Kennedy knocks off newly ranked Rosemount

Prologue
Its a couple of more new teams on this season's schedule as I visit Kennedy to see them take on #10AAAA Rosemount.  Rosemount entering this week's poll after defeating #3AAAA (at that time) Cretin-Derham Hall to win the Catholic Spirit tournament.  Travel allows me to grab Chipotle (a recent Czar vice) before hand but I still get in 20 oz of Pepsi to keep the beverage counter rolling.   Better than expected crowd and interesting that the electronic ad board on the sideline was only put up for the 1st half.

Song of the Day
U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 608 ounces  (56 games, 44 days)

• 36 oz Dr Pepper
• 24 oz Sprite
• 80 oz Red Powerade
• 40 oz Red Gatorade
• 268 oz Pepsi
• 120 oz Coke
• 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
• 20 oz Mug Root Beer 

Game Time
8-1 Rosemount jumps out to the lead thanks to a pair of Cole Northwick bombs.  Kennedy counters with a 9-0 run of their own thanks to a DJ Davis 3 and 5 in a row from CJ Lewis.  Garrett Goetz 5 in a row and gets away with an obvious over and back call for 2 of those.  Davis counters with a 3 to keep the game tied at 15 at the 9:20 mark of the 1st half.  Northwick with 2 more bombs and Goetz with his 2nd and 3rd bombs of the half for a 29-22 Irish lead.  Last 5 of the half to Kennedy.  29-27 Rosemount at the break.  Irish with 7 3s from Northwick and Goetz in the half. 

Second half is much slower paced and nobody making shots.  Robert Parker breaks out for a dunk to keep the crowd awake.  Davis follows with a 4 point play.  38-36 Rosemount with 12:16 to play.  Kionte Smith puts Kennedy up 43-40 with 6:25 left on a 3 point play.  Logan Halvorson with a 3 to give Rosemount a 44-43 lead with 5:30 left.  That would be their final lead.  Smith goes 2-3 from the charity stripe with 2:39 left for a 48-44 Kennedy lead.  Northwick drives to cut the lead to 2.  Kennedy misses a 3 and can't put back the bunny.  Goetz drives and is fouled with 1:28 left.  He makes both free throws to tie the game.  Davis misses and Rosemount fouled on the other end.  It looks like a pass so many think it should be 1 and 1, turns out to be a shot attempt strangely but Rosemount misses both anyway.  After a Kennedy timeout, Lewis drives and makes 2 free throws with 42.1 left   Rosemount takes a timeout and sets up a flare screen for Goetz but he doesn't get it.  Rosemount does get fouled but only makes 1 of 2 with 15.9 left so they're down 1.  Lewis makes 2 free throws.  Rosemount gets the ball back to halfcourt with 8.6 left and draws up a final play for 3 (see below).  Northwick gets the catch but the defense is there.  Halvorsen has to put up a tough 3 and its no good.  Kennedy pulls off the upset 52-49.

Post Game
Rosemount falls to 8-3 with the loss, 2-2 now in the South Suburban.  Somewhat kills the momentum of the win over CDH.  Garrett Goetz 15 points to lead the Irish.  Cole Northwick adds 14.  But of those 29 points, only 6 were in the 2nd half and no 3s after giving up 7 triples in the 1st.  3 late missed free throws were critical.  Not a good matchup for Rosemount as Kennedy's athleticism allows them to keep drivers out and get to shooters.  Rosemount stays on the road next week with short trips to neighboring rivals Eastview and Eagan.

Kennedy improves to 6-4 overall, 3-2 in the conference with the win.  3 of those 4 losses to Apple Valley, Hopkins and Lakeville North and the other is a 1 point neutral site loss to Park Center.  They also have a win over Austin.  CJ Lewis 18 points and he made his last 10 free throws, including 6-6 in the last 5 minutes.  DJ Davis adds 15 for the Eagles.  Kennedy is at Prior Lake on Tuesday before an interesting home tilt with Lakeville South next Friday.  Eagan alone in 3rd after tonight's loss to Lakeville North and they have a whole pack of teams including the 2 here 1 game behind them.

Play of the Day
Here's the final play from Rosemount looking for a 3 to tie with 8.6 left.  Sideline out of bounds box set.  Northwick on the back side block.  Screener on the ball side block.  Northwick curls that screen and sprints backside looking for the fade in the backside corner.  He got the catch but good reaction by the defense to keep him from getting a good look.