The high school season is in full swing and some solid performances are being delivered up and down the 2020-2022 classes. Here’s a quick look at five making a lot of noise so far this season in Minnesota…
Joseph Kearney - 6’4” - SG - Tartan High School - 2020 - Joseph Kearney plays on one of the state’s few undefeated teams left. Joseph is having a really good season avg. 16.1 ppg with a season high of 24 points against Henry Sibley. He is a tough physical guard on both ends of the floor which causes matchup problems. Tartan plays a fast paced style of basketball which fits his game where he scores baskets in transition. From transition three’s to drives, this makes him tough to contain. Tartan High School is currently sitting at 11 - 0 which is hard to do in a state like Minnesota. Tartan has been off to a great start and that’s to be expected when you are coached by Mark Klingsporn. Having had the success that Coach Mark Klingsporn has had and sending many players to play for Colleges at every level. Known as “Coach K” by the players. Klingsporn has led the Titans to 19 consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories and is on pace to achieve that mile stone again. Tartans next big test is Tuesday Jan. 14th against St. Paul rival North St. Paul.
Evan Boyd - 6’2” - 2021 - DeLaSalle - One of the main match ups of the high school season was this past weekend DeLaSalle vs. Hopkins game. Matchups like this are where players can make a name and have breakout moments and Evan Boyd did just that. Evan Boyd has been a great role player for the Islanders this season. However against Hopkins he showed he could lead and had a memorable night scoring 16 points against Hopkins 11 of those points came in the first half hitting three 3 pointers and helping push the DeLaSalle lead to 20 points. Evan is an up and coming name in the 2021 class as one of the next shooters that can help stretch the floor for his team and keep Defenses honest.
Reid Patterson - 6’2” - 2021 - Lakeville South - avg. 16.5 ppg and his team is currently is currently 10 - 1 team on the season. Lakeville taking their first loss of the season to Prior Lake in an overtime game this weekend. When you talk about metro players you have to mention Reid Patterson. He is a strong guard that scores from anywhere on the floor and scores from all three levels. He loves getting into the interior for the pull up jump shot and hits it with great consistency. He scored a season high of 28 points against Buffalo. Lakeville South will face a really good Shakopee team that is currently 4-0 in conference play and Lakeville south is right behind.
Malcom Jones - 6’9” - 2022 - Prior Lake - Malcom Jones shot 6 for 11 from the field in an overtime win against a really good Lakeville South team finishing with 13points. Jones is a 6’9” PF that stepped up for Prior Lake in the first half against Lakeville South. Jones has put in a tremendous amount of work over the past summer and it is really paying off for him as a player. He is showing why he is one of the better big prospects in the Metro in the class of 2022. His ability to score around the basket and step out to the wing now has a better flow to his game.
Lamar Grayson - 6’0” - G- Richfield HS - Lamar Grayson is a name that you should get to know. He is a very explosive guard that is currently avg. 23.3 points per game and has scored a season high of 29 points twice this season. He is on a team that is quietly having a really good season considering they finished 6-20 a year ago. Richfield currently has an overall team record of 8 - 3 on the season. Lamar Grayson is a lead guard that stays in attack mode and puts so much pressure on opposing defenses. Richfield is a team that plays hard on both ends of the floor on defense and offense. I expect that they will continue to have more wins this season with Grayson at the lead guard.