Fab 48: MN Players Notes

The Minnesota Comets and Minnesota Select both won their first six games but fell in the Gold bracket semi-finals and Platinum bracket semi-finals respectively. Also, Net Gain Sports went 1-2 in super pool play but bounced back to win a couple games before falling to Southern Kings in the consolation championship last night.

Tyler Vaughan - (2012 - Minnesota Comets Elite) - After a slow start versus Nor Cal Pump N Run Tyler put the Comets on a ten point run with treys and two assists then down the stretch in the 75-74 overtime Vaughan sunk the go ahead pair of overtime triples on his way to 23 points. The next morning Vaughan hit five treys, made 10 of 18 attempts, and scored 33 to push the Comets into the semi-finals of bracket play. Tyler followed that up with six more made treys and 29 points in the semi. The young man is wanted by just about every NSIC school but somehow the division ones (there have been around 20 who have stopped by to watch at various times) haven't pulled the trigger on an offer yet.

Tyler Flack - (2012 - Minnesota Select) - Every game that Tyler Flack plays you can see something new. In just three weeks time you can see that Flack is more comfortable with his release and he continues to improve in gaining separation off the bounce to rise and hit jumpers. And of course Flack is still making jaw dropping plays at the rim including today's one-handed throw down in traffic with his shoulders parallel to the backboard. In a pair of grind it out games Flack scored a combined 25 points Monday.

Damien Reinke - (2012 - Minnesota Comets Elite) - Reinke put up more double-doubles than not this week in Las Vegas as he just finds his way to offensive boards four and five times a game. He also spent more time on the perimeter in Vegas shooting about 40 percent from behind the arc consistently knocking down a pair a game.

Tommy McDermott - (2012 - Net Gain Sports) - McDermott is the type of player who can get a shot off at the elbow in high school basketball literally whenever he wants. It's a little tougher out on the AAU circuit to do that but Tommy still gets to the elbow a quality share of the time. But instead of always getting attempts at the elbow Tommy has been putting down another dribble and creating for others too. He had ten points and five assists against the Southern Kings.

Eric Robertson - (2012 - Net Gain Sports) - Robertson worked very well with McDermott moving to open spots, squaring, catching, and hitting with good consistency. Eric knocked down three three-pointers against Southern Kings on his way to 24 points and the combination of his height, stroke, and of course hair has earned him the "Dirk" nickname from teams all over the country.

Joe Burt - (2012 - Minnesota Comets Elite) - The St. Cloud Cathedral guard has been a stat stuffer all week. Burt has been one of the Comets best rebounders, he has definitely been their best passer hitting cutters and finding shooters on reversals, and Joe has shot the ball extremely well both from the perimeter and sneaking his way around interior defenses.

Ater Manyang - (2012 - Net Gain Sports) - Manyang crashes the boards with reckless abandon basically knocking over anything in his way. His effort earned him 11 points and eight boards against the Southern Kings and those numbers have been the norm for this strong 6-foot-5 athletic wing.

Xavier Hall - (2013 - Minnesota Select) - Hall went up against some outstanding ball pressure on Monday and although there were some turnovers against Monarch BC, he still stood his ground and gave big time ball pressure right back at his opponents. Hall's offensive game has also taken a step forward from all standpoints.

Kevin Heysse - (2012 - Minnesota Comets Elite) - Heysse has really shot the ball well in Las Vegas hitting a couple treys on average, scoring in double figures in just about every game, and he's been their third best rebounder. The 6-foot-6 Heysse has played tougher brand of basketball and showed he can make big shots in the clutch.

Caleb Lunning - (2012 - Minnesota Comets Elite) - Lunning has been crucial in the Comets run to the final four because he rarely makes mistakes turning the ball over and he's shot the ball better this week than he has in the past giving the Comets needed points with Nate Meyer not in Vegas. Caleb is tough as nails and could be a late in the year NSIC guy who would make practices better instantly because he's a tough kid. Lunning would also be an outstanding MIAC player.