Success on the field and the hardwood – Part II

Before the holidays, I highlighted some of the top<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/12/success-on-the-field-and-the-hardwood-part-i/"> football/basketball, two-sport athletes in the 2022 class</a>. After taking a few days off for the holidays, I turned my attention to the best juniors who combine the gridiron with the hardwood. The basketball rankings come to you from <a href="https://www.prephoops.com/">prephoops.com</a>. [player_tooltip player_id="112056" first="Max" last="Shikenjanski"] <strong>Stillwater QB 2nd ranked SG</strong> Shikenjanksi has a solid all-around basketball game. He has good range on his jump shot and has a good mid-range game. His passing and floor skills make him a guy who can fill up a box score on a nightly basis. His overall athletic ability transfers over to the football field. He has a strong arm and can throw on the move as a quarterback. I think he would rather run to throw, but he has quick feet in the open field when he decides to use them. [player_tooltip player_id="112058" first="Samuel" last="Musungu"] <strong>Andover WR 6th ranked PG</strong> Musungu plays in the slot and out wide. He has excellent ball skills and is tough in 50/50 ball situations. He is a legitimate deep threat on every play with speed to get separation and hands and body control to adjust to the ball. The junior has good range on his outside shot on the hardwood and has good hands and feet on the defensive end. He is among the Huskies’ points leaders early in the season, just under twenty points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="112086" first="Chiddi" last="Obiazor"] <strong>Eden Prairie ATH 2nd ranked SF</strong> Obiazor can get after the passer as a defensive end, but what makes him stand out is his work against the run. He keeps blockers off his body and can shed blockers quickly while getting down the line of scrimmage. He is tough to hook, so if teams run outside, he sets the edge and forces runners into his teammates. As a basketball player, the junior is creative around the rim and handles and distributes the ball like a smaller player. [player_tooltip player_id="112060" first="Cade" last="Osterman"] <strong>Elk River ATH 14th ranked PG</strong> On the football field, Osterman did a little of everything. He was the point guard of the Elks’ offense. As the quarterback, the junior had to use great footwork and good hands to run Elk River’s multi-back offense. He is a threat to run the ball at any time. He has both the feet to allude people in the open field and the speed to run away from people. He also punted, returned kicks, and started at defensive back. As an actual point guard, the junior is averaging thirteen points a game. [player_tooltip player_id="112080" first="Ot" last="Omot"] <strong>Park of Cottage Grove WR 9th ranked SG</strong> Omot uses his length well and has the body control and hands to make contested catches as a wide receiver. His long-striding running style chews up territory quickly and allows him to get on top of and past defensive backs quicker than it appears. On the hardwood, Omot has a lot in his toolbox. He has good range on his jumper but has the length to protect the rim. He can also handle the ball and distribute to his teammates. [player_tooltip player_id="112061" first="Cooper" last="Drews"] <strong>Princeton QB 17th ranked SG</strong> When Drews can step into his throws, he shows a great arm. He is not just a drop-back passer thou. The Tigers’ quarterback can throw on the move and use his feet not only to buy time but to be a threat in the running game. He has ideal quarterback size and is more physical than he appears. Drews leads the undefeated Tigers’ basketball team in scoring – averaging nearly 22 points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="112071" first="Isaac" last="Dearborn"] <strong>Byron ATH 27th ranked PG</strong> Dearborn is a solid slasher from the point guard position. He can get into the lane and can finish and distribute. A good spot-up three-point shooter, he is also creative with the ball when finding his teammates. On the gridiron, the junior plays both ways and shows great instincts – especially on the defensive side of the ball. He has solid footwork in the open field, making him hard to put a clean shot on when tackling him. [player_tooltip player_id="19004" first="Peyton" last="Lange"] <strong>SMB OL 11th ranked C</strong> Lange is one of the most physically imposing football players in the state. His sheer size allows him to over-power almost any opponent he faces. His footwork is solid for a man his size, too – he is surprisingly light on his feet and can hang with most speed rushers. He has excellent hips and keeps his center of gravity low – allowing him to get under the pads of smaller defenders. Although not asked to be a primary scorer on the basketball court, Lange’s athletic ability make him a tough defender and rebounder under the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="112068" first="Joe" last="Miller"] <strong>DL Holy Angels 15th ranked PF</strong> Miller gets off blocks quickly and is an effective edge rusher who can not only get to the quarterback but is disciplined enough not to disregard his run game responsibilities. His run defense is what stands out. He is explosive enough to get the edge on the pass rush but is strong enough to take on a double team, get off it and still make plays. As a front-court player, Miller is averaging nearly eight points per game. [player_tooltip player_id="112122" first="Carter" last="Theisen"] <strong>Rosemount ATH 11th ranked PF</strong> Theisen’s best sport might be baseball, but he is a tough post player on the basketball court. Coming off the bench as a sophomore, he is starting to find his way as a starting big man. He is developing a series of post moves and has quick hands on both the offensive and defensive end. On the football field, those hands make him a physical tight end who is a threat in the passing game. He also plays special teams as the team’s long snapper. <strong>Best of the rest:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="112042" first="Grant" last="Chapman"] <strong>Anoka OL 15th ranked C</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="112076" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] <strong>Norwood-Young America QB 67th ranked SG</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="112131" first="Albert" last="Rundell"] <strong>Watertown-Mayer QB 56th ranked SG</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="112130" first="Luke" last="Crosby"] <strong>Prior Lake QB 61st ranked SG</strong>