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Prep Blog: Weekend Showcase Features Top Senior Basketball Players

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The high school boys basketball season came to a close two weeks ago with four teams claiming state championships. Now several players who will be playing in college next year will lace up the sneakers for one more weekend as prep players.

The rosters were recently released for the annual Minnesota High School Basketball All-Star Series. It's a showcase for the top senior basketball players in the state, hosted by the Minnesota State Basketball Coaches Association. The event features four teams of 10 players each, and many of them will be playing basketball next year in college at some level.

Action starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Halenbeck Hall at St. Cloud State University with the Gold team facing the Green team. The Blue team and Maroon team will follow at about 8:45 p.m. All four teams will be in action again Saturday with games at 2:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Leonard Center on the campus of Macalester College.

A three-point shooting contest and dunk contest will take place before each game. There are some big names who will be playing for fans to get a final look before they spend their summer getting ready for the next level.

Highlighting the Gold team is Osseo standout Wheeler Baker and Esko's Kory Deadrick, who helped lead his squad to a Class AA state title.

The Maroon team features at least three big names. Geno Crandall was one of the top players for Cretin-Derham Hall in its run to the state semifinals. Jeff Jones of Washburn, who is a top football recruit and will play for the Gophers, is on the roster. The biggest name is Reid Travis of DeLaSalle, who will head to Stanford on a basketball scholarship next year.

The Green team is highlighted by James Lawson of DeLaSalle and John Veil of Blake.

The Blue team has some big names, including Dennis Austin of Apple Valley, Ian Theisen of Osseo and Jake Wright of Hopkins. Theisen will play basketball at South Dakota State, and Jake Wright will play at the Citadel next year.

The biggest name of Minnesota basketball over the last four years is noticeably missing. Tyus Jones, recently named Mr. Basketball, will not play in the event. Presumably, he is getting ready for other more national All-Star games, including the McDonald's All-American game in April.

If you're going to take in this weekend's action, tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Children 5 and under get in free.

Rosters

Gold
Wheeler Baker (Osseo)
J.R. Bascom (Blake)
Ryan Casperson (Armstrong)
Pierre Conwell (St. Paul Johnson)
Kory Deadrick (Esko)
Brian Goodwin (Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa)
Michael Gorder (Eagan)
Jake Johnson (St. Francis)
Mitch Pfingsten (Fairmont)
Zach Wessels (Austin)

Coaches – Scott Swanson and Greg Schmitz, Woodbury

Maroon
Geno Crandall (Cretin-Derham Hall)
Andy Foley (St. Cloud Tech)
Jeff Jones (Washburn)
Cole Kruger (Hayfield)
Nick Shanks (Plainview-Elgin-Millville)
Riley Sharbano (Marshall)
Jon Sobaski (Prior Lake)
Austin Rund (Fergus Falls)
Tyler Weiss (Shakopee)
Brennan Witt (Champlin Park)
Reid Travis (DeLaSalle)

Coaches – Vern Simmons and Colin Moore, St. Paul Johnson

Green
Matt Ambriz (Woodbury)
Zach Brandts (St. James)
D.J. Davis (Bloomington Kennedy)
Austin Poe (Big Lake)
Carter Kirk (Mountain Lake Area)
James Lawson (DeLaSalle)
Damon Longstreet (Delano)
Isaiah McKay (Park Center)
Christian Pekarek (Upsala)
John Veil (Blake)

Coaches – Vern Capelle and Joey Fuchs, Upsala

Blue
Dennis Austin (Apple Valley)
Ryan Bruggeman (Pelican Rapids)
Clay Elrod (Elk River)
Paul Friendshuh (New Prague)
Kevin Grow (Centennial)
Ryan Kruse (St. Clair)
Ian Smith (Champlin Park)
Brett Peterson (Russell-Tyler-Ruthton)
Ian Theisen (Osseo)
Jake Wright (Hopkins)

Coaches – Bob McDonald (Chisholm) and Joel McDonald (Hibbing)

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