PRE-SEASON PREVIEW North High Polars COMMITTMENT COMPASSION CHARACTER THE CHASE 1 November 17, 2016
The Chase Begins After two years of coming up short, the Polars adopted the mantra of Unfinished Business and they played the 2015-16 season like a team on a mission winning the Class A State championship. McKenzie continues to build on his legacy having now led two Northside schools to basketball state titles. Now that the mission has been completed the Chase Begins. Can this group chase the teams of the Khalid El-Amin era and get to three in a row, better yet can McKenzie lead Minneapolis North to a four-peat? The Polars are definitely positioned for the chase with a talented group of Juniors and Seniors. The seniors are led by Western Illinois signee, Isaac Johnson a three-year all-conference selection and JaQuan Sanders who McKenzie describes as the most improved player in the state after a summer of really working to become a point guard. North juniors are some of the best in the class of 2018, led by four-year starter and All-Conference big man Odell Biggs Wilson IV in addition to Tayler Johnson who s ready to come from underneath the shadow of his talented older brother Tyler Johnson. As they say the rich get richer, North got two 6 8 junior transfers with the Twin Towers, Dakoi and DeKai Hines by way of Gary, Indiana. Sophomores Nasir El- Amin and Eli Campbell will also be looked to play major roles this season as well. Who s Gone? The Polars lost three of their top four scorers from last year s championship team graduating Tyler Johnson, Jamil Jackson Jr., and Patrick Dembley. Johnson is a starting wide receiver for the Minnesota Golden Gophers after being the first athlete to be 3 times Minneapolis City Conference Player of Year in both Football and Basketball. Jackson is expected to be a major contributor at Williston State, as well as Dembley at Iowa Western 2
Who s Back? The Polars return nine players from last year s Minnesota Class A State. Led by Senior, Isaac Johnson the Division I signee who is a two time All Minneapolis City Conference selection. He is joined by Odell Wilson IV who was selected last season to the Minneapolis City Conference team for the first time. The biggest surprise will be JaQuan Sanders who started on and off last season while serving primarily as the team backup point guard. Coach McKenzie expects him to flourish as his full time point guard and has handed him the keys to the car. McKenzie is hoping that Marquis Holloman, the long and lanky senior, is also ready to contribute this year and assist with size and length. Tayler Johnson is the kid that McKenzie struggled to find minutes for last season. Statistically he was the Polars most productive player when he was on the floor, long and athletic, he impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Nasir El-Amin looks to be ready to play major minutes, the heady sophomore guard has a high basketball IQ and an improved jump shot. Eli Campbell is a streaky shooter that should help the team off the bench as well. Who s New? The Polars add Twin Towers, DeKoi and DeKai Hines, both are 6 8 juniors who are expected to work their way into the rotation. Both young men will need to get acclimated to the Polar s style of play. Coach McKenzie is really excited about the future of North High basketball and particularly two underclassmen that he hopes to play intermittently. A freshmen Jermaine Hardin, and 8 th grader Tre Holloman who is extremely talented and already stands at 6 2. Team Outlook The Minneapolis North Polars is loaded from top to bottom, this team will be capable of being one of the top teams in Minnesota regardless of class and that will be demonstrated as they have another tough schedule. This group knows what it takes to be called and will be more than prepared for the challenge. The Polars are a considerably different team than last year s state championship team as they are now bigger, longer, and just as athletic. Experience, quickness, height and overall team speed is this year s strength for the Minneapolis North Polars Boys Varsity Basketball Team. 3
1 Tayler Johnson -6 3 165 JR. G Should have a break out year, a talented scorer who also rebounds and defends, expect him to be the team high flyer as the Polars look to get up and down the floor but he also has the capability of knocking down the three-point shot. 2 TreJuan Holloman -6 2 155 7th. G Will see the bulk of his minutes on Junior Varsity but is not afraid to compete with the best of them. Can play all five positions and is a special talent. 4 JaQuan Sanders, - 6 1 175 SR. PG- As stated earlier he will be given the keys to the Polars high octane offense. Has to be one of the quickest guards in the state and will give opponents headaches trying to stay in front of him. This summer he worked hard on improving his jump shot which has made him even tougher to guard. He is also a lock down defender whose challenge will be managing his assist to turn over ratio. 5 Marquis Holloman -6 6 165 SR. G/F This year s mystery man, if he continues to exhibit the confidence that he has played with in the fall he can be a major factor. High basketball IQ who sees the floor well and can play some point guard, but also capable of getting out on the wing and knocking shots or getting to the rack. A late bloomer with lots of potential. 11 Nasir El- Amin -5 19 150 SO. G. A talented guard who is coming off a great summer and is much improved. High basketball IQ who has improved his outside shooting and should be a major part of the rotation. Will be expected to run the team when Sanders moves to the two or takes a break. 12 Emmanuel Jones is a transfer who should compete for Varsity minutes, has the potential to be a great shooter who can also defend. He is extremely athletic and is not afraid to go to attack the rim. 13 DeKei Hines - 6 8 175 JR. F/C- Very athletic big man who can run the floor, and knock down the outside shot. An excellent shot blocker will guard the basketball but a more than capable defender out on the perimeter. Will not be needed to put up big numbers with this team to be a factor. 15 Jermaine Hardin- 5 9 160 FR PG Will play Junior Varsity but will have an opportunity to learn the Polar system as a talented freshman. A vocal floor leader who can be a lock down defender which should help him see some floor time. 20 Marshaun Downey- 6 3 180 JR F- A very athletic kid with lots of potential but needs to spend more time in the gym. A smaller post player who will create some mismatches with his athleticism when called upon. 4
21 Eli Campbell- 5 9 150 S0. G A streaky shooter who can be instant offense when he gets hot, while a small guard he s a good defender as well. Will be looked to as a zone buster and North expects to see a lot of zone defense. 22 DeKoi Hines- 6 8 175 JR F/C- Very athletic as well and more of a traditional post player who is also a capable shot blocker. Will be looked to rebound and guard bigger opponents in the post. 32 Odell Wilson IV-6 6 200 FR F/C Has now been a starter since his 8 th year, an All Minneapolis City Conference player last season who is capable of being one of the most dominant big men in the state. Has worked on his outside shot and will be asked to defend more on the perimeter this season. If he can improve his conditioning and stay healthy he can be something special. 34 Jamire Jackson -6-4 235 SR F/C- A talented DI football player who is quite the physical player. He has spent time in the gym this summer and is a capable scorer around the basket. Expected to be one of the leaders for this year s squad. 35 Isaac Johnson- 6 5 180 SR. G/F An All Minneapolis City Conference performer for the last three years. He now joins a long list of Polars who have gone to play DI basketball. A talented and athletic scorer who can knock down threes or dunk on you. A highly competitive kid which sometimes is misunderstood but should be a Mr. Basketball candidate. Back Court The Polars have a cadre of outstanding guards. The Polars again will feature one of the state s top backcourts with JaQuan Sanders, Isaac Johnson, Tayler Johnson, Nasir El- Amin and Eli Campbell. Isaac Johnson, no relationship to Tayler Johnson is a talented player that is a spot up three-point shooter and an outstanding defender who typically plays the other team best player. Johnson plays with a chip on his shoulder and makes it tough for opposing team to focus on his teammates which should make Sanders and Wilson effective offensive weapons. JaQuan Sanders, an unorthodox player with instant offense and a top defensive player as well. He will be expected to replace Patrick Dembley as the Polars floor leader. Tayler Johnson, now is his time, a young talented wing who can score and defend expected to have a breakout year. El- Amin, at 5 9 is a talented floor leader who possesses a unique ability to make the right play when needed. Look for him to be on the floor in critical moments this season. 5
Season Schedule Game Dates Practices ALL practices are generally closed, please see schedule here or go to check the practice schedule at www. Northpolarhoops.com Media Requests 612-735-6440 carlitahan@msn.com Interviews The Coaching staff and players are available for interviews upon request. Transcript Request Patience Dolo Licensed School Counselor 612-668-1724 Game Tape Request The Polars use Krossover and games are available by request. Please contact at (612) 501-1505 or trentwitz@gmail.com. Back Court (Continued) Campbell, is an outstanding student-athlete, came on strong last season during the Polars play-off run, he is expected to compete to be in the top 8 this season. * dates & times subject to change Date Day Teams Time Nov 30 Wed Big Blue Event Home 6:00pm Dec 03 Sat North vs. Apple Valley (Breakdown) Hopkins HS 8:30pm Dec 06 Tue North vs. Edina Edina HS 7:00pm Dec 08 Thu North vs. Centennial Home 7:00pm Dec 10 Sat North vs. Minnehaha Hopkins HS 12:45pm Dec 13 Tue North vs. South High South HS 7:00pm Dec 17 Sat North vs. Hopkins Hopkins HS 1:00pm Dec 21 Wed North vs. Fair Anwatin Middle School 7:00pm Dec 28 Wed North vs. Brooklyn Center Home 7:00pm Dec 29 Thu North vs. Red Lake Home 7:00pm Dec 31 Sat Sioux Falls Showcase Sioux Falls, ND 7:30pm Jan 03 Tue North vs. Washburn Washburn HS 7:00pm Jan 06 Fri North vs. Henry Home 7:00pm Jan 10 Tue North vs. Roosevelt Roosevelt HS 7:00pm Jan 12 Thu North vs. Southwest Home 7:00pm Jan 16 Mon North vs. Minnetonka (MLK Classic) Henry HS TBD Jan 18 Wed North vs. Edison Edison HS 7:00pm Jan 25 Wed North vs. South High Home 7:00pm Jan 28 Sat North vs. Caledonia Home 4:00pm Feb 02 Thu North vs. Washburn Home 7:00pm Feb 04 Sat North vs. Central MN Christian Central MN Christian HS 3:00pm Feb 07 Tue North vs. Henry Henry HS 7:00pm Feb 10 Fri North vs. Roosevelt Home 7:00pm Feb 14 Tue North vs. Southwest Southwest HS 7:00pm Feb 16 Thu North vs. Fair Home 7:00pm Feb 18 Sat North vs. Rushford Peterson Home 3:00pm Feb 21 Tue North vs. Edison Home 7:00pm *Playoffs start in March Schedule will be determined at a later date 6