The section finals offered no shortage of excitement as well, though. With all three games that we took in throughout the week being sold out, the atmosphere was like no other. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.) beat Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.) in the section 6AAAA final to take a 2-1 victory in their 2023-24 trilogy to move up to No. 36 in the latest FAB 50 National Rankings, Orono beat Benilde St. Margaret’s in double OT in the section 6AAA final in a game that had three separate buzzer beaters that broke the internet, and private power Breck School cruising to the section 5AA title over Minneapolis North.

Jackson McAndrew, 6’9, PF, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024
The state’s top senior certainly lived up to his reputation, pouring in 40 points in a 105-76 win over rival Hopkins to advance to the state tournament. The versatile forward showed his effortless 3-point range, scored out of quick flashes in the post, and blew by defenders trying to run him off the 3-point line. McAndrew is the highest ranked recruit ever to head to Creighton, where he should be able to make an immediate impact with his deep range and offensive versatility as a forward. Jackson was also recently selected to play in the prestigious Iverson Classic in May.

Nolan Groves, 6’5, PG/SG, Orono HS (MN), 2025
There hasn’t been a junior in the state of Minnesota who has helped themselves more in the high school season than 6-foot-5 combo guard Nolan Groves of Orono. The J-Sizzle guard continued to add to this sentiment in the section finals. He dropped 43 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists in a double OT victory while making a half court shot at the buzzer that was No. 1 on ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 to send Orono to States. Groves showed his effortless 3-point range, underrated ability to drop pocket passes, and ability to utilize his size against smaller guards in his legendary performance in what has been one of the better games in recent Minnesota playoff history. Groves has already visited St. Thomas, but has also heard from high major programs such as Clemson, Iowa, and Northwestern.

Daniel Freitag, 6’2, PG, Breck HS (MN), 2024
The epitome of a power point guard, Daniel Freitag has been an absolute game changer on both ends during his senior season. Doubling as the top wide receiver in the state of Minnesota, Freitag opted to focus on hoops at the next level and it has shown with his growth as a lead guard. Daniel used his toughness/athleticism to lock down all three perimeter spots, made outstanding passes with both hands, and ripped the rim off at every time he attacked the rack. The Wisconsin signee dropped an easy 27 points en route to a state tournament berth for Breck.

Brady Wooley, 6’9, PF, Orono HS (MN), 2025
One of the most intriguing players in Minnesota’s junior class, Brady Wooley is everything that you look for in a new age forward and showed that against BSM with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. The agile big man with great hands is versatile enough to contain defensively on the perimeter, can playmake for others from the post position, and is skilled enough to punish you facing the basket. Wooley holds an offer from Ivy League power Yale and has already visited the likes of Iowa State and Minnesota.

Jaleel Donley, 6’2, PG, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025
While it was a disappointing end to the season, the fastest guard in the state of Minnesota ended his junior campaign in about as impressive of fashion as one could imagine. The lefty junior playmaker has shown consistent improvement on his 3-point shot (including three to send game to first overtime), is outstanding passing the rock with both hands, and is a truly electric finisher once he gets into the paint. Donley is still a bit under the radar nationally, but shouldn’t be for much longer once he hits the EYBL with Howard Pulley.

Marcus Marshall Jr., 5’11, PG, Minneapolis North HS (MN), 2027
Many freshmen emerge throughout their freshman campaigns, and Marcus Marshall Jr. was certainly one of those dudes who kept growing, both in terms of stature and in terms of his game. He is a confident 3-point shooter with super deep range, owns super sneaky athleticism, and will make you pay if you try to run him off the three point line. Marcus is coached by former NBA sparkplug scorer Ricky Davis and wrapped up his freshman campaign with 31-point and 17-point games in the playoffs, finishing with a 14.9 PPG average on the year.

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Here are a number of the top youngsters I evaluated in my recent travels:

Darryn Peterson, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (OH), 2025 6-5 SG
The consensus No. 1 shooting guard in the class of 2025 nationally was matched up against defending D1 (highest classification) state champs Akron St. Vincent St. Mary over President’s Day weekend and despite constant face guards and double teams, certainly lived up to the hype. He dropped 28 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks from the two guard spot at the Ken Ganley Nissan Scholastic Play-By-Play Classic. Most impressive, he got to the line 17 times (hitting 15 of his free throws) via a variety of scoring moves with limited dribbles. Peterson will enter the spring AAU circuit as one of the most highly sought after players in the national class of 2025.

Jackson McAndrew, Wayzata HS (MN), 2024 6-9 PF/SF
The epitome of a new age forward, McAndrew brings the inside/outside game that college coaches are dying for out of someone standing 6-foot-9. He owns a picturesque stroke from the 3-point line with a fluid release, knows how to utilize his height to exploit mismatches, and has improved his level of physicality drastically over the past year. McAndrew holds a number of high major offers and will continue to add more running with Howard Pulley on the EYBL circuit.

Dorian Jones, Richmond Heights HS (OH), 2025 6-3 SG
The highest touted prospect from arguably the best team in Ohio regardless of division that recently cracked the Ballislife FAB 50, Jones is a name that is about to blow up nationally. Ranked by some in the top 50 nationally, the bouncy two guard has been essential piece for the defending D-4 state champs who own a 42-game winning streak. Jones is a freak athlete who plays well above the rim, has deep range well beyond the 3-point line, and has the potential to be a lockdown defender. Already the owner of offers from programs such as Michigan State, Houston, Ohio State, and a host of others, Dorian will be one of the hotter names from the Midwest in the EYBL.

Jaleel Donley, Benilde St. Margaret’s (MN), 2025 6-1 PG
The best lead guard in Minnesota’s sophomore class has continued to put his footprint on that spot and doesn’t appear to be moving off it anytime soon. In a recent game I saw Donley matched up against a team that featured two D1 prospects, he simply dominated to the tune of 26 points (4 3-pointers), seven assists, six steals, and five rebounds while sitting the final 12 minutes of the game. The combination of blinding speed, ability to make high level passes with both hands, and improved jumpshot make him one of the most intriguing 2025 point guards in the Midwest.

Calvin Little Jr., Garfield Heights HS (OH), 2024 6-2 PG
One of the best defensive guards in the state of Ohio, Little Jr. showed that he can provide great on ball defense to all three perimeter spots. “C.J.” is a big time athlete, uses his strong frame to offer physicality on the perimeter, but also uses his athleticism to stay in front of guys laterally. The explosive guard has already visited West Virginia and owns a handful of mid-major offers.

Zashon Rich, Minneapolis North (MN), 2024 6-2 SG
A D1 prospect on the gridiron as well as on the hardwood, Rich has proved to be one of the best defensive guards that the Land Of 1,000 Lakes has to offer. The powerful lefty provides immense pressure on the rock, has no shortage of heart, and is a threat to put anyone on a poster with his serious bounce. Rich is playing for former NBA 20 ppg scorer Ricky Davis for the city league champs and is one of biggest under the radar guys in Minnesota.

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