2009 Best Buy Summer Classic Championships

To championship day at the 2009 Best Buy Summer Classic.

15U Quarters
MN Static held off MN Heat Elite in a close game. MN Pump N Run got a post hoop and a nice assist from Taylor Montero down the stretch to hold off a very gritty Comets team. If that Comets team manages to find a post player for next year, they will be very good as their guards are solid.

MN Static won the 15U title 65-53 over Net Gain. Riley Dearring 2 FTs with 3 seconds left to win it is the story I heard.

I avoided the 17U Gold semifinals for the Heat Elite vs TNL friendship game in 17U. TNL holds off the Heat 63-58.

17U Semis
Now to the big boys. Illinois Warriors no trouble with Grassroots Minnesota as they win 82-68 in a game that wasn't that close. Minnesota Pump N Run vs Grassroots Canada in the other semi. Dwight Powell is quite the package as the #50 kid in the nation (Rivals) at 6'10 long and athletic, can handle. Grassroots Canada up 10 with 8 minutes to go when Dyami Starks brings PNR back. Carlos Emory then puts PNR over the top with a 3 point play at the 2:17 mark for a 66-64 PNR lead. 71-64 PNR wins.

16U Semis
Now to the 16U semis and a pair of good ones. I took in the 1st half of MN Heat Elite vs Meanstreets. The Preiner twins back for the Heat today and they were needed. Heat went on a 10-0 1st half run but Meanstreets still was up 30-28 at the break. The game was marred by a late ejection but the Heat held on 65-58.

Glad I stopped in for the 2nd half of the other semi between MN PNR and WI Playmakers. 23-18 Playmakers at the half. PNR controls the 2nd half and is up 37-29 fairly late as the Playmakers just couldn't score. 40-34 PNR with 1:30 left when this one goes crazy. Sharpshooter Connor Miller for 3 to cut the lead to 1, then a turnover and the Playmakers have 7 in a row for the lead. They tack on a FT and Alex Kreuser needs to put back a miss with 4 seconds left. Playmakers star Paul Jesperson gets a good look at a 3 at the horn but we'll play OT tied at 42. PNR wins the tip and Jason Perkins misses an inside layup with 1:45 left. Playmakers hold, but they go too soon. Joel Lindberg goes strong and is fouled with 11 seconds left. He makes both for a 2 point lead. Aaron Ziman fouled going down the lane but he misses the front end with 8 seconds left. Jesperson returns the favor with 4 seconds left but Kyle Noreen misses a heave at the buzzer and the Playmakers steal this one 44-42 in OT. Crazy last 3:30 (2 minute OT included there).

16U Championship (Minnesota Heat Elite vs Wisconsin Playmakers)
The Heat were very disappointed they didn't get Pump N Run, ditto that for me as it would have been fun to see those 2 go at it. Very even first half as the Heat lead 35-29 at the break. Rob Daul with 11 points for the Heat, Connor Miller with 10 for the Playmakers. Heat get the 1st 5 of the second half to extend the lead to 11 but the Playmakers have their run in them. Jesperson with 5 points to cut the lead to 3 and then another hoop cuts the Heat lead to 46-45 with 5 minutes left. Heat without Riley West down the stretch as he injured a knee at the 7 minute mark. Daul with a big post up for 2 and 2 FTs sandwiched around a Jesperson miss for a 56-51 lead with 47 seconds left. Luke Preiner seals the deal with 2 FTs and the Heat hang on 59-55 to win the 16U title. Rob Daul with 11 of his 15 points in the 1st half to lead the heat. Connor Miller 13 points for the Playmakers. Paul Jesperson 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists on 5-10 shooting as he was quiet in both the semis and championship (just like in April).

17U Championship (Minnesota Pump N Run vs Illinois Warriors)
Carlos Emory en fuego to start this one as he has 11 of the 1st 13 PNR points. 13-8 PNR at the 10:15 mark. They grow the lead to 20-10 with about 7 minutes left before their basket decided to take an afternoon siesta. 21-1 Warriors run, no field goals for PNR the rest of the half. 31-23 Warriors at the break. Warriors pull away in the 2nd half as Ben Brackney hits a pair of clutch triples. 68-57 Warriors win the 17U title. Aaron Anderson 19 points to lead Pump N Run. Warriors star Brandon Spearman quiet in the 1st half but he turned it up in the 2nd half with a pair of triples and double figure scoring in the 2nd half.