currently the #1 team in the state at 4A. Having a great floor general like Strong who can run a team, set teammates up and produce points from the PG position leads to a successful outcome and that’s what we are seeing with this years Rebels team. Josh is averaging 19 points and 5 assists per game, with production like this, we very well could see Champlin Park compete at a conference championship and make it to the state tournament.
Francis Nwaokorie PF/C | 6’8” – 2021 | Champlin Park
Francis is a dominate 6’8” Power Forward that will play for the University of California San Diego next fall. If you have ever seen Francis play, it doesn’t take long to see that his presence and impact on a game changes it in so many ways. His physical play alters shots and dominates the boards on both ends of the floor. He can score at will in the paint and has been a major force with a great start this season averaging 17 points per game and 12 rebs. Last night against Champlin Park the Rebels beat a very good Totino Grace , finishing with a staggering 19 rebounds and 16 points. Francis is a double double machine and a Coaches dream. Next up for the Rebels will be Park Center who is a scrappy team coming off some big wins.
Jack Janicki S/G 6’4” – 2023 | White Bear Lake
Jack had one of the biggest games of the year and a career high of 35 points against the high profile team of Cretin Derham Hall and Tre Holloman. White bear lake defeated Cretin Derham Hall 73 – 64. Jack also added 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. He had his finger prints on this game. He proved that he can score at all three levels against really good defensive teams. He found open gaps with his smooth left hand jump shot and created shots off the pick and roll hitting and knock down shots when the help came late. Jacks stock is on the rise in the state of the MN as another emerging College prospect in the class of 2023. A class that is shaping up to have some major College talent.
Ben Kopetzki | PG | 5’11” – 2023 | Andover High School
Ben Kopetzki a Sharp shooting Point Guard from Andover High School class of 2023. Ben had a breakout week and showed why he is considered a sharp shooing PG in the class of 2023. On Tuesday night verses Osseo Senior High School, he knocked down 7 three pointers and timely shoots against Osseo to get a big conference win for the young Huskies. He was very savvy in his ability to control the pace against Osseo pressure and hit shots with a hand in his face and off the dribble. He plays with great pace and not easy to speed up. As a young PG you can tell he is empowered to run his team to take the big shots needed to be successful against big teams.
Ben Kopetzki vs. Osseo Hudl Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12724143/60255dd4b023710a54cf2538
