Northstar Hoops Report has rapidly established itself as one of the top independent authoritative sites covering boys high school and AAU basketball in Minnesota. Its subscribers, including many college basketball programs, get the inside scoop on Minnesota players and teams, and its rankings are closely watched by the basketball community.
As a recruiting service for college coaches, Austin native Ryan James, one of the site’s founders, ranks the top players in each graduating class in terms of their potential as college players, with updates of the rankings done on a quarterly basis. Among the current crop of seniors (Class of 2013), Austin’s Joe Aase and Tom Aase both currently rank in the top 30 statewide, with Joe at #6 and Tom at #28. Zach Wessels is #14 in the 2014 class.
Bret Lukes was cited earlier this week for “giving Austin another scoring option” based on his average of 11 points per game. Ryan highlighted Wessels in September, saying “Zach’s ability to go middle and create at a constant rate for himself and others is what so many people love about him. What’s scarier for future opponents is that he’s getting better.” In ranking Tom Aase #6 statewide among 2013 power forwards, Ryan cited Tom’s defensive toughness and rebounding as well as his improved scoring.
In his column today, Ryan lists Joe Aase as one of the “Top Contenders” for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball behind early front-runner Quinton Hooker of Park Center. The Mr. Basketball Award is given each year to the top senior boys basketball player in the state as chosen by the Mr. Basketball Committee, which is completely separate from Northstar Hoops Report, but here’s what Ryan said about Joe in listing him as one of the top three candidates:
Joe Aase is scoring 20 a game, averaging a double-double, has his team at second in state and undefeated, and playing against the state’s top interior defender (Reggie Lynch) Joe scored a big 27 points impressing the metro area basketball fans. Over the holiday break Joe led his team to back-to-back wins over New Prague (with 24 points and nine rebounds Joe out did Paul Friendshuh) and Eastview (Joe got the better of Ben Oberfeld as Joe had 21, Ben scored 11).
In another just-for-fun element of the Northstar Hoops site, they’re conducting an unscientific online poll of site visitors, asking them to vote for a Mr. Basketball front runner. So, if you’re so inclined, go here and cast your vote.
Tags: Bret Lukes, Joe Aase, Northstar Hoops, Tom Aase, Zach Wessels
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