Get ready for a great big school/small school battle when Duluth East faces off with No. 1 A Minnesota Transitions in the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka. Both teams feature terrific lead scorers (East with Johnny Woodard and Transitions with Kyle Noreen), but both also must adjust to the loss of a Mr. Basketball candidate from last winter (Dyami Starks at East and Kevin Noreen at Transitions – who won the award).

The Duluth East (6-4) transition from last year’s club to this year’s should be an interesting one, as it also likely signals the change in leadership from graduated sharp-shooter Starks (Columbia), a Mr. Basketball finalist and All-State second-teamer, to the new generation led by junior sniper Woodard (24.5 ppg), who is himself a definite D1 prospect. Woodard is an extremely athletic 6-foot-3 guard/forward who will pass the 1,000-point barrier early this winter and had 27 points in the opening loss to Eastview.

In addition to Woodard, seniors Ian Nelson (6.7 ppg) and Jon Ciglio and junior Taylor Stafford (20.2 ppg) all saw extensive time last winter. Nelson is in his fourth year on the varsity and is a 6-foot-6 banger. Ciglio is a tough player with good all-around skills, while Stafford is very quick and has excellent point guard skills.

At Minnesota Transitions (6-2), the school name just might be an accurate gauge of this season -- transition. After three straight state tournament appearances out of Section 4A, the Wolves are now counting on newcomers to blend with veterans. And despite graduating Mr. Basketball Kevin Noreen (West Virginia), the state’s all-time leading scorer, coach John Sherman has his club angling for another state title.

The program not only has produced winning teams in recent years, but Transitions also plays an exciting brand of basketball. The Wolves have been blessed with great talent and haven’t been afraid to unleash it, sometimes controversially so. Last winter, the Wolves averaged around 94 points per game against sometimes overmatched competition.

Sherman believes the younger Noreen (29.4 ppg) is the best all-around player in the state. He led the state in assists and steals last winter and ripped off 37 points in the season-opener. He’s being recruited by numerous D1 schools, as is senior guard Rodney Owens (23.5 ppg), a 6-foot-4 guard who is an explosive scorer with a high basketball IQ and a talent for taking rebounds above the rim.

Six-foot-4 senior center Matt Lanier (14.6 ppg) made an impact in his first game at Transitions after sitting out last year as a transfer, while senior forward Divelia Freeman was the sixth man and should see even more time this winter. Tevin Sims (6.3 ppg) is a strong low-post presence at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds.

Just a junior, Woodard will go over 1,000 career points this winter. Shared the scoring load with graduated Dyami Starks last year, but still managed 22.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. A definite D1 prospect, he's tremendously athletic and versatile. When it comes to physical gifts Woodard has the “it” factor. Johnny is physically much bigger than everybody he faces and he’s capable of explosive scoring numbers.

Outstanding position defender, good size, great passer, solid ball-handler, and a past of hitting three point shots.  Kyle Noreen is now the leader at MTS and expect him to play at state once again. The 6-foot-6 guard racked up 20 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 5.3 steals per game as a junior. Great all-around player being recruited by D1 schools.