When Minneapolis North comes up in high school football and basketball conversations, Tyler Johnson is the name often mentioned — and rightfully so. The 6’-3” senior guard, who will play on the gridiron for the University of Minnesota next season, is one of the state’s top players in both sports.

However, the Polars — ranked No. 1 in Class 1A — have shown that there is more to them then Johnson.

Odell Walker IV leads the Polars at 16.1 points per game. Pat Dembley and Johnson each average 14 per contest, while Isaac Johnson and Jamil Jackson each add 13 points per game.

Walker had a quiet 30 in a recent 100-87 loss to Pebblebrook (GA). Dembley added 20, Issac Johnson 13, and Jackson 10 (including two dunks).

Jarrod Harper and Colin Sexton led Pebblebrook with 40 and 31 points respectively.

Adams keeps on scoring

St. Paul Como Park point guard and St. John’s University signee Andrayah Adams — one of the state’s top girls’ basketball players — has picked up where she left off last year, averaging 29 points for the Cougars, the defending St. Paul City Conference and Twin City champions.

Henry quietly ranked

Don’t look now, but Minneapolis Henry is the 10^th-ranked team in Class 3A boys’ basketball behind the outstanding play of Savion Scott and Demetress Edwards-Brown.

Scott, a 6’-3” senior, is averaging 16.4 points per game, while Edwards-Brown, a 5’-11” guard, chips in 12.6.

Metro Area talent

The top 10 ranked boys’ basketball teams in the metro area boast some of the top players in the area.

Top-ranked Hopkins is led by University of Minnesota signee Amir Coffey’s 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. Gary Trent, a junior, is leading No. 2 Apple Valley with a 32-points-per-game average.

McKinley Wright’s 18.3-per-game average leads fourth-ranked Champlin Park. No. 7 Osseo is led by Damrio Armstrong, averaging 14 points per contest. Amar Miller leads No. 9 Minnetonka with a 24.6-per-game average, and Race Thompson averages 18.6 for 10th-ranked Robbinsdale Armstrong.

St. Paul City Conference wide open

With St. Paul Johnson off to a slow start, there are many who believe that the St. Paul City Conference boys’ basketball title is up for grabs. The Governors — who have won or shared the title since 2004 — are led by Saivon Parker, who averages 12.6 points per game. Central, led by Sam Gubrudd (24.4), Como Park, led by Demetrice Mitchell (23.4), and Highland Park, led by Amitri Collins (15.2) all have a chance at the title.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.