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Tip Off Classic preview: Big boys showdowns

By Ryan James, Breakdown Sports USA, 11/28/12, 10:00AM CST

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Two huge boys' games are featured at Breakdown Tip Off Classic

Preview

Every year The Breakdown serves up a boys’ basketball appetizer during the girls’ Top Off Classic in early December.  It’s a traditional piece where Minnetonka and Hopkins take on quality opponents seemingly as a thank you for hosting the two events.  Kind of like the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys host on Thanksgiving, the Skippers and Royals play in front of the locals during the ultimate girls’ hoops feast.

This year the Hopkins opponent is Centennial and the ‘Tonka foe is Holy Angels.  The past two years the Royals smacked Lakeville North and Braham on their home floor and this year’s contest is a 6 p.m. start on the main court against the Cougars.  An hour later on the other side of the curtain, the Skippers face the Stars.  ‘Tonka lost to DeLaSalle two years ago on the same floor and took out Rogers last season.

Hopkins vs. Centennial

Fans may turn their nose up at Centennial because of recent records but don’t be surprised if this game is a barnburner.  The Cougars are on their way up in the Northwest Suburban Conference and have a lot of pieces starting with Northern State signed Daniel Becken.  The 6-foot-4 shooting guard played so well this summer he became a highly sought after prospect.  Also earning scholarship offers this summer was Cougar big Quin Peterson, who at 6-foot-7 knows how to move around the paint.  Centennial also has Coon Rapids’ leading scorer Pierre Roddy in the line-up (he averaged 14 a game before moving to the Centennial area) as well as seniors Dan DeWitt and Ben Walker.  All are experienced.

Hopkins may not be senior-dominated but most are veterans.  Juniors like Kamali Chambers, Stephon Sharp and Jake Wright have all been through the rigors of both top-notch AAU basketball as well as many years playing in the coach Ken Novak Jr. system.  Add in seniors Jamal Davis, Nick Johnson, Melvin Martin and Phillip Stribling as well as freshman Amir Coffey and you have another crew talented enough to make a state championship push.

Minnetonka vs. Holy Angels

The Stars-Skippers battle will be fun because at every corner there is a match-up to see.  Wisconsin signed Riley Dearring will be the highlighted player but athletic wings like Delshon Strickland and Danny Sullivan of Holy Angels will be chasing him around.  Both are long forwards who move well.  Sullivan will also do battle on the glass with ‘Tonka senior Mike Fernando, whose strength and quick bounce will entertain against Sullivan.  Then you have tough guys like Charlie Koontz and Sam Keis of AHA as well as Careino Gurley and Bremiah Snyder for ‘Tonka who will mix it up.

In the backcourt, Stars point guard Jordan Dembley has raked in college offers in the past half year.  He’s a marked man but still plays under control as one of the state’s elite passers -- plus he can score, too.  ‘Tonka lead man Grant Kellogg is no slouch himself.  The team captain is one of the more slippery guards to corral in the metro.  Both teams have shooters to watch too.  Taylor BonGiovani has a great touch for coach Larry McKenzie as do Luke Petterson and Brendan Taylor for coach Tom Dasovich.

All in all it’s a one-two punch for Minnesota basketball fans as you can see girls’ games and then guys’ games -- or you can watch one top boys’ contest and then walk over and take in the second.

Rosters

2012 Girls' Tip Off schedule


Tip Off Classic previews