Okay folks, let me walk you through how I actually tackled this year’s Minnesota high school preview. Honestly, it started feeling like a huge mess before I even got going.
First thing was just gathering names – sounds simple, right? Wrong. I started digging around online, checking out some forum discussions where people were shouting about this kid or that guy being the next big thing. Half the time the names were spelled three different ways. I had my notebook out, scribbling down anything that sounded legit, crossing stuff out constantly. Kept seeing mentions of players I hadn’t really tracked last season – gotta find out more about those guys.
The Eye Test is the Real Test
Next step? Get out there and watch. Talked to some buddies who scout AAU ball hard. Called up a few coaches I trust, just casual-like, “Hey, who should I keep an eye on this summer?” Ended up driving all over the darn state. Small-town gyms in the middle of nowhere, packed tournaments in the Cities.
- Freezing my backside off in some rink-side bleachers in January just to see how a sophomore point guard handled pressure.
- Nearly lost my voice yelling over the crowd noise trying to confirm a jersey number across a packed gym.
- Spilled coffee all over my notebook at 7 AM trying to watch an early bracket game – worth it for seeing a kid play with crazy hustle.
You just can’t fake seeing them play live. Stats on a screen tell you maybe half the story. How does a guy react when his team is down 10? Does he mope or step up? That stuff only comes from being courtside, freezing or sweating your tail off.
The Brain-Hurting Part
Alright, now comes the fun part… sorting it all out. My dining room table looked like a warzone. Notebooks piled up, sticky notes everywhere with questions: “Check ankle injury recovery time?” “Why did his scoring dip against top-tier teams?” Reviewed game tapes – actually, more like blurry phone videos people sent me.
Then came the comparisons. Trying to figure out if the 6’10” kid with decent post moves was really more promising than the explosive 6’6″ wing guard averaging 25ppg against tougher competition? Argued with myself constantly. Re-watched clips. Compared stats side by side until my eyes crossed. That last “Top 10” spot? Changed my mind like five times in one night before I finally said, “Alright, that’s it.”
Getting it Out There
Writing it up wasn’t exactly relaxing either. Tried to be fair, tried to explain my thinking without getting too technical. Called up a few contacts again, double-checked a couple of things I felt fuzzy on (“Did he really transfer? Confirm!”). Hit publish feeling a mix of relief and that nagging feeling I probably missed something amazing playing in Warroad or somewhere.
So yeah, this Minnesota 2025 preview? It ain’t just some list typed up quick. It’s cold gyms, too much gas station coffee, messy notes, confusing stats, a lot of driving, and even more headaches figuring it all out. But hey, that’s the grind. You guys deserve a decent look at who might blow up this coming season, based on some actual legwork.