2010 East Metro Showcase Day 2

To the second day of the 2010 East Metro Showcase, 3 games yesterday and 4 on day 2 to finish the event.

Game 1: Washburn vs Superior, WI
12-10 Superior in a back and forth tilt in the first 6 minutes.  Then Joel Lindberg goes on a big run.  He drives for 2 and finds Jake Lindberg for 2.  Then a drive for 2 and a pullup followed up a by a 3 point play.  Then he kicks to Rob Kraft and knocks down a pullup triple.  That's 12 points and 2 assists for 5 more as Lindberg is part of 17 straight points.  Kraft adds on another pair of layups.  33-16 Superior after the 21-6 run over 8:40 as Washburn also had no answer for the 1-2-2 zone.  Lindberg keeps it going in the second half as he finishes with 28 points in an easy 71-54 Superior win.  That's the 43rd straight win for Superior vs a Minnesota team.  Clarence Thomas with 13 points to lead Washburn.

Game 2: St. John's Military Academy (WI) vs Eastview
Eastview with Vinard Birch back but still not 100% and his backup Darin Haugh eligible for the 1st time today (transfer).  St. John's tries to pull away early as they lead 18-9 at the 8:59 mark.  Jordan Kuhn keeping Eastview close as he scores 9 of their next 11 points, mostly inside.  24-20 St. John's leads.  Oshari Arnett off the Eastview bench with a pair of hoops and Eastview is back to within 28-26 at halftime.  Back and forth second half and we'll go right to the end.  57-55 Eastview when Vinard Birch makes a great switch out his zone spot and forces a turnover with 42 seconds left but then he misses 2 free throws.  After 2 free throws tie it, Birch makes 2 freebies with 19 seconds left and another turnover but Eastview misses 2 free throws with 8 seconds left.  Kevin Mays misses a follow dunk and it looks like Eastview has won but an official has a foul with no time on the clock.  Both free throws are good and we'll play OT. 66-64 Eastview down with 31 seconds left in OT when a bogus technical foul is assessed to the Eastview bench (other coach had 1 T and couldn't stand and ref got confused).  The refs correct the error, thankfully and 1 free throw is good for St. John's.  Eastview turns it over on the inbounds and St. John's Military Academy wins 70-65 in OT.  Chris Narum with 21 points off the Eastview bench with 5 triples.  They really struggle to score.  Kevin Mays with 25 to lead St. John's.

Game 3: Maple Northwestern vs La Crosse Aquinas
Hmm, who am I rooting for in this one?  Nice moment before the game when Eastview coach Mark Gerber came over to shake hands with Aquinas coach Rick Schneider.  Aquinas took out a very good Eastview team in this event 2 years ago in an absolute classic.  Aquinas down 14-3 out of the gate and Northwestern fought off a bunch of Aquinas runs.  But a Bronson Koenig (#4 WI frosh) jumper with 2 minutes left ties the game.  Northwestern holds and turns the ball over with 10 seconds left.  But Aquinas can't get a good look and Northwestern dominates the overtime for a 68-64 overtime win.

Game 4: Milwaukee Vincent vs St. Paul Central
1st look at Central this season.  Fun occasional matchup in this one of Deonte Burton and Central's LeDarian Horton.  Burton reminds me a bit of Madison East's Marquis Mason.  Central has a lead that grows to 9 in the 1st half but they go to halftime up 29-26.  Central open the half with a 9-2 run for a 38-28 lead.  Vincent right back with 9 in a row of their own.  Vincent goes zone at the 12 minute mark of the second half and Central just can't find an answer.  3 point lead for Vincent with 2:50 left when Philip Nolan dunks against the press.  Burton finishes it with a big dunk coming left to right under the rim and hammers it home.  68-60 Vincent wins. Marlon Speed 18 points for Central.  Taylor Smaller 11 points.