The Full Court Press

This week's Full Court Press takes Minnesota Preps around the state to check on how some of the more talented bigs are doing this season. In one corner we have an Ellsworth junior keeping his team amongst the best and as you look straight north several bigs are recoding monster numbers. Also, there is a new single game scoring mark at Fridley.

Fridley's Isaiah Thomas continues to make headlines. Last Friday night Isaiah scored 46 points in a win over St. Louis Park. This scoring number broke Fridley's previous scoring record of 44 points set in 1998 by Brian Lehr. That same night Fridley scored 100 points as a team and that had not happened at the school in several years.

Then, on a night when Isaiah only needed 22 points to reach the 1,000 point mark for his career, he produced 46 points once again, this time against Columbia Heights. The problem in this game was a Fridley loss as Will Braziel's group upset the Tigers in a big North Suburban Conference match-up.

THE DIRTY SOUTH (EAST)

The Northfield Raiders are 10-2 on the year and undefeated in Missota Conference play. They took on a more challenging schedule this year, which has provided wins over teams like Owatonna, St. Thomas, Rosemount, and Hastings but losses versus Apple Valley and Stillwater.

Leading the way has been 6-foot-7 Northern Colorado commit Emmanuel Addo who at one point was taking classes with Ethan Wragge as a freshman at Eden Prairie. Imagine that line-up? Anyway, the Raiders are off to a great start and Addo is a big part of it.

"Emmanuel has been fantastic for us," said Raider coach Mark Ensrud. "He and Christian Shepley have led us to a 10-2 record so far. Emmanuel is averaging 14 points and ten rebounds a game, despite frequent double teams. He is learning how to handle the added defensive pressure still. The great thing is that he sees the floor very well and will make the extra pass to an open teammate when needed.

"We're actually trying to get him to finish sometimes when he decides to pass because he can create such an advantage around the basket when he gets good position."

Addo has put up some good numbers in big games for Ensrud. "His 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists against Rosemount was impressive," said the coach. "He scored the first ten points of the game against Faribault and had 19 points and four blocks against STA where he was big on both ends of the floor."

DEADWOOD (SW)

With the team young in areas and Cody Schilling playing for Augustana, new Ellsworth coach Tyler Morris has guided the Panthers to a number seven ranking in state and a 9-2 record. The Panthers have wins over Mankato East, Southwest Star Concept, Lake City, Martin County West, and others with close losses to Pipestone and Marshall.

With Cody leading Augustana to the top of the NSIC and a 13-3 record scoring 12 a game, the big weapon for Ellsworth these days is 6-foot-7 post Trevor Gruis.

"Trevor is having a good season so far," said coach Morris. "I think it has definitely been an adjustment for him being the number one option for us this year. Last year, Cody Schilling drew all the attention from defenses and Trevor had a lot of one on one's in the post. This year, we are seeing a lot more zone, and if we do see man, teams are doubling and even triple-teaming Trevor.

"Trevor is averaging 16.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, two blocks, and 1.6 steals. His ability to handle the ball when we're facing pressure really helps us too. He's currently had four straight games with a double-double."

Trevor's highlights this year include 28 points and six assists in a win over SW MN Christian, 24 points and three blocks against Mankato East, 22 points, 16 boards, and eight assists against Adrian, and 18 points, ten boards, five assists, and three blocks facing Southwest Star.

THE WILD WILD WEST

Many feel that North Dakota State scored a big time sleeper when 6-foot-8 combo forward Jordan Aaberg committed to the school many months ago. Aaberg is an agile big who runs the floor and he has big potential.

"Jordan has had a stellar season thus far," said coach Steven Hartman of the 4-7 Rothsay Tigers. "He eclipsed 1,000 career points on December 29th in a win against Menahga. He also sported a 42-point, 29 rebound effort in our December 11th win over Brandon-Evansville. In both games against Menahga and B/E, Jordan sported triple-doubles in point, rebounds, and blocks. He is climbing the all-time scoring and rebounding charts at Rothsay High. At his current pace he should finish in the top five in scoring and rebounding.

"The free throws are one area of improvement both he and I would like to see. Jordan has lengthened his range and is consistently hitting the 15 to 18 foot jumper. Jordan has acquired some ball handling duties as well. It is nice to see his assist numbers up. He has great court vision and is doing a nice job of distributing the ball."

At this point in the season Jordan is averaging 24.3 points, 14.1 rebounds, six blocks, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 62.1 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from the foul line. In a recent win over Ashby, Aaberg hit the game winning shot and went to the other end to secure the win with a block as time ran out.

THE GREAT NORTH

The Green Wave of East Grand Forks is sitting on a .500 season at 6-6 thus far. But there is much hope for the team based on the production of North Dakota commit Brandon Brekke, a 6-foot-7 post.

"The numbers through 12 games are such: 19.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 6.3 blocks per game," said Green Wave coach Jay Frydenlund. "He has nine double-doubles and two triple doubles. Those stats say that he is a presence on the floor."

THE CENTRAL LAKES-CHRIS LEWIS REGION

The season has not gone very well for the Ashby Arrows. At this point in the year they are 1-10 and averaging only 51 points a game. But there is a bright spot to coming and watching the Arrows play and his name is Kurt Mickelson.

"Kurt is having a pretty good individual season," said coach Ryan Risbrudt. "He is able to read the defense and see where there is room for him to cut to and flash to the ball. Kurt has great hands so it seems if our guards get it anywhere in the area of him, he will have it. He does an excellent job of positioning his body for rebounds on both ends of the floor as well. Because he is our offensive weapon, he has been getting numerous double teams, leading to open looks from the outside. Now we need to start converting a few more those open shots!"

The good memories for Ashby have been few and far between this year but the 6-foot-9 Mickelson sure did come through in the lone Arrow victory. "He (Kurt) has had some big games for us so far, but one of his most memorable moments would be when he was able to grab 29 rebounds to go along with his 19 points to help lead us to a victory (over Underwood)," said coach Risbrudt.

Mickelson is currently putting up 22.9 points (which is 44 percent of his team's scoring production), 18.8 rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 59 percent from the floor (101 of 170) but only 47 percent from the foul line through 57 attempts.