■ Chloe Johnson, Duluth Marshall basketball sophomore – Powerful 6-foot point guard, entertaining a host of Division I offers, who averaged 28 points per game as one of Minnesota's top players the last two seasons. Plays for national powerhouse All-Iowa Attack U-17 again this summer. Unanimous 2024-25 HowieHanson.com Prep Athlete of the Year. College: Uncommitted | Good Read: Dyami Starks, founder of Starks Academy, a renowned basketball program, and Player Development Coach for All Iowa Attack, talks about Chloe Johnson, the basketball prodigy from Duluth Marshall
■ Martin Sleen, Hermantown football, track junior – Ultra-speedy halfback who runs past and through defenders, one of Minnesota's rising Division I prospects who will begin to draw national attention next fall. Shattered three longstanding sprint records at the Section 7AAA track meet last week. College: Uncommitted
■ Noah Asuma, Cherry basketball, baseball senior – Elite baseball positional prospect and basketball standout. Hits for average and power. College: Minnesota (baseball)
■ Caz Carlson, Rock Ridge hockey senior – Diminutive, offensive dynamo – a left-handed Corey Millen comparable. Likely Mr. Hockey Award finalist, if he returns to lead the Wolverines next season. College: St. Cloud State
■ Carter Brown, Duluth Denfeld football, basketball junior – Ultra-athletic 6-5 rising star, especially on the hardcourt where he powers over smaller defenders, rebounds and defends the rim with power, length and tenacity. A cinch double-double scorer and rebounder the next two seasons, albeit against mostly weak regional competition. College: Uncommitted
Vikings Notebook
C.J. Ham is on the menu for the holidays.
The Vikings are slated to host a Christmas Day game for just the third time in franchise history.
Minnesota's matchup against the Detroit Lions is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff on Netflix.
Christmas Day matchups have been rare for the Vikings. This will mark just their fifth time — and the first in Minnesota since facing the Bengals 1989, the NFL's first regular-season game ever played on the holiday.
The only other time the Vikings hosted on the holiday was against the Cowboys in a Divisional Round playoff game on Dec. 25, 1971.
Minnesota is just 1-3 in Yuletide contests and will look to better that record this year.
The Vikings most recently had a Christmas Day game in 2020, when they traveled to New Orleans and fell to the Saints.
Maybe a Thursday game will be the key? The Vikings have previously played Christmas Day games on Saturday, Monday, Sunday and Friday. – Vikings press release
Tuesday Local Sports Events
Section 7AAA Prep Baseball
Chisago Lakes (11-11) vs. Hermantown (10-11), 11 a.m. in North Branch (winner advances to face Rock Ridge at 1:30 p.m., also in North Branch)
Section 7AA Prep Baseball
Duluth Marshall (19-2) vs. Esko (20-2), 1:30 p.m. in Superior
Pequot Lakes (10-11) vs. Proctor (15-8), 4:30 p.m. in Superior
Pequot Lakes-Proctor winner vs. Duluth Marshall-Esko loser, 7 p.m. in Superior
Wednesday Events
Section 7AAA Prep Baseball
Championship vs. Grand Rapids (16-7), 1 p.m. in North Branch (Second game at 3:30 p.m., if needed)
Thursday Events
Section 7AA Prep Baseball
Championship, 5 p.m. in Superior (Second game at 7 p.m., if needed)
Duluth FC Notebook
Unbeaten Duluth FC will host 1826 Academy in a Minnesota Super Cup men's soccer match on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Walt Hunting Stadium in West Duluth. The BlueGreens are 3-0-0 in the National Premier Soccer League.
Prep Athlete of the Week
Hermantown sophomore Martin Sleen finished first in the 100 and 200 and anchored the Hawks' 400 relay team in the Section 7AA track and field finals on Saturday in North Branch.
