Pirates tame Cougars late

Prologue
It a Northwest Suburban showdown as Centennial visits Park Center.  A perfect mix for the Walking Taco tonight with the salsa, sour cream, lettuce and cheese.  20 more ounces of beverage on the tally as well.  A small crowd on hand.  Remember that the Pirates needed a late Quinton Hooker free throw to survive the 1st meeting.

Game Time
Centennial center Quin Peterson with 8 early points.  His post bucket is the last field goal in a 7-0 Cougars run.  16-9 Centennial at the 11:03 mark.  Park Center right back with a 9-1 run of their own.  Quinton Hooker for 3 and then a steal and dunk to cap the run.  18-17 Park Center at the 9:05 mark.  5 in a row for Treyton Daniels as Park Center goes to halftime with a 32-31 lead.

Dan Becken to Pierre Roddy for a 3 point play as Centennial takes a 5 point lead.  Roddy adds a layup at the 12:30 mark for a 42-37 Cougars lead.  Then a critical sequence.  Centennial turns it over and Park Center misses a layup.  Centennial comes back and gets a great look from the right corner but the 3 goes off the back iron.  Josh Matthews makes a 3 coming back for Park Center.  A 6 point swing and Park Center is within 42-40 and a little momentum rather than down 8 with Centennial having all of the momentum.  Matthews again on the drive and Hooker knocks down a shot. 44-42 Park Center back on top with 6:20 to play.  Becken with a 3 but then he goes ice cold while the rest of the roster is already 

Becken gets Hooker in the post and misses 2 chances.  He's fouled on the 2nd and misses both free throws.  He misses 2 other bunnies and Centennial misses 4 more free throws.  So that's 4 bunnies and 6 straight free throws that Centennial can't convert on in the last 6 minutes of a tight game.  Hooker converting one of the misses (a blocked shot) into a drive.  Then Hooker with another drive to the rack for an easy 2 and an assist to Jake Tanner for 3.  That closes a 20-3 Park Center run over 8:15.  Park Center does give up 6 late free throws thanks to fouling a couple of 3 point shooters.  Treyton Daniels closes it out for the Pirates with 5 of 6 free throws and a dunk.  Park Center wins 66-54.

Post Game
This game was there for the taking for Centennial.  They make only 2 field goals in the last 12:30.  Center Quin Peterson with 11 of his 15 points in the first half, but didn't get many good deep touches in the 2nd half against a small Park Center lineup.  Pierre Roddy leads with 19 points, 11 in the 2nd half.  Dan Becken 8 points on 3-14 shooting on my sheet.  When the top scorer can't get shots to fall, its tough to win.  After losing 4 of 5, the Cougars had rebounded with 3 wins in a row before tonight.  They fall to 8-10 overall, 5-8 in the NW Suburban.  This was the start of a nasty stretch of their schedule.  5 of their next 6 games are Champlin Park, at Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Armstrong and at Osseo.  They'll be fighting with Irondale for the 6 seed in 5AAAA unless they go on a big run during that stretch of games.

Park Center improves to 16-1 and 12-0 to stay on top of the NW Suburban.  Quinton Hooker visibility frustrated with his off night.  But if an off night is 22 points (8-19 FGs) and 6 assists, that's an awfully good bad night.  Treyton Daniels with the closing points to finish with 19 on the night.  Josh Matthews 10 of his 12 in the 2nd half.  Devin Buckley 3 points early, but saw limited minutes in the 1st half and was at the end of the bench for the entire 2nd half.  The big rematch at Osseo is on Tuesday.  A win for Park Center in that game would likely seal the conference title and the top seed in section 5AAAA.

Jan 30, 2013 CzarPI

Another quiet week on the schedule means its a chance to do the 3rd CzarPI of the 2012-13 season (see CzarPI Explained here).  It includes games through January 29th, 2013  The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class

Class AAAA

1. Apple Valley - 62.3 (6)
2. Park Center - 62.16 (10)
3. Brainerd - 59.14 (56)
4. Osseo - 58.07 (29)
5. Hopkins - 58.04 (30)
6. Minnetonka - 58.03 (38)
7. Eden Prairie - 57.89 (8)
8. Roseville - 56.79 (46)
9. Woodbury - 56.49 (42)
10. St. Louis Park - 56.38 (45)
11. Lakeville North - 55.83 (37)
12. Champlin Park - 55.68 (20)
13. Edina - 55.06 (1)
14. Stillwater Area - 54.93 (39)
15. Prior Lake - 54.08 (21)
16. East Ridge - 53.87 (54)
17. Maple Grove - 53.56 (5)
18. Tartan - 53.5 (61)
19. Moorhead - 53.36 (17)
20. Eagan - 53.29 (32)
21. Robbinsdale Cooper - 53.19 (19)
22. Duluth East - 53.13 (25)
23. Buffalo - 52.78 (12)
24. Wayzata - 52.69 (41)
25. Elk River - 52.67 (44)
26. Rochester John Marshall - 52.59 (57)
27. Robbinsdale Armstrong - 52.37 (27)
28. Shakopee - 52.29 (15)
29. Mahtomedi - 52.22 (63)
30. Eastview - 50.72 (3)
31. Owatonna - 50 (47)
32. Chanhassen - 49.16 (13)
33. Henry Sibley - 48.83 (58)
34. Farmington - 47.9 (55)
35. St. Francis - 47.78 (62)
36. White Bear Lake - 47.56 (31)
37. Mounds View - 46.59 (48)
38. Bloomington Jefferson - 46.1 (24)
39. Bloomington Kennedy - 46 (22)
40. Irondale - 45.74 (51)
41. Minneapolis South - 45.71 (60)
42. St. Michael-Albertville - 44.78 (49)
43. Centennial - 44.26 (23)
44. Lakeville South - 44.03 (28)
45. Rogers - 43.18 (34)
46. Minneapolis Southwest - 43.04 (59)
47. Rosemount - 42.86 (16)
48. Blaine - 41.38 (4)
49. Forest Lake - 41.29 (35)
50. Northfield - 40.8 (52)
51. Cretin-Derham Hall - 40.54 (33)
52. Rochester Century - 39.64 (40)
53. St. Cloud Tech - 36.93 (11)
54. Cambridge-Isanti - 35.97 (53)
55. Rochester Mayo - 33.24 (26)
56. Andover - 33.24 (7)
57. Burnsville - 30.74 (18)
58. Bemidji - 30.02 (2)
59. Anoka - 28.21 (14)
60. Hastings - 23.66 (36)
61. North St. Paul - 22.93 (43)
62. Park of Cottage Grove - 22.82 (50)
63. Coon Rapids - 0 (9)

Class AAA

1. DeLaSalle - 60.05 (19)
2. Marshall - 58.55 (21)
3. Austin - 58.37 (52)
4. Delano - 56.69 (60)
5. Hermantown - 56.54 (39)
6. Waconia - 56.28 (13)
7. Blake - 55.17 (10)
8. Little Falls - 55.02 (7)
9. Holy Angels - 54.61 (16)
10. Grand Rapids - 54.26 (45)
11. New Prague - 52.94 (14)
12. Richfield - 52.54 (47)
13. Fergus Falls - 52.15 (9)
14. Mound-Westonka - 50.97 (38)
15. Thief River Falls - 50.57 (48)
16. St. Paul Central - 49.74 (22)
17. Columbia Heights - 49.6 (55)
18. East Grand Forks - 49.6 (51)
19. Sartell-St. Stephen - 48.85 (3)
20. Spring Lake Park - 48.79 (46)
21. Hill-Murray - 48.45 (35)
22. St. Cloud Apollo - 48.3 (23)
23. Big Lake - 48.18 (63)
24. Mankato West - 48.15 (34)
25. St. Paul Highland Park - 48.13 (43)
26. Detroit Lakes - 47.96 (31)
27. St. Paul Johnson - 47.59 (26)
28. Willmar - 47.2 (37)
29. Red Wing - 46.77 (36)
30. Chaska - 46.63 (18)
31. Orono - 46.32 (11)
32. Hutchinson - 46.07 (8)
33. Holy Family Catholic - 45.54 (1)
34. Alexandria - 45.29 (12)
35. Minneapolis Washburn - 45.11 (54)
36. Albert Lea - 45.02 (61)
37. Chisago Lakes Area - 44.61 (56)
38. Rocori - 44.24 (50)
39. Simley - 44.18 (59)
40. Totino-Grace - 42.9 (15)
41. Winona - 42.26 (25)
42. Cloquet - 42.05 (62)
43. Minneapolis Henry - 41.82 (33)
44. Benilde-St. Margaret's - 41.61 (17)
45. Zimmerman - 41.54 (44)
46. Fridley - 41.33 (58)
47. Minneapolis Roosevelt - 41.18 (53)
48. St. Anthony Village - 39.99 (49)
49. Waseca - 39.56 (41)
50. Hibbing - 38.75 (57)
51. Becker - 38.67 (6)
52. St. Thomas Academy - 38.57 (2)
53. St. Paul Como Park - 38.16 (27)
54. St. Paul Harding - 37.7 (65)
55. Monticello - 35.93 (29)
56. Kasson-Mantorville - 34.84 (4)
57. Mankato East - 33.5 (5)
58. Faribault - 32.77 (24)
59. New Ulm - 32.05 (42)
60. Princeton - 30.89 (40)
61. North Branch - 30.33 (28)
62. South St. Paul - 28.22 (64)
63. Dassel-Cokato - 0 (20)
64. Sauk Rapids-Rice - 0 (30)
65. Duluth Denfeld - 0 (32)

Class AA

1. Melrose - 59.12 (36)
2. Hawley - 57.84 (64)
3. St. Cloud Cathedral - 57.53 (27)
4. Redwood Valley - 57.03 (16)
5. Perham - 56.66 (14)
6. Mora - 56.54 (34)
7. Litchfield - 56.24 (6)
8. Esko - 55.69 (42)
9. Fairmont - 55.65 (46)
10. Braham - 55.58 (88)
11. Jordan - 55.41 (91)
12. Byron - 55.07 (116)
13. Maple River - 55.03 (90)
14. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 54.95 (47)
15. Annandale - 54.76 (22)
16. International Falls - 54.5 (71)
17. St. Peter - 54.49 (94)
18. Minnehaha Academy - 54.49 (33)
19. Worthington - 54.19 (4)
20. Hayfield - 54.14 (67)
21. Mayer Lutheran - 53.87 (45)
22. Pelican Rapids - 53.02 (56)
23. Martin County West - 52.9 (105)
24. Luverne - 52.64 (66)
25. Crosby-Ironton - 52.63 (84)
26. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 52.42 (48)
27. Sauk Centre - 51.87 (18)
28. Jackson County Central - 51.53 (2)
29. Providence Academy - 51.34 (73)
30. Norwood-Young America - 51.29 (82)
31. Deer River - 51.05 (107)
32. Sibley East - 50.82 (38)
33. Lake City - 50.67 (118)
34. Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 50.61 (100)
35. Rochester Lourdes - 50.22 (80)
36. Hinckley-Finlayson - 50.06 (117)
37. Moose Lake-Willow River - 49.91 (79)
38. Southland - 49.76 (113)
39. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 49.64 (17)
40. United South Central - 49.49 (55)
41. Albany - 49.44 (23)
42. Caledonia - 49.44 (98)
43. New London-Spicer - 49.38 (9)
44. Pierz - 49 (5)
45. Crookston - 48.88 (43)
46. Belle Plaine - 48.44 (74)
47. Rockford - 48.38 (15)
48. Virginia - 48.02 (39)
49. Staples-Motley - 48.01 (70)
50. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 47.9 (96)
51. Breck - 47.46 (92)
52. Brooklyn Center - 47.43 (37)
53. Lewiston-Altura - 47.29 (75)
54. Warroad - 47.22 (49)
55. Montevideo - 47.18 (106)
56. Cannon Falls - 46.99 (77)
57. Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 46.77 (103)
58. St. Charles - 46.67 (86)
59. Stewartville - 46.12 (8)
60. St. Croix Lutheran - 46.05 (30)
61. Eveleth-Gilbert - 45.77 (111)
62. New Life Academy - 45.72 (57)
63. Concordia Academy-Roseville - 45.53 (59)
64. Foley - 45.17 (44)
65. St. John's Prep - 45.1 (58)
66. Glencoe-Silver Lake - 45.05 (72)
67. Watertown-Mayer - 44.99 (35)
68. St. Paul Humboldt - 44.95 (122)
69. Winona Cotter - 44.89 (65)
70. Chatfield - 44.45 (99)
71. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 44.08 (41)
72. Kimball Area - 44 (109)
73. Blue Earth Area - 43.84 (102)
74. Maple Lake - 43.14 (81)
75. Windom Area - 42.8 (31)
76. International School of MN - 42.75 (124)
77. Roseau - 42.56 (76)
78. Pequot Lakes - 42.22 (19)
79. Milaca - 42.18 (51)
80. Rush City - 41.9 (78)
81. Medford - 41.84 (120)
82. Eden Valley-Watkins - 41.49 (40)
83. Lac qui Parle Valley - 41.45 (85)
84. Benson - 40.94 (26)
85. St. Agnes - 40.79 (93)
86. La Crescent - 40.73 (61)
87. St. Paul Academy - 40.24 (110)
88. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 39.84 (63)
89. Pine Island - 39.75 (97)
90. Barnesville - 39.5 (108)
91. Kenyon-Wanamingo - 39.5 (104)
92. Bagley - 39.48 (24)
93. Holdingford - 39.12 (3)
94. BOLD - 38.79 (54)
95. Minnewaska Area - 38.7 (12)
96. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 38.31 (50)
97. Tri-City United - 38.09 (21)
98. Aitkin - 37.58 (62)
99. Breckenridge - 37.56 (10)
100. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 37.21 (20)
101. Pipestone Area - 37.14 (7)
102. Kingsland - 36.84 (52)
103. Park Rapids Area - 36.81 (89)
104. Cristo Rey Jesuit - 35.82 (125)
105. Great River - 35.56 (127)
106. Pine City - 34.84 (121)
107. Minneapolis Edison - 34.64 (115)
108. Frazee - 33.39 (29)
109. Wadena-Deer Creek - 32.75 (101)
110. Mounds Park Academy - 32.72 (123)
111. New Richland-H-E-G - 32.69 (87)
112. Two Harbors - 32.43 (11)
113. Trinity School - 31.59 (95)
114. St. Paul Washington - 30.71 (119)
115. Proctor - 30.29 (114)
116. Triton - 30.14 (68)
117. Dover-Eyota - 29.45 (60)
118. Greenway - 29.29 (53)
119. Wabasha-Kellogg - 26.49 (69)
120. Spectrum - 26.29 (112)
121. Osakis - 24.61 (1)
122. LeSueur-Henderson - 22.84 (25)
123. Paynesville Area - 19.69 (13)
124. Yellow Medicine East - 19.4 (83)
125. Hmong Academy - 18.54 (126)
126. St. James Area - 17.34 (28)
127. Duluth Marshall - 0 (32)

Class A

1. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 60.9 (8)
2. Upsala - 57.71 (85)
3. Maranatha Christian - 56.78 (75)
4. Heritage Christian - 56.06 (80)
5. Southwest MN Christian - 55.97 (105)
6. Dawson-Boyd - 55.5 (11)
7. Rushford-Peterson - 54.99 (90)
8. Northern Freeze - 54.6 (77)
9. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 54.55 (110)
10. Ely - 54.53 (107)
11. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 54.29 (95)
12. Browerville - 54.09 (103)
13. Win-E-Mac - 53.96 (96)
14. Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 53.93 (36)
15. Floodwood - 53.79 (100)
16. Bigfork - 53.49 (74)
17. Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 53.3 (92)
18. Barnum - 52.33 (121)
19. West Lutheran - 52.31 (84)
20. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 52.17 (61)
21. Fertile-Beltrami - 52.11 (24)
22. Canby - 51.53 (102)
23. Springfield - 51.42 (29)
24. Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 51.04 (98)
25. Ashby - 50.82 (106)
26. Swanville - 50.77 (26)
27. Mountain Lake Area - 50.66 (142)
28. Ada-Borup - 50.57 (134)
29. Henning - 50.22 (118)
30. MACCRAY - 50.17 (23)
31. Mahnomen - 50.1 (112)
32. Ulen-Hitterdal - 49.93 (124)
33. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 49.84 (42)
34. Red Lake - 49.48 (28)
35. Nevis - 49.25 (69)
36. Pillager - 49.19 (78)
37. Battle Lake - 48.69 (122)
38. West Central Area - 48.08 (17)
39. Spring Grove - 47.89 (143)
40. Lakeview Christian - 47.37 (30)
41. Northome/Kelliher - 47.24 (125)
42. Red Rock Central - 47.21 (71)
43. Minneota - 47.02 (114)
44. Bethlehem Academy - 46.96 (136)
45. Fosston - 46.92 (60)
46. Lanesboro - 46.69 (147)
47. South Ridge - 46.38 (72)
48. Cook County - 46.23 (94)
49. Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 45.95 (5)
50. Goodridge/Grygla - 45.88 (79)
51. Mesabi Academy - 45.85 (148)
52. Blackduck - 45.6 (88)
53. Cherry - 45.3 (116)
54. Blooming Prairie - 45.01 (115)
55. Park Christian - 44.9 (133)
56. Ortonville - 44.65 (46)
57. Mountain Iron-Buhl - 44.41 (7)
58. Southwest United - 44.33 (27)
59. Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 44.12 (126)
60. St. Clair - 43.47 (144)
61. Legacy Christian - 43.41 (9)
62. Littlefork-Big Falls - 43.21 (25)
63. Hills-Beaver Creek - 43.17 (20)
64. Isle - 43.14 (138)
65. St. Croix Prep - 43.13 (156)
66. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 42.72 (119)
67. Verndale - 42.58 (93)
68. Brandon/Evansville - 42.27 (59)
69. Menahga - 42.23 (104)
70. Mankato Loyola - 42.22 (70)
71. Onamia - 41.9 (76)
72. Southwest Christian - 41.59 (2)
73. Goodhue - 41.37 (62)
74. Kittson County Central - 41.06 (38)
75. Red Lake County - 40.97 (109)
76. Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 40.8 (97)
77. Grand Meadow - 40.6 (149)
78. PACT Charter - 40.42 (53)
79. Wabasso - 40.39 (111)
80. Ellsworth - 40.36 (13)
81. Carlton - 40.09 (129)
82. Central MN Christian - 40.09 (56)
83. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 40.07 (132)
84. Calvin Christian - 40.03 (160)
85. Nashwauk-Keewatin - 39.71 (12)
86. Royalton - 39.59 (32)
87. CHOF - 39.51 (49)
88. Underwood - 39.39 (44)
89. Fulda - 38.98 (31)
90. Schaeffer Academy - 38.74 (150)
91. Bertha-Hewitt - 38.7 (99)
92. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 38.55 (52)
93. MetroTech Career Academy - 38.42 (3)
94. North Woods - 38.2 (19)
95. Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 38.13 (151)
96. Lakeview - 37.42 (58)
97. Truman/Martin Luther - 37.4 (141)
98. North Lakes Academy - 37.1 (153)
99. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 37.09 (81)
100. New Ulm Cathedral - 36.97 (35)
101. Community of Peace Academy - 36.88 (155)
102. Stephen-Argyle - 36.74 (127)
103. Wrenshall - 36.73 (66)
104. Bethany Academy - 36.61 (65)
105. Cass Lake-Bena - 36.45 (21)
106. Hill City - 36.36 (18)
107. New York Mills - 36.15 (22)
108. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 35.97 (137)
109. Lincoln HI - 35.76 (45)
110. Northland - 35.22 (131)
111. Randolph - 34.75 (139)
112. Edgerton - 34.68 (41)
113. Sleepy Eye - 34.59 (86)
114. Parkers Prairie - 34.58 (15)
115. Cleveland - 34.53 (117)
116. Chisholm - 33.96 (57)
117. Hope Lutheran - 33.02 (154)
118. Fillmore Central - 32.41 (83)
119. Mabel-Canton - 31.16 (146)
120. MN Academy for the Deaf - 30.61 (158)
121. Climax/Fisher - 30.4 (54)
122. Norman County East - 30 (47)
123. Cromwell - 29.66 (67)
124. Nova Classical Academy - 29.34 (157)
125. Rothsay - 29.25 (55)
126. Eagle Valley - 29.2 (51)
127. Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 29.05 (16)
128. Glenville-Emmons - 28.55 (135)
129. Mesabi East - 27.42 (87)
130. Murray County Central - 26.8 (10)
131. Lake Park-Audubon - 26.38 (91)
132. Norman County West - 26.27 (120)
133. Houston - 24.79 (130)
134. Minneapolis North - 24.71 (113)
135. Northeast Range - 24.21 (48)
136. Sebeka - 23.54 (37)
137. Pine River-Backus - 23.43 (4)
138. LeRoy-Ostrander - 23.41 (152)
139. Minnesota Transitions Charter - 23.27 (123)
140. Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 22.92 (63)
141. Waubun - 22.29 (33)
142. Sacred Heart - 22.29 (145)
143. Alden-Conger - 21.27 (140)
144. Laporte - 21.13 (108)
145. Clearbrook-Gonvick - 20.81 (34)
146. Madelia - 20.77 (82)
147. Ogilvie - 18.79 (68)
148. Liberty Classical Academy - 18.39 (159)
149. Silver Bay - 0 (1)
150. Adrian - 0 (6)
151. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 0 (14)
152. Nicollet - 0 (39)
153. Renville County West - 0 (40)
154. McGregor - 0 (43)
155. Hancock - 0 (50)
156. Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (64)
157. E.C.H.O. Charter - 0 (73)
158. Lake of the Woods - 0 (89)
159. East Central - 0 (101)
160. FAIR School - 0 (128)

 

Eagles soar to upset

Prologue
A chance to see 2 South Suburban teams for the 1st time this season as I make the trip to #7AAAA Lakeville North at Bloomington Kennedy.  Now after all the AAU ball and fall coaching in this building, I had forgotten just how miserable of a setup this is for a real game.  Ho hum concession stand.  But none of that matters.  Its Lakeville North and that means we get a high school season sighting of the one and only Hat Lady (Light up Applause Sign here).  Tonight's color was red.

Game Time
Soph Connor Flack off of the Lakeville North bench and very productive inside.   He scores 7 straight for the Panthers.  Grant Erickson adds back to back buckets off a steal and a pick and roll.  Kennedy takes a timeout down 15-9 at the 11:35 mark.  Travon Hearns with a couple of post buckets for Kennedy.  Then CJ Lewis off the Eagles bench with a jumper and a 3.   DJ Davis for 3 and now its Lakeville North who needs a timeout.  24-20 Kennedy at the 4:59 mark after a 15-5 run.  Zach Creighton for 3 at the 3:40 mark to break a drought of 8:45 from the floor for Lakeville North.  Lewis counters with another 3, 3 free throws.  Then Davis and Lewis for 3 again to end the half.  39-31 Kennedy at the half.

Davis with a jumper to push the lead to 11.  Macura hounded by Davis most of the night gets loose on a pick and pop and finally gets a shot to fall.  That 3 at the 16:09 mark breaks his 0-11 start from the floor.  Jumah'ri Turner back to back bombs and the Kennedy leads is the largest of the night at 51-37 with 15 minutes left.  The Panthers gradually chip away at that lead.  Macura with another 3, then an assist to Flack and a pair of buckets off of an inbounds play (best offense all night, see below).   56-46 Kennedy with 12:40 left.  Panthers center Bronson Bruneau back to back buckets.  Hearns with a mans move inside and the lead is back to 62-50 with 9:15 left.  Then comes the Panthers run.  Bruneau on the offensive glass, Macura a pair of bonus free throws on a cheap foul.  Kyrell Newell on the offensive glass and Grant Erickson with a double clutch finish driving baseline.  62-58 Kennedy hanging on with 6:10 left.

After a Kennedy bucket on a turnover, its Erickson with the 3 point play to cut the lead to 3 just inside 5 to play.  After trading buckets, Kennedy goes to THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE.  That slows the tempo and gets Hearns a post look that he converts.  Newell on the offensive glass again.  Then another patient Eagles possession and Davis is called for a charge with 1:41 left.  Lakeville North gets it back with a chance to tie.  They can't convert.  A dangerous Kennedy pass toward the basket on their possession is tipped away.  A scrum ensues for the loose ball in the lane and Hearns comes out of it with a dagger 3 point play.  71-65 with 46.8 left.   Kennedy goes on to win 71-67.

Post Game
For Lakeville North, JP Macura leads with 15 points (I had 13 on 4-24 shooting on my sheet).  Connor Flack 13 of his 15 in the first half off the Panthers bench.  That included 9-11 from the charity stripe.  Grant Erickson 11 (13 on my sheet) and Kyrell Newell 11.  Hard to win when your best offensive player doesn't see the ball go in the basket.  Macura had at least 15 good looks and only saw 2 of them go in.  That's not something that's going to happen very often.  I liked the idea of having him set high ball screens.  This is something that Onalaska also does with Matt Thomas.  Set a guard to guard high ball screen and with the deadly shooter setting the screen, the driver usually can turn the corner without resistance.  Lakeville North falls to 13-4 overall and more importantly 7-2 in the South Suburban and 2 games behind Apple Valley for 1st.  They remain 1 game ahead of Prior Lake and Eagan.

For Kennedy, Dejon Davis outstanding with 23 points and terrific defense on Macura.  CJ Lewis with 3 triples and 18 points off the bench in a clutch performance.  Travon Hearns 13 points inside as he showed that you can get after Lakeville North inside.  Jumah'ri Turner 3 big 3s in the 2nd half for 9 of his 10 points.  Kennedy improves to 6-11 overall, 3-6 in the South Suburban.  A big win for the Eagles as they are in an absolutely brutal stretch of their schedule right now.  Apple Valley visits on Friday and then a trip to Prior Lake next Tuesday.

Play of the Day
This is Lakeville North's "Triangle" set from the Baseline Out of Bounds.  Nothing fancy here.  Its 2 guys on the boxes, a guard at the top of the key and Macura right at the front of the rim.  3 options for him.  If the defender doesn't see the ball, throw it up to him.  He got his only point of the first half on this.  Otherwise, he can read the defender and go off of either baseline screen.  The effective option is coming out the weak side for a short corner jumper.  He got a pair of 2nd half baskets off of this.   Nothing fancy here, but it shows that the simplest things can be the most effective.

A good day for the letter L

Prologue
A ridiculously early morning in The Kingdom as The Czar was up early to go find some bodies for my 7th grade team this spring.  But only 1 8 AM session of that nonsense as I wouldn't want to miss an early outstate opener at the Target Center.  Then a dash to the south side and back to the island for a big nightcap.  The Washburn hot dog always outstanding and well priced.  De La Salle pulling out Walking Tacos tonight so you know I'm not passing on that.  No salsa or sour cream so a little dry and a lack of kick, but very straight forward and not bad at all.  32 ounces of Coke and a 20 oz Pepsi go on the beverage tally.  Washburn turning out the tunes again with some Earth, Wind and Fire, "Let's Groove". 

Game 1: Leroy-Ostrander vs McGregor (Target Center)
A slow start on the scoreboard to this outstate class A showdown.  A Nick Fistere putback for McGregor ties the game at 5 at the 12 minute mark.  But the Mercuries offense will fall almost as far as the mercury last week.  Only 1 field goal the rest of the half as Leroy-Ostrander goes on an 18-4 run.  25-14 Leroy-Ostrander at the half.  Only 3 McGregor field goals all half but they hang around with 8-12 FTs compared to 2-8 for the Cardinals.  A putback early in the 2nd half cuts the lead to 9, but a pair of turnovers for layups helps push the lead back to 13.  Alex Johnson for 3 for McGregor to cut the lead to 10 with 8:52 left and its McGregor's last timeout.  Very little offense the rest of the way.  Leroy-Ostrander wins 50-36.  Nate Bunne leads Leroy-Ostrander with 18 points.

Game 2: Lakeville South at Minneapolis Washburn
An anticipated point guard matchup of Nick Anderson vs Lakeville South 8th grade star Jack Sorenson doesn't immediately materialize as both come off the bench.  Zach Richter with a layup off a long feed from Luke Iverson and then a jumper to complete an 11-2 Lakeville South run.  That opens up a 29-21 lead and South takes that to halftime at 35-26.  Anderson sitting the last 5:51 with 2 fouls.  During the half we get an appearance from Gopher football head coach Jerry Kill who walks in with an assistant to watch Washburn's Jeff Jones.

Richter and Noah Scarver get banging inside and we get the always ridiculous double foul.  Then Richter tagged in another scrum with Scarver and The Former Reverend whacks him with a T.  That leads to 4 in a row from Evan Shepherd.   Lakeville South takes a timeout to regain some composure.  Sorenson with a floater for a 3 point play.  Anderson counters with a runner and baseline drive and we're tied at 38 with 12:35 left.  That's a 12-3 run by the Millers to start the half.  Then a Washburn foul and a return T for complaining.  South makes all 4 free throws to take a 44-40 lead.  They take a timeout to setup the possession but come up with 2 straight possessions of bad shots.  Scarver swats the 1st leading to points and Anderson makes 2 free throws to bring the Millers back to even at 44 with 11:20 left.  Sorenson for 3 as South opens a 54-47 lead with 8:06 left.  Washburn comes out a calming timeout and responds with a 12-0 run.  JoBreil Powell with a pair of bombs and a pair of free throws with Anderson scoring the other 4.  59-54 Washburn with 5:54 left.

Corey Larson a nice 2nd backcut for a 3 point play to cut the Washburn lead to 2.  Shepherd walks on the break, Jones misses a good 10 footer, Scarver misses a layup as Washburn misses some valuable chances.  Larson misses a inbounds lob.  Finally its Sorenson with a bomb with 2:48 left for a 62-61 Cougars lead.  Jordan Johnson with 4 straight points as Washburn misses on a pair of possessions.  But a Jones putback and a nice feed from Shepherd to Quinton Garvis keeps Washburn within 66-65 with 1:03 left.  Richter makes 1 free throw with 53 ticks left.  3-2 zone for South and Anderson is left all alone on the left wing.  His 3 for the lead is off the mark with 34 seconds left.  Surprised he got that good of a look.  Larson makes 1 of 2 so Washburn gets 1 last chance but Shepherd and Jones are off the mark from 3.  A pair of free throws seals a 70-65 Lakeville South win.  Corey Larson with 16 points.  Jack Sorenson 11 of his 14 in the 2nd half.  Jordan Johnson clutch late, 8 of his 12 in the 2nd half.  Washburn gets 5 in double figures all between 10 and 12 points. JoBreil Powell all 11 points off the bench in the 2nd half with 3 big triples.

Game 3: #5AAAA Eden Prairie at #1AAA De La Salle
Then its time to hustle back to the island for the back end of the boys/girls doubleheader between Eden Prairie and De La Salle.  Jack Cottrell with nice footwork for a turnaround jumper and a nice stepback Nowitzki like fade.  13-11 Eden Prairie at the 12:30 mark.  22-17 Eagles at the 6:48 mark as De La Salle takes a timeout and Dave Thorson not at all happy with his team's play.  De La Salle goes on an 11-0 run over the last 3:30 for a 33-29 halftime lead.

Grant Shaeffer was the early offense for the Eagles.  His 3 point play after Luke Scott somehow missed 4 straight free throws put EP up 38-37 with 15:21 to play.  Travis picking up his play with a post bucket and then a difficult tip over an Eagle inside.  Shaeffer on the drive for 2 more, then Cottrell has to sit at the 10:58 mark with his 4th foul.  45-44 Islanders lead at that point.  Shaeffer with both ends of the bonus to tie the game at 49 at the 9:31 mark.  Coach David Flom rolling the dice bringing Cottrell back in but it was mostly in offense/defense situations.  Jarvis Johnson with a bucket and knocks down a rare attempt at a 3.  James Lawson on the offensive glass, Travis with a putback for a 3 point play at the 7:37 mark.  Then Travis fouled on an inbounds lob for 2 free throws.  Its a 12-2 Islanders run for a 61-51 lead with 7:14 left.  Then a great sequence from De La Salle as the ball goes all the way around the horn corner to corner and then back to Sacar Anim for a drive and bucket.  Then Travis ignites the crowd with not 1, not 2 but 3 swats on 1 possession.  The 3rd looks like a clean block but the whistle blows much to the disgust of the crowd.  Travis drawing a ton of attention on the side ball screen and that allows Jarvis Johnson to turn the corner and extend for a bucket and foul. Eden Prairie doesn't threaten again.  De La Salle wins the showdown 77-60.

Reid Travis finishes with 18 and 11 on my sheet.  Jarvis Johnson with the best game I've seen him play in a long time with 15 points.  Luke Scott 13 points but held without a 3.  James Lawson 10 points and important work cleaning the glass.  1 item to watch with the Islanders is that teams will leave Lawson to double Travis and totally clog up the Islander offense when both are on the floor.

Eden Prairie gets 19 points from Grant Shaeffer with 9-11 FTs in the 2nd half.  Anthony Anderson and Andre Wallace with 11 each as both were held in check.  Jack Cottrell with 12 points.  He had 8 of those in the 1st half when I thought he outplayed Travis.  Then foul trouble in the 2nd half and only 4 free throws.  He was missed on the glass during that time as well.

So if I saw your team today and your school name had the letter L in it, you won.

Orioles stay the course

Prologue
St. Louis Park hosting St. Francis in North Suburban showdown.  St. Louis Park hoping to stay on top of the league with Cooper.  St. Francis on a slide after a surprising start.  Hot dogs not done early in the JV game but chocolate chip cookies are always a nice alternative.  20 ounces of Coke washes it down.  St. Olaf looking on as part of a nice crowd on hand.  Best moment of the night is a youngster pulling out the Transformer Optimus Prime.  He even was able to convert it back and forth.  Very cool.

Game Time
Jake Johnson with 6 points inside for St. Francis.  DJ Pollard wakes up the home crowd with a steal and 2 handed flush.  Kashif Hayes with a 3 countered by Blake Moreno scoring inside for St. Francis.  11-10 St. Louis Park at the 9:05 mark.  Then the Orioles pick up the offense.  Hayes on the drive, Pollard with a pair of pullups and runs for a layup.  Hayes for 3 and a layup and 3 free throws.  Pollard back to back buckets to force a Saints timeout.  35-19 St. Louis Park just outside of 2 minutes left in the half. Then Moreno with a bucket and Johnson and Moreno with a free throw.  St. Francis within 12 in the last minute.  But they give up an offensive board for 2 and a turnover for 2 more to end the half.  39-23 Orioles at the break.  29 of those 39 from the star duo of Hayes and Pollard.

A pair of Saints 3s, including a long one from Austin Carlson, keep St. Francis within 49-34 with 13:10 to play.  Hayes with 4 straight free throws, an Orioles 3 and Pollard with 4 free throws in a row.  60-39 Orioles with 8:41 left and there's no challenge from there.  A couple late buckets gives St. Louis Park a 76-49 win.

Post Game
For St. Francis, Jake Johnson leads with 11 points and 13 rebounds.  Blake Moreno with 13 points.  The guards just outmatched in this one.  But the Saints do have a nice nucleus of Johnson, Moreno and point guard Cody Wald returning.  That's 6 of the top 7 coming back.  The Saints fall to 11-5 (3-5) with 5 losses in a row.  Its no easier coming up with a trip to Spring Lake Park next Tuesday, then Rogers, Fridley and Columbia Heights in the near future.

St. Louis Park improves to 13-3 and 7-0 in the North Suburban.  Kashif Hayes 23 points on 11-11 from the charity stripe.  DJ Pollard with 22 points.  Just too much athleticism from St. Louis Park.  Interesting with all seniors that they have a whole bunch of them play the 1st half of the JV game.  Maybe good for this year but that makes the future even more bleak.  St. Louis Park is at Totino-Grace on Tuesday in a trap game.  Then the big matchup at Cooper for the conference lead.  It will the 1st matchup between the teams during the season.  That's part of 4 in a row on the road before a 5 game homestand to close the regular season out.

Rebels hold off Panthers

Prologue
Off to Spring Lake Park for a non-conference showdown with Champlin Park.  I get yapping which almost means my hot dog gets cold.  Never a good thing but thank goodness for tin foil.  12 more ounces on the beverage tally as well with the strange concept of Sprite Zero.

Game Time
Trevor Garrison with 3 easy buckets early as Champlin Park opens an 11-7 lead.  Michael Sales off the Rebels bench with a jumper, a 3 and then 2-3 freebies fouled on a 3.  That opens up a Champlin Park lead of 27-18 at the 8:13 mark.  Then Panthers guard Gary Cook heats up.  A pair of free throws and a triple to cut the lead to 4.  The Rebels push the lead back to 8 but back to back drive and kicks find Cook who knocks down 2 more bombs.  Cook adds 2 free throws to close out the scoring for the half.  39-37 Champlin Park at the half.  Cook with 15.

Robert Ben drives for 2, the teams trade bombs and TC Robinson converts a turnover into a layup.  That puts Spring Lake Park back on top 46-44 at the 14:33 mark.  A very fast pace at this point in the half with both teams really pushing the ball back down the opponents throat after a make.  Tied at 48 when Garrison gets out on the break and gets whacked with an intentional foul.  Garrison makes 1 of the 2 freebies and Champlin Park can't get anything on the possession at the 13:30 mark.  Champlin Park lead 57-54 at the 10:18 mark as Garrison adds a layup to draw a Spring Lake Park timeout.

Matt Juneau for 2 to push the lead to 5, but TC Robinson with a 3 and center Justin Axelson with the running banker off the screen and roll for a 6-0 Panthers run.  60-59 Spring Lake Park inside of 6 to play.  Ian Smith right back the other way with a 3 point play for Champlin Park and a 2 point.  Then the Rebels pull out the 1-3-1 zone.  That slows down the Panthers offense.  Brennan Witt takes over inside for Champlin Park down the stretch.  He scores 9 Rebels points in a row after the zone starts.  Over 3:20 that stretches the Rebels lead to 71-64 with 1:20 left.  Robinson buries a 3 and a turnover is a Robert Ben bucket inside a minute to go and the lead is down to 2.   The lead is 3 with 14.1 left when Champlin Park misses a front end but the worst basketball crime is giving up the offensive rebound on a free throw.  Ian Smith ends up with it and buries 2 free throws.  Cook gets a bucket with 4 seconds left and Spring Lake Park takes a timeout down 3.  The long baseball pass is tracked down by Garrison to save possession and then he smartly gets the timeout jumping out of bounds with 2.9 left.  If he doesn't come up with that, the ball comes all the way back to under the Panthers bucket for a chance to tie.  Now the only way you get beat is with a long pass toward halfcourt.  That's exactly what happens and a tip gives Spring Lake Park a heave from around halfcourt at the buzzer.  It hits the iron but is off.  Champlin Park wins 75-72.

Post Game
For Spring Lake Park, they've now lost 3 in a row to fall to 9-7 and they may fall from 16th to out of next week's state poll.  Senior guard Gary Cook outstanding off the bench with 26 points to lead the Panthers.  TC Robinson with 11 of his 18 points in the 2nd half to help bring Spring Lake Park back.  The Panthers have North Branch at home to finish the week and then host St. Francis next Tuesday.

For Champlin Park, center Brennan Witt with 13 of his 22 in the second half to lead the Rebels.  A couple of good sets for him and he took advantage inside late with the 9 in a row to make the difference.  Ian Smith a solid 18 point night running the point.  Trevor Garrison with 10 of his 13 in the 1st half.  Very interesting in the 1-3-1 zone as the Rebels didn't put a long and/or athletic guy like a Garrison or Sales at the top of it.  Garrison was actually running the baseline while PG Smith was playing a wing spot.  Then Smith played a bit at the top of it which defeats the entire purpose of the zone.  The Rebels improve to 11-4 and have won 5 out of 6.  They are at Maple Grove on Tuesday and then host Armstrong on Thursday.  2 big games for the Rebels to try and stay in the loaded top half of the Northwest Suburban.

2012-13 Midseason CzarPI

We're basically halfway through the 2012-13 season so a perfect time for the 2nd CzarPI of the Season (see CzarPI Explained here).  It includes games through January 22nd, 2013  The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class

Class AAAA

1. Apple Valley - 61.94 (9)
2. Park Center - 61.75 (15)
3. Eden Prairie - 60.27 (23)
4. Brainerd - 59.23 (56)
5. Osseo - 58.94 (19)
6. Roseville - 57.28 (37)
7. Hopkins - 57.17 (34)
8. Lakeville North - 56.77 (31)
9. Minnetonka - 56.72 (48)
10. Woodbury - 56.51 (36)
11. St. Louis Park - 56.1 (40)
12. Edina - 55.65 (3)
13. Stillwater Area - 55.16 (32)
14. Maple Grove - 55.05 (26)
15. Duluth East - 55.03 (22)
16. East Ridge - 54.89 (44)
17. Prior Lake - 54.55 (28)
18. Shakopee - 54.26 (21)
19. Tartan - 54.08 (59)
20. Champlin Park - 53.5 (29)
21. Wayzata - 53.48 (49)
22. Robbinsdale Armstrong - 53.38 (30)
23. Buffalo - 53.21 (4)
24. Moorhead - 52.79 (24)
25. Eagan - 52.3 (27)
26. Elk River - 52.29 (33)
27. Rochester John Marshall - 52.18 (55)
28. Mahtomedi - 51.9 (62)
29. Robbinsdale Cooper - 51.81 (17)
30. Eastview - 51.72 (1)
31. Owatonna - 50.51 (43)
32. Chanhassen - 49.53 (10)
33. St. Francis - 49.24 (63)
34. Farmington - 48.05 (54)
35. Henry Sibley - 48.03 (57)
36. White Bear Lake - 47.99 (16)
37. Mounds View - 47.99 (46)
38. Bloomington Jefferson - 47.02 (20)
39. Irondale - 45.53 (53)
40. Minneapolis South - 45.43 (60)
41. Lakeville South - 44.66 (38)
42. Bloomington Kennedy - 44.44 (18)
43. St. Michael-Albertville - 44.41 (51)
44. Rosemount - 44.35 (14)
45. Minneapolis Southwest - 43.39 (61)
46. Centennial - 42.96 (12)
47. Northfield - 42.82 (52)
48. Forest Lake - 42.33 (41)
49. Blaine - 42.18 (11)
50. Cretin-Derham Hall - 42.13 (39)
51. Rochester Century - 41.53 (35)
52. Rogers - 41.49 (42)
53. St. Cloud Tech - 35.5 (6)
54. Rochester Mayo - 34.43 (25)
55. Cambridge-Isanti - 34.09 (45)
56. Andover - 33.93 (13)
57. Burnsville - 31.52 (7)
58. Bemidji - 30.97 (2)
59. Anoka - 29.61 (8)
60. Hastings - 25.3 (47)
61. Park of Cottage Grove - 24.63 (58)
62. North St. Paul - 24.41 (50)
63. Coon Rapids - 0 (5)

Class AAA

1. DeLaSalle - 59.7 (21)
2. Austin - 58.03 (53)
3. Marshall - 57.39 (27)
4. Hermantown - 56.53 (48)
5. Delano - 56.25 (58)
6. Waconia - 55.48 (4)
7. Blake - 54.83 (6)
8. Little Falls - 54.46 (11)
9. Holy Angels - 53.91 (14)
10. Richfield - 53.42 (50)
11. Thief River Falls - 52.81 (49)
12. New Prague - 52.74 (12)
13. Grand Rapids - 52.61 (44)
14. Fergus Falls - 51.75 (9)
15. Mound-Westonka - 51.58 (41)
16. Columbia Heights - 50.77 (54)
17. St. Paul Central - 50.12 (30)
18. Sartell-St. Stephen - 49.25 (16)
19. St. Paul Johnson - 49.24 (8)
20. Big Lake - 48.11 (60)
21. Hill-Murray - 47.85 (23)
22. Mankato West - 47.85 (22)
23. Red Wing - 47.78 (35)
24. Spring Lake Park - 47.73 (46)
25. Willmar - 47.71 (38)
26. Orono - 47.34 (13)
27. Albert Lea - 47.31 (52)
28. St. Cloud Apollo - 47.23 (26)
29. East Grand Forks - 47 (45)
30. Holy Family Catholic - 46.95 (2)
31. Detroit Lakes - 46.8 (37)
32. Chaska - 46.1 (17)
33. Simley - 45.92 (61)
34. Hutchinson - 45.89 (18)
35. St. Paul Highland Park - 45.51 (42)
36. Minneapolis Washburn - 44.61 (56)
37. Alexandria - 44.39 (10)
38. Minneapolis Henry - 43.63 (32)
39. Cloquet - 43.39 (33)
40. Chisago Lakes Area - 42.89 (47)
41. Winona - 42.46 (20)
42. Zimmerman - 42.02 (57)
43. Minneapolis Roosevelt - 41.39 (63)
44. Benilde-St. Margaret's - 40.6 (15)
45. Fridley - 40.58 (55)
46. Becker - 40.55 (3)
47. Rocori - 40.46 (43)
48. Waseca - 39.59 (34)
49. Totino-Grace - 39.56 (24)
50. St. Thomas Academy - 39.44 (1)
51. St. Anthony Village - 38.61 (62)
52. St. Paul Harding - 37.5 (64)
53. Hibbing - 37.17 (59)
54. Monticello - 36.86 (29)
55. St. Paul Como Park - 36.21 (31)
56. Kasson-Mantorville - 35.22 (5)
57. Faribault - 34.98 (25)
58. New Ulm - 32 (36)
59. Princeton - 31.11 (51)
60. Mankato East - 30.91 (7)
61. North Branch - 30.32 (28)
62. South St. Paul - 26.44 (65)
63. Dassel-Cokato - 0 (19)
64. Duluth Denfeld - 0 (39)
65. Sauk Rapids-Rice - 0 (40)

Class AA

1. Hawley - 58.75 (37)
2. Litchfield - 58.5 (3)
3. Melrose - 58.22 (47)
4. St. Cloud Cathedral - 57.78 (19)
5. Redwood Valley - 57.57 (29)
6. Mora - 56.63 (27)
7. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 55.78 (70)
8. Worthington - 55.57 (2)
9. Perham - 55.46 (18)
10. Esko - 55.44 (39)
11. Maple River - 55.33 (75)
12. Hayfield - 55.17 (54)
13. St. Peter - 55.12 (107)
14. Byron - 54.88 (118)
15. International Falls - 54.33 (65)
16. Braham - 54.27 (99)
17. Fairmont - 54.22 (69)
18. Jordan - 54.22 (102)
19. Pelican Rapids - 54.21 (68)
20. Annandale - 53.93 (17)
21. Martin County West - 53.81 (93)
22. Luverne - 53.67 (30)
23. Minnehaha Academy - 53.43 (28)
24. Crosby-Ironton - 53.22 (64)
25. Mayer Lutheran - 53.07 (36)
26. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 52.95 (45)
27. Moose Lake-Willow River - 51.84 (51)
28. Providence Academy - 51.77 (90)
29. Deer River - 51.38 (111)
30. Rochester Lourdes - 51.25 (56)
31. New London-Spicer - 50.78 (22)
32. Sauk Centre - 50.67 (13)
33. Norwood-Young America - 50.58 (66)
34. Jackson County Central - 50.45 (1)
35. Sibley East - 50.36 (61)
36. Lake City - 50.18 (120)
37. Southland - 50.17 (98)
38. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 49.91 (34)
39. Albany - 49.81 (14)
40. United South Central - 49.72 (26)
41. Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 49.34 (105)
42. Crookston - 49.14 (23)
43. Pierz - 48.97 (9)
44. Caledonia - 48.71 (103)
45. Warroad - 48.59 (44)
46. Brooklyn Center - 48.11 (43)
47. Hinckley-Finlayson - 48 (121)
48. Rockford - 47.87 (8)
49. Lewiston-Altura - 47.85 (100)
50. St. Croix Lutheran - 47.77 (15)
51. Staples-Motley - 47.75 (62)
52. Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 47.65 (84)
53. Montevideo - 47.34 (95)
54. Cannon Falls - 47.27 (71)
55. New Life Academy - 47.24 (76)
56. St. Charles - 47.23 (89)
57. Belle Plaine - 46.98 (73)
58. Kimball Area - 46.93 (117)
59. Breck - 46.76 (106)
60. Virginia - 46.65 (41)
61. Glencoe-Silver Lake - 45.71 (83)
62. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 45.6 (91)
63. Concordia Academy-Roseville - 45.56 (72)
64. St. Paul Humboldt - 45.23 (116)
65. Eveleth-Gilbert - 45.1 (92)
66. Maple Lake - 44.65 (80)
67. Winona Cotter - 44.65 (82)
68. Chatfield - 44.51 (113)
69. Milaca - 44.23 (52)
70. Eden Valley-Watkins - 44.08 (53)
71. International School of MN - 43.95 (125)
72. St. John's Prep - 43.77 (77)
73. Watertown-Mayer - 43.64 (57)
74. Rush City - 43.34 (108)
75. Windom Area - 43.31 (20)
76. Pequot Lakes - 42.98 (21)
77. Roseau - 42.84 (97)
78. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 42.42 (50)
79. Lac qui Parle Valley - 42.32 (96)
80. Medford - 41.75 (122)
81. Blue Earth Area - 41.75 (104)
82. Foley - 41.56 (33)
83. Benson - 41.2 (4)
84. La Crescent - 40.94 (67)
85. Holdingford - 40.9 (16)
86. St. Paul Academy - 40.53 (114)
87. Kenyon-Wanamingo - 40.39 (110)
88. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 40.34 (46)
89. BOLD - 40.22 (86)
90. Bagley - 40.1 (25)
91. Stewartville - 39.74 (11)
92. Tri-City United - 39.73 (60)
93. Park Rapids Area - 38.97 (74)
94. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 38.73 (38)
95. Breckenridge - 38.73 (7)
96. Barnesville - 38.19 (79)
97. Pipestone Area - 37.8 (10)
98. Minnewaska Area - 37.17 (6)
99. Aitkin - 36.99 (55)
100. Minneapolis Edison - 36.95 (101)
101. St. Agnes - 36.82 (78)
102. Pine Island - 36.54 (94)
103. Cristo Rey Jesuit - 36.36 (127)
104. Pine City - 35.47 (112)
105. Kingsland - 35.47 (40)
106. Two Harbors - 35.17 (32)
107. New Richland-H-E-G - 35.15 (87)
108. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 34.9 (31)
109. Wadena-Deer Creek - 34.67 (109)
110. Frazee - 34.34 (35)
111. Proctor - 32.4 (119)
112. Great River - 32.18 (126)
113. Greenway - 29.97 (49)
114. St. Paul Washington - 29.27 (123)
115. Dover-Eyota - 29.07 (81)
116. Wabasha-Kellogg - 28.57 (63)
117. Spectrum - 27.69 (88)
118. Mounds Park Academy - 27.07 (115)
119. Trinity School - 25.61 (85)
120. LeSueur-Henderson - 24.1 (42)
121. Triton - 24.1 (59)
122. Osakis - 24.04 (5)
123. Paynesville Area - 20.97 (12)
124. Yellow Medicine East - 20.6 (58)
125. St. James Area - 19.01 (48)
126. Duluth Marshall - 0 (24)
127. Hmong Academy - 0 (124)

Class A

1. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 61.76 (4)
2. Upsala - 58.19 (70)
3. Southwest MN Christian - 57.63 (49)
4. Maranatha Christian - 57.09 (60)
5. Browerville - 56.35 (24)
6. Heritage Christian - 55.44 (83)
7. Dawson-Boyd - 55.28 (38)
8. Northern Freeze - 54.49 (116)
9. Rushford-Peterson - 54.38 (95)
10. Ely - 54.37 (102)
11. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 54.18 (109)
12. Bigfork - 54.15 (29)
13. Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 54.1 (39)
14. Canby - 54.02 (65)
15. Floodwood - 53.69 (80)
16. Win-E-Mac - 53.29 (118)
17. Barnum - 52.75 (99)
18. Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 52.53 (87)
19. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 52.32 (113)
20. West Lutheran - 51.55 (77)
21. Fertile-Beltrami - 51.37 (61)
22. Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 51.29 (73)
23. Mountain Lake Area - 51.21 (133)
24. Henning - 51.13 (132)
25. Pillager - 50.98 (63)
26. Swanville - 50.58 (18)
27. Ulen-Hitterdal - 50.23 (134)
28. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 50.08 (20)
29. Cook County - 49.89 (11)
30. Ashby - 49.51 (103)
31. Springfield - 49.46 (32)
32. West Central Area - 48.69 (6)
33. Ada-Borup - 48.62 (139)
34. Nevis - 48.43 (79)
35. Minneota - 48.39 (131)
36. Red Lake - 48 (21)
37. Lakeview Christian - 47.97 (30)
38. Battle Lake - 47.94 (112)
39. Mahnomen - 47.78 (122)
40. Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 47.76 (46)
41. South Ridge - 47.51 (78)
42. Bethlehem Academy - 47.17 (136)
43. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 47.03 (98)
44. Spring Grove - 47 (141)
45. Northome/Kelliher - 46.82 (114)
46. MACCRAY - 46.81 (31)
47. Lanesboro - 46.23 (149)
48. Goodridge/Grygla - 46.22 (126)
49. Littlefork-Big Falls - 45.85 (72)
50. Blooming Prairie - 45.85 (110)
51. Mountain Iron-Buhl - 45.7 (40)
52. Blackduck - 45.67 (104)
53. Red Rock Central - 45.21 (44)
54. Ortonville - 45.21 (47)
55. Fosston - 44.89 (54)
56. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 44.84 (106)
57. Southwest Christian - 44.8 (5)
58. Park Christian - 44.33 (129)
59. St. Clair - 43.99 (138)
60. Mankato Loyola - 43.65 (59)
61. Brandon/Evansville - 43.6 (43)
62. Verndale - 43.34 (93)
63. Isle - 43.27 (124)
64. Cherry - 43.12 (108)
65. Ellsworth - 42.51 (12)
66. Mesabi Academy - 42.27 (153)
67. Onamia - 42.01 (68)
68. Goodhue - 41.9 (75)
69. Calvin Christian - 41.55 (155)
70. St. Croix Prep - 41.42 (157)
71. Grand Meadow - 41.06 (152)
72. Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 40.99 (117)
73. Wabasso - 40.97 (96)
74. Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 40.93 (94)
75. Fulda - 40.9 (41)
76. Bertha-Hewitt - 40.65 (66)
77. PACT Charter - 39.98 (25)
78. Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 39.85 (142)
79. Nashwauk-Keewatin - 39.79 (9)
80. Hills-Beaver Creek - 39.71 (10)
81. Legacy Christian - 39.66 (2)
82. MetroTech Career Academy - 39.64 (13)
83. Southwest United - 39.63 (16)
84. Menahga - 39.47 (121)
85. Schaeffer Academy - 39.42 (151)
86. Wrenshall - 39.21 (86)
87. Kittson County Central - 39.19 (19)
88. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 39.11 (146)
89. Lakeview - 39.04 (36)
90. Red Lake County - 38.71 (105)
91. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 38.48 (58)
92. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 38.46 (143)
93. Stephen-Argyle - 38.34 (111)
94. North Woods - 38.26 (53)
95. North Lakes Academy - 38.02 (154)
96. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 37.92 (42)
97. Underwood - 37.88 (48)
98. Hill City - 37.85 (84)
99. Bethany Academy - 37.83 (85)
100. CHOF - 37.58 (22)
101. Royalton - 37.11 (62)
102. Carlton - 36.99 (123)
103. Truman/Martin Luther - 36.87 (135)
104. Cass Lake-Bena - 36.83 (27)
105. Edgerton - 36.41 (89)
106. Northland - 35.8 (125)
107. Community of Peace Academy - 35.66 (158)
108. Central MN Christian - 35.62 (55)
109. New York Mills - 34.88 (8)
110. Chisholm - 34.84 (67)
111. Randolph - 34.6 (144)
112. Parkers Prairie - 33.06 (52)
113. New Ulm Cathedral - 33.06 (34)
114. Cleveland - 32.91 (127)
115. Fillmore Central - 32.77 (57)
116. Cromwell - 32.64 (101)
117. Hope Lutheran - 30.42 (150)
118. Nova Classical Academy - 30.27 (159)
119. Lincoln HI - 30.17 (15)
120. Mabel-Canton - 29.9 (148)
121. Rothsay - 29.53 (56)
122. Sleepy Eye - 29.28 (100)
123. Murray County Central - 29.2 (35)
124. Mesabi East - 29.08 (130)
125. Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 28.75 (37)
126. Eagle Valley - 28.32 (50)
127. Norman County East - 28.13 (45)
128. Climax/Fisher - 26.83 (82)
129. Minneapolis North - 26.63 (107)
130. Northeast Range - 26.08 (74)
131. Houston - 25.09 (128)
132. LeRoy-Ostrander - 24.94 (147)
133. Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 24.79 (88)
134. Pine River-Backus - 24.27 (3)
135. Sebeka - 23.62 (14)
136. Clearbrook-Gonvick - 22.67 (23)
137. Madelia - 22.52 (115)
138. Glenville-Emmons - 21.98 (120)
139. Laporte - 21.82 (119)
140. Lake Park-Audubon - 21.14 (91)
141. Ogilvie - 20.59 (69)
142. Alden-Conger - 19.99 (140)
143. MN Academy for the Deaf - 19.91 (160)
144. Norman County West - 18.39 (81)
145. Waubun - 18.37 (76)
146. Sacred Heart - 18.37 (145)
147. Silver Bay - 0 (1)
148. Adrian - 0 (7)
149. Hancock - 0 (17)
150. McGregor - 0 (26)
151. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 0 (28)
152. Renville County West - 0 (33)
153. Nicollet - 0 (51)
154. Lake of the Woods - 0 (64)
155. Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (71)
156. Minnesota Transitions Charter - 0 (90)
157. East Central - 0 (92)
158. E.C.H.O. Charter - 0 (97)
159. FAIR School - 0 (137)
160. Liberty Classical Academy - 0 (155)

Minutemen save a record

Central Minuteman

Prologue
Off to St. Paul Central for a big St. Paul City showdown between Johnson and Central.  Johnson coming into the game with a 55 game conference winning streak.  Central has the all-time record with a 56 game streak in the mid 80s.  Central was also the last team to beat Johnson in league play, also at Central, on January 18th, 2008.  No Minute Maid on the menu so I'll have to settle for 12 oz of Sprite.  Valley City State in the building to keep an eye on Quashingm Smith-Pugh of Johnson.  We also get a quality performance from the largest band in the land with the Central pep band taking up a large section.  The Central Minuteman mascot sporting the outstanding hat and doing an outstanding job pacing the sideline.  I'm no photography expert but I had to get a quick one to try to do the mascot some justice.

Trivia:
Johnson did lose a big game to a conference rival during the streak but in a non-conference scenario.  Can you name it?  Answer at the end of this post.

Game Time
Central showing a possession of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE.  That results a Markus Taylor-Knighten post up and 3 point play for a 6-1 Minutemen lead.  More importantly its the 2nd foul on Smith-Pugh and he has to sit at the 15:23 mark.  Johnson cuts the lead to 1 but the offense sputters with Smith-Pugh on the bench.  Taylor-Knighten backcuts for a 3 point play, grabs 2 offensive boards for a bucket, knocks down a jumper and then makes 2 technical free throws as Johnson is totally frustrated.  The run is 9-0 in 3:46.  15-5 Central at 8:51.  Smith-Pugh returns at the 6:32 mark.  Johnson with 1 field goal in the 1st 12:20 but they do have a mini rally in them.  Central misses a lob and Smith-Pugh takes it the other way for 2.  Johnson adds a putback and they're within 21-14 at the 2:40 mark.  26-14 Central at the half

A Central steal for 2 free throws is Jalen Mobley's 4th foul with 13:37 to play.  Guard Rayeon Williams with a jumper and Central is up 35-21 with 12 minutes left.  Vern Simmons regroups his guys in a timeout and they go back to good old Johnson full court pressure.  Smith-Pugh puts back a miss and a turnover is a Govs layup.  Lead down to 6 and now Central coach Scott Howell needs a timeout to settle his guys down.  35-27 at the 10:05 mark.  Mobley then fouls out at the 9:50 mark on a John Lithgow hand check.  But as the 2nd best offensive option, you have to wonder why he wasn't sitting.  A Central turnover for 2 free throws cuts the lead to 5 and it looks like Central is seriously crumbling.  Taylor-Knighten with a nice scoop and a Felix Taylor Jr. drive and the Central lead is 40-31 inside 7 to play.

Central never puts this one away as they miss 11 free throws in the last 7 minutes.  But they do get some clutch plays.  Taylor-Knighten with his last block of the night to protect a 6 point lead with 3:30 to go.  Central would get another block on the next possession but then throw a long outlet pass away.  Taylor does make 6 of 8 in the last 2 minutes to help the cause.  Smith-Pugh misses 2 with 17.7 left that could have cut the lead to 3 and really made it interesting.  Central goes on to win 53-49. 

Post Game
For Johnson, Lazerik Gilbert leads with all 17 of his points in the 2nd half, 11 in the last 2 minutes as the Govs tried to rally.  Quashingm Smith-Pugh 11 points despite being in foul trouble.  Just no offensive flow for the Govs.  When they turned up the defense midway through the 2nd half it had a 5 minute stretch of bothering Central.  Once they dealt with it, Govs had no answer.  Johnson falls to 6-5.  They host Como Park Friday before a showdown with Edina in the Super 60 on Saturday night. 

Central improves to 10-5 with the win and 3-0 in the conference.  Markus Taylor-Knighten was outstanding, particularly in the 1st half but he also cleaned up the boards in the 2nd half.  He finishes with 19 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks on my sheet.  14, 8 and 3 of those in the 1st half to help Central jump out to the double figure lead.  Guard Felix Taylor took care of some late free throws to end up with 12 points.  They used some 2-3 to good effect in this one.  When you look at the roster, don't be surprised at this result.  They've got the top post in the league (Malik Durant-Haines) and have more firepower than Johnson does.  Add in a star player in Taylor-Knighten and you have a dangerous club.

Central has 3 straight tough games to end the week.  Minnehaha on Thursday, at Highland Park for the league lead on Friday and a short turnaround for Kennedy on Saturday afternoon in the Super 60.  They didn't show much depth tonight, we'll see if that comes into play with 4 games in 5 days.  The Central rematch at Johnson is Thursday, February 14th and expect a fun atmosphere on the east side for that one.

Trivia Answer:
The answer is St. Paul Como Park.  The Cougars upset Johnson 72-61 in the 4AAA section final on March 18, 2008.  Como Park lost the 2 regular season meetings by a combined 9 points in low scoring games.

2013 Midwest Players Classic Thoughts

Prologue
Its the 3rd annual Midwest Players Classic at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI.  Always great to get back to The Old Kingdom for this one.  Now thanks to an early morning train ride with Roseville, the arrival is late for game 1.  The games themselves didn't stand out but plenty of D1 talent on hand.  If there's anything I've learned, I've figured out that the bigger the building, the more expensive the concessions.  $3 for a 20 oz Pepsi isn't the cheapest but I'm more than happy to support a quality event in my hometown.  Here are some of the sights and sounds.  I arrived in time to see the end of Austin steamrolling Westby 71-48.  Packers on a serious roll right now and might be at another level to compete against De La Salle in AAA.

Game 2: Eastview vs Holmen, WI
Eastview gets their pace as they hold the Vikings to 1 field goal in the 1st quarter.  But Ben Oberfeld picks up his 2nd foul with 44.4 left in the quarter.  He'll sit the rest of the half.  That kills the Eastview offense as they only get 1 field goal in the 2nd quarter.  Some of that due to a clock killing 5 out look.  That allows Holmen to cut the lead in half to pull within 17-13 at the half.  5 in a row to start the half for Eastview pushes the lead to 9. Oberfeld sits the last 3:56 of the 3rd quarter after rolling an ankle.  But a late Eastview 3 keeps the lead at 7 after 3.  Holmen makes it interesting in the last minute with a 3 to cut the lead to 2 with 11.6 left.  But a pair of free throws seals a 37-33 Eastview win.  Ben Oberfeld 6 points and 10 boards on my sheet.

Game 3: Manitowoc (WI) Roncalli vs Maple River
This was the game I was most looking forward to.  Roncalli knocks down 5 3s in the 1st quarter and then 2 right away to start the 2nd quarter.  7 3s in less than 9 minutes, those lead to a 17-2 run to put the Jets up 27-11.  The Jets run out of fuel with no 3s the rest of the half.  Soph Jonah Breiter with 7 in the quarter for Maple River to cut the lead to 7 at half.  Roncalli quickly extends that lead to 13.  Then a pair of late 3s from the Jets to push the lead to 17 after 3.  Roncalli in no danger from there for a 66-49 win.  Jaron Denn 14 to lead the Eagles.  Nate Stelzer with 5 3s and 20 points to lead Roncalli.  The Jets play Eden Prairie at the Border Battle and that will be a battle of great half court motion offense against the tough EP man defense.

Game 4: Onalaska vs Linn-Mar, IA
Iowa State signee Matt Thomas goes nuts with 14 of his 32 in the 1st quarter.  Starting with a 3, a couple of drives, a sweet backcut and knocking down all 3 free throws after getting whacked behind the line.  Onalaska coming off a big come back win against my alma mater La Crosse Central the night before in a very emotional game.  None of that showed.  Onalaska blows out the Lions 67-32.

Game 5: Robbinsdale Cooper vs DeForest, WI
Rashad Vaughn with a pair of quick jumpers and a deep 3.  Brandon Robinson with a 14 point layup drill.  DeForest not getting back on defense and getting crushed on the offensive glass.  29-17 Hawks after 1 in the most scoring we've seen all day.  Second quarter not much better as the Hawks get a 3 point play, a skip to Vaughn for another 3 and Lavar McCollough for 4 in a row.  39-18 Cooper at the 5:46 mark of the 2nd and the rout appears to be on.  DeForest hangs within 47-32 at half.  A rough 3rd quarter for the Hawks as DeForest regains their composure and the Hawks don't respond.  Norskies within 58-53 after 3 and we have a game again.  The lead is 4 when Vaughn scores a tough 2 with 4:20 left.  Then pesky Brett Minich wiht a putback and he steals the inbounds for 2 more.  Vaughn misses after a timeout and DeForest has a chance to tie but can't convert.  Robinson runs the other way for a critical layup.  Vaughn with a tough move inside for 2 more inside a minute and the lead is back to 6.  Vaughn makes 2 free throws with 10 seconds left to seal a 71-67 Hawks win.  Rashad Vaughn 25 points on 9-18 shooting.

Game 6: Roseville vs La Crosse (WI) Aquinas
Wisconsin signee Bronson Koenig getting the assignment on Mack Johnson.  After a block Koenig is on the board.  Then a pair of assists for layups.  Post Parker Weber with a big quarter of 8 points with Mike Conway on the bench.  12-7 Aquinas after 1 quarter.  Jordan Burich with a block on 1 end and then runs for 2 the other way.  Koenig counters for 3.  Then Mack Johnson goes down with an injury at the 5:32 mark and doesn't return.   Its all down hill from their for Roseville.  Conway for 2, Koenig another assist and then a dunk off a turnover.  27-9 Aquinas at the 3:10 mark.  32-14 at the half.  The lead is 19 after 3.  Jacques Perra with a big 4th quarter as Roseville closes to within 10 with 3:07 left but no matter.  Aquinas goes on to win 58-48.  Bronson Koenig 18 points and 8 boards.  A tough 24 hours for Roseville giving up a lead at Woodbury, the early morning train ride, a long day waiting around and then the Johnson injury and loss.  Jacques Perra 15 to lead the Raiders.

Salivating over small schools

Prologue
Its a trip to the Salvation Army in St. Paul at Park Christian makes their annual mid-January trek to the metro for a Friday night/Saturday afternoon pair.  The Sal not known for its concessions so I make sure to stop for dinner first but dessert is on the menu with the usual Kit Kat.  Good crowd of Park Christian fans and they brought their cheerleaders on the road trip.  The parents even stand until the 1st Falcons basket.  Good stuff.  Its not often I get surprised but I walked into the gym to find out its a girls/boys doubleheader.  Even better as that's my version of running up the score.  As Ernie Banks said, let's play 2!  CHOF girls get a 50-39 with 5 juniors starting.

Game Time
Now to the main event.  Liked a couple of the simple but effective warmup drills that Park Christian used.  CHOF short-handed with a group of starters missing this week's games.  Park Christian guard Matt Moberg with a quick couple of buckets and then fouls to keep him out the last 16:23 of the half.  6'5 center Hunter Nickel too much inside for a small CHOF lineup.  He scores 10 quick easy points.  But frosh Kit Piepkorn knocks down a pair of triples to cut the Falcons lead to 23-20 at the 8 minute mark.  A couple of Lions turnovers and Park Christian goes on a 7-0 run to push the lead to 10.  Piepkorn with his 3 bomb of the half to keep the Lions within 30-23.  Park Christian with their own star frosh Zach Kvalvog.  He drives for 2 and knocks down a 3.  Then he finds Nickel on a repost, something the Falcons do that you see almost nobody else in high school do.  Love that.  Jay Hanson 5 in a row and a buzzer beating 3 from Duncan Hannestad for a 13-2 Falcons run to end the half.  45-27 Park Christian at the break.  Only 1 CHOF field goal in the last 6 minutes.

Moberg back in to start the 2nd half and he immediately scores.  He then finds Nickel for a dunk and knocks down his own jumper.  Then 2 quick fouls put him with 4 but is a blowout so leave him in there to get his time.  The run across halftime ends up being 19-2 in not quite 7 minutes.  The lead gets to 29 and it looks like we'll have running time.  But CHOF scraps and Park Christian didn't defend well in the 2nd half.  They still roll 84-56.

Post Game
For CHOF, frosh Kit Piepkorn with 4 3s and 18 points on my sheet (though I may have missed a bucket).  He's a better shooter with a quicker release than I remembered.  He had 31 against Braham on Tuesday.  Junior guard Nate Johnston with 15.  The Lions fall to 4-7 but its a young team that doesn't really have a good win.  They hope to be at full strength next Tuesday at home vs St. Agnes.

For Park Christian, center Hunter Nickel leads with 18 points, 14 of those in the 1st half.  Just too tall and agile inside.  But he's still raw to a certain extent as he had a chance to have 30.  Matt Moberg with 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half and he racked them up in a hurry.  He saw limited minutes due to foul trouble.  Liked frosh Zach Kvalvog with 11 points and a nice job pushing and moving the ball.  He had to have a handful of assists easily.  Funky shot setup but if he gets set, he's got range.  5 of the top 6 coming back next year for this crew as well.  The Falcons are now 10-3.  Ranked Ulen-Hitterdal got them earlier in the year by 17 and they will likely meet again in the 6A North subsection final.  That subsection is crazy with those 2 and Ada-Borup having very good records and everybody else outside of Hillcrest struggling.  The Falcons cross the metro to play at Southwest Christian in an afternoon game Saturday to finish their trip south.

A cross-river city showdown

Prologue
Its another trip to the north side of Minneapolis and another matchup in the city league as Edison visits North.  The concession stand at North not known for the best hot dogs, so I'll stop on the way for a quick bite.  Nothing missed in a running time JV game including my beverage.  Add 12 oz of 7-up to the ledger.  One of the major fashion statements of the year from North's Julius Johnson with the Blue/Orange (think Washburn) shoes, polka dot socks and the team hooded warmup.

Game Time
Julius Johnson off to a quick start for North as he knocks down a long 2 and a pair of 3s.  The last 3 is part of an 8-0 Polars run.  13-5 North just inside of 13 minutes to play in the 1st.  But the run ends and the rim went to find some dinner.  Raol Bulchaa knocks down a 3 for a 16-10 Polars lead but that's the only field goal they'll get in almost 11 minutes after the run.  Edison goes on a 14-0 run of their own with D'Angelo Dockery knocking down a pair of 3s.  Interesting sequence during the run as North gets out on the break and draws and intentional foul on a missed shot.  They miss both free throws with the North coach somehow thinking they should have shot 4.  Then on the possession they get fouled on a 3 and miss all 3 of those.  Bulchaa makes 4 free throws to break the run.  Lee Gaines out on break with a dunk at the 2 minute mark to break the field goal drought.   Despite that, North only down 29-24 at the half.

Julius Johnson with a tip in to end a 6-0 run and cut the Edison lead to 1.  Gaines on the post and North comes back to take a 36-35 lead with 11:25 to play.  Joseph Anderson turns it on in the 2nd half with a putback and goes coast to coast for 2 more. Then another bucket off a nice feed.  48-41 Edison inside 7:30 to play.  The lead is 6 inside of 5 minutes.  Julius Johnson back in the game with 4 fouls and scores off a turnover to cut the lead to 2.  North then can't convert a turnover with a chance to tie.  Gaines in the post to cut the lead to 2 and they miss a layup off a turnover.  Frosh point guard Tyler Johnson with 2 after an offensive board.  Tied up at 56 as we go under 2 minutes to play.  2 of 4 free throws for Edison and North misses 2 chances.  Then a pair of Edison free throws for a 4 point lead with 1:02 left. 

Then an ugly last minute of trying to close out a ball game.  A bad drive that gets swatted away by Gaines.  North comes back gets an offensive rebound and almost puts it back for a chance at a 3 point play.  That just falls off and then both free throws are missed.  Then Edison throws out of a front court trap and jacks up a 3 with 10 seconds left.  That doesn't impact the final outcome as Edison wins 60-56.

Post Game
North falls to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the Minneapolis City.  Just too many fouls and not much against the Edison 1-2-2 zone.  When Edison extended that full court they were able to force turnovers.  Julius Johnson leads the Polars with 12 points but 8 of them were quick right at the start of the game.  Frosh PG Tyler Johnson with 10 points.  I liked his poise and he showed an ability to run a team and score a little.  He'll be a quality player in the league.  The Polars make the long trek north to Red Lake on Saturday.

Edison improves to 4-8 but the 4 wins are deceptive.  They remain in a 3 way tie for 3rd at 2-2 in the City league, only 1 game behind Henry and Washburn.  Joseph Anderson with 14 of his 17 in the 2nd half to lead the Tommies.  Guard Brian Givens with 15.  Edison shot 21-31 free throws in the 2nd half alone compared to 1-4 in the half for North.  Only 5 2nd half field goals for the Tommies and Anderson had 4 of those.  When North went man to man in the 2nd half, their pressure did bother Edison but the foul shooting was the savior.  Edison hosts section rival St. Paul Academy on Saturday before a home date with Henry next Tuesday.  Then a trip to South who beat Henry at Henry by 17 tonight.

Suburban East battle to Raiders

Prologue
A big night of hoops in the metro with no fewer than 5 really good games on all fringes of the Kingdom.  So after some soul searching and gnashing of teeth, I decide to venture to Roseville for their big game in the Suburban East against upstart East Ridge.  I picked East Ridge as a section 4AAAA sleeper but 10-1 was more than I expected.  While the schedule has been soft, coming from 25 down vs Woodbury was an eye opener.  Tonight was another level of competition for the Raptors.  Nice to meet and chat with the dean of Minnesota Prep sports scribes, John Millea.  Much to my horror, the concession stand isn't open at halftime of the JV game and there's fear that I might have to dig into the fat reserves to survive the evening.  Thankfully the pizza arrives and the concession stand does open.  20 more ounces to add to the total.  Strangest item of the night was seeing the electronic signage pimping Northtown Mall when we're within shouting distance of Rosedale.  A large MIAC turnout with St. Olaf, Carleton, Bethel,St. Thomas and Gustavus all in the building.  Also an appearance by the outstanding Roseville Pep Band so that means...

Song of the Day
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond (Pep Band Version)

Game Time
Brian Ishola on the offensive glass and Conrad Sexe inside for an 8-4 East Ridge lead just over 2 minutes in.  Then Roseville takes over with their defense.  Burich with 2 blocks on 1 possession. He scores on a putback and a reverse layup.  Mack Johnson for 3, Burich with another reverse and he rim runs for 1 of 2 free throws.  Then a turnover for a Ben Farmer layup and an East Ridge timeout.  Kobe Critchley off the bounce for 2, Lance Garnder for 3, Burich scores back to back hoops and runs out for 2 free throws on another Raptors turnover.  Its a 25-4 Raiders run over 7 minutes with East Ridge only getting 1 field goal (an offensive rebound and putback).  29-12 Roseville inside of 8 to play in the half.  The lead gets down to 13 before a putback and 2 steals for buckets force a pair of East Ridge timeouts.  39-18 Roseville at the 5:12 mark.  They keep that lead at 46-26 at the half.

The second half isn't any better.  Johnson with 5 quick points to start the half.  That's a 9-2 run in the 1st 1:18 to push the lead to 55-28.  The lead gets up to 31 as Critchley gets 3 easy buckets.  63-32 at 13:30.   A 9-0 East Ridge run with 5 in a row from Sid Tomes in the next 2 minutes does force a Roseville timeout.  But no danger.  Burich with a 3 point play, Logan Brown coast to coast and the lefty finish.  Add on a turnover for a Critchley layup and a Burich jumper and the Raiders have those 9 points back.  The rest is bench time.   Roseville cruises 84-58.

Post Game
For East Ridge, Sid Tomes was the only player in double figures with 13 points.  Brian Ishola and Conrad Sexe 9 each.  East Ridge with only 1 senior (Sexe) in the 9 man rotation and next 2 off the bench.  Some nice upside for this group.  They just weren't as Roseville's level on this night.  Turnovers a major concern.  Ishola was a guy I thought they could have used more inside as he was a factor on the post and offensive glass but didn't get much play there.  East Ridge falls to 10-2 and they have 3 tough home games with Cretin-Derham Hall on Thursday, Chanhassen (without Joey Witthus in a buzzer beater loss tonight vs Shakopee) on Saturday and Stillwater next Tuesday.

Roseville continues to roll.  The run and jump just too much for East Ridge to handle.  The win gives them early control of the Suburban East race at 6-0, 1 game ahead of East Ridge (11-1 overall).  Their week isn't any easier as they go to Woodbury on Friday and then an early morning train ride on Saturday for the Midwest Players Classic in The Czar's hometown of La Crosse.  I usually sleep on my way back to the Old Kingdom on that train so if they wake me up, the Czar's wrath will be in full force.  Jordan Burich another outstanding game with 26 points, 10 boards and 5 blocks.  If you're in the NSIC, why are you not all over this kid?  Kobe Critchley 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half.  Logan Brown 10 of his 13 in the 1st half.  Mack Johnson held to 10.  He's 15 points away from 1000 for his career.

2013 Super 60 Metro vs Outstate

Its the Super 60 Outstate vs Metro event.  Game 1 was cancelled as Battle Lake couldn't make the trip due to the unsafe icing conditions out there.  But we did end up with 3 games  No programs was a major oversight but we did have sloppy joes and beverages.  Here are some of the sights and sounds. 

Game 1: Duluth East vs Brooklyn Center
This game was mostly unwatchable as it was up and down playground ball and bad basketball.  Duluth East would open a 26-14 lead before Brooklyn Center would make a run.  It was 15-4 over 4:30 to close to 30-29 just before the half.  Duluth East would score the last 5 of the half.  They would open it up from there.  Duluth East runs away 86-67.  Too much Shaq Coleman as he ends up with 33 for the Greyhounds.  Rell Ladd 12 and Matt Lochner 22 inside.  Clement Gibson 15 for the Centaurs and Trevonte Marshall 14.

Game 2: Redwood Valley vs St Croix Lutheran
St. Croix Lutheran without Jackson Goplen again due to a bum ankle  Combine the loss of offense with a cold start from Cody Sticha and this one was over in a hurry.  Guard Alec Koster with 8 quick points (a pair of 3s) as the Cardinals jump all over the Crusaders 18-2 in the 1st 7:20.  They took advantage of mistakes for layups and knocked down many open shots.  Sticha would end up being almost half of the 1st half offense.  Coach Lucas Boehm sending a message to 2 of his top starters (Sticha and Rovney) by sitting them to start the 2nd half.  But there was no spark for St. Croix Lutheran in this one.  They were flat all day.  48-27 on a Sticha bucket outside of the 10 minute mark.  The benches basically empty and the Crusaders don't get any offense.  Redwood Valley takes it to running time and wins 62-33.  Koster with 15 on my sheet but possibly as many as 19. Cody Sticha 11 points but held to 4-15 shooting.

Game 3: Owatonna at Minnehaha
Marcellous Hazzard active early as Minnehaha stays within 16-12 at the 9:15 mark.  Colton Schock for 3 and then both ends of the bonus.   Ty Sullivan adds a 3 at the 5:25 mark and Owatonna extends the lead to 28-14 and forces a Redhawks timeout.  Schock with another bomb and a putback to push the lead to 16.  Kaharri Carter with back to back buckets and a free throws late.  That helps Minnehaha cut the Owatonna lead to 39-29 at half. 

Minnehaha cuts into the lead with a 3 point play from Carter, Jesse Johnson for 3 and Hazzard going coast to coast.  Carter with a jumper and Jahleel Davis puts back a miss after a Huskies turnover.  Timeout Owatonna as they cling to a 48-47 lead with 10:08 left.  An Owatonna 3 and back to back buckets push the lead to 55-48 with 7:40 to play.  Carter for 3 as Minnehaha cuts the lead to 2 and Sullivan leaves with his 4th foul.  55-53 Owatonna with 5:43 left when that happens.  The lead is 5 when the Huskies get a backdoor play with 2:01 left.  Contact at the rim is called a block and we get a technical for disagreement.  2 of the 4 free throws are good and a Minnehaha blocked shot turns into 2 Carter free throws.  Owatonna gets a layup after they just beat the 10 count.  Sullivan makes 2 free throws with 53.5 left for a 67-61 lead.  Carter with a putback and then a bucket after a turnover.  Owatonna makes 1 of 2 with 21.2 left and Minnehaha has life down 68-65.  They get an offensive board but only make 1 of the 2 freebies.  Owatonna gets 1 of 2 with 8.3 left and Minnehaha will have 1 last chance but its after the buzzer and no good.  Owatonna wins 69-66.  Kaharri Carter 20 points and Jesse Johnson 14 on 4 3s for Minnehaha.  Ty Sullivan 17 for the Huskies.  Owatonna missed 13 free throws in the 2nd half.  Minnehaha missed 8 of their own in the 2nd half. 

An early Minneapolis battle

Prologue
To Minneapolis Henry for their game with southside rival Washburn.  These teams the only 2 remaining undefeated teams in conference play.  No concessions, JV game or other fanfare tonight as I can't make it until a couple of minutes into the game.

Game Time
Washburn uses a 7-1 run thanks to Quinton Garvis on the offensive glass and a 3 point play off a screen and roll.  17-13 Millers at the 13:12 mark.  Nice ball movement for a Kevin Gleason layup and then he swipes the ball and finds Nick Anderson for a 3 point play.  24-16 Washburn leading at the 10:22 mark and Henry needs a timeout.  Henry right back with a 9-0 run in the next 3+ minutes to regain the lead.  Jeff Jones with a pair of buckets but Henry scores 7 in a row and goes up 4 thanks to a Darius Hill slick drive at the 3:35 mark.  42-36 Henry at the break.

After Anderson opens the half with a bucket, Henry scores the next 6 and now the lead is double digits.  Hill inside for 2 and a short jumper after an offensive rebound.  52-41 Henry with 13:25 left and now Washburn takes a timeout to stop the bleeding.  Jovahn Jefferson with a jumper to keep the lead at 11 with 11:42 left.  But Washburn does have a run in them.  Jeff Jones for 3 before he leaves with 4 fouls at the 9:20 mark.  George Clark a pair of buckets, one from Anderson.  Then Anderson to Gleason at the 7:20 mark to cut the Henry lead to 59-57.  Jamar Boone straight away for 3, Hill with the interior pass to Markel Odom and Hill on the post.  66-59 Henry with 5:10 left.  Anderson for 3 and Evan Shepherd for 2.  Back to a 2 point game with over 4 to play.  Anderson to Shepherd for a layup after another Hill bucket.  68-66 Henry with 2:35 left.  Washburn has it down 3 with 1:30 left but a post pass is right off the numbers and Henry gets it back.  Boone converts those.  Washburn gets a long 3 after a long possession but Derrick Burkhalter makes 2 free throws with 4.9 left to seal it.  Henry wins 73-69.

Post Game
For Washburn, they could never get back in the lead but did cut the double digit lead to 2.  The foul trouble of Jeff Jones took a vital scorer out of the Millers lineup.  They never really had a good game plan for Darius Hill either.  The offense with great balance (I'll take my book over the official).  Nick Andreson, Evan Shepherd, Jeff Jones all with 13.  George Clark with 12, Quinton Garvis with 9.  Fairly quiet night for Anderson and the Millers just don't get consistent shooting.  For a young team there's a certain toughness lacking as well.  Washburn falls to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in the Minneapolis City.  They next play Cambridge-Isanti next Tuesday.

Henry improves to 3-0 in the Minneapolis City to take early control of the conference race.  They are 5-3 overall and host Wayzata on Tuesday. That's the middle game of a 5 game homestand.  Darius Hill too strong inside as he finishes with 28 points.  Jamar Boone with 12 of his 17 in the 1st half but a big bucket late.  Derrick Burkhalter only had 2 points in the 2nd half but they were the game clinching free throws.  He had 11 of his 13 in the 1st half and a couple of important 3s.

Eagles soar over Govs

Prologue
To St. Paul Johnson for a non-conference battle between the Governors and Eden Prairie.  A paint by numbers Walking Taco for the steep price of $4 (most expensive I've ever had).  But a quality Walking Taco is always worth the price.  And what happened to 7-Up?  Far stronger than I remember, maybe bland Sprite has ruined my taste buds.  The most right former Reverend Al Sharpton, a regular partner (decent official) and an awful 3rd guy working the game.

Game Time
Andre Wallace to Jack Cottrell for 2 and a Grant Shaeffer layup.  6-2 Eagles and Johnson wants a quick timeout.  Shaeffer to Caleb Wragge in the left corner for 2 bombs.  20-9 Eden Prairie at the 8:20 mark.  Then inside out to Sam Johnson for 3 with great passing and a Wallace bucket.  29-14 at the 4:15 mark and Johnson needs another timeout.  Jalen Mobley scores out of the timeout and knocks down a 3 off a high screen to cut the lead to 9.  Then 3 bombs in the last 1:40 for EP and its a 9-2 run.  Wragge with his 4th of the half and 2nd in a row from the right corner.  Shaeffer with a long bomb and another bomb just before the horn from Johnson.  41-25 Eagles at the break.  7 triples but 0-6 from the foul line.  22 points and 6 3s from the bench (12 and 4 of those from Wragge).

Wallace with 2 quick buckets to start the half and the lead is 20 less than 2 minutes in.  But Johnson's pressure did provide some hassels.  Mobley with 2 free throws and a drive, then Quashighm Smith-Pugh with a steal and he finds Mobley for a layup.  11:30 to play and Johnson has the lead down to 13.  Then an offensive rebound for EP and it ends up with Shaeffer for 3.  Then Johnson with another Eagles bomb.  Govs still have some left in the tank.  Pugh with a 3 point play, Bajuan Adams off the bench with 3 of 4 free throws and the Eagles lead is down to 60-49 with 8:35 left.  Then a skip pass finds Wallace for another critical EP 3.  Its an 11 point game when the teams trade buckets without the clock running, stuck at 6:20.  A foul stops play and Sharpton sees a mysterious T.  Johnson only makes 1 free throw and doesn't score on the possession when they could have cut it to single digits.  Shaeffer with a 3 point play as Mobley fouls out with 5:51 and you wonder if the Govs have enough offense.  A 14 point game when EP is out on the break, the bad official has an intentional foul call (a good one) but Sharpton doesn't and they'll over rule the intentional call.  Then just after that, bad ref has a charge but Ralford decides to teach an officiating seminar to him while we all wait and overrules that call too.  Good grief.  Anthony Anderson with a great hustle play for the Eagles that sends him flying into and through the Eagles bench.  Its a turnover to the Eagles and the entire bench is over to help him up and applaud the effort.  Shaeffer converts the possession to push the lead to 76-59 and Johnson will never really threaten again.   Eden Prairie wins 88-73

Post Game
The Govs fall to 4-4 and will start St. Paul City play next Thursday at Humboldt.  Jalen Mobley 17 points before he fouled out.  Quashingm Smith-Pugh finishes with 18 points but was mostly a non-factor.  Lefty Lazerik Gilbert 13 points and Pierre Conwell with 11.  The Govs still play a bunch of guys and try to get after it but its just not the same as years past.  Add in the lack of a big time scorer that they've had over the years and you have a Govs squad that is way down by recent standards.

Eden Prairie improves to 8-2 as this starts a 3 game road trip ending with a Sat afternoon tilt at Cretin-Derham Hall and at Waconia next Thursday.  Grant Shaeffer leads with 23 points.  Andre Wallace with 16, 12 of those in the 2nd half.  The bench with big production from Sam Johnson and Caleb Wragge.  They each hit 4 3s and score 14 points.  It seemed like the Eagles hit a critical 3 whenever the Govs looked like they might break back into the game.  Johnson's pressure did bother the Eagles more than I expected.

Play of the Day
A nice simple BLOB from Johnson.  Its 4 across the foul line with the wings and elbows filled.  The Wings will pin down for the elbows and then the original backside wing continues across after his screen and back screens the wing that set the strong side pin down.  He then flashes to the ball. Its said that the best way to get open is to set a good screen.  In this case its 2 screens threatening the back side and then a flash to the ball and the Govs got it twice in the game.

Panthers and Hawks get together

Off to Mounds Park Academy for a rare Wednesday night game against St. Paul Humboldt.  Hard to make it past the concession stand.  Little Caesar's cheese pizza, ice cream sandwiches and fresh cookies.  That will be very hard to beat for best concession stand of the year despite having Coke products.  I add in the required 20 ounce Sprite as well.  A little Michael Jackson "Rock with You" on the public address.  Not all MJ tonight though like Washburn earlier in the year.  And yes for the record, Billie Jean is not my lover.  The halftime music is outstanding as we get a full 10 minutes of the Beach Boys.  Surfin' Safari and Surfin' USA amongst the selections.  No modern stuff like Kokomo much to the dismay of fellow scribe Ryan James.   He did have a couple of outstanding suggestions such as Help Me Rhonda (appropriate for tonight).  So based on his suggestion of Wham, I won't keep you hanging on like a yo-yo as there was a game that broke out.

Humboldt opens an 18-0 lead less than 5 minutes in.  52-14 Hawks at the half and they cruise 86-44.  Mounds Park not playing a full Tri-Metro schedule this year and that's probably a good thing as games against De La Salle and Blake would be too much.  They're trying to build with a bunch of freshmen seeing time and their upperclassmen

A 6AAA Showdown

Prologue
Its a Star(s) studded game to be Bear(s)-ish.  A showdown of the top 2 teams in section 6AAA as #6AAA Holy Angels visits #4AAA Blake.  Big news before the game is Blake's star point guard John Veil out due to illness.  Many Blake people really wanted to see that head-to-head matchup with Jordan Dembley.  Its Subway at the concession stand as I crack open the case of turkey subs.  Add in another 20 ounces, this time Sprite, to keep the season counter moving right along.  The Minnesota Sports Network did the game and was kind enough to have me to discuss local hoops at the halftime break.  Check out their work at www.mnsportsnetwork.com and search for the Blake/Holy Angels game to hear me yap about the 1st half of the game and top teams and players around the state.

Game Time
Blaine Crawford back to back hoops for Blake and Larry McKenzie is not at all happy.  A couple of major offensive breakdowns in that sequence cause him to get his team's attention with a quick timeout.  That sparks a 10-0 run for the Stars with Charlie Koontz racking up the last 7 inside.    Jordan Dembley for 3 and the lead is 19-10 AHA at the 10:40 mark.  The fouls start to mount for the Stars big.  Danny Sullivan with his 2nd charge at the 6:29 mark and Koontz with his 2nd 23 seconds later against Crawford.  Blake cuts the lead to 3.  Delshon Strickland with a critical 3 and a putback to keep the lead at 6.  A Sullivan missed tip dunk results in 2 JR Bascom free throws on the other end.  29-27 Stars at 1:15.  Strickland with another 3, Dembley with a steal for 2 and a Strickland free throw in a mini-spurt to end the half.  35-29 Holy Angels at the break.

8-0 Blake run to start the half with Crawford scoring half of those.  That puts Blake back on top 37-35.  Koontz with a free throw and then picture perfect rim run and finish on a great bounce pass from Strickland.  Kebu Johnson didn't have many bright moments but he finds Crawford for a big dunk to immediately stop the momentum.  13:30 left with Blake up 39-38.  Back and forth we go.  Kebu with a nice spin move for 2, Bascom with a jumper.  Strickland with another 3 and Dembley with a nice look for Koontz who makes 1 of the 2 free throws.  49-48 Holy Angels with 8:48 left.  Crawford with a layup and then a clutch 3 from John Augustine at the 7:20 mark to give Blake a 4 point lead.  Strickland again, this time on the drive to cut the lead to 2.  Holy Angels defense ups a level but they can't score.  Crawford misses a bunny and then commits his 4th foul on Strickland with 4:54 left.  Strickland makes 1 of 2 and Sullivan grabs the miss for another 1 of 2 from the line.  Game tied at 53.   Kebu with a block on 1 end after a turnover and then scores on the other end to put Blake ahead.  Holy Angels misses and Crawford is back in with 2:57 to go.  Blake ball up 55-53.

Then Jordan Dembley comes up big for Holy Angels.  He steals a reversal pass and takes that for 2 to tie the game with 2:22 left.  Crawford fouled but misses 2 free throws with 1:58 left.  A high screen and roll to Dembley's left hand (good hand) and he finds Koontz again on the right block for a layup.  After a Stars timeout, Koontz strips Kebu and Strickland takes that and scores with a minute left.  Blake not done as Augustine wtih a clutch 3.  Timeout Blake down 59-58 with 50.1 left.  Kebu strips Strickland but can't get the rightly layup to fall.  But he was fouled and makes 1 of 2 with 35.3 left, tied at 59.  Holy Angels holds and Dembley gets the ball for the high screen roll.  He doesn't get a good screen but takes the ball to the left baseline and makes a tough 7 footer with 3.5 to go.  Blake gets 1 last chance in the left corner but Sullivan swats it away at the buzzer.  Holy Angels wins 61-59.

Post Game
Blake falls to 6-3 with the loss (Edina, Minnetonka, AHA, not a bad set).  Blaine Crawford 16 points and 13 boards on my sheet.  Too athletic as he was able to go up and over Koontz or Sullivan or whoever it was inside.  Blake needed a big game from Kebu Johnson and he struggled.  10 points on 4-15 shooting on my sheet.  JR Bascom 10 of his 16 in the 1st half.  John Augustine with 10 off the bench.  Without Veil, lots of the sets Blake runs just don't have the same punch.  Like the high screen and roll or the high double ball screen to a double down for Veil.  The offense definitely struggled, especially late when Holy Angels stepped up their defense.  Only 6 points in the last 7:20 for the Bears.  Blake is off until next week with their 3rd and 4th straight home games (after 7 away from home) against Roosevelt and Providence.

Holy Angels comes away with a big section win to improve to 7-4.  Big for the Stars as I feel they needed the win for seeding more than Blake did.  Jordan Dembley didn't have a big night on the stat sheet but he made the plays in the last couple of minutes.  He finishes with 9 points.  Delshon Strickland with 23 points and 5 3s.  Once again he came up clutch to keep the Stars ahead when they needed it (despite the final turnover).  Charlie Koontz had a quiet 2nd half but still finished with 17 and 9 boards on my sheet.  Danny Sullivan with an off night with only 7 points and shooting struggles but did chip in 9 rebounds as well on my unofficially unofficial stat sheet.  The Stars open Missota conference play on Friday with a tough game at Chaska.

2013 Timberwolves Shootout Review

Its the 2013 Timberwolves Shootout.  I've been very critical of the scheduling but let's give some credit where credit is due.  A quality job done by Jeff Munneke and his staff putting together the best set of games we've had to look forward to in many years.  No food but 64 oz of Pepsi to keep me awake and refreshed for the early games.  Here's are some of the sights and sounds.

Game 1: #5A Lakeview Christian vs Onalaska (WI)
Iowa State in the building early to take in their recruit Matt Thomas from Onalaska.  Onalaska goes with the expected diamond and 1 on Anders Broman.  Bjorn Broman knocks down a pair of NBA 3s for an 8-4 Lakeview Christian lead. Matt Thomas gets it going with a stretch where he scores 10 of 12 Hilltoppers points.  23-13 lead for Onalaska at the 7:50 mark.  LCA  goes on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 25-22 at the 5:50 mark.  Thomas with 9 more (11 per the book on a tip that he probably didn't get) as Onalaska goes up 43-32 at the half.

Thomas 3 of 4 free throws as the lead stays 51-39 with 12:16 left.  Anders Broman to Bjorn Broman for 3 and a Bjorn runner.  Thomas right back with 4 in a row.  Anders with 2 more buckets.  Thomas scores and the lead is 64-48 with 6:55 left.  Anders with a 3 point play as LCA hangs within 11.  Thomas slams the door with a pair of free throws and then gets undercut in a dangerous looking play but its a 3 point play.  That helps push the lead to 18 and Lakeview Christian never threatens again.  Onalaska wins 77-62.  Matt Thomas officially listed with 43 and 14 coming up 1 point short of Rick Rickert's Shootout record.  Anders Broman 10-19 for 26 points.  Bjorn Broman 21 points and 9 rebounds.  LCA goes 5-21 from behind the arc while Onalaska only shot 4-22 from there.  Give an undermanned LCA squad credit for hanging in on the glass and keeping the game from becoming from a blowout early.

Game 2: #1 3A De La Salle vs Blue Valley Northwest (KS)
Hoiberg hanging around to see another Cyclones recruit Clayton Custer.  Reid Travis starts out 1-4 but he does get it going for the 1st Islanders points of the game.  7-2 Islanders at the 13:55 mark.  Travis adds 2 free throws at the 8:36 mark for a 13-6 lead.  A critical adjustment by the Huskies in a timeout sees them go to a 5 out look.  Interestingly they call it False Motion.  Clayton Custer with a 3 point play and a Kyle Harrison 3 cut the lead to 1. Then Custer on the drive for 2 and a pair of bonus free throws for a 12-2 run.  Only Islander offense is 2 more Travis buckets inside.  The Huskies run down the clock for a Custer pullup at the buzzer.  24-19 Huskies at the half.

Back and forth we go to start the half.  Travis on a high/low feed, Custer 4 in a row and Travis 2 more.  32-29 Blue Valley at the 13:10 mark.  Then a David Salach tip dunk for his only 2 of the day and Custer with a steal for 2 more.  38-31 Blue Valley with all the momentum and Dave Thorson needs a timeout.  The Huskies get a T in the celebration (questionable but head of refs loves the call).  Jarvis Johnson with a pair of free throws and a drive for 2 more.  42-39 Blue Valley with 8:15 left.  Custer on the drive countered by Travis with 2 free throws and another inside bucket.  Then a great set call for a Scott 3 and De La Salle is back on top 46-44 with 5 minutes left.  Back and forth until a Travis free throw off a Luke Scott missed free throw ties the game at 50 with 1:43 left.  Blue Valley gets a bucket, followed by an impatient miss looking for Travis inside.  De La Salle has to foul and the bonus free throws from Vince Fritz are good.  De La Salle misses a 3 and Clayton Custer makes 3 of 4 free throws to put the game away.  Blue Valley Northwest defeats De La Salle 57-52 to give head coach Ed Fritz his 500th career win.  Clayton Custer 26 points and 8 rebounds.  Reid Travis 29 and 15.  3 point shooting crazy cold in this one too.  Blue Valley 1-15 and De La Salle 2-11 from deep.  15 offensive rebounds for De La Salle for a 37-20 overall advantage on the glass.  That helped keep DLS in it but 18 turnovers to 8 hurt their cause.

Game 3: #3AAAA Roseville vs West Des Moines Valley (IA)
Mack Johnson out of the Roseville lineup with a bum ankle.  That's a big loss.  Iowa commit Peter Jok off to a quick start for Valley with 14 points in the 1st 7:16.  Roseville has lots of pieces but they don't really have a good piece to defend an athletic high caliber wing like Jok.  Jok picks up his 2nd foul with 10:30 left and has to sit with Valley leading 22-11.  Jordan Burich very active and effective for Roseville in the half.  His putback starts a 7-0 run after Jok sits.  Burich inside for 2 free throws after Jok returns late in the half.  Jok with a putback before he sits for the last minute to avoid the 3rd foul.  30-26 Valley at the half.  Jok 16 points and only played 9 minutes.  Burich almost a double double in the half with 9 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks thanks to 7-10 FTs.

Logan Brown 4 quick points to tie the game in the 1st 40 seconds of the half.  Jok off an inbounds lob and a dunk for a 42-38 Valley lead with 11:32 left.  Roseville staying close with Burich in the post at the 9 minute mark to cut the Valley lead to 44-41.  Jok with a 3 point play off a turnover and the lead expands to 55-46 with 5:43 left.  Brown with back to back 3s and a Burich free throw with 3:53 left.  55-53 Valley holding on.  Then head coach and former Iowa star Jeff Horner decides to face guard Brown.  That strategy is huge as Valley finishes the game from there on a 14-0 run to win 69-53.  Peter Jok 34 and 8 on 13-20 shooting for Valley.  Logan Brown 20 and 5 for Roseville.  Jordan Burich ends up with Andrei Kirilenko type numbers of 15 points, 14 boards, 4 steals, 5 blocks. 9-16 at the line held his point total down but 8 offensive boards were big.  Valley 1-13 from 3 in a recurring theme of the day.  Roseville 6-16 from 3 but only 15-52 overall (28.8%) as the loss of Johnson really stunted their offense.

Game 4: #2AAAA Apple Valley vs Robbinsdale Cooper
Roy Williams and Hubert Davis from North Carolina along with Tubby Smith join Fred Hoiberg at courtside for this one.  Rashad Vaughn with a drive for 2 and then a dunk 3 minutes in for a 10-5 Cooper lead.  Dennis Austin 4 in a row to tie the game at 12. Then Tyus Jones for 2 and a 3 point play.  Vaughn picks up his 2nd foul but no way he sits.  Austin still effective as his layup at 8:15 extends the Apple Valley lead to 26-19.  Then Vaughn with 2 buckets in an 8-2 run to cut the Eagles lead to 28-27 at the 6:15 mark.  Vaughn with a fade away in the post and a Billy Kellogg 3 and the Cooper lead is 36-30.  Dustin Fronk for 3 and then Vaughn turns it over and Tyus Jones takes it the other way just in time to beat the buzzer.  36-35 Cooper at the half.  Vaughn 15 points, Jones 9 and 5 assists.

Vaughn fading in the post and going glass on a very slick move.  Cooper countering the option of Harry Sonie on defense by posting Vaughn.  That caused big James Horton to get some minutes guarding Vaughn.  Vaughn makes 2 free throws for a 5 point lead with 15:38 left.  Austin has his own matchup advantage and Apple Valley makes the adjustment by finding him inside.  Back to back hoops for him down low.  Vaughn with 2 huge 3s and another bucket for 8 straight Cooper points.  What do we have here, its Cooper leading 54-43 with 11:40 left.

But the rest of the game is all Apple Valley.  Fronk with a layup and a 3 in a 10-0 to cut the lead to 54-53 with 9:22 left.  After Vaughn swats Tyus in transition and a Cooper timeout.  Fronk with a bomb to tie the game at 56.  Vaughn right back with a nasty 3.  Austin killing inside as he's fouled and misses 2 free throws.  Back to him for the hoop and harm but another missed freebie and another post bucket.  A Cooper layup keeps them within 1, 61-60 with 5:05 left.  Sonie for 3, Tyus with a 3 point play.  Austin with 2 free throws, Tyus with a bucket and 2 free throws and Cooper is down 9.  Vaughn blocked on 1 end and Tyus converts it with an assist to Austin running for 2.  Timeout Cooper with 2:33 left but its out of reach down 74-63.  Apple Valley wins 80-70.  Rashad Vaughn leads all scorers with 35 points and 7 boards.  He shot 14-33, 4-11 from 3.  Tyus Jones 18 points, 4 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals on 7-10 shooting.  Dennis Austin came up large with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Dustin Fronk added another fine performance of 21 points and 5 rebounds.  The rest of the Cooper roster shoots a blistering 16-29.  But their lack of defense reared its ugly head again as Apple Valley shot 57.7% for the game and 62.5% for 2nd half.  They held Cooper to 38.9% in the 2nd half.

All Timberwolves Shootout Team
Matt Thomas - Onalaska
Peter Jok - West Des Moines Valley
Clayton Custer - Blue Valley Northwest
Reid Travis - De La Salle
Dennis Austin - Apple Valley

2nd Team
Tyus Jones - Apple Valley
Anders Broman - Lakeview Christian
Rashad Vaughn - Cooper
Dustin Fronk - Apple Valley
Jordan Burich - Roseville