DeLaSalle's reign as six-time state champions in Minnesota's Class AAA came to an end last season, at the hands of an upset to Columbia Heights. Disappointed in the result, yet motivated by it at the same time, the Islanders will be returning hungry to get back to their winning ways. DeLaSalle graduated a handful of their main contributors including new Minnesota Gopher Gabe Kalscheur. The Islanders will also be faced with the task of replacing Division One offered Malik Lamin down low, who has transferred to Hillcrest Prep School in Arizona for his senior season.
Despite the losses mentioned, DeLaSalle returns with a talented lineup once again. The Islanders will be led by Stanford commit Tyrell Terry at the point guard spot. Tyrell has been a mainstay in the Islanders lineup for years, and is the top senior point guard in the state. He runs a fast paced offense, constantly looking to push the ball up the floor when possible to create easy scoring for himself or his teammates. A talented distributor, Tyrell will also be called upon to create more for himself this season. He averaged 17 ppg as a junior, and will likely be an even more prolific scorer as a senior to replace some of the scoring that was lost with Gabe Kalscheur. Tyrell's ability to do a little bit of everything on offense will cause fits for opposing defenders, and he will be an extremely dangerous player this season.
Returning alongside Tyrell will by 6'7 sniper Jamison Battle. The lefty wing is arguably the top three point shooter in the state, and has one of the smoothest strokes you'll ever see. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches because of his height and ability to stretch the floor. Put a taller defender on him, Jamison will take him outside where he can shoot or use his quickness to drive by him. Put a smaller guard on him, and Jamison has the ability to use his size and touch to score inside. He was a 14 ppg guy last season, a number that should increase as he will now be in his second year playing for DeLaSalle.
With Terry and Battle providing leadership and experience, the Islanders will also feature some talented young players. Cade Haskins is one of the state's elite sophomore prospects, and will feature heavily in the lineup after transferring from Washburn. The 6'5 wing, much like Battle, is a torch from beyond the arc. His shooting helps open up other facets of his game, making him a dangerous weapon on offense. He was averaging 12 ppg as a freshman before transferring schools mid-season. Another talented sophomore in the rotation will be the explosive Keijuan White. At just 6' tall, Keijuan is capable of throwing down powerful dunks and was a force on the JV squad last season. He may be the bounciest sophomore in the state and could be a very dangerous player if his skills on the court continue to develop.
Joining a talented group of guards will be Kameron Givens. The senior guard saw limited playing time on varsity last season, but has shown great improvements in his game and should play a bigger role this season. He's a very quick player who can use his athleticism to contribute on both sides of the ball. He'll provide solid production and consistent effort for the Islanders. Fellow senior Julian Wright will also be among the rotation of guards at Coach Bledsoe's disposal. Julian is a very athletic guard, and a state qualifier in track. His athleticism translates well to the defensive side of the ball. He saw some minutes off the bench last season, and should see more after an AAU season with Howard Pulley. Former Park Center guard Amir Whitlock joins the Islanders via transfer. He'll help give DeLaSalle vast depth at the guard spots. Class of 2020 Andrew Irvin is another guard who could see time on varsity after a strong JV season as a sophomore.
With the loss of Malik Lamin to a transfer, junior Jalen Travis will see an increased role down low. The 6'7 center uses his strength to manhandle opposing players, while featuring a soft finishing touch on his inside shots. Jalen was nearly unstoppable at the JV level last year, and will look to bring some of that production to the varsity level. He'll give DeLaSalle the necessary size to compete with the elite AAAA teams in non-conference play.
Coach Travis Bledsoe will go into his second season at DeLaSalle with another loaded lineup. The combination of talent and experience in his lineup will make the Islanders the early favorite to win the AAA state championship. Once again, The Island will be home to one of the most talented and well coached squads in all of Minnesota, and will be able to compete with any team in the state.
Predicted Regular Season Record: 22-4
Predicted Scoring Leaders: Tyrell Terry 20 ppg
Jamison Battle 19 ppg
Cade Haskins 12 ppg
No comments:
Post a Comment