Tyus dominates South Suburban Showdown

Prologue
Off to the 1st big showdown of the season in the South Suburban.  Its #3AAAA Lakeville North visiting #1AAAA Apple Valley.  A late arriving crowd almost fills the building.  All the usual notables on hand like Mr. Basketball chairman Ken Lien and John Millea of the MSHSL.  Not to mention our good friends at the Red Star.  St. Olaf and Augsburg just a couple of the schools looking on. 

Song of the Day
Symphony of Destruction - Megadeth

Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 736 ounces  (70 games, 55 days)

• 36 oz Dr Pepper
• 36 oz Sprite
• 100 oz Red Powerade
• 60 oz Red Gatorade
• 324 oz Pepsi
• 140 oz Coke
• 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
• 20 oz Mug Root Beer 

Game Time
Apple Valley gives Robert Tobroxen the task of guarding JP Macura.  Alex Reiland with a pair of quick Panthers 3s and 1 from Connor Flack for an 11-4 Lakeville North lead.  Tobroxen for 2 on a turnover, Tyus to Brock Bertram for a layup and Tyus with a steal for 2 free throws to cut the Lakeville North lead to 17-16 at the 11:59.  A fast pace in this one especially in the 1st 4 minutes.  Jordan Bolton for 3, Tyus dunks a turnover and buries a 3, Tobroxon with a putback, Dennis Austin 2 free throws out of the post for a 12-3 Apple Valley run to take the lead.  After a Drew Stewart 3, Tyus with the putback, Austin slips to the rim for 2 free throws, Bertram tips in a miss and Tyus goes glass.  The 20-6 Apple Valley run over 4:15 puts them up 36-25.  Macura makes a pair of 3s to keep Lakeville North within striking distance while Bertram and Austin work inside.  46-37 Apple Valley at the break.

Apple Valley just pounded Lakeville North on the boards.  Austin with a putback and then a sequence that saw about 5 Eagles offensive boards before Bertram stuck it back.  That counters 3s from Flack and Stewart.  Macura with another bomb as Lakeville North is within 54-46 inside of 15 to play.  Then its the Tyus Jones show.  He scores 2 buckets and then buries a 3 off the screen and roll.  4 more Apple Valley points makes the run 11-3 and the lead is 16.  Macura with a drive and then he posts Tyus for 2.  Stewart with a layup and Lakeville North is back within 10 with 9:22 left.

Tyus with the 3 point play.  Flack for 3 to counter.  Tyus for 3 and then he takes a steal for 2 free throws.  Then a pretty underhand assist to Tobroxen for a layup.  Tyus with a steal and dunk with 6 to play and another bucket to push the lead to 20.  That's all coach Oxton needs to see as he sits Macura with 5:02 to play.  Tyus just adds to the effortless show with a floater, a pullup for 3 and he converts a turnover into a bucket.  He sits with 2:58 left.  Apple Valley rolls to a 102-74 win.

Post Game
Lakeville North falls to 11-3 overall, 6-1 in the South Suburban.  They've now lost 2 straight after an 8 game winning streak.  Connor Flack leads the Panthers with 17 points including 4 3s.  JP Macura 16 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 7 turnovers.  3 others in double figures for the Panthers.  They make 15-30 from behind the 3 point line.  But a lack of size was an absolute killer.  They get outrebounded 42-22 and give up 14 2nd chance points along with 24 points off of 16 turnovers.  Next up is a trip to Rosemount on Friday.

Apple Valley takes sole possession of 1st in the South Suburban at 7-0.  They are 14-1 overall.  Tyus Jones absolutely electric.  41 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 16-21 FGs (4-5 from 3) and 3 turnovers.  He made it look ridiculously easy.  Smooth drives, knocking down open 3s etc etc.  Brock Bertram pounds away inside for a double double of 14 points and 15 boards, 7 of those on the offensive end.  Dennis Austin 14 points working inside as well.  Man to man or against the 2-3 zone, the Eagles were not going to be slowed.  These teams will meet again in Lakeville the last Tuesday of the regular season (2/18) with the league crown likely on the line.