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Tip Off Classic preview: Hopkins vs. Maple Grove

By Ryan James, Northstar Hoops Report, 12/10/14, 6:30PM CST

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2:15 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at Minnetonka's West gym

Preview

Hopkins and Maple Grove are scheduled in the West Gym (bigger Tonka gym) at 2:15 in the Breakdown's Tip Off Classic.

Hopkins is of course without 2016 star Amir Coffey who tore his ACL a week ago, plus they are also without standout sophomore guard Ishmael El-Amin…The Royals are 3-3 off to their toughest start in recent memory.  They beat St. Francis 89-60 on Monday but they’ve lost to Champlin Park, Shakopee, and Iowa City West.  Notice the competition, those are three really good teams and that’s why we said “toughest start” because it’s not like they are losing to chumps. 

Hopkins opens their Lake Conference schedule tomorrow against Wayzata…The Crimson are undefeated as they’ve completely hammered three teams that simply couldn’t match-up and then they barely got by Cooper 66-64.  Sophomore lead guard Brad Davison leads Maple Grove with 12.8 points, 7.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 steals per game.  Junior post Reed Nikko is putting up 10.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks a game.  Power forward Kayoke Awosika rounds out the Maple Grove double figure scorers with 11.2 points an 6.8 rebounds a night…John Warren leads Hopkins with 13.2 points per game while Xavier Johnson is scoring 11.2 and Simon Wright 10.2…

Key Matchup

Brad Davison, Maple Grove vs Vinnie Shahid, Hopkins

Maple Grove’s best players right now are up front and at lead guard, the best Hopkins producers are on the wing.  We pinpoint the PG spot as the control of the game will be huge. 

Prediction

Why Maple Grove will win:   Because they are fully healthy, balanced, talented, and deep.  With El-Amin and Coffey out, Davison will have control of the ball and likely control of the pace of the game.

Why Hopkins will win:   Hopkins is injured, but they still defend with purpose and intensity.  Everybody that they will throw on the court will be a worker ready to fight.  Plus they are the more experienced team.

2014 Boys' Tip Off schedule


Tip Off Classic previews