This week’s column includes four former prep stars having an impact at the collegiate level, a couple of college assistant coaches who are helping to lead the schools in which they played, an update on some ranked teams at the high school level, and recognition of five high school coaches.
Andrayah Adams, the point guard who put St. Paul Como Park High School on the girls’ basketball map in Minnesota during an outstanding prep career, scored a season-high 29 points in leading the Texas Tech women’s basketball team to a 106-94 victory over Oklahoma last week.
Kerwin Walton, a former Hopkins High School standout who is a freshman starter for the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team, helped the Tarheels capture a 91-73 win over Duke by scoring 18 points.
Ishmael El-Amin, another former Hopkins boys’ basketball star, is a senior averaging 16 points per game for Ball State University. The guard’s season high is 33 points against Central Michigan.
McKinley Wright IV, the former Champlain Park star, is averaging 15 points per game as a senior playing for the University of Colorado men’s basketball team. The point guard scored a season-high 26 against UCLA last month.
TC Robinson, who starred at Spring Lake Park, is in his third year as an assistant coach for the Hamline University men’s basketball team. The former point guard joined the staff after playing four years at Hamline.
Harry Sonie, the former Appley Valley standout who went on to star for Augsburg men’s basketball team, is an assistant coach at his college alma mater.
Davion Evans, Tyson Dallas and Broderick Powell Jr. are leading the way for the Robbinsdale Copper boys’ basketball team with a No. 4 ranking in Class 4A.
Muja Burton, Hasson Kamara and Donnaquin Hisz have played well in leading Columbia Heights boys’ basketball team to a No. 3 Class 3A ranking.
Dwayne Thompson, Curtis Favors Jr. and D’Marco Chelley has Tartan sporting a No. 9 ranking in Class 4A boys basketball.
Cade Haskins, Evan Boyd and Nasir Whitlock are among the reasons that DeLaSalle is ranked among the 10 in Class 3A boys’ basketball.
Alonzo Dodd, Devin Newsome and Shawn West-Zimpel Jr. are leading the No. 4 Class 3A South St. Paul Packers boys’ basketball team.
Ki’ani Lockett, Desiree Ware and Sophie Haydon have led Minnetonka to a No. 7 Class 4A girls’ basketball ranking.
Five coaches who are doing outstanding jobs this season include Marlon McCoy (St. Paul Central girls’ basketball), Matt McCollister (South St. Paul boys’ basketball), Broderick Powell (Robbinsdale Cooper boys’ basketball), Willie Braziel (Columbia Heights boys’ basketball), and Willie Taylor (Stillwater girls’ basketball).
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