Fall Season Breakout Players

From the more under-the-radar players, to some of the state's big names who look to be taking a big leap in production this season, I highlight eleven players who broke out in the fall season. Leagues included: Grassroots Sizzle and Breakdown Sports Fall Leagues

Ronnell Porter (5'7 PG St. Paul Central)- The most dominating player offensively in the Grassroots Sizzle Fall League was Ronnell Porter. After watching Ronnell play against Ryan Larson and Calvin Wishart last season, I knew he could hoop. The growth in his game heading into his senior year however was astounding. No matter who he was matched up against, he was getting buckets in a variety of ways. He was nailing three pointers, getting fast break buckets off of turnovers, and driving to the hoop while finishing around opposing forwards. Ronnell was a 12 ppg scorer for Central last season, and if fall league is any indicator, he could see that average rise to nearly 20 ppg as a senior.

Peter Anderson (5'11 PG Prairie Seeds Academy)- Heading into the fall season, I had never heard of Peter Anderson, but from the first game I watched I was impressed. His squad was facing off against a Grassroots Sizzle team led by Jalen Suggs and Dain Dainja. Peter took on the challenge of guarding Jalen, and proved to be a menace on the 5-star caliber guard. Peter held him to just a few buckets in half court play, and managed to force a few turnovers with his scrappy defense. As the weeks went on, Peter proved to be a threat offensively as well. He excels at getting to the rim, and possesses an uncanny finishing ability with the finesse he puts on his layups. Every time Peter stepped on the court he put on a show, and was one of the most exciting players I watched this fall. Colleges need to start taking notice in Peter, and he could help lead Prairie Seeds Academy to a much more successful season than many are expecting.

Detavius Frierson (6'4 W Park Center)- Last year social media was filled with Jarvis Omersa's dunking. This season, expect to see a lot of Detavius Frierson. This player is a FREAK athlete with the skill to match. I hadn't seen much of Detavius before this fall after he struggled with an injury as a sophomore, averaging about 4 ppg. Detavius has been stepping up as an energizer and vocal presence for Park Center, and was a catalyst in their undefeated campaign in the Breakdown Sports Fall League. Outside of Dain Dainja, Detavius was their go to scorer, and he even hit the game winning shot in overtime against Eden Prairie. Detavius can get to the rack with ease, and when he gets the space to elevate in the open floor make sure to grab your popcorn because he's going to put on a show.

Tyree Ihenacho (6'2 SG Prior Lake)- Tyree's fall season was unfortunately cut short by what appeared to be a hand/wrist injury, but he made a good impression in the time that I was able to watch him. An athletic shooting guard, Tyree made his presence felt attacking the rim for a Prior Lake team that is better recognized for their height. He's a new transfer to Prior Lake, and his athleticism should make him an instant contributor for a Prior Lake squad that figures to be in contention for the Class AAAA state title.

M'Akil Weems (6'4 F Tartan)- More of a role player on last year's Tartan squad, M'Akil looks ready to be a major contributor on this year's team. The 6'4 wing/forward is extremely athletic and is a great finisher around the rim. On a Tartan team that doesn't possess the height of most AAAA teams, M'Akil will be called upon to defend inside, and he looks ready to do that. He was a shot blocking presence that wasn't afraid to challenge players at the rim with his length and leaping ability. M'Akil's dunks made him one of the most exciting players to watch this fall, and he looks due for a breakout senior year.

Donavan Smith (5'9 PG Minnehaha Academy)- Though often the smallest player on the court, Donavan Smith can get buckets with the best of them. The freshman guard only appeared in a couple of games at the Grassroots Sizzle Fall League, but made his presence felt in that limited time. After the transfer away of Terry Lockett, Donavan will be called upon to have a bigger role for Minnehaha this season, and he looked up to the task during fall league play. He is extremely quick, has a great handle, and can knock down threes from anywhere with his Steph Curry-like quick release. Donavan will do a great job stretching the floor for Minnehaha, and should be a big contributor in their attempt for a third straight state title.

Qentrell Douglas (6'1 G Brooklyn Center)- After Brooklyn Center lost countless key players to the new Minnesota Prep Academy, Qentrell Douglas will be called upon to carry a strong offensive role for a young team needing to find an identity. In the two games I watched in the Breakdown Sports Fall League, Qentrell was strong attacking the rim, and was finishing at a high percentage. He averaged about 8 ppg last year, and could have that total double as a senior as he will be called upon to be the go-to guy for the Centaurs. 

Andy Stafford (6'4 W Hopkins)- I expected Andy Stafford to be a good player for Hopkins, but I didn't expect him to be as dominating of a player that he was during fall league play. Andy fit in from the jump with his new school, and was unstoppable driving to the rim against some of the state's elite teams. He has a very impressive reverse layup as well as the ability to finish with either hand in traffic. Combine that with his size and athleticism, and Andy could have a much stronger season than I had originally expected out of the SMSU commit.

Andre Gray (6'2 G Hopkins)- Andre played for the lower level teams at Hopkins as a freshman, so I didn't know entirely what to expect out of him. From the very start Andre was an impressive offensive talent. His ability to create his own jumpshot was very advanced, and he was able to knock down the mid-range and three pointers quite consistently. Andre also showcased his athleticism and the ability to finish above the rim and challenge taller defenders.

Kendall Brown (6'7 PG East Ridge)- Kendall is a player that is recognized nationwide as one of the top point guards in his class, but I didn't think he would dominate as much as he did playing alongside such talented teammates. Kendall showed off the ability to score from any where on the floor, with an improved three point shot, a nice pull up mid-range, and off course his explosiveness to finish around the rim. His improvements in the offseason have him looking like a third player for East Ridge who could potentially average around 20 ppg this season.

Jaeden King (6'5 SG Cretin-Derham Hall)- Lights out. That's how Jaeden played on offense this fall, absolutely shredding opposing defenses and putting up big scoring numbers every game I watched of his. After averaging 14 ppg last year, he looks ready to take a massive leap on that average as one of the most dangerous offensive players in the state. His three pointer is still deadly, his quick first step opens up his mid-range and driving, and he looks to have increased explosiveness evident in his strong dunks at the rim. With Jaeden looking as good as he does, don't be surprised to see CDH remain a contender in Class AAAA.

© 2018 Fresh Coast Hoops