Team Preview: Park Center

Park Center entered last season with high expectations, though ultimately falling short of a state tournament appearance. They were led by guard Jarius Cook, who has since graduated and will be playing at North Dakota State this season. Though there will be a large whole to fill in terms of scoring lost with Jarius, Park Center certainly has the talent and depth to fill that void. Bringing back a large number of key contributors, along with some young talent, Park Center will be one of the early favorites to win the AAAA state tournament.

Though Park Center is a team that will be known for its depth, they feature some star power with junior big man Dain Dainja. Dain is arguably the top big man prospect in the class, and a nationally top 100 ranked prospect. Standing at 6'8, Dain combines brute strength in the post with guard-like ball handling and footwork. His footwork down low is well beyond his years, and his handles are something not commonly seen among players his size. He has the potential to dominate games down low against defenders of any size, and will be able to take larger opponents outside where his outside game will be difficult to guard for a post. Dain will be the anchor down low while a plethora of talented guards handle the perimeter for the Pirates.

The Park Center Pirates also return star guard Tommy Chatman for one more season. Standing at 6'3, Tommy combines good length with an arsenal of scoring moves which make him a big threat on offense. He has a dangerous pull up jumper but can also score by getting to the rim. As is common with Park Center players, he likes to push the ball in transition and is unselfish with his ability to dish the ball to an open teammate under the hoop. Tommy has multiple Division 2 offers, and has Division 1 potential if he can prove himself in front of the right coaches. He will combine with Dainja to form a potent inside-out duo.

Senior Khari Broadway and junior Detavius Frierson will be found out on the wing for Park Center. Khari is one of the top senior guards in the Twin Cities area, and put up just under 12 ppg as a junior. He is a big time scoring threat among an offense that shares the ball very well. Khari also possesses the size and athleticism to defend and force fast break opportunities. Junior Detavius Frierson could arguably be the best dunker in the state. He was seen at the Twin Cities Under The Radar event getting his head up to the rim on some of his dunks, showing off a Dennis Smith-like vertical. He has been extremely dangerous in transition, as well as driving to the hoop in a half court set during fall league play. At 6'4 with his kind of athleticism, Detavius could be a walking highlight for the run-n-gun Pirates, and looks set for a breakout junior season.

The deep pool of talent continues from there for the Pirates. 2020 guard David Ijadimbola returns for an increased role after a solid sophomore season averaging 4.4 ppg. The talented guard is a top 50 junior in the state, and will provide valuable minutes. Emmanuel Tamba is another guard who will play significant minutes for Park Center. He averaged just under 7 ppg last season as one of the key bench performers on a loaded team. 

Park Center has a handful of other returning varsity players that are ready to contribute, as well as some talented newcomers and JV call ups. The Pirates' fast paced offense will be hard to stop for opposing teams, and their depth at the guard positions will allow them to push the tempo for long stretches. They will go into the season with high expectations of making the state tournament, and ultimately taking home the AAAA title.

Regular Season Record Prediction: 23-3

Scoring Leader Predictions: Dain Dainja 18 ppg
                                                 Tommy Chatman 17 ppg
                                                 Khari Broadway 12 ppg
                                                 Detavius Frierson 11 ppg