Tigers start the new year wtih a roar

Prologue
Off to Farmington for the 1st time as the Tigers take on North St. Paul in a non-conference game.   Its a great building that should be a very nice host for the 3AAAA section games.  Plenty of room around the top.  The always rare Mug Root Beer has to be tonight's beverage.  It goes with a nice sized slice of sausage pizza.  They even have the ability to go to double concessions stands which is a nice touch.  As to our song of the day, it has to relate to my ties to Farmington.  I was a manager for their principal's team during his senior year of high school oh so many many moons ago.  Big Ben in the middle can probably still play a bit.

Song of the Day
Small World - Huey Lewis and the News

Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 588 ounces  (55 games, 43 days)

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

Game Time
Nick Varner leaves in the 1st 2 minutes with an injury and doesn't return for Farmington.  That's about the only good item for North St. Paul early on.  Zach Speikers a pair of layups and Eli Rockett a couple of buckets controlling the paint.  Only 1 NSP triple during that stretch.  20-3 Farmington up at the 10:40 mark.  North St. Paul makes 5 triples in the half to keep the margin from getting much more out of hand.  40-19 Farmington at the half.  The Tigers keep it out of reach but never really go for the final pounce.  Farmington cruises 68-39.

Post Game
For North St. Paul, no one in double figures.  Joe Messerole and Jake Steckler each with 8 points. More than half of their points from the deep beyond with 7 3s.  The Polars fall to 2-9 overall   The JVs are 9-2 though with a couple of nice guard pieces in soph Thomas Acqoi and 8th grader Goodnews Kpegeol.  They will host St. Anthony on Saturday afternoon before jumping back into conference play at Richfield next week.

For Farmington, Eli Rockett leads all scorers with 13 points.  He also had a couple of nice blocks as well along with the nice moves around the rim.  Guards Johnny Dittman and Jordan DeCroock also in double figures with 12 and 11 respectively.  Zach Speikers 8 points while running the show.  He reminds me of something between Graham Woodward and Zach Towle.  His stock continues to rise after a nice summer playing up with the WOTN 17s.  The top 4 teams for Farmington all win.  They are a combined 36-6 this season.  The varsity improves to 9-2 overall.  They'll play at Irondale on Friday.  Then they continue Missota play next week with a tough game at Chaska and hosting #5AAA Red Wing.