Twin Cities Boys Hoops: March 2012

2012 Class AAAA Championship

What an amazing night at the Target Center. An ugly offensive display but both teams made clutch plays. The full game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report. Amazing display from both student sections. Very entertaining to see both of them cheer. No attendance numbers but the largest crowd that I've seen at state in my years of covering it on press row. Lakeville North suffered through shooting that would put most teams way down and out. Osseo would make critical plays and not just the final buzzer beater to hang on. Overall a very entertaining tournament.

Czar's Class AAAA All-Tournament Ballot
Tyler Flack - Lakeville North
Ryan Saarela - Lakeville North
Grant Erickson - Lakeville North
Ian Theisen - Osseo
Cal Bloom - Osseo (Bridge Tusler made the official team)
DJ Hebert - Osseo
Sander Mohn - Eden Prairie
Grant Shaeffer - Eden Prairie
Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Demetrius Martin - Hopkins

2012 Class AAA Championship

Another amazing game at the 2012 state tournament. Washburn doesn't take the lead until the overtime and then a very exciting 20 seconds of basketball to end the overtime. Love to see no timeouts. I can't say I've ever seen as many people in the upper deck of the Target Center for a state tournament game in my time. An amazing atmosphere. My entire game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report.

Czar's Class AAA All-Tournament Ballot (all 10 on official team)
Jerry Pratt - Minneapolis Washburn
Nick Anderson - Minneapolis Washburn
Joseph Doby - Minneapolis Washburn
Reid Travis - De La Salle
Luke Scott - De La Salle
Jarvis Johnson - De La Salle
Alex Illikainen - Grand Rapids
Austin Pohlen - Grand Rapids
Marcus Marshall - St. Paul Johnson
Quashingm Smith-Pugh - St. Paul Johnson

2012 Class AA Championship

Not the prettiest of finals in the class AA title game between Plainview-Elgin-Millville and Litchfield. Certainly no super star to watch . A defensive struggle anticipated but overall the game was higher scoring than anticipated. Beau Nelson stepped up big as PEM won the title 55-39. Full game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report. A big second half run by PEM would ultimately put this battle out of reach. Who would have thought that this would be the PEM team to win a championship? But so many different pieces. Chase Montgomery and Beau Nelson were quality pieces to go with Cory Speer.

Czar's Class AA All-Tournament Ballot
Zach Kinny - Litchfield
Jon Terning - Litchfield
Dylan Koll - Litchfield (Mitch Wollin made final team)
Cory Speer - PEM
Sam Ruth - PEM
Beau Nelson - PEM
Jordan Bruhn - Perham
Jordan Cresap - Perham
Tyler Vaughan - Braham
Cameron Braund - Braham

2012 Class A Championship

An outstanding atmosphere for the Class A tournament game between #1 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and #2 Southwest Minnesota Christian. The lower bowl of the Target Center almost completely full. I love the small town support and its a refreshing site from the big school and metro games I mostly watch. Great to see a Brian Wilson look a like in the crowd. Also saw the SW MN Christian students hold up umbrellas after a 3. That's quality. The game was a war with BBE controlling most of the 2nd half . BBE wins 54-45. Zach Huisken and Brian Goodwin absolutely outstanding for their teams. The entire game log will be part of my work for Northstar Hoops Report.

Czar's Class A All-Tournament Ballot
Brian Goodwin - BBE (my tourney MVP)
Connor Goodwin - BBE
Billy Borgerding - BBE (Kirby Montbriand made official team)
Zach Huisken - SW MN Christian
Andrew Top - SW MN Christian
Dominic Nibbelink - SW MN Christian (Klint Knudson made official team)
Nick Thompson - Rushford-Peterson
Trent Vix - Rushford-Peterson
Beau Herrig - MLBO
Carter Kirk - MLBO

2012 State Tourney Semis

Litchfield Dragon

So a very eventful set of semifinals at this year's state tournament. I wrote full game logs for the AAAA and AA semifinals for Northstar Hoops Report so you can check those out there. I didn't see the A or AAA semfinals so I'll leave those alone. On the lighter side of things, the Perham band always a unique site and great rock variety. Always fun to see a unique mascot, especially one that isn't prone to mange. This mascot also serves as a blowtorch when needed (e.g Dave Lee's shirt on Friday night). Its the Litchfield Dragon and while he gives an initial impression of Puff the Magic Dragon, this mascot needs no magic. Also props to the PEM Bulldog (picture was posted on Twitter, follow me now if you're not, you're missing out). Television wisdom for the younger readers, don't have a grandson with a dog collar.

The AA Semifinal between Litchfield and Perham has already ignited the almost annual shot clock debate caused by the AA semifinals. There's definitely a different taste for a defensive brand of basketball that isn't one for most average fans and can be difficult for many hardcore fans. Great twitter debate amongst some of the Tri-Metro coaches tonight about it (and that's a largely AA league). The game made up for much of the pain with a clear out and buzzer beater for the win. Litchfield with no name that sticks out but as much a team as any team out there.

Ditto that for Plainview-Elgin-Millville who took out St. Peter in the quarters and then handled Braham in the semis. They have athletes, some size and Cory Speer orchestrated it. Braham got another big night from Tyler Vaughan but not enough depth. After 34, 12 and 7 to steal one from St. Croix Lutheran, he added 35 and 10 tonight. Only other loss of the year for Braham was in the season opener at Hopkins.

Speaking of Hopkins, I have to talk about the Osseo vs Hopkins semifinal. What an amazing game that has to go down as one for the ages. It takes me back to Armstrong vs Buffalo from 2007 but even better. Each team had responses for the other. Big plays. Siyani Chambers goes out with 3 state titles and a semifinal loss where he stepped up large. Just no good way to give the game enough words.

A tale of 2 games in the other AAAA semifinal. Eden Prairie wins the first 16 minutes by 14 and then Lakeville North dominates from there. The Panthers front line impressive again and their defense holds down Grant Shaeffer after his quarterfinal explosion vs Eastview. Disappointing Eden Prairie crowd for the game. Eden Prairie will end up with Eastview, Lakeville North and Hopkins at state. Great matchup of front lines in the state title game with Johnson, Bloom, Gichaba and Theisen going up against Saarela, Rasmussen and Flack. 2 very strong and even teams.

2012 State Tourney Day 1

Much to my dismay I'm stuck in the real world for the day sessions for the forseeable future. But an entertaining day at the state tourney none the less. Thankfully I could listen on MSBN (thanks for the shout out on the Hopkins telecast guys). I have detailed reports from the AA quarters at Target Center during the night session as part of my Northstar Hoops Report work and if you're not a member shame on you, join now, its all hoops all the time, if you're a fan there's no place you'd rather be. Enough self-promotion, the games speak volumes so here's some thoughts on day 1 story lines.

So much for the top seeds rolling. #1 Hopkins was lucky to escape with a victory in a game I was totally wrong about. #3 Eastview goes out to Eden Prairie (not all that surprised at that one) and #2 Lakeville North had a struggle with Moorhead. #1 Washburn barely survived Rocori . #2 St. Peter crumbles late and #3 Braham needs a crazy comeback ending to beat St. Croix Lutheran. That last game was one that some may have thought was the best draw in the AA bracket.

Turn on the lights, the Party is just beginning. Tyler Vaughan goes nuts in Braham's win. Mitch Weg played very well in Worthington's loss to Perham. Perham's Jordan Bruhn jumps on to the big state with a great performance. By the way Eden Prairie's Grant Shaeffer had 2 points in the 1st half and then scored 39, yes 39! after halftime including 20 in a row. going into the overtime. Throw in a 3 at the regulation buzzer to force overtime and you have a performance for the ages.

Duluth East not only having players give up medals at the section final but everybody including the coaching staff wearing Akolda Manyang T-Shirts. Head Coach Chuck Tolo really going all out for the kid. He feels its worth his job which I commend if the kid is truly innocent. Hopefully it all works out for the kid and everybody in the program but a gigantic mess brewing there. Hard not to wonder what would have happened if Akolda had played and couldn't because he was innocent. If guilty then the East program has all kinds of egg on its face and it could cost Tolo his job (and it might anyway).

Litchfield probably the least flashy and noteworthy of any of the teams playing but they're sound and well-coached. The matchup with Perham is a very interesting one in Friday's semifinals. They made Watertown-Mayer pay for mistakes which all good teams do.

2012 Mr Basketball Finalists Announced

Here are the 5 finalists for the 2012 Mr Basketball Award

Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Joey King - Eastview
Sanjay Lumpkin - BSM
Johnny Woodard - Duluth East
Isaiah Zierden - BSM

King and Chambers were absolute locks and you have to think that if one of their teams wins the state title that the Mr Basketball award will go that direction. Lumpkin and Zierden might have been questionable after losing in the 6AAA final but they are 2 of the best prospects in the state and they were number one most of the season. No problem with either one making it, both is a little more dicey but hard to argue against. Most interesting case is Woodard. He sat out until the Timberwolves Shooout and the Greyhounds needed a buzzer beater from halfcourt with him fouled out just to make state. That said he's been dominant (see TWolves Shootout vs future Gopher Wally Ellenson) and had a huge impact on East when he returned. Definitely was a name everybody thought would be in the discussions. All of these are D1 level kids and that definitely appeared to be a major factor to the committee.

Kids going off to the NSIC and at small schools will feel snubbed by this list. That includes Tyler Vaughan from Braham (MN-Moorhead) and Zach Huisken (Augustana) from SW MN Christian who have had their teams on top of the polls all year and have played very well. Vaughan's 53 point game in the section final made him a lock on my list. Mitch Weg (SMSU) had a great year for Worthington leading his team to a state over Michael Busack (Mankato) of Redwood Valley. He never had the high recognition of the others. I would have gone with 4 big school kids and 1 small school for balance. That would have meant 1 of this group and then 2 from Woodard, Zierden and Lumpkin.

Lightning strikes 3 times

Prologue
Out to Burnsville for the 3AAAA final and the 3rd show by the Eastview Apple Valley circus. I arrive at 5:30 and the line is already up the stairs, down the hall and 40 feet out the door. It ends up twice as long later. Thankfully I find the Presold line and jump right in before the concession stand gets out of hand. Then its about 60% full when I enter 55 minutes before tip. Sounds like 200+ (and probably much more than that) were turned away. The building is cozy and with the amazing weather, the gym (especially up high in my seat) is an absolute sauna. Might need another 24 oz Pepsi after using the 1st to wash down the cheese pizza. Both bands in attendance and quality choices starting 45 minutes before intros. Apple Valley pulls out a Queen classic Crazy Little Thing Called Love. But the final Song of the Day for this season goes to the Eastview band.

Song of the Day
Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf

Game Time
The 1st half pace is very slow and you'd think that would favor Eastview. But its Apple Valley that jumps out to an 8-2 lead behind a pair of Tyus Jones buckets and an assist for another. 8-2 Eagles at the 15:07 mark. Joey King starts to get it going. He finds Jordan Bulger for 2 on the high/low feed. Then he counters a Tyus assist with a faceup jumper out of the post. Apple Valley guards really annoyed the Eastview bigs early by digging inside and sagging but they got used to it. 13-8 Apple Valley at the 8:05 mark. Bolger with 2 more and then King 6 straight Eastview points to put the Lightning ahead 16-15. That's their 1st lead. Dustin Fronk with a pullup jumper in the lane then he goes the other way on the break. Ben Oberfeld sprints back and challenges that for a miss and then hustles the other way and King finds him running for a layup. Impressive sequence there. Its sends Eastview to the locker room ahead 21-18 at the half. King with 13 of those points but didn't shoot it well. Tyus with 7.

Quinn Trusty for 2, Oberfeld with the face up jumper in the post and Chris Narum for 3. 7-0 run for a 28-18 lead at the 16:31 mark. Apple Valley takes a timeout to regroup. They stay close and then Harry Sonie for 3, Tyus for 2 and then off a screen roll, Tyus to Dennis Austin who regroups and goes to the reverse at the 12:15 mark. 35-32 Eastview hanging on to the lead. Tyus with a putback at the 10:30 mark to keep the lead at 38-34. Then 8 in a row from the Lightning. After a long possession, Oberfeld puts back a miss and then finds Bolger on the post give and go. King drives for 2 and makes the tough shot. Tyus with the rare turnovers and Oberfeld runs and Darin Haugh finds him for a layup with 5:48 left. 46-34 Eastview with the lead and it looks to be over.

Haugh with a drive and then find Bolger for another layup with 3:10 left. 51-39 Eastview leading. Apple Valley won't go quietly. Tyus with 2 free throws and Eastview misses a front end. Harry Sonie with a 3 at the 2:20 mark to cut the lead to 9. Then more missed Eastview free throws and Tyus gets fouled shooting a 3. Might have kicked his legs out to draw it but he's crafty like that. He makes all 3 with 1:52 left to cut the lead to 6, 53-47. Jump ball to Eastview, they drive and miss a layup with 1:30 left. Tyus has a long 3 go all the way down and come out and Bolger converts it for a layup. Surely it has to be over now.

Not yet. Dustin Fronk was cold all night but knocks down a 3 with 53 seconds left and the lead is 5. Eastview turns it over and Fronk has a good look at 3 that's short. Tyus misses a 3 with 28 seconds left. Eastview misses another front end and Chris Laymon comes off the AV bench cold to knock down a 3 with 12.5 left. Holy cow we have a 2 point game. Eastview has 2 timeouts but they get called for a quick 5 second call on the inbound. Oh My! Apple Valley has it back with a chance to tie or lead. Tyus to the lane and into the trees. There's some contact but no whistle and Joey King comes away with the miss with 5.5 seconds left. He makes 2 free throws and that seals it. Eastview wins 57-53.

Post Game
Apple Valley ends their season at 23-6. All 6 losses were to teams that will play at state next week (3 to Eastview, 2 to Lakeville North and 1 to Eden Prairie). They lose only 1 senior and almost all of their firepower back with Tyus Jones, Dustin Fronk and Harry Sonie returning. Expect them to be a top 5 team and favored to make state out of this section next year. Tyus Jones leads the way with 20 points but thanks to cold shooting his assist number was kept down. The pace of the game certainly helped slow him down too. Harry Sonie with 3 3s for 9. Dustin Fronk had a few good looks but only saw 1 3 go in. He finished with 7 points. One of those nights where the ball just doesn't want to go in. Despite Eastview's struggles to close the game out, give the Eagles credit for making a comeback. You can see the will to win in Tyus Jones.

Joey King leads Eastview with 20 points and I had him for 9 rebounds. He struggled with his shot in the 1st half. Ben Oberfeld 11 points and 18 rebounds. Another case of Apple Valley's lack of size haunting them. Jordan Bolger with the surprise of the night as he comes off the bench and scores 14 points. Always that guy you don't expect in a big game that puts you over the top and Bolger was outstanding. Eastview stayed mostly man but did show some triangle and 2 against Jones and Fronk. Teams did that this year and watching Apple Valley next year should be interesting to see how much opponents go to it. Eastview would be my 2 seed at the state tournament. Lakeville North 1, Hopkins 3, Osseo 4 with Duluth East and Eden Prairie wanting that 4th spot but ending up as teams you don't want to draw. I go with Lakeville North due to the win at Eastview in last meeting. Hopkins without Stahl has to go behind Eastview due to Eastview's win over BSM and the Hopkins loss to BSM without Stahl. Osseo definitely the best of the rest.

Rubber match for 4AAAA title

Prologue
Off to East Ridge for the section 4AAAA final between the top 2 teams in the Suburban East. Roseville and Woodbury split their regular season meetings on each other's home court, 89-75 Royals at Roseville, and a 77-76 Roseville win at Woodbury. A late change of plans sends me to this game and I just make it with 2 minutes to spare before tip. Big line out the door but surprisingly empty in the upper decks while the lower decks were full.

Game Time
Renard Suggs another quality outing in this one for Woodbury. He starts the game with a long 3. Then a spin for 2 for the Woodbury lead. Rickey Suggs ends 5 in a row for the Royals. Then Renard goes the other way off a blocked shot for the dunk. 7-0 run for a 17-11 Woodbury lead at the 9:45 mark. Jordan Burich in the middle has been in foul trouble in the 1st 2 meetings but he stays out of it tonight and a big first half. He knocks down a jumper and scores on the block. After a Renard Suggs 3, Burich converts a feed for a layup. Tied at 20 at the 7:20 mark. Rickey Suggs with the drive and then a blocked shot for a Renard Suggs layup. Mack Johnson with the runner and a bomb then Burich follows a miss with a 2 handed tip dunk. The 7-0 run forces a Woodbury timeout at the 4:27 mark. Mack Johnson with another 3 to end a 10-0 Raiders run. Roseville leading 32-24 inside of 4. Burich 2 late blocks and he was on the glass too in a very productive first half. 36-28 Roseville at halftime. Renard Suggs and Mack Johnson cancel each other out with 2 3s and 3 buckets. Burich with 10 points and 3-4 blocks.

A 10-2 spurt opens the biggest Roseville lead of the night. Emeche Wells flying in for a putback and he drives for 2 more . Burich with a block on one end and ends up with a layup on the other. 46-32 Roseville with 12:47 to play and Woodbury talks it over. These 3 meetings have been all about runs and this game was no different. Woodbury gets a putback from Rickey Suggs. Renard Suggs with a steal for a dunk and a BLOB layup. Tack on another steal for 2. 48-41 Roseville at the 10:33 mark after the 9-2 run. Rickey Suggs with another putback, very active on the boards in this one. Tyler Graves off the Woodbury bench with a pair of 3s and a nice give and go for 2 from Connor McKeen. Roseville lead is cut to 52-51 with 8:25 left. 20-5 Royals run in 4:20. Woodbury would then miss 2 chances to take the lead. Burich swatting away one of those chances. Wells to Burich for a layup with 5:05 left and Roseville clinging to a 56-53 lead. After a Woodbury free throw, McKeen with a great backcut for a layup while his defender ends up somewhere near the volleyball line. 56 all with 3:45 to play. Renard Suggs with the reverse layup off the inbounds to tie the game at 58 with 3:05 left. Renard gets it back but Burich swats him with 2:19 left. Ryan Fritze makes 1 of 2 free throws with 2:09 left and Woodbury finally has the lead 59-58.

Renard Suggs with a steal for 2 free throws with 1:56 left. Mack Johnson comes back with the 1 bounce straight away 3 that's nothing but net with 1:40 to play. That ties the game at 61. Woodbury with a quick bad shot and Roseville has it back. The teams trade turnovers and Roseville rushes their shot when they get it back. Woodbury has it back with 45 seconds to play and they hold for 1. Renard Suggs gets the ball and it looks like 1-4 low. But the play gets started late and it becomes a fading 3. A second putback attempt is good but well after the buzzer and correctly waved off. Tied at 61 as we'll play overtime.

Renard Suggs with a putback and gets out after a Roseville miss for a dunk. 65-61 Woodbury with 2:55 left. Then a defensive gamble ends up with a pass to a wide open Mack Johnson who drains the 3. Woodbury has a 3 go in and out and Wells drives and converts 2 free throws on the other end. 66-65 Raiders with 1:48 left in OT. After a Woodbury free throw, Roseville has it back. On the drive, up in the air but no shot twist and nobody there to receive the pass except an opponent. Woodbury has it back as we go inside a minute tied at 66. Renard Suggs on the pick and roll finds McKeen going toward the rim. McKeen makes the extra pass to a wide open Diallo Powell for a layup with 25 seconds left. Roseville brings the ball to the front court and nothing develops. They take timeout with 10.2 seconds left down by 2. The set looks to be drawn up for Johnson as a misdirection (look like flex cut but come back high). Roseville doesn't wait for him and it becomes a 1 on 1 force. The shot is long, Woodbury grabs that and a berth in the state tournament. 68-66 Woodbury wins in overtime

Post Game
For Roseville, a tough loss considering they had a 14 point lead with 12:47 to play. Mack Johnson leads with 4 3s and 22 points. Jordan Burich with 14 points and likely had a double digit rebounds and around 5 blocks. He stayed out of foul trouble and was very productive. Emeche Wells 10 points. Roseville ends an outstanding season at 24-5. 4 of the 5 losses by a total of 11 points and 2 of those in overtime. Emeche Wells and Collin Johnson are important losses but they have their backcourt returning as well as Burich so expect the Raiders to contend again next year in the Suburban East.

For Woodbury, Renard Suggs has another huge game vs Roseville. This time he only makes 2 3s but lots to the rim has he goes for 28 points. Rickey Suggs active on the glass with 12 points. Tyler Graves with the 6 points on 2 3s during the big 20-5 run that got Woodbury back in the game when they were down 14. Not a great shooting night for either team and that wasn't just because of shot selection. Woodbury will most likely draw against a top 4 team. That's a team with size like Osseo, Lakeville North or Eastview, which Woodbury doesn't have, or Hopkins who matches up well defensively. None of those are good draws.

3AAA Top Seeds Move On

Prologue
Off to Blaine for the section 3AAA semifinals. They're the only game in town and the coaches were out. Augsburg, UW-River Falls, St. John's, St. Thomas, Crookston, Bemidji St, Dakota County, Rochester Community and Tech College just some of the colleges in the building. No food at the building as I had Burger King on the way and no I didn't wear the crown afterwards. Don't laugh. You all wanted the Burger King cardboard crown as kids too, you know you did. Hot dogs looked pretty good though. Respectable crowd on hand and great props to the Blaine crowd control for putting students in their own area and helping fans (e.g me) not get stuck behind them. Rare to have crowd control at a game and have it do its job well. Also the usual outstanding performance from the St. Anthony pep band.

Game 1: #1 Spring Lake Park vs #4 Totino-Grace
Game of contrasts here with the small and frenetic Panthers taking on the slow paced Eagles and their big man Nick Carr. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica with 3 bombs. Sean Scott adds 2 more bombs and a takes a steal for a dunk. 23-13 Spring Lake Park at the 8:30 mark. The full court man pressure from Spring Lake Park really bothering Totino-Grace and they're turning it over. Scott knocks down 2 free throws and another 3 after a pair of turnovers. That 3 pushes the lead to 40-20 at the 4:12 mark. 45-29 Spring Lake Park at half. Nick Carr with 13 in the half for Totino-Grace. Scott 15 for Spring Lake Park.

The Panthers shot selection in the 2nd half allows the Eagles to get back in the game. Carr 2 inside buckets, a kick to Sam Meyer for 3 and a post bucket on the side out of bounds. Meyer adds another 3 and Spring Lake Park needs a timeout. 47-41 Spring Lake Park with 13:25 to play. 21-7 Eagles run in less than 8 minutes. Thimmesch-Slepica a putback and his 4th 3 of the night and its back to double digits. But he commits his 4th foul moments later and sits with 11:01 to play. Carr with the lefty finish for 2 and an assist on an Andy Moritko layup. 57-50 Panthers with 9:35 left. Robert Ben with back to back layups on the same inbounds play underneath as the lead grows back to 13. Carr on the block and Meyer to the fadeaway and its back down to 9 with 5:38 to play, 63-54. Scott with a tip for 2 and Thimmesch-Slepica back in with a steal for 2 as Spring Lake Park puts it away. 73-56 Spring Lake Park wins despite a very ugly second half. Sean Scott 19 points to lead the Panthers. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica 14 points and was the glue guy. Nick Carr was a handful inside with 25 points. Sam Meyer got loose for 4 3s and 23 points. The Eagles did try some triangle and 2 on Scott and Bryce Williams in a strategy that made sense but Slepica was big early.

Game 2: #2 De La Salle vs #3 St. Anthony
St. Anthony really focused on Reid Travis and Luke Scott in this one. They used triangle and 2 with both in the game and diamond and 1 with only 1 of them in the game. Throw in some 2-3 zone to boot. Huskies star Anthony Brama starting strong with a drive for 2 and a layup. Timeout DLS at the 11:31 mark with St. Anthony leading 11-8. He scores 12 of the 1st 15 for St. Anthony before DLS slows him down. After a couple of early buckets Jarvis Johnson adds 2 more buckets as DLS opens the lead to 27-21 at the 4 minute mark. Then Johnson with back to back 3s from in front of the Huskies and Spike Lee must be on the Huskies bench as Johnson has some words. 33-23 Islanders at the 2 minute mark. 33-25 Islanders at the half. Brama and Johnson with 14 each.

The second half has Reid Travis take control. His back to back buckets push the lead to 41-28 at the 15:15 mark. After a Huskies timeout, he catches on the right block and goes to the Hakeem Olajuwon baseline spin (always a travel) for the dunk. He adds a layup and the lead is 17. Travis on the offensive glass for 2 more and his backup James Lawson with a tip for 2. 49-31 with 12:15 left. That ends a 16-4 run. Then some deja vu as Brama would make 3 triples to keep it respectable (like the 1st meeting). But the lead is never less than 14 again. De La Salle wins 73-54. Reid Travis 26 points and 9 rebounds. 18 of those points in the 2nd half. Jarvis Johnson 14 of his 16 in the 1st half. Luke Scott 3 more bombs and 15 points. Anthony Brama finishes his career with 29 points.

2012 Section 5AAAA Semifinals

Prologue
Its off to Rogers and the theater seating for the 5AAAA section finals. Its a pair of defending section champs in game 1 and an upstart with a star looking for another upset in game 2. Mediocre hot dog as the pizza wasn't ready yet. I had to resist the temptation to have the mini donuts. Quality music on the public address and from the Cooper pep band. Nothing like 50 Cent for the introductions. Find me in the gym.

Game 1: #1 Osseo vs #4 Maple Grove
The first half was all about Bridge Tusler of Osseo. He drives for back to back buckets for a 9-6 Orioles lead. Then Tusler for 3 after Maple Grove reclaimed the lead on a Bryce Wojta 3 at the 9:35 mark. Tusler drives and finishes on the left side with left hand. Lets add 2 more on the block.. 23-19 Osseo at the 4:28 mark and Tusler has 15 of those 23. Soph star post Ian Theisen with a pair of free throws on a post up and another post bucket to push the lead to 9 inside a minute to play in the half. Jake Weineke drives for 2 and Grant Kaufman knocks down a 3 to cut the Osseo lead to 31-27 at the half. Tusler with 17 points.

Maple Grove would cut the lead to 2 before a pair of Tusler buckets started an 8-0 run. 41-31 Osseo with 15:20 to play. Pick and roll for Theisen to convert on the reverse layup and he blocks a shot that leads to a Tusler bucket. DJ Hebert drains a 3 and the total run is 17-5. 50-36 Osseo with 12:35 to play. Maple Grove would cut the lead to 8 with 5:40 remaining. Wojta with a nice cut for a layup and reserve post Erik Olson with a putback to end that run. But Maple Grove would not threaten from there. Orioles move on to the section final with a 67-59 win. Bridge Tusler leads all scorers with 29 points. No answer for his strength and getting to the rim. Ian Theisen 15 points and 8 boards going up against the big body of Bemidji State recruit Dan Lochner. Jake Weineke leads Maple Grove with 14.

Game 2: #3 Champlin Park vs #7 Robbinsdale Cooper
Cooper looks in great shape early as Rashad Vaughn scores on a turnover and a jumper. 10-2 Hawks at the 14:14 mark (10-0 run after giving up opening bucket). Vaughn to new starting center Curtis Shelby for 2 and then Vaughn scores after an Eric Brown steal and leaks out on a loose ball for a dunk. 16-9 Hawks at the 11:25 mark and Vaughn has 8. Shelby and Vaughn with another basket each as the lead grows to 22-11 at the 8:25 mark. Champlin Park makes a comeback behind back center Brennan Witt, a sophomore. He scores 8 points in the next 5 minutes as the Rebels cut the lead to 4. Vaughn and Shelby with buckets again. Cooper stretches the lead back to 7, 29-22 at halftime.

Trevor Garrison again had the task of trying to slow Vaughn down but he scores 6 quick points to start the half. Cooper's lead cut to 31-30 with 15:18 to play. Vaughn's pair of free throws with 12:18 left pushes the lead back to 5, 37-32. Witt and Garrison add buckets and with Vaughn changing jerseys on the bench (blood), Anthony Hill goes to the headfake and nails the jumper in the lane for a 38-37 Champlin Park lead. That's their 1st lead since the opening basket. Vaughn returns at the 9:50 mark but Cooper has 6 guys on the floor. That's a technical with the Hawks clinging to a 39-38 lead. It would be their last lead. The Rebels miss both free throws but Hill converts on the possession and then buries a 3. Champlin Park misses back to back front ends but Cooper can't score. Witt comes back and gets the switch on the cross screen. The high-low feed nets him 2 free throws with 5:12 left. 45-39 Champlin Park with the lead after a 13-2 run in 7 minutes. Witt with a nice block on Vaughn and the crowd thought he got Vaughn again but Vaughn makes 2 free throws on the foul. 2:50 left and the Rebels lead 45-41. Rebels hold and make 1 free throw. The Hawks miss a front end. By the time Vaughn makes his first field goal of the half at the 1:07 mark its nothing more than a foul shooting contest. Champlin Park wins 56-48 and will face Osseo for the section title on Friday. The Rebels hold Cooper to 12 points in the first 16:53 of the half. Anthony Hill leads Champlin Park with 18 points. Soph Brennan Witt played very well inside and got the 2nd half start for his play. He finishes with 14 points. Rashad Vaughn leads Cooper with 21 points and 8 rebounds but he was held down in the 2nd half. 5 of his points were in the last 1:07 after the outcome was fairly certain. Nice to see Curtis Shelby rewarded with the start tonight after his solid performance off the bench in the win over Park Center.

2012 Section Semi Saturday

Prologue
I continue my extremes of the metro tour with a pair of section semifinals. Nothing like 4 games in 2 locations with big stakes. Quality pizza at Burnsville and Chaska. The 24 oz Pepsi at Burnsville always a must have too. Nice work in the Prior Lake student section with the retro blue Denver Nuggets jersey. That's a quality Alex English jersey. Very good crowd at Burnsville and next Friday there should be an absolute zoo.

Game 1: #1 Eden Prairie vs #4 Bloomington Kennedy #2AAAA Semifinal #1
Grant Schaeffer for 3, an assist to Andre Wallace for 3 and Schaeffer for 3 again. 16-4 EP at the 12:34 mark and Kennedy needs their 2nd timeout. They settle down and cut the lead down to 5 thanks to a 6-0 run with 4 points from junior Jumah'ri Turner. 20-15 EP at the 6:06 mark. Soph CJ Lewis with a 3 to cut the lead to 27-23. Then center Jordan Peterson with the hustle save for a Wallace floater. Peterson adds a 3 point play to end the half. 34-26 EP at the break. Turner hits a 3 for the 1st Kennedy bucket of the 2nd half to cut the lead to 7 but Kennedy would get no closer. Center Jacob Kohner with a pair of buckets in a 6-0 run that cuts the EP lead to 61-53 with 7:10 left. Kennedy would only get 1 more basket the rest of the way. EP moves on 74-57. Sander Mohn with 22 points, 12 in the 1st half. Soph Andre Wallace with 18, junior PG Grant Schaeffer with 16. Jumah'ri Turner 14 to lead Kennedy.

Game 2: #2 Chanhassen vs #3 Prior Lake
This one was tight the entire way. Biggest 1st half lead was 4 points by Chanhassen. Star soph PG Jon Sobaski would erase that quickly for Prior Lake with a burst to the rack for 2, a steal for 2 more and 2 free throws on another turnover. Carson Shanks sits the last 9:01 with 2 fouls but Prior Lake has Jack Kaiser. Kaiser goes back and forth with Storm star Kevin Jensen in the last 3 minutes. Kaiser scores 6, Jensen 8 in that stretch with a pair of 3s. 32-31 Chanhassen at the half.

Shanks picks up a quick 3rd foul on a double foul fighting inside (I always hate the double foul call as there's usually a personal long before that point, thank you John Lithgow for that call). Shanks goes back to the bench for the next 6 minutes. 38-34 Chanhassen at the 14:51 mark before a Prior Lake run. Noah Scanlon for 3, set play for a Evan Kotchevar 3, Sobaski for 3 and a steal for 2 more to end an 11-2 Lakers run. 45-40 Prior Lake with 11:45 to play. Chanhassen counters with 8 straight as Cole Otto drains a 3 to end the run and break a 45 all tie. Shanks back in the game and he immediately goes to work with 6 Lakers points in a row from the left block. 53-51 Chanhassen with 6:40 left. Jensen on the post with a pair of Chanhassen buckets as the Storm go ahead 59-53 with 4:35 left. The Storm have a couple of rough possessions and the Lakers come back. Kotchevar with a pair of free throws and another rendition of the same set play finds Kotchevar for another bomb just inside 3 to play. Tie game at 59. He then goes back door and is fouled for 1 of 2 free throws. That was after the teams traded turnovers. 60-59 Lakers with 1:29 left. Storm point guard Brandon Arnold drives for 2 and then steals the inbounds. After a timeout, Prior Lake goes to a trap and forces a turnover with 1:05 left. Prior Lake misses a couple of chances and they have to foul freshman Joey Witthus with 24.6 left. He drains both. Kotchevar gets loose for another 3 (same set) and we're tied at 63 with 8.8 to go. Arnold gets down the lane and can't get the layup to drop in the last 3 seconds and we'll go to overtime.

Jared Lea with a steal and basket with 1:20 left in the overtime for a 67-65 Chanhassen lead. Shanks gets the ball on the left block but its low and under the basket and it ends up in a turnover with 46.1 to play. Jensen makes 2 free throws with 26.9 left and then Witthus is pure with 2 at the 13.9 mark to seal it. Chanhassen moves on to play Eden Prairie next Friday with the 71-67 win. Kevin Jensen 18 and 9, Witthus with 12. Evan Kotchevar 5 3s and 20 points to lead Prior Lake. Jon Sobaski 19, Carson Shanks 10.

Game 3: #1 Eastview vs #4 Eagan
Joey King with the 1st 5 for Eastview. Lightning point guard was outstanding in this one. He knocks down 3 straight 3s. Eagan guard Nick Sabatke counters that with 2 of his own. That keeps Eagan within 17-15 at the 9:35 mark. King with a pair of buckets to sandwich another Haugh triple (4th of half). The Eastview lead opens up to 24-15 at the 5:45 mark. That's a 13-3 Eastview run as Eagan once led 12-11 after the 1st Sabatke 3. Haugh nails another 3 and beats the halftime buzzer. 31-24 Eastview at half.

The Eastview defense dominates the second half. The Lightning go on a 15-2 run over the 1st 9 minutes of the half. Joey King highlighting that with a lefty bullet touch pass to Jordan Bolger for a layup. Bolger would get another layup off a Haugh steal as he was all over the place pressuring the ball. 46-26 Lightning at the 9:15 mark. Haugh splits a trap and finds Quinn Trusty for a layup. Great look. Eastview rolls from there to a 62-43 win. Darin Haugh 6 3s and 21 points (17 1st half) in another marvelous performance. Joey King with 20 but was fairly quiet. Nick Sabatke led Eagan with 16 points. Shea Mandli had foul trouble all game and was held to 6 points by the big Eastview front line.

Game 4: #2 Apple Valley vs #3 Cretin-Derham Hall
Cretin-Derham Hall would knock down 2 3s to start the game with a 6-2 lead. Apple Valley would counter wtih a 14-1 run. Tyus Jones giving the ball up early and Dustin Fronk was one of the beneficiaries. He knocks down 2 3s and scores 10 points in that run. 16-7 Eagles at the 12:12 mark. Fronk with another 3 to stretch the lead to 22-12 at the 10:53 mark. CDH would cut the lead to 2 thanks to back to back triples from frosh Sam Neumann and point guard Cortez Tillman. 26-24 Apple Valley just inside the 6 minute mark. Tyus with the pullup and then a crazy good bounce pass to Mitch Hechsel running down the middle for 2 more. Tyus for 2 more and splits the defense (ooh) for another bucket. Fronk ends the scoring in the half with another 3. 41-33 Apple Valley at half.

CDH comes out pounding the ball inside with their height advantage (something they could have done much more of). CJ Neumann starts it on the 1st possession with a set postup, Luke Hamel adds a pair of buckets inside. Tillman knocks down a pair of 3s. That allows CDH to pull within 1, 46-45, with 15:42 to play after the 12-5 start. CJ Neumann with a tip in and a nice cut that he converts for 2. That ties the game at 51 with 14:20 to play. Tyus with a steal for 2 and he leans in for another bucket and gets the foul call. That easily could have been a charge or no call. It a 9-0 run in under 2 minutes. 60-51 Apple Valley in the lead with 12:33 left. The CDH bench pulls the Raiders back in it. Frosh Jashon Cornell with a putback and Teddy Chapman for 3. 62-57 Apple Valley with 10:39 left and Apple Valley takes timeout. Hechsel with a jumper after a CDH T and then a putback for 3. Bang just like that the lead is back to 11, 68-57 with 8:29 left. He adds another bucket before a Taylor Montero 3. 72-65 Eagles with 5:25 left. Then Tyus draws a cheap foul and buries 2 free throws. After a CDH miss, he throws a full court pass on the money which is kicked out for a Fronk 3. 77-65 Apple Valley with the lead and CDH needs a timeout with 4:12 left. The senior Montero not going out without a fight. He knocks down a 3, then a jumper and another pullup jumper after an Eagles turnover. 78-73 Eagles with 2:21 left. CDH gets no closer as Tyus drives for 2 and drains 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch. Apple Valley moves on to play Eastview on Friday with the 87-76 win. Tyus Jones ends up with 33 points and 8-10 assists. He was 13-15 from the foul line, all in the 2nd half. Dustin Fronk a huge night with 29 points and 6 3s. 18 of those points in the 1st half. Taylor Montero leads CDH with 21 points. Cortez Tillman 5 3s and 17 points. CJ Neumann 15 points but I was surprised he was utilized more inside against the undersized Apple Valley front line.

Stat of the Night: Apple Valley shoots 23-26 from 2 point range.

2012 6AAAA Semifinals

Prologue
Off to Osseo for the 6AAAA Semifinals. It an all Lake Conference affair the entire league except Eden Prairie represented. The Dominos pizza is always a quality choice with the finest beverage around, Pepsi.

Game 1: Hopkins vs Wayzata
Biggest story here was Wayzata's ability to slow the pace and hang around. Kyle Kalivoda with a steal and the foul for the 3 point play. He finds Brad Carlson for a layup and then Carlson takes the kick out and buries the 3. 18-12 Trojans with the lead on Hopkins at the 8:10 mark. Demetrius Martin with a layup, Zach Stahl with a putback, Martin for 3 as Hopkins goes on a 15-5 run. Sam Joiner with a pair of buckets as Wayzata hangs around 29-26 Hopkins at half.

The 2nd half pace is very slow. Zach Stahl slips to the rim for 2 off the baseline out of bounds set and Martin takes a steal the other way for a layup. 42-36 Hopkins looking to pull away with 11:29 left. Martin drives to extend the lead to 8 with 11 minutes left. But Hopkins would go scoreless for the next 4:13. Colin Nugent puts back a miss and then a leaning 3 with 6:40 left to end a 7-0 run. 44-43 Hopkins and we have a game. But Hopkins goes on a 10-0 run to put the game away. 3 turnovers during the run keep the Trojans from scoring. Stahl goes coast to coast for 2 and Siyani Chambers adds 2 free throws as the run ends up at 14-1. 58-44 Hopkins with 2:52 left. They go on to win 66-53. Demetrius Martin leads Hopkins with 20. Zach Stahl 15 and 7. Siyani Chambers 12. Colin Nugent with 20 points to lead Wayzata. Zach Robertson 11.

Game 2: Edina vs Minnetonka
This has the Grim Reaper written all over it (I've seen seed upsets the last 2 nights). Edina won both head-head meetings and was a game ahead of Minnetonka in conference but got the 3 seed. Ultimately it only changes the color of the jerseys for this game. So while this would technically be a seed upset, in reality Edina would have to be the favorite. Skippers mascot is gangly and not proportional but was crazy tonight. Always happy and active.

Edina center Reggie Lynch swatting shots all over the place early in the game. Hornets jump out to a 10-2 lead at the 14:12 mark. Tommy McDermott and Joe Risinger for 3 to bring Tonka back within 12-10. 7 in a row from the Hornets in response. The lead grows to 21-12 at the 5:29 mark and Tonka needs another timeout. Tonka starting 4-24 from the floor according to reports. They finally get some offense going with back to back buckets from McDermott. He adds on the last 4 of the half. Tonka cuts the lead to 26-24 at the half.

Risinger opens the half for 3 off the set play. Andrew Turnblad dives down the lane and takes the feed for 2 handed hammer dunk . A bucket and free throw from Riley Dearring. 32-26 Tonka with 15:02 left. That's a 20-5 run across halftime. Edina's star point guard Graham Woodward with the pullup and a pretty lefty dropstep from Lynch to cut the lead to 2. Andrew Grosz with the jumper and another jumper. Lynch fouls him on the 2nd jumper for the 3 point play with 12:27 left and that's big because its his 4th foul. To the bench he goes. 37-30 Tonka with the lead. Mark Handberg with 6 in a row and the lead is back down to 2. 40-38 Skippers with 10 minutes left.

Latrell Love on the post for 2 free throws and gets away with a hook for 2 more on the baseline spin. 48-41 Tonka with 8 minutes left. Good work taking advantage of Lynch being on the bench with fouls. That stretch shows a change needs to be made and here comes Lynch back in to the game at the 7:26 mark. Riley Dearring for 3 to push the lead to 8, 51-43 with 6:50 left. Edina would respond with Woodward for 3 and a pair of free throws thanks to the bonus. Hornets buzz into a trap and force a turnover. Lynch converts that with the baseline drive and reverse layup for the 3 point play. 51 all with 5:44 to play. McDermott back to back buckets. Edina counters with Woodward giving the handback to Flip Deberg in the left corner for 3. Then Lynch with his only block of the 2nd half and that leads to 2 Deberg free throws. 58-55 Edina with 3:08 left.

McDermott with 2 free throws but Lynch counters with another picture perfect lefty drop step and finish. Tonka turns it over twice before Woodward makes 2 free throws with 1:48 left. Then a loose ball into the backcourt. Tonka doesn't want to touch it because of over and back. Woodward with the great play to dive on it in front of the Edina bench. They get the timeout to preserve the turnover. Huge play there with 1:38 left. The rest is free throws and Tonka commits 2 more turnovers. Edina wins 70-63.

Graham Woodward leads the Hornets with 24 points. Reggie Lynch 14 points and 7 blocks, most of those in the early portions of the 1st half. That made it clear the lane was his. While his shooting range is still limited, he's added some footwork inside with the nice dropsteps. Flip Deberg also in double figures with 12. Tommy McDermott leads the Skippers with 24 points. 4 other players with 8 or 9 points but nobody else in double figures. Very surprised Edina didn't use Lynch more against Latrell Love when Love came off the bench. Lynch's height and length something to bother Love. On the other end, I thought there would be much more of Joe Risinger or Riley Dearring guarding Graham Woodward.

Vaughn leads Hawks to upset

Prologue
Off to Park Center to the 2nd seeded Pirates take on a natural rival that they should play more in 7th seed Robbinsdale Cooper. Outstanding Walking Taco done in a plastic salad tin. As much as the concept of the bag is important, having the tin does make it much easier to deal with. Late entry for the crowd but we do have the always loud Park Center student section.

Game Time
Quinton Hooker in the lineup but he missed the last 2 days of school due to illness so we'll see how he does. His coast to coast dash and lefty finish puts Park Center up 7-4 at the 15:10 mark. Then Cooper goes on a big run. Rashad Vaughn with the nice left to right spin for 2 and another layup. He adds 2 free throws after a Leroy Taylor 3. The total run is 17-0 in 5:45. 21-7 Hawks at the 9:10 mark. Vaughn banks in a 3 as everything seems to be for the Hawks on this night. He adds 2 more free throws to keep the lead at 14. Vaughn then drives for 2 and finds backup center Curtis Shelby for 2 more. Taylor makes both ends of the bonus and the lead is 35-19 at the 3:54 mark. The Pirates counter with an 11-2 run before the half. Treyton Daniels with 4 free throws to start the run, adds 1 of 2 more from the foul line vs the 3-2 zone and an easy 2 handed follow dunk to end the run just before the half. 39-30 Cooper at the break.

Hooker held down in the 1st half and at times he looked winded. But he came out ready to play in the 2nd half. He makes back to back jumpers to cut the lead to 7. Then Vaughn to Shelby again for a layup. That's after an extra pass nets a wide open 3 for the Hawks. 48-36 Cooper with 15:19 to play as they take the Momentum Killer timeout. Daniels with a free throw and a putback. Then Hooker for 3 and a Josh Matthews 3 point play. Park Center right back in the game down 50-45 with 12:49 left after a 9-2 run. Cooper goes 1-3 from the charity stripe before Josh Matthews makes a pair of freebies to cut the lead to 4.

Then Vaughn and Hooker go after it. Vaughn spins for 2, Hooker puts back his own miss, Vaughn slices his way to the basket for 2. Good body control to avoid the charge. Hooker to Daniels for a layup cutting down the lane after hanging in the air on the baseline under the basket. 55-51 Cooper with 10:27 left. Vaughn with a tip and another Taylor 3 to end a 7-2 spurt. 62-53 Hawks with 7:25 left. Pirates won't go away. Daniels for 2, Hooker with a pair of free throws. Then Hooker fouled off the ball while Isaiah McKay was in the act of shooting a 3. He doesn't get it off before the whistle but he was in the act so score that 3 and Hooker will shoot the 1 and 1. Strange play but upon further review that is the correct rules interpretation. He makes 1 of those 2 free throws to cut the Hawks lead to 64-61 with 5:14 left. Daniels with another putback and the lead is down to 2. Cooper turns it over and Park Center can't convert going the other way with a chance to tie. 4:34 left 65-63 Cooper lead and Hooker goes down with cramps but he'll stay in and gut it out. Vaughn to Shelby to the kick out to Billy Kellogg for the left corner 3. McKay with another 3 to counter that. Shelby with a putback and the lead is back to 4. 70-66 Hawks 2:55 left. That was the last gasp from the Pirates. Josh Matthews banks in a 3 with 42 seconds left to cut the margin to 5. Cooper pulls the upset 79-69.

Post Game
For Park Center, they finish the season at 18-9. They were definitely better than I expected. Its a roster with no seniors, plenty of athletes, enough size, a star in Hooker and a nice complementary piece in Daniels. No reason why the Pirates can't be at least a 2 seed next season. Treyton Daniels leads with 21 points. Quinton Hooker 18 points and a handful of assists. Josh Matthews 16 points.

For Cooper, they advance to face 3 seed Champlin Park next Tuesday at Rogers and I'll be there for that. That's a rematch of a Dec 29th meeting at Bethel that Champlin Park won 62-52 (I covered that game here). They improve to 12-15. Rashad Vaughn leads all scorers with 24 points. He added 10 rebounds and at least 3 assists on 8-17 shooting, 7-8 from the foul line. Not just the Vaughn show tonight as there was great balance. The Hawks add 4 other players in double figures. Center Curtis Shelby off the bench with 14, Eric Brown and Leroy Taylor 12 each and Billy Kellogg with 11 off the bench. 25-0 in bench points for the Hawks.

Meyer leads Bears to upset

Prologue
Its the dreaded cross-metro trip as I venture out to Tartan to see the Titans take on White Bear Lake. Its section 4AAAA 3 vs 6 in the quarterfinals. A very late arrival means I only have time to grab a quick Pepsi before tip and I barely catch any of the Tartan band. White Bear fans out in their tradition blaze orange. I always have to do a double-take when I see that. Reminds me too much of opening week of deer season in Wisconsin.

Game Time
Darrion Strong coast to coast for 2 and then knocks down a 3. 5-2 Tartan just over 2 minutes in. Nick Weiland coast to coast and finishes with a pretty spin. 6 in a row for White Bear to put them up 8-5. Then Eric Gebeke out on the break, loses the ball and hangs on the rim in what seemed to be a pretty clear attempt to protect himself. Front 2 officials let it go and then late from beyond the opposite foul line, here comes Mr. Showtime himself. Its The Official Formerly Known as Al Sharpton making the technical call on Gebeke for hanging on the rim. Brutal and it was indicative of a large chunk of the entire crew's work. That sparks a 7-0 Tartan run with frosh star Marshawn Wilson making the technical free throws and knocking down a 3 vs the Bears 2-3 zone. Zach Meyer already with a bucket and an assist from the block, goes to work with a free throw off a high low feed (we'll see that action again later) and another bucket on the block. Beau Smit with a nice reverse layup and the Bears have countered with their own 7-0 run. Meyer with a putback and a pretty dropstep for 2 from the right block. 19-16 Bears at the 7:22 mark. Kharie Kirkland with a pair of putbacks and another Wilson 3. Then a Tartan turnover that they reject at the other end. Darrion Strong comes back and cashes it in for a 3 point play. 26-21 Tartan at the 4:43 mark. Tartan goes 4 corners spread/5 out look to kill the last 3 minutes. 28-25 Tartan at the half.

Soph center Brody Jackson with a bucket from Strong to keep the Tartan lead at 3. Then a pair of White Bear Hoops puts them up 33-32 with 14:37 left and they promptly want the Momentum Killer timeout. After Gebeke flashes to the middle and knocks down a jumper, Tartan starts to find the range. Strong for 3. Then the Bears go 2-3 zone and Mike Hudspeth punishes that with a pair of 3s. Kirkland scores on an inbounds after a Bears turnover. 44-39 Titans with 9:45 left. White Bear scores to break the run and promptly takes a timeout. I've beaten that drum a ton, but I'll say it again. I've never understood coaches who wait for their own bucket to take a timeout during a run. Senior Nick Weiland bring White Bear back. He gets in to the lane and gets his runner to go off glass. Then Tartan spreads and misses and Weiland brings it back and no fear with the pullup for 3 from the left wing. 46 all with 6:50 left. Strong makes a 3 and Tartan gets a stop after a timeout. They stay with the spread and after a long possession they miss a 3. Meyer counters inside for 2 with 4:30 left. Then after a Titans free throw, Weiland to the basket and the lefty finish is good. Tied at 50 with 3:40 to play.

Tartan can't score on their possession but the Bears give it back on a turnover with 2:27 to play. Tartan spread and patient again. Strong on the drive to his right. Wilson with a great back cut out of the right corner and Strong finds him. But he can't get the layup to go in and White Bear Lake has it back with under 2 minutes to go. They get it across the timeline and call timeout with 1:44 to play. Interestingly enough they stay high and wide and end up moving the ball around not really looking for much until they get another timeout with 13.3 to play. Tartan sees the set and calls timeout of their own to set the defense. The Bears go to the same horns to high low action for Meyer that was successful in the first half. He catches in the middle of the lane and finds a cutting Beau Smit for the reverse layup with 1.4 seconds left, WOW! Tartan gets a timeout and they put 2.2 seconds back on the clock. The set is a cross screen for Strong at halfcourt, but Kirkland either loses the handle or doesn't like the pass. He dribbles it and its back to White Bear Lake. Tartan has to give 2 fouls, which they do with no time running off. Gebeke is fouled with 1.3 left. He makes 1 of 2 and a halfcourt heave is no good. #6 seed White Bear Lake pulls off the upset at #3 Tartan 53-50.

Post Game
For Tartan, Darrion Strong scores 14 of his 20 in the 1st half. Very quiet 2nd half. Marshawn Wilson and Kharie Kirkland 8 each. I liked the idea of their spread offense and was very surprised that White Bear Lake came out and played them. Tartan only loses 1 senior, Kyle Von Schmidt Pauli so expect them to be a preseason favorite in this section next year. The Titans finish their season at 20-7.

For White Bear Lake, too much mullet. Zach Meyer outstanding with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists. That included assists on the 1st and last baskets of the game. Nick Weiland 11 points, Beau Smit 10 points for the other Bears in double figures. It looked early like the Bears would struggle against the full court man pressure from Tartan but they managed as the game went on. In a bit of surprise they managed to hold the ball for 90 seconds at the end before setting up the winning possession. White Bear Lake is now 15-12. They advance to play #2 seed Woodbury on Saturday at East Ridge. Woodbury won 68-57 at home in February but the Bears took Woodbury to OT before losing at home 81-78. Meyer has a chance to put up another big game in that one.

Trojans move on in 6AAAA

Prologue
Off to Wayzata for their home game vs St. Louis Park in the always entertaining 4 vs 5 section of the bracket. Contrast of speed and brute force in this one. Pepperoni pizza on the menu, nice variety. Not the best crowd in the world but it did fill in some and Wayzata can put people just about anywhere in their big gym. 50 Cent's In Da Club gets us going during the introductions.

Game Time
Good start for St. Louis Park with point guard Kashif Hayes with back to back baskets. DJ Pollard with a short jumper and a pair of free throws at the 12:53 mark. 12-6 Orioles with the early lead. Makhi Moore with nice footwork pivoting for 2 and back to back hoops from Zach Gilbert-Burke for a 18-11 Orioles lead. Then Zach Robertson converts a 3 point play and scores on the post as Wayzata makes a comeback. The lead is down to 4 before Moore drives and a Hayes FT at the 5:52 mark puts the Orioles up 27-18. Those would be the last Orioles points of the half. Robertson runs out off a missed 3 for a dunk. Soph Kyle Kalivoda back to back layups off of turnovers. Colin Nugent for 3 and adds a free throw late in the half. 16-0 Trojans in the last 5:30. They take a 34-27 lead to the break.

DJ Pollard drives at the 16:10 mark to break an 8 minute drought from the field and a 17-0 Wayzata run. Kalivoda with a 3 point play to complete a 22-4 run over 9:30. Hayes with 5 in a row and a Pollard coast to coast pull up from the foul line. 43-38 Wayzata with 11:10 left. Orioles get no closer. Robertson drives for 2 and splits a pair of free throws. He adds another bucket on the post and then buries a 3. 53-39 Trojans open it up with 7:36 left. St. Louis Park doesn't get another field goal until the 2:45 mark. The lead is 18 by that point. Wayzata wins 71-56.

Post Game
St. Louis Park gets 18 from DJ Pollard, 14 in the 2nd half. Kashif Hayes with 17 but was held in check in the 2nd half. The Orioles finish their season at 14-13 which I think has to be a disappointment considering all the talent they had coming back. That was despite losing 2 talented transfers who would have competed for serious minutes. They have a very nice core of Hayes, Pollard and Burke coming back for next season. But will it be the North Suburban with all of the conference discussions going on?

Wayzata advances to face Hopkins on Friday night at Osseo. Royals won by 60. Trojans are now 19-7. Zach Robertson with 24 points and 9 boards on my sheet despite shooting 9-21. Colin Nugent with 15 of his 21 in the 2nd half. He had a big 3 early in the half and a 3 point play that officially killed the last Orioles bit of momentum with 3:33 left. The defense really clamped down with the 2 long stretches of no fields goals.

2012 Section Predictions

Its that fun time of year where I make my picks for the 2012 metro sections. Picks for entertainment purposes only. For those of you who follow me on Twitter (and if you don't, why not? start now!), you'll know that I already have a headstart. I correctly picked Bethany Academy over Glenville-Emmons in the 4 vs 5 game in section 1A west.

For more about the 2012 playoffs, you can also read a pair of my articles for the new website I'm also writing for now, Northstar Hoops Report.

Now on the to the picks!

Class A
Section 1: Bethlehem to oust Bethany on Monday night in the section 1A quarters.
Section 2: Lester Prairie over upstart 11 seed Sleepy Eye before bowing out to CMC. No pick on SW Christian since they've already lost their pigtail game.
Section 4 Pigtails: I'll take the 3 high seeds Liberty, North Lakes, and Nova
Section 4 Round of 16: The top 6 seeds move on without trouble. If Ben Glover plays, I'll take MTS for the upset in the 7 vs 10 game over Legacy, otherwise the Saints move on. He sat out the last regular season game for MTS. CHOF just beat 4 Directions so I'm surprised CHOF has the road game in this one. Give me CHOF in that one.
Section 4 Quarterfinals: High seeds hold with Maranatha, Heritage and Prairie Seeds move on. But I'm going to apply the Glover rule here too. #10 MTS pulls the upset over #2 FAIR if Glover plays.
Section 4 Semis and Championship: #1 Maranatha has beaten Heritage twice but the last meeting they only won by 3. The 3rd time will have to be done on Heritage's home court so expect a better game than you might think. The better game of the 2 will be Prairie Seeds vs the MTS/FAIR winner. FAIR and PSA split a pair of tight games and FAIR was without wildcard Deonte Blakemore in the 1st meeting. If they meet again expect another game in the 80s. I'll take PSA to win that semifinal but then fall in their 1st section final experience against Maranatha. But it will test MCA coach Jeff Wall as the Mustangs will have to figure out a way to defend the high powered Lycans offense.

Class AA
Section 5: Spectrum falls at St. Cloud Cathedral. Providence falls at HLWW.
Section 4 Round of 16: I'll take the 7 top seeds and then St. Agnes should avenge a Friday the 13th loss at Brooklyn Center. North is in a huge tailspin and Breck is as beaten up as any team out there. But Breck has beaten Minnehaha and Roosevelt to finish with a 3 game winning streak. North is 3-21 and seeded ahead of 5 other teams. Serious weakness in the bottom half of this bracket
Section 4 Quarters: St. Agnes gave SCL fits in 1st meeting and their athletes are dangerous. Crusaders move on but the 1 seed going out early here wouldn't be a shock. Trinity and New Life split on the other's home court, expect a quality 4/5 game there. I'll take Trinity with Tony Kuplic as the difference maker. Concordia and Minnehaha move on in the bottom half.
Section 4 Semis and Final: St. Croix Lutheran takes out Trinity in a rematch, Minnehaha holds off Concordia. St. Croix Lutheran continues their run as they move on to state. Gerald McCarver is dangerous enough to lead the Redhawks back to state though.

Class AAA:
Section 1: I'll take New Prague over Waseca and Kasson-Mantorville. Red Wing to beat Winona. Austin to beat Faribault, Red Wing and New Prague for the section title.

Section 3: I'll take high seeds in round 1 but expect another tight one in the 4 vs 5 game. Columbia Heights at Totino-Grace is one of the better games of the night. High Seeds move on to the final and I like De La Salle and how they matchup with Spring Lake Park. Give me the Islanders to win that section.

Section 4: Johnson, Hill-Murray and St. Thomas Academy all win easily. Central's jekyll and hyde squad just lost by 10 at Highland Park I think the Minutemen are more talented but I can't bring myself to pick them on the road. Winner goes out to Johnson in the semis. Hill-Murray vs St. Thomas Academy is tough to figure with the teams splitting double-digit wins. Hill-Murray just won at home by 22. I like the 3 seed Hill-Murray in that game. Hill-Murray has given Johnson some fits over the years but hasn't gotten through. Expect lots of 2-3 zone but Johnson is playing well now, so I'll take them to make another trip to state.

Section 6: A fun section to see 1st round games in. BSM and Washburn win easily. Blake wins at home against a struggling Holy Angels team but the Stars have enough size to deal with Blake, just not enough firepower. Chaska and Richfield are opposites with Chaska not a scoring machine and defensive minded while Richfield wants to run and gun. Difference here is that Richfield hasn't proven they can win on the road (only 1 true road win all year, at South in mid December). Give me Chaska there. BSM takes them out in the semifinals. Washburn is athletic enough and deep to bother Blake and I think they move on but not in a blowout. Washburn can definitely play with Benilde-St. Margaret's but after not making state last year, I think the Red Knights will be on a mission and move on in an epic battle of #1 vs #2 in the state.

Class AAAA
Section 1: Farmington goes on the road and knocks out Rochester Mayo in the 4 vs 5 game, Hastings goes out to Owatonna in the first round, Century defeats John Marshall. Lakeville North defeats Owatonna in the section title game.

Section 2: I like the seeds as given in this section. Interesting game between old rivals Prior Lake and Shakopee in the 1st round. Very underrated matchup of point guards Brandon Arnold and Jon Sobaski in the semifinals. Eden Prairie is young but they defend well enough that I still see them taking out Chanhassen for the section title.

Section 3: A bunch of fun matchups in this section. Shooters Justin Pahl and Dustin Fronk in the 1st round AV vs E Ridge game, Matt Nelson vs CJ Neumann in the CDH/Rosemount game. Then Tillman vs Tyus in the semis, Mandli vs King/Oberfeld in the other semi. Then the toughest ticket to get on section final night, Eastview takes out Apple Valley for a 3rd time. Tyus Jones and Joey King have lit up the scoreboard in both meetings. Harry Sonie is back as another scoring weapon for the Eagles.

Section 4: 1st round sleeper games in the bottom half. Stillwater has given Woodbury fits in the tourney over the years. The young Ponies only lost by 2 at Woodbury in their last meeting. Zach Meyer is the type of big who can bother Tartan, I think they can give the Titans a game. But I'm not willing to pick any 1st round upsets there. Tartan defends well enough and Woodbury doesn't have the size to bother Tartan so I like Tartan in the semis and Roseville over Mahtomedi. The section final is a great matchup of the new guy vs tradition. Guards all over the place in that game. I like Tartan defensively and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Tartan's kryponite is out of the section (CDH) so they'll finally go back to the state tourney.

Section 5: Osseo moves on in the first round. Maple Grove was a section champ last year and Mitchell Kuck is hurt for Centennial so give me Maple Grove there. Champlin Park takes out Irondale. Very dangerous game for Park Center vs Cooper in the 1st round. Cooper has similar athletes and a star in Rashad Vaughn to carry them. I think Park Center wins but gets a scare. Champlin Park and Park Center split in the regular season but Champlin Park has struggled down the stretch so give me Park Center. I like Osseo to win the title in a game that will either go right to the final buzzer (like the 70-69 game at Osseo) or be a total blowout (like 86-55 at Park Center). Watch that game early on as the district rivals always have it ramped up for this matchup.

Section 6: This is the Hopkins section. End of discussion. But beyond that, Hopkins, Edina and Minnetonka all move on easily in the 1st round. Wayzata is stumbling right now without center Chad Potas (knee). St. Louis Park is a tough matchup with their quickness and dribble drive. They gave Apple Valley all they wanted at Apple Valley but have lost to Edina. I'll take Wayzata in a close one. Edina takes out Minnetonka for a 3rd time before falling to Hopkins in the title game.

Section 7: Duluth East gets the 1st round bye and they won't need it. Expect them to roll here. Forest Lake, Blaine and Anoka all win easily in the 1st round. Anoka is playing well right now with wins over Park Center and Champlin Park recently and they have a star in Marcus Tyus. I like them over Blaine in the semis. Then its too much Woodard, Stafford and Manyang in the final.

March 4, 2012 CzarPI

Here is the 5th CzarPI for the 2011-2012 season (see CzarPI Explained here). It includes all games through Saturday, March 3rd 2012. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

Hopkins - 62.76 (7)
Lakeville North - 61.4 (14)
Eastview - 60.97 (17)
Osseo - 58.41 (40)
Eden Prairie - 57.93 (2)
Roseville - 56.85 (49)
Duluth East - 56.25 (3)
Apple Valley - 55.85 (16)
Edina - 55.79 (1)
Minnetonka - 55.73 (9)
Chanhassen - 55.31 (36)
Wayzata - 54.9 (15)
Woodbury - 54.82 (46)
Tartan - 53.18 (58)
Owatonna - 53.1 (62)
Park Center - 52.95 (42)
Moorhead - 52.87 (6)
Cretin-Derham Hall - 52.86 (24)
Mahtomedi - 52.51 (60)
St. Michael-Albertville - 52.37 (63)
Bemidji - 52.25 (18)
Champlin Park - 52.19 (28)
Rogers - 51.83 (48)
St. Cloud Tech - 51.82 (26)
Buffalo - 51.73 (33)
Maple Grove - 50.47 (35)
Mounds View - 50.25 (44)
Brainerd - 50.03 (38)
Prior Lake - 49.91 (10)
Henry Sibley - 49.28 (22)
Elk River - 49.11 (34)
Blaine - 49.03 (43)
Centennial - 49.01 (29)
Eagan - 48.62 (12)
Irondale - 48.57 (39)
White Bear Lake - 48.51 (30)
Rochester Century - 47.78 (59)
Lakeville South - 47.75 (4)
St. Louis Park - 46.19 (53)
Rosemount - 46.18 (11)
Stillwater Area - 45.95 (23)
Anoka - 45.34 (20)
North St. Paul - 44.71 (52)
Robbinsdale Cooper - 44.18 (19)
Rochester Mayo - 43.77 (47)
Shakopee - 43.32 (31)
Farmington - 43.18 (45)
Rochester John Marshall - 43.08 (51)
Minneapolis South - 42.93 (41)
East Ridge - 41.86 (37)
Forest Lake - 41.11 (54)
Coon Rapids - 40.91 (25)
Bloomington Kennedy - 40.77 (13)
Northfield - 38.53 (32)
Bloomington Jefferson - 38.19 (5)
Minneapolis Southwest - 37.36 (57)
St. Francis - 37.07 (61)
Robbinsdale Armstrong - 36.52 (21)
Andover - 35.8 (27)
Hastings - 34.84 (56)
Cambridge-Isanti - 27.51 (55)
Park of Cottage Grove - 22.85 (50)
Burnsville - 21.81 (8)

Class AAA

Benilde-St. Margaret's - 60.11 (6)
Grand Rapids - 58.37 (2)
Minneapolis Washburn - 57.03 (37)
DeLaSalle - 56.21 (34)
Blake - 56.18 (47)
Kasson-Mantorville - 55.98 (35)
Thief River Falls - 55.63 (5)
Spring Lake Park - 55.36 (33)
Austin - 55.09 (58)
Little Falls - 54.95 (28)
Marshall - 54.64 (11)
Mankato East - 54.38 (53)
Detroit Lakes - 54.21 (19)
Waconia - 54.19 (29)
Willmar - 54.04 (15)
Zimmerman - 53.9 (60)
Fergus Falls - 53.2 (3)
St. Anthony Village - 52.86 (43)
Delano - 52.74 (45)
Duluth Denfeld - 52.59 (23)
Hill-Murray - 50.9 (31)
Rocori - 50.66 (18)
New Prague - 50.17 (51)
Holy Angels - 50.06 (27)
St. Thomas Academy - 49.49 (36)
Chaska - 49.47 (8)
Hermantown - 49.4 (54)
St. Paul Johnson - 49.25 (57)
Richfield - 48.33 (32)
Totino-Grace - 48.33 (10)
Alexandria - 47.98 (4)
Columbia Heights - 47.83 (9)
Big Lake - 46.51 (55)
East Grand Forks - 46.49 (61)
St. Paul Highland Park - 46.38 (65)
Hibbing - 46.19 (39)
Sartell-St. Stephen - 45.66 (21)
Sauk Rapids-Rice - 45.55 (13)
Minneapolis Henry - 45.17 (40)
St. Cloud Apollo - 43.93 (7)
Princeton - 43.62 (62)
Fridley - 43.57 (48)
Red Wing - 43.28 (56)
Orono - 42.85 (17)
St. Paul Central - 42.43 (63)
Winona - 42.08 (42)
Mankato West - 41.86 (30)
Hutchinson - 41.83 (16)
Mound-Westonka - 40.99 (14)
Waseca - 40.73 (49)
St. Paul Harding - 40.14 (64)
Minneapolis Roosevelt - 38.7 (46)
Cloquet - 38.63 (52)
Albert Lea - 37.39 (26)
Becker - 36.61 (41)
Simley - 35.99 (38)
Chisago Lakes Area - 32.64 (20)
North Branch - 30.74 (44)
New Ulm - 29.81 (22)
Dassel-Cokato - 28.85 (12)
St. Paul Como Park - 28.82 (25)
Monticello - 28.4 (24)
Holy Family Catholic - 26.31 (1)
Faribault - 23.34 (59)
South St. Paul - 17.95 (50)

Class AA

Perham - 58.73 (28)
Pelican Rapids - 58.63 (11)
Redwood Valley - 58.28 (78)
St. Peter - 57.76 (91)
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 57.65 (62)
Montevideo - 56.78 (9)
Litchfield - 56.5 (37)
Watertown-Mayer - 56.44 (100)
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 56.01 (106)
St. Cloud Cathedral - 55.86 (32)
Braham - 55.84 (115)
Deer River - 55.66 (97)
Esko - 55.43 (79)
Worthington - 55.39 (4)
Hayfield - 55.14 (30)
Fairmont - 54.67 (61)
Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 54.29 (75)
Byron - 53.43 (76)
Maple River - 53.35 (63)
Mayer Lutheran - 53.27 (109)
Virginia - 53.09 (101)
Rochester Lourdes - 52.96 (51)
St. Croix Lutheran - 52.95 (82)
United South Central - 52.31 (102)
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 51.76 (43)
Cannon Falls - 51.68 (118)
Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 51.66 (108)
Melrose - 51.45 (35)
Hawley - 51.43 (45)
Bagley - 51.39 (111)
Kingsland - 51.05 (85)
Pierz - 50.85 (88)
Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 50.64 (29)
Sauk Centre - 50.48 (27)
International Falls - 50.11 (104)
St. Charles - 49.97 (114)
Lake City - 49.77 (116)
Crosby-Ironton - 49.55 (47)
Luverne - 49.29 (48)
Trinity School - 49.16 (99)
Windom Area - 48.47 (20)
New Life Academy - 48.32 (39)
Annandale - 48.15 (84)
Southland - 48.11 (96)
Minnehaha Academy - 48.07 (59)
Benson - 47.77 (105)
Great River - 47.49 (126)
Norwood-Young America - 47.03 (65)
Concordia Academy-Roseville - 46.9 (58)
Warroad - 46.87 (87)
Kenyon-Wanamingo - 46.82 (50)
Barnesville - 46.43 (71)
Caledonia - 46.34 (73)
Pequot Lakes - 46.15 (24)
Moose Lake-Willow River - 46.13 (77)
Belle Plaine - 46 (36)
Jordan - 45.98 (49)
BOLD - 45.75 (93)
Martin County West - 45.3 (89)
Lewiston-Altura - 45.1 (56)
Crookston - 44.9 (107)
Albany - 44.8 (74)
Providence Academy - 44.39 (83)
Maple Lake - 44.01 (94)
Hinckley-Finlayson - 43.92 (125)
Breckenridge - 43.66 (95)
St. John's Prep - 43.16 (60)
Winona Cotter - 42.87 (22)
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 42.17 (81)
Osakis - 42.14 (3)
St. Agnes - 41.63 (21)
Montgomery-Lonsdale - 41.54 (23)
Breck - 41.35 (53)
Aitkin - 41.14 (92)
Chatfield - 40.9 (72)
Mora - 40.88 (16)
Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 40.8 (67)
Frazee - 40.56 (5)
New London-Spicer - 40.51 (14)
Sibley East - 40.51 (15)
Duluth Marshall - 40.16 (119)
Wadena-Deer Creek - 40.09 (31)
International School of MN - 40.06 (123)
St. Paul Academy - 40.03 (70)
Rush City - 39.97 (122)
Jackson County Central - 39.43 (19)
Yellow Medicine East - 39.38 (117)
Kimball Area - 38.88 (90)
New Richland-H-E-G - 38.67 (66)
Brooklyn Center - 38.57 (2)
Minnewaska Area - 38.44 (33)
Staples-Motley - 38.43 (6)
Blue Earth Area - 37.88 (18)
Glencoe-Silver Lake - 37.79 (34)
LeSueur-Henderson - 37.36 (12)
Proctor - 36.96 (113)
Pine Island - 36.79 (46)
Rockford - 35.97 (55)
Stewartville - 35.33 (1)
Eden Valley-Watkins - 35.31 (98)
Spectrum - 34.82 (68)
St. Paul Humboldt - 34.56 (103)
Foley - 33.58 (38)
Park Rapids Area - 33.35 (40)
Minneapolis Edison - 33.24 (121)
Minneapolis North - 32.9 (41)
Paynesville Area - 32.39 (42)
Medford - 32.31 (112)
Eveleth-Gilbert - 32.29 (110)
Pine City - 31.95 (124)
Two Harbors - 31.37 (64)
Holdingford - 31.35 (26)
Cristo Rey Jesuit - 30.12 (120)
Pipestone Area - 29.35 (17)
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 29.33 (10)
La Crescent - 29.28 (86)
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 29.26 (8)
Roseau - 27.9 (57)
Milaca - 27.51 (52)
Dover-Eyota - 27.44 (25)
Greenway - 27.14 (80)
Lac qui Parle Valley - 26.78 (69)
Mounds Park Academy - 26.7 (54)
Triton - 26.33 (7)
St. James - 26.03 (13)
Wabasha-Kellogg - 18.53 (44)
Hmong Academy - 0 (127)

Class A

Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 57.96 (56)
Browerville - 57.08 (20)
Southwest MN Christian - 57.01 (45)
Prairie Seeds Academy - 55.42 (33)
Battle Lake - 55.13 (101)
Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 54.69 (39)
Cass Lake-Bena - 54.16 (88)
North Woods - 53.92 (86)
FAIR School - 53.81 (115)
Rushford-Peterson - 53.77 (35)
Cook County - 53.36 (119)
Lakeview Christian - 53.28 (53)
Maranatha Christian - 53.15 (15)
Spring Grove - 53.09 (136)
Dawson-Boyd - 53.07 (135)
Heritage Christian - 52.31 (34)
Fosston - 52.29 (94)
Fertile-Beltrami - 52.25 (23)
Kittson County Central - 52.24 (75)
West Lutheran - 52.16 (21)
Ada-Borup - 51.84 (74)
Upsala - 51.6 (4)
MACCRAY - 51.58 (44)
Mt. Lake/Butterfield-Odin - 51.57 (104)
Ulen-Hitterdal - 51.31 (51)
Red Lake - 51.26 (46)
New Ulm Cathedral - 51.14 (95)
Fulda - 51.02 (43)
Ellsworth - 50.91 (24)
Ashby - 50.82 (130)
Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 50.69 (38)
Bigfork - 50.54 (92)
Goodhue - 50.45 (14)
Pillager - 50.37 (89)
Barnum - 50.34 (132)
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 50.21 (5)
Mankato Loyola - 50.2 (27)
Bethlehem Academy - 49.69 (97)
Northern Freeze - 49.23 (126)
Stephen-Argyle - 48.94 (120)
Houston - 48.79 (143)
Henning - 48.79 (107)
Royalton - 48.75 (2)
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 48.65 (19)
Eagle Valley - 48.26 (6)
Isle - 47.97 (123)
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 47.87 (79)
Bertha-Hewitt - 47.29 (50)
Ortonville - 47.27 (144)
Murray County Central - 47.26 (22)
Goodridge/Grygla - 46.68 (83)
Springfield - 46.41 (11)
Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 45.93 (85)
Lanesboro - 45.67 (133)
South Ridge - 45.65 (70)
Hill City - 45.47 (121)
Northome/Kelliher - 45.43 (113)
Mahnomen - 44.9 (57)
Ely - 44.78 (103)
Silver Bay - 44.64 (58)
Southwest Star Concept - 44.61 (99)
Chisholm - 44.32 (84)
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 44.05 (80)
Blackduck - 43.98 (100)
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 43.79 (36)
CHOF - 43.53 (16)
Mesabi East - 43.36 (12)
Menahga - 43.33 (106)
Swanville - 43.12 (3)
Littlefork-Big Falls - 43.04 (87)
Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 43.03 (9)
Bethany Academy - 42.76 (55)
Hills-Beaver Creek - 42.68 (62)
Norman County East - 42.67 (59)
Floodwood - 42.47 (109)
St. Clair - 42.3 (91)
Madelia - 42.28 (153)
Community of Peace Academy - 42.21 (162)
St. Croix Prep - 42.02 (122)
McGregor - 42.01 (72)
Adrian - 41.92 (26)
Legacy Christian - 41.9 (8)
Minnesota Transitions Charter - 41.77 (66)
Nevis - 41.63 (81)
PACT Charter - 41.46 (7)
Le Center - 41.39 (128)
Glenville-Emmons - 41.08 (152)
Four Directions Charter - 40.89 (155)
Pine River-Backus - 40.88 (41)
Lincoln HI - 40.74 (154)
Liberty Classical Academy - 40.72 (165)
Mabel-Canton - 40.63 (131)
Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 40.6 (68)
Hope Academy - 40.36 (164)
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 40.19 (117)
Blooming Prairie - 40.15 (67)
Nashwauk-Keewatin - 40.09 (137)
Fillmore Central - 39.87 (10)
Red Rock Central - 39.86 (28)
Ogilvie - 39.82 (139)
West Central Area - 39.72 (1)
Nicollet - 39.63 (149)
Norman County West - 39.42 (93)
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 39.28 (69)
Southwest Christian - 39.09 (25)
Cromwell - 38.84 (40)
Canby - 38.84 (150)
Brandon/Evansville - 38.24 (76)
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 37.75 (140)
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 37.35 (49)
Wabasso - 37.24 (63)
Central MN Christian - 37.22 (125)
North Lakes Academy - 37.17 (159)
Waubun - 37.06 (61)
Carlton - 36.98 (82)
Win-E-Mac - 36.96 (54)
Calvin Christian - 36.59 (160)
Truman - 36.53 (96)
Learning for Leadership - 36.39 (163)
Sleepy Eye - 36.3 (13)
Onamia - 36.29 (114)
Parkers Prairie - 36.14 (18)
Hancock - 35.65 (98)
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 35.53 (156)
Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 35.49 (145)
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 35.19 (105)
Park Christian - 34.88 (146)
Cleveland - 34.85 (148)
Lake Park-Audubon - 34.68 (78)
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 34.46 (64)
Climax/Fisher - 34.01 (29)
Schaeffer Academy - 33.23 (127)
Red Lake County - 33.03 (116)
Martin Luther - 32.76 (141)
Underwood - 32.75 (112)
Verndale - 32.73 (111)
Cherry - 32.43 (65)
Minneota - 32.15 (124)
Northeast Range - 31.93 (90)
Mountain Iron-Buhl - 31.75 (48)
Sebeka - 30.75 (32)
Grand Meadow - 29.69 (142)
Hope Lutheran - 29.54 (134)
Lakeview - 28.78 (110)
East Central - 28.73 (60)
Clearbrook-Gonvick - 28.71 (71)
Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 28.22 (30)
Northland - 28.03 (73)
Nova Classical Academy - 27.11 (157)
Randolph - 26.6 (42)
E.C.H.O. Charter - 25.87 (161)
Math & Science Academy - 25.27 (47)
Edgerton - 24.9 (17)
MN Academy for the Deaf - 24.28 (158)
Renville County West - 23.92 (118)
Sacred Heart - 22.64 (31)
Rothsay - 21.09 (52)
New York Mills - 19.82 (77)
Wrenshall - 17.09 (37)
Round Lake-Brewster - 16.91 (102)
Lake of the Woods - 0 (108)
Mesabi Academy - 0 (129)
Laporte - 0 (138)
Alden-Conger - 0 (147)
LeRoy-Ostrander - 0 (151)
Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (166)

From Mayari to Moorhead

Prologue
Its the final day of the 2011-2012 regular season and that means the annual Twin Cities series. This year moved back to Arlington (St. Paul Washington I know, but tradition dictates) for the 1st time since the 2009 melee that forced the games to be alternated between city champion sites. A very good crowd on hand for the varsity game. Arlington wins the hot dog battle for the day.

Session 1: Twin Cities Series
I begin with Mayari Marshall and Johnson taking on Washburn in the freshmen edition of the series. Johnson used a big run before halftime to open a 7 point lead. Washburn would come back and take the lead 43-42 with 4:28 to go. Sedrick Clark would break a 47 all tie with 1:30 to go and Washburn couldn't get a bucket after that. Johnson wins 55-48. Dametris Davis-Crosby 17 points to lead the Govs. JoBreil Powell 15, Tyrell Howze 14 for Washburn.

Central broke the Johnson stranglehold on the league by being the JV rep for St. Paul. Washburn again the JV champ from Minneapolis. Washburn with 3 freshman starting on the JV squad which makes their frosh title even more impressive. That includes star Evan Shepherd and point guard Kevin Gleason. Central controls the game early before Washburn claws back to within 26-24 at the half. Shepherd with a strong 2nd half to bring the Millers back. A poor call of a T on Central with 8:08 left leads to 5 of 6 free throws for Washburn. They open a 48-42 lead with 7:40 left. Central would rally and Davontrell McAdory would make a running bank from the left wing with 4 seconds left for the game winner. 62-61 Central wins. I loved Gleason's passing and the lefty Shepherd is one of the better players in the 2015 class.

To the main event. Johnson has jumped back into the state polls and this game showed its legit. No Wayland Johnson which is a missed athlete against Washburn. A very back and forth game. 7-0 Johnson runs puts them up 9-5 at the 15:32 mark. Extra pass to Jeff Jones for 3 and he takes a turnover for a layup. Noah Scarver on the post for 3 before Jones converts another turnover into a 3. 25-23 Washburn at the 9:05 mark. That finishes a 10-2 Washburn run. Marcus Marshall playing as well as he has all year with a bucket and pair of 3s. 38-34 Johnson at 4:30 mark. Late in the half the scoreboard gets whack. Its says 50-44 and then magically changes to 49-48 Washburn at the half. Somehow that stands.

Charles Smith for 3, Joseph Doby with a putback, Dejon Davis with a free throw and dunk. Doby another jumper and Dwight Anderson for 3. 62-50 Washburn with 14:24 remaining. Then Johnson's defense ignites a run. Marshall with a steal for 2, a bucket and a putback. Marshall for 3 around a pair of De'Vonta Durr buckets. Quashingm Smith-Pugh with a putback and adds on a 3 point play. 74-66 Johnson with 9:10 left after a 24-4 run in 5 minutes. Jerry Pratt runs the floor, gives it up and gets it back from Nick Anderson for the dunk for Washburn. Darius Watson drives with 6:45 left and the Johnson lead remains 8, 78-70.

Washburn took good to not have another run. Dejon Davis for 3, Dwight Anderson 2 free throws, Smith with a bucket. 80-78 Johnson with 4:50 left and we'll go right to the end. Pratt with the strong post move in the middle of the lane and no charge. Marshall counters to keep the lead at 4. Bajuan Adams with an inbounds layup at the 2:35 mark for an 86-80 Johnson lead. The teams trade buckets and after an Adams free throw with 1:28 left, Johnson leads 89-82. Davis with another bomb with 1:10 left and Johnson turns it over with a minute left. Pratt from Nick Anderson again for an easy bucket with 50 seconds left. Then Washburn gets a trap on the sideline and its a total mugging. But the call is a jump ball and it goes to Washburn with 41.7 left. Millers down 89-87. Smith with a 3 that goes in and out, Doby rushes a 3 and misses. Washburn gets it back for a 3rd time and Smith is fouled with 21.7 left. Washburn in a huge hurry and there was tons of time left. Smith has the 1st free throw go around and out. 2nd is good and Johnson has the ball and the lead 89-88. Adams steps up and misses 2 so Washburn has a chance to win. Nick Anderson's 18 footer is long with 5.5 left and out of bounds underneath to Washburn. Pratt curls off a stack and his shot is no good. But he tips the miss in with 2 seconds left and the clock runs out. Washburn comes from 7 down in the last 1:28 to steal the Twin Cities Title 90-89. This was the highest combined score in Twin Cities game history. Marcus Marshall scores 15 in each half and leads all scores with 30 points. 3 triples on the day and the best I've seen him play all year. De'Vonta Durr 14, Quashingm Smith-Pugh 13. Jerry Pratt again impressive with 25 points. Charles Smith and Dejon Davis 15 each. Davis with 3 bombs and his game has come along during this sophomore campaign.

Session 2: Moorhead at De La Salle
Back to Minneapolis for Moorhead's visit to the island. DLS getting Reid Travis started. He finds Jarvis Johnson on the back screen for 2. Then Travis drives for 2 and scores on the inbounds. He adds a 3 point play as DLS opens a 14-6 lead. Spuds junior star Aaron Lien trying to keep Moorhead close as he buries back to back triples. He scores 14 of the 1st 17 points for the Spuds. He finishes his run with a 3 point play off a nice back door set. 21-17 DLS at the 7:15 mark. Then its all Islanders. Luke Scott with a pair of 3s. Travis with a 3 point play on the block and he even buries a straight away 3. 39-23 DLS at the half.

The 2nd half is even worse for the Spuds. Travis off the bounce and another bucket. Then he turns and faces and knocks down the 10 foot jumper with the defender backing off. James Lawson the post. Trey Shepherd coast to coast for a layup and he tacks on a 3 point play. Lawson with another inside bucket and we're at running time with 8:37 to go. De La Salle rolls 79-38 over a solid Moorhead team that can contend in 8AAAA.

Reid Travis absolutely dominates with 30 points. He knocks down a 3, he faces up and scores, he scored with contact, he took guys off the bounce. This was like his play in Vegas during the Super 64 last summer. Luke Scott 4 more 3s and 14 points. Aaron Lien leads Moorhead with 14 points but all early. 6'5 PG (yes PG) Austin Nelson with 3 3s and 13 points. He's a sleeper kid to keep an eye on this spring (if you can find him)

Mar 3, 2012 CzarPI

Here is the 4th CzarPI for the 2011-2012 season (see CzarPI Explained here). It includes all but 3 games through Friday, March 3rd 2012. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

Hopkins - 62.79 (6)
Lakeville North - 61.39 (14)
Eastview - 61 (17)
Osseo - 58.4 (39)
Eden Prairie - 57.93 (2)
Roseville - 56.88 (47)
Duluth East - 56.18 (3)
Apple Valley - 55.84 (16)
Edina - 55.76 (1)
Minnetonka - 55.71 (9)
Chanhassen - 55.43 (34)
Wayzata - 54.86 (15)
Woodbury - 54.81 (46)
Moorhead - 53.49 (7)
Owatonna - 53.14 (62)
Park Center - 52.94 (42)
Cretin-Derham Hall - 52.9 (24)
Mahtomedi - 52.57 (60)
St. Michael-Albertville - 52.41 (63)
Tartan - 52.32 (58)
Bemidji - 52.28 (18)
Champlin Park - 52.18 (28)
St. Cloud Tech - 51.84 (26)
Rogers - 51.82 (48)
Buffalo - 51.77 (33)
Henry Sibley - 50.63 (23)
Brainerd - 50.48 (38)
Maple Grove - 50.47 (36)
Mounds View - 50.23 (44)
Prior Lake - 49.98 (10)
Elk River - 49.11 (35)
Blaine - 49.02 (43)
Centennial - 49 (29)
Eagan - 48.6 (12)
Irondale - 48.56 (40)
White Bear Lake - 48.5 (30)
Lakeville South - 47.82 (4)
Rochester Century - 47.77 (59)
St. Louis Park - 46.18 (53)
Rosemount - 46.17 (11)
Stillwater Area - 45.95 (22)
Anoka - 45.34 (19)
North St. Paul - 44.77 (52)
Robbinsdale Cooper - 44.12 (20)
Rochester Mayo - 43.76 (49)
Shakopee - 43.32 (32)
Farmington - 43.17 (45)
Rochester John Marshall - 43.07 (51)
Minneapolis South - 42.87 (41)
East Ridge - 41.85 (37)
Forest Lake - 41.1 (54)
Coon Rapids - 40.9 (25)
Bloomington Kennedy - 40.77 (13)
Northfield - 38.52 (31)
Bloomington Jefferson - 38.19 (5)
Minneapolis Southwest - 37.46 (57)
St. Francis - 37.06 (61)
Robbinsdale Armstrong - 36.52 (21)
Andover - 35.8 (27)
Hastings - 34.84 (56)
Cambridge-Isanti - 27.44 (55)
Park of Cottage Grove - 22.86 (50)
Burnsville - 21.81 (8)