The 2013-2014 season came to a close over the weekend . What a finish
to the AAAA season with a pair of amazing semifinals and a championship
game. The Hopkins vs Shakopee semifinal will be memorable for more
than 1 reason. The chess match at the end of regulation and through the
4 overtimes may not have pleased the fans but both strategies made
sense. Why not hold for the last shot and not even give Shakopee a
chance to win if you're Hopkins? If you're Shakopee, why make your
defense more vulnerable by extending, get a stop and move on. If roles
were reversed there would be no uproar but since Hopkins was the more
talented and favored team, I was surprised they didn't play it out.
Will that game cause enough uproar for a shot clock? Maybe, but most
folks don't understand that we already have the shot clock and choose
not to use it. Personally I love the chess match and the option for the
underdog. A shot clock would have given St. Cloud Tech no chance vs
Hopkins in 2009. Instead, we had extremely compelling theater until
Nate Wolters rolled an ankle. Add in the cost and lower quality of
basketball at small schools and I'm still firmly opposed. A very
under-appreciated part of the ending was the last draw up by Shakopee.
It appeared the Sabers had a layup for the win but the pass was late and
the steal allowed Hopkins to get the ball back for the memorable final
Coffey heave from 57 feet.
Then what more can we say
about JP Macura. He goes for 31 in the semi including a 30 foot buzzer
beater to beat CDH. Then 43 and 9 with a critical assist late as
Lakeville North came back late to shock Hopkins and win the title. Long
3s, drives to the bucket and movement without the basketball for layups
all part of the display. Lakeville North was very beatable when it was
just Macura, but Bronson Bruneau, soph Drew Stewart and Connor Flack
also made big plays and that was the difference. Lakeville North
couldn't get a stop for a long time down the stretch but managed to
steal away the game late. Hopkins with their 1st loss in a final since
1994 and it was disappointing that some members of the team didn't
handle it well. While some of the fan criticism online is ridiculous
(calling the kids thugs etc), seeing parents trying to write it off as
just being kids or it can't be criticized because they are kids is also
ridiculous. These kids have played enough games at all levels
throughout the years and been at state enough to know better. Win with
class, lose with class is something all players learn very early on.
Great teaching moment for those kids in how to deal with adversity.
Life is full of disappointments, losing 1 game is a minor one in the big
scheme of things.
In the rest of the tournament,
impressed with Kory Deadrick of Esko and what he did to lead to Eskomos
to a title. Soph Jaxson Turner didn't make all tourney but showed he'll
be a very good player for them the next 2 years. Matt Miller of
Annandale did a bit of everything for the Cardinals and Chase
Knickerbocker really helped his stock. Biggest breakout star of the
tourney may have been 8th grader Owen King of Caledonia. Expect
Caledonia forward Kyle Sorenson's stock to go up this spring. De La
Salle with a thoroughly dominating season as they weren't challenged on
their way to the AAA title. Outside of AJ Nywesh, Austin shot 6-31 in
the championship game.
Refecting back on this year's
playoffs in general, it may be the craziest season I've seen in the 7
seasons that I've written here. Apple Valley out in OT, Buffalo makes
state in 5 OT, Simley/Hill-Murray double OT etc etc What a fun season
Next
up is #AAUBingo 2014. Year 2 of AAUBingo is a special Czar is a Head
Coach edition. Let's just say its been an adventure already and we're
still 2 weeks away from the 1st games for local teams.
Osseo returns to the big dance
Prologue
Back to Rogers for the 5AAAA championship between Osseo and Champlin Park. Osseo had a rough stretch without Ian Theisen during the 2nd half of the year. They beat Champlin Park without him and lost with him earlier in the season. Champlin Park had a late hiccup in the season but generally rolled. Looking for another classic here. I actually liked the officiating crew coming into the game. But despite letting them play actually had some very strange calls on minimal contact and let plenty of fouls go.
Song of the Day
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1396 ounces (125 games, 107 days)
Connor Kittleson with a pair of early easy buckets as Osseo takes a 7-6 lead at 14:15. Champlin Park sees Marty Hill get his offense going. Hill with a jumper and triple for force an Osseo timeout. Ian Smith for 3 and a kickout to Alec Leabo for 3. Ian Smith to Alex Hilley for a layup. 27-12 Champlin Park at the 6 minute mark. Then the Rebels once again go the 1-3-1 that killed them against Park Center. Wheeler Baker to the rack to end a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 11 at the 3 minute mark. Gibson with a strip late in the half and finds Smith for a layup at the buzzer for a 39-27 Rebels lead at the half.
Gibson for 3 and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 44-27. Then Osseo pounds the glass. Elliot Kane with a putback, Theisen on the glass for a 3 point play. Jordan Dembley with a 3 point play and coast to coast for 2 more. Theisen buries a 3, Wheeler Baker drives for 2, Theisen with another putback. 17-3 Osseo run brings the Orioles within 47-44 at the 12:22 mark and we have a ball game. Game stays tight when Wheeler Baker dives after a loose ball and gets called for his 4th foul with 8:08 left, tough break there. Smith makes both for a 5 point lead and scores again with 5:50 left for a 59-53 Rebels lead. Osseo makes their comeback. Theisen with 2 putbacks that sandwich a Kane bucket and we're tied at 59 with 3:45 left.
Teams trade 1 of 2 at the line. Osseo with a long final possession that they save by diving on a loose ball and getting a timeout with 1:35 left. Osseo holds until 21 ticks left and takes time. Ball swung on the pick and roll to find Kane in the right corner, he has a lane to the bucket and goes hard but stepped on the baseline. We'll go to OT tied at 60. Kane with a big 3 at the 2:20 mark of OT to give Osseo a 5 point lead. Baker fouls out on the next possession. Gibson makes 1 and Osseo misses a front end but Champlin Park can't convert. Giovanni Pastrano makes 3 of 4 free throws late as he continues his outstanding play for the Orioles. Osseo wins 72-67 in overtime.
Post Game
Champlin Park finishes the year 25-3 with 2 losses to Osseo and a loss to Hopkins. Ian Smith leads with 18 points, Marty Hill with 12 of his 15 in the first half. Champlin Park gives away a 17 point second half lead which will make this one tough to swallow. The future is very bright despite losing stars Ian Smith and Brennan Witt
Ian Theisen comes up huge for Osseo with 14 of his 23 in the second half. He was all over the glass with somewhere in the vicinity of 20 rebounds. Wheeler Baker with another off night but still scored 12 points. Jordan Dembley with 10. I didn't think Osseo could get away with the front court combination of Theisen, Kittleson and Pastrano when Champlin Park backed off them but the Orioles stayed within their roles and made it work. Osseo's seed at state will be a fun topic of discussion with Lakeville North and Cretin-Derham Hall likely ending up in the 2-4 slots. How much weight will be on this win and Theisen's injury during the 4 game losing streak. How much will the CDH win over Apple Valley weigh?
Back to Rogers for the 5AAAA championship between Osseo and Champlin Park. Osseo had a rough stretch without Ian Theisen during the 2nd half of the year. They beat Champlin Park without him and lost with him earlier in the season. Champlin Park had a late hiccup in the season but generally rolled. Looking for another classic here. I actually liked the officiating crew coming into the game. But despite letting them play actually had some very strange calls on minimal contact and let plenty of fouls go.
Song of the Day
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1396 ounces (125 games, 107 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 104 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 272 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Connor Kittleson with a pair of early easy buckets as Osseo takes a 7-6 lead at 14:15. Champlin Park sees Marty Hill get his offense going. Hill with a jumper and triple for force an Osseo timeout. Ian Smith for 3 and a kickout to Alec Leabo for 3. Ian Smith to Alex Hilley for a layup. 27-12 Champlin Park at the 6 minute mark. Then the Rebels once again go the 1-3-1 that killed them against Park Center. Wheeler Baker to the rack to end a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 11 at the 3 minute mark. Gibson with a strip late in the half and finds Smith for a layup at the buzzer for a 39-27 Rebels lead at the half.
Gibson for 3 and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 44-27. Then Osseo pounds the glass. Elliot Kane with a putback, Theisen on the glass for a 3 point play. Jordan Dembley with a 3 point play and coast to coast for 2 more. Theisen buries a 3, Wheeler Baker drives for 2, Theisen with another putback. 17-3 Osseo run brings the Orioles within 47-44 at the 12:22 mark and we have a ball game. Game stays tight when Wheeler Baker dives after a loose ball and gets called for his 4th foul with 8:08 left, tough break there. Smith makes both for a 5 point lead and scores again with 5:50 left for a 59-53 Rebels lead. Osseo makes their comeback. Theisen with 2 putbacks that sandwich a Kane bucket and we're tied at 59 with 3:45 left.
Teams trade 1 of 2 at the line. Osseo with a long final possession that they save by diving on a loose ball and getting a timeout with 1:35 left. Osseo holds until 21 ticks left and takes time. Ball swung on the pick and roll to find Kane in the right corner, he has a lane to the bucket and goes hard but stepped on the baseline. We'll go to OT tied at 60. Kane with a big 3 at the 2:20 mark of OT to give Osseo a 5 point lead. Baker fouls out on the next possession. Gibson makes 1 and Osseo misses a front end but Champlin Park can't convert. Giovanni Pastrano makes 3 of 4 free throws late as he continues his outstanding play for the Orioles. Osseo wins 72-67 in overtime.
Post Game
Champlin Park finishes the year 25-3 with 2 losses to Osseo and a loss to Hopkins. Ian Smith leads with 18 points, Marty Hill with 12 of his 15 in the first half. Champlin Park gives away a 17 point second half lead which will make this one tough to swallow. The future is very bright despite losing stars Ian Smith and Brennan Witt
Ian Theisen comes up huge for Osseo with 14 of his 23 in the second half. He was all over the glass with somewhere in the vicinity of 20 rebounds. Wheeler Baker with another off night but still scored 12 points. Jordan Dembley with 10. I didn't think Osseo could get away with the front court combination of Theisen, Kittleson and Pastrano when Champlin Park backed off them but the Orioles stayed within their roles and made it work. Osseo's seed at state will be a fun topic of discussion with Lakeville North and Cretin-Derham Hall likely ending up in the 2-4 slots. How much weight will be on this win and Theisen's injury during the 4 game losing streak. How much will the CDH win over Apple Valley weigh?
Goliath falls
Labels:
Tyus Jones
Prologue
Off to Farmington for the 3AAAA championship game between Cretin-Derham Hall and Apple Valley. The expected full house on hand. Great games tonight in Monticello (5 OT in 8AAAA final), Marshall advances to state in OT, SW MN Christian loses and this one didn't disappoint either. Red Gatorade is the beverage with sausage pizza. Quality 40 minute pregame performance from the Apple Valley band.
Song of the Day
Runnin down a dream - Tom Petty
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1376 ounces (124 games, 106 days)
Big key in this game was a good start for CDH. They get that with Donnell Gresham scoring the 1st 5 and Michael Hannon from deep. Timeout Apple Valley at 16:46 trailing 8-2 and that's despite 4 offensive boards. Tyus Jones 4 points to cut the lead to 2. Sam Neumann putback, Gresham with another 3, Neumann for 3. George Hottinger with a layup and Neumann with a layup after a turnover. 22-15 CDH at 12:50. Tyus coast to coast for the And 1 and he adds a steal for 2 to tie the game at 26. Tyus on the run for 2 more to conclude the 16-4 Apple Valley run. Tobroxen with a layup and Tyus to Brock Bertram for a bucket on the pick and roll. Loose ball ends up with a Tyus 3. Hannon with a jumper and then 1 of many abuses he had of the Eagles bigs off the bounce. 44-38 Apple Valley at the half. Early on the pace was absolutely furious but CDH made an effort to slow the game down.
Hottinger a pair of buckets countered by Tyus for 2 and then Tyus dunks a turnover. 51-44 Apple Valley 4 minutes into the half. Hannon with a drive to start a spurt, Neumann blocks Tyus and Hannon makes 2 free throws off of it. Then Hannon buries a 3 after a Tyus bucket and we're tied at 53 (9-2 run). Tyus playing out of the right block finds Bertram for a layup and then goes to the reverse for 2 of his own and scores again. Dennis Austin and Bertram add buckets and the Eagles lead is 65-57 with 6:45 left.
CDH always able to score. Neumann for 3, Joe Rosga steals an outlet pass and no fear as he immediately drills the right wing 3. Tyus trying to take over as he scores the next 3 but misses 3 free throws in that stretch. Then he swats a shot away on the help side. But there's that Hannon guy again as he takes an inside out feed from Neumann and drills the 3 and drills another on the next possession. Then its Neumann for 3 with 1:45 left and CDH has the lead. Tyus called for the offensive foul going to the rim with 1:36 left. Oh my. CDH ball up 72-70. After 2 Rosga free throws, Tyus goes straight to the rim for 2. After a timeout, he steals the inbounds and makes 2 free throws to tie the game at 74. CDH will hold for the last shot. Gresham no good off the high screen, rebound no good, Rosga a great look from 10 feet with 8 ticks left is in and out. CDH has 1 last chance from under their basket with 1.3 left but turns it over. We'll play overtime.
CDH wins the tip and holds until they turn it over at the 2:37 mark. Apple Valley misses 30 seconds later and now CDH will continue to hold. They hold until a timeout with 13 seconds left. Its Rosga off a double high ball screen to Gresham who's shot is no good and we'll play a second overtime.
Tyus opens the overtime scoring (in the 2nd OT) with a drive that's countered by another Hannon 3. Apple Valley misses and Gresham makes 2 free throws. Austin makes 1 free throw on an offensive board to cut the lead to 79-77 with 1:45 left. But Apple Valley doesn't score again. Austin and tyus go down with injuries with 58.5 left. Big delay before Austin is stretchered off, Tyus comes back out to an ovation during the delay. But at that point the game is over as CDH is up 10 Cretin-Derham Hall pulls the upset 89-77 in double overtime.
Post Game
Apple Valley finishes the season 27-2 and the loss breaks a 55 game winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones finishes his outstanding career with 35 points. What a pleasure to watch one of the best ever to come out of the state during these last 5 seasons. Brock Bertram with a big double double with 19 points. The rest of the roster only comes up with 23. Apple Valley not showing any outside shooting in the game and didn't pound the ball inside nearly enough. Tyus with some great success off a flat ball screen at mid-court but we only saw it late and a couple of times. Didn't see that huge killer instinct from him that we've seen in the past either. Almost like Apple Valley thought they could just turn it on and win. Honestly I thought this game was more about what they didn't do than what Cretin-Derham Hall did on the strategy side.
Cretin-Derham Hall was successful running early and much to my chagrin they slowed the tempo. But give them credit it worked. Michael Hannon goes bezerk with 5 3s and 26 points. Donnell Gresham also large with 22 points and a pair of 3s. Joe Rosga 15 and Sam Neumann with 3 bombs and 16 points. CDH managed to not get completely crushed on the glass which was a huge factor. Seeding them for the state tourney is an interesting debate. On 1 side you have this win. On the other you have 2 losses to Woodbury, a team that Tartan just beat and Tartan is still scrambling to be seeded. If Lakeville North and Champlin Park lose, maybe they're the 2 seed (Hopkins will clearly be #1). But if those 2 win, now they're likely looking at 4. The 5 seed is a scramble of the remaining teams. Cretin's secondary guys stepped up big and Apple Valley's didn't and that was your difference. CDH buries 12 3s and when they shoot it well they are extremely dangerous and difficult to guard.
Off to Farmington for the 3AAAA championship game between Cretin-Derham Hall and Apple Valley. The expected full house on hand. Great games tonight in Monticello (5 OT in 8AAAA final), Marshall advances to state in OT, SW MN Christian loses and this one didn't disappoint either. Red Gatorade is the beverage with sausage pizza. Quality 40 minute pregame performance from the Apple Valley band.
Song of the Day
Runnin down a dream - Tom Petty
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1376 ounces (124 games, 106 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 272 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Big key in this game was a good start for CDH. They get that with Donnell Gresham scoring the 1st 5 and Michael Hannon from deep. Timeout Apple Valley at 16:46 trailing 8-2 and that's despite 4 offensive boards. Tyus Jones 4 points to cut the lead to 2. Sam Neumann putback, Gresham with another 3, Neumann for 3. George Hottinger with a layup and Neumann with a layup after a turnover. 22-15 CDH at 12:50. Tyus coast to coast for the And 1 and he adds a steal for 2 to tie the game at 26. Tyus on the run for 2 more to conclude the 16-4 Apple Valley run. Tobroxen with a layup and Tyus to Brock Bertram for a bucket on the pick and roll. Loose ball ends up with a Tyus 3. Hannon with a jumper and then 1 of many abuses he had of the Eagles bigs off the bounce. 44-38 Apple Valley at the half. Early on the pace was absolutely furious but CDH made an effort to slow the game down.
Hottinger a pair of buckets countered by Tyus for 2 and then Tyus dunks a turnover. 51-44 Apple Valley 4 minutes into the half. Hannon with a drive to start a spurt, Neumann blocks Tyus and Hannon makes 2 free throws off of it. Then Hannon buries a 3 after a Tyus bucket and we're tied at 53 (9-2 run). Tyus playing out of the right block finds Bertram for a layup and then goes to the reverse for 2 of his own and scores again. Dennis Austin and Bertram add buckets and the Eagles lead is 65-57 with 6:45 left.
CDH always able to score. Neumann for 3, Joe Rosga steals an outlet pass and no fear as he immediately drills the right wing 3. Tyus trying to take over as he scores the next 3 but misses 3 free throws in that stretch. Then he swats a shot away on the help side. But there's that Hannon guy again as he takes an inside out feed from Neumann and drills the 3 and drills another on the next possession. Then its Neumann for 3 with 1:45 left and CDH has the lead. Tyus called for the offensive foul going to the rim with 1:36 left. Oh my. CDH ball up 72-70. After 2 Rosga free throws, Tyus goes straight to the rim for 2. After a timeout, he steals the inbounds and makes 2 free throws to tie the game at 74. CDH will hold for the last shot. Gresham no good off the high screen, rebound no good, Rosga a great look from 10 feet with 8 ticks left is in and out. CDH has 1 last chance from under their basket with 1.3 left but turns it over. We'll play overtime.
CDH wins the tip and holds until they turn it over at the 2:37 mark. Apple Valley misses 30 seconds later and now CDH will continue to hold. They hold until a timeout with 13 seconds left. Its Rosga off a double high ball screen to Gresham who's shot is no good and we'll play a second overtime.
Tyus opens the overtime scoring (in the 2nd OT) with a drive that's countered by another Hannon 3. Apple Valley misses and Gresham makes 2 free throws. Austin makes 1 free throw on an offensive board to cut the lead to 79-77 with 1:45 left. But Apple Valley doesn't score again. Austin and tyus go down with injuries with 58.5 left. Big delay before Austin is stretchered off, Tyus comes back out to an ovation during the delay. But at that point the game is over as CDH is up 10 Cretin-Derham Hall pulls the upset 89-77 in double overtime.
Post Game
Apple Valley finishes the season 27-2 and the loss breaks a 55 game winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones finishes his outstanding career with 35 points. What a pleasure to watch one of the best ever to come out of the state during these last 5 seasons. Brock Bertram with a big double double with 19 points. The rest of the roster only comes up with 23. Apple Valley not showing any outside shooting in the game and didn't pound the ball inside nearly enough. Tyus with some great success off a flat ball screen at mid-court but we only saw it late and a couple of times. Didn't see that huge killer instinct from him that we've seen in the past either. Almost like Apple Valley thought they could just turn it on and win. Honestly I thought this game was more about what they didn't do than what Cretin-Derham Hall did on the strategy side.
Cretin-Derham Hall was successful running early and much to my chagrin they slowed the tempo. But give them credit it worked. Michael Hannon goes bezerk with 5 3s and 26 points. Donnell Gresham also large with 22 points and a pair of 3s. Joe Rosga 15 and Sam Neumann with 3 bombs and 16 points. CDH managed to not get completely crushed on the glass which was a huge factor. Seeding them for the state tourney is an interesting debate. On 1 side you have this win. On the other you have 2 losses to Woodbury, a team that Tartan just beat and Tartan is still scrambling to be seeded. If Lakeville North and Champlin Park lose, maybe they're the 2 seed (Hopkins will clearly be #1). But if those 2 win, now they're likely looking at 4. The 5 seed is a scramble of the remaining teams. Cretin's secondary guys stepped up big and Apple Valley's didn't and that was your difference. CDH buries 12 3s and when they shoot it well they are extremely dangerous and difficult to guard.
Titans make it back to State
Prologue
Off to Tartan for the section 4AAAA championship between Tartan and Woodbury. Good size crowd but not a problem getting a seat in the upper level. The students very vocal and somewhat crass at times. That triggered a tongue thrashing from the public address guy at halftime. No concessions tonight but a nice stop for Jersey Mike's during the pregame. Concordia in the building with SW MN State assistant Chad Welk (a Concordia asst until last year). St. Mary's also in the building. Hollywood, Mr. Clean and The Reverend are your officials.
Song of the Day
We are the Champions - Queen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1356 ounces (123 games, 105 days)
Tartan off to a great start. Brody Jackson takes the UNC secondary break back screen for 2 and another postup for a 7-0 lead. Eric Winter again gets the defensive chore for the Titans. This time its faceguarding Matt Ambriz. Jordan Horn starts to heat up as he goes off the ball screen for 3. 21-12 Tartan at 7:35. Isaiah Coddon for Woodbury catches at the right elbow, jabs right and goes left down the lane for the thunderous finish, seriously nasty there. Horn counters with another trey, Coddon 2 free throws, Horn a 3 point play and after a Woodbury bucket Horn with 2 free throws. That's 11 straight Titans points for Horn. Jackson takes the post feed for 2 more and the lead is 13 at 4:45. Horn fouled on a 3 and makes all 3 free throws and makes 2 more threes in the half. 45-35 Tartan at the half. Horn with 4 3s and 20 points to carry the offense.
First 5 of the second half to Tartan and it looks like the game could get out of hand quickly. Woodbury counters but Tartan tries to blow it open again. Tommy Hanson buries a kickout pass for 3 and then off a turnover Horn goes to the spin move for the 3 point play. That move is legal because The (slimmed down) Nutty Professor isn't working the game. 60-44 Tartan with 12:52 left and Woodbury takes time to try and figure out a solution. Matt Ambriz with a 4 point play and Coddon takes a turnover and smashes that on the break with 2 hands and the lead is down to 10 quickly. Tartan's role players make big shots. Jake Lyle a pair of bombs off the bench and Winter shows with one. Strange event with 9:08 left and Woodbury down 13. Ambriz fouled and steps up to shoot the 1 and 1. He misses the 1st and nobody plays it. Finally Hollywood just grabs it and both teams almost tackle him for it. We get a conference and not much choice but to go to the arrow and give it to Woodbury. Woodbury would have 1 last spurt in them. Nick Yan drives for 2, Coddon with 2 free throws and a 3 and the lead is down to 6, 73-67 Tartan 6:15 left. Winter counters with another 3 as Tartan takes the timeout at that point to regroup. Tartan would be patient with the offense after that and never be threatened the rest of the way. Tartan wins 90-78.
Post Game
Coach Scott Swanson's career at Woodbury comes to an end with the loss. Many outstanding seasons for him with the Royals. He finishes his 13 year career there with a record of 216-146 with 4 trips to state (last 2 years) along with a least 2 other trips to the section final. Matt Ambriz finishes his outstanding senior season with 22 points before fouling out. Isaiah Coddon and Nick Yan both add 20 points. But the Royals get 0 points from their bench.
Tartan makes their 1st trip to state since their run of 8 straight trips ended with their last trip in 2005. Freshman point guard Jordan Horn was even better today than he was in the semifinals. 20 of his 28 points in the 1st half to lead all scorers. Keenan Bellaphant with a bunch of late free throws to reach 12 points. Tommy Hanson 3 bombs for 11, Eric Winter and Jake Lyle each with 2 bombs for 8. Brody Jackson got touches early in each half by design and scored 10 points. Think about all the players Tartan lost that could have been on this team (Marshawn Wilson, Donnell Gresham, Simeon and Jahleel Davis) and they're still going. Fun display after the game, Tartan players storm the court, then they mob their coaches (love that). Then the students storm the court to celebrate with the team.
Off to Tartan for the section 4AAAA championship between Tartan and Woodbury. Good size crowd but not a problem getting a seat in the upper level. The students very vocal and somewhat crass at times. That triggered a tongue thrashing from the public address guy at halftime. No concessions tonight but a nice stop for Jersey Mike's during the pregame. Concordia in the building with SW MN State assistant Chad Welk (a Concordia asst until last year). St. Mary's also in the building. Hollywood, Mr. Clean and The Reverend are your officials.
Song of the Day
We are the Champions - Queen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1356 ounces (123 games, 105 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 252 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Tartan off to a great start. Brody Jackson takes the UNC secondary break back screen for 2 and another postup for a 7-0 lead. Eric Winter again gets the defensive chore for the Titans. This time its faceguarding Matt Ambriz. Jordan Horn starts to heat up as he goes off the ball screen for 3. 21-12 Tartan at 7:35. Isaiah Coddon for Woodbury catches at the right elbow, jabs right and goes left down the lane for the thunderous finish, seriously nasty there. Horn counters with another trey, Coddon 2 free throws, Horn a 3 point play and after a Woodbury bucket Horn with 2 free throws. That's 11 straight Titans points for Horn. Jackson takes the post feed for 2 more and the lead is 13 at 4:45. Horn fouled on a 3 and makes all 3 free throws and makes 2 more threes in the half. 45-35 Tartan at the half. Horn with 4 3s and 20 points to carry the offense.
First 5 of the second half to Tartan and it looks like the game could get out of hand quickly. Woodbury counters but Tartan tries to blow it open again. Tommy Hanson buries a kickout pass for 3 and then off a turnover Horn goes to the spin move for the 3 point play. That move is legal because The (slimmed down) Nutty Professor isn't working the game. 60-44 Tartan with 12:52 left and Woodbury takes time to try and figure out a solution. Matt Ambriz with a 4 point play and Coddon takes a turnover and smashes that on the break with 2 hands and the lead is down to 10 quickly. Tartan's role players make big shots. Jake Lyle a pair of bombs off the bench and Winter shows with one. Strange event with 9:08 left and Woodbury down 13. Ambriz fouled and steps up to shoot the 1 and 1. He misses the 1st and nobody plays it. Finally Hollywood just grabs it and both teams almost tackle him for it. We get a conference and not much choice but to go to the arrow and give it to Woodbury. Woodbury would have 1 last spurt in them. Nick Yan drives for 2, Coddon with 2 free throws and a 3 and the lead is down to 6, 73-67 Tartan 6:15 left. Winter counters with another 3 as Tartan takes the timeout at that point to regroup. Tartan would be patient with the offense after that and never be threatened the rest of the way. Tartan wins 90-78.
Post Game
Coach Scott Swanson's career at Woodbury comes to an end with the loss. Many outstanding seasons for him with the Royals. He finishes his 13 year career there with a record of 216-146 with 4 trips to state (last 2 years) along with a least 2 other trips to the section final. Matt Ambriz finishes his outstanding senior season with 22 points before fouling out. Isaiah Coddon and Nick Yan both add 20 points. But the Royals get 0 points from their bench.
Tartan makes their 1st trip to state since their run of 8 straight trips ended with their last trip in 2005. Freshman point guard Jordan Horn was even better today than he was in the semifinals. 20 of his 28 points in the 1st half to lead all scorers. Keenan Bellaphant with a bunch of late free throws to reach 12 points. Tommy Hanson 3 bombs for 11, Eric Winter and Jake Lyle each with 2 bombs for 8. Brody Jackson got touches early in each half by design and scored 10 points. Think about all the players Tartan lost that could have been on this team (Marshawn Wilson, Donnell Gresham, Simeon and Jahleel Davis) and they're still going. Fun display after the game, Tartan players storm the court, then they mob their coaches (love that). Then the students storm the court to celebrate with the team.
A Rogers Rumble
Off to Rogers for the 5AAAA semifinals which showcased 4 of the better teams in the Northwest Suburban. Very good crowd on hand after all though it was slow arriving. Mr. Basketball and Director of Officials Jim Robinson in the building. We also get John Lithgow working the late game. Needless to say, Mr. Robinson's neighborhood was in absolute chaos. The officiating was a mess in both games and Lithgow once again in big game was bad. As a fan, its a a crying shame that the kids don't get better crews for these games. Jim Robinson continues to see this night in and night out and yet absolutely nothing changes. Off my soapbox and on to the games.
Game 1: Champlin Park vs Park Center
3 different Rebels knock down 3s and Champlin Park jumps out to an 11-1 lead. Its 15-6 Champlin Park at the 13:30 mark when they decide to change to a 1-3-1 zone. Not only does the zone not make sense in the given context, but you also have a little guy in Ian Smith at the top of it which totally defeats the purpose of an odd front zone. Flip him to the back to run the baseline and move Jeremy Johnson up to the top to play havoc with his length. Park Center makes their comeback. Amani Hooker drives, Isaiah McKay for 3 in transition and a block leads to an Arione Farrar 3 that gives Park Center their 1st lead. Pirates run is 14-4 in just under 8 minutes, but 8-0 in the last minute of the run. Park Center using their own zone with effectiveness. 34-32 Champlin Park at the break.
The Rebels attempt to break the game open with a 10-2 run early in the 2nd half. Alec Leabo for 3, Ian Smith converts a turnover, another turnover for 2 Johnson free throws and he adds a 3 to cap it. 52-43 Champlin Park with 12:46 left as the Pirates regroup with a timeout. Isaac Matthews doing work for the Pirates. He scoops for 2 and puts back a free throw miss as Champlin Park just stood and watched. Champlin Park inexplicably goes back to the 1-3-1 and its Matthews with a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1 with just over 7 minutes left. Then Matthews called for his 4th foul on a charge with 6:42 left. Bo Powell doesn't get him out of the game. JT Gibson blows by him for 2 as he's helpless to defend. Gibson takes Matthews off the bounce again and its a layup for Johnson off the assist. Farrar buries a 3 and Smith hits a free throw for a 59-58 Champlin Park lead at the 5:02 mark. That foul appeared to be on Matthews but it somehow got switched which was a huge break as he would have been gone. Smith comes up clutch late. He drives and goes to the left hand for 2 and then pulls up in the lane for 2 more. Smith with a bunny at the 2:37 mark to push the Rebels lead to 69-63. Champlin Park with 2 misses on shots that were decent looks and some missed free throws but never anymore real danger. Frosh McKinley Wright goes 4-4 from the stripe late to seal it. Champlin Park wins 79-71 Ian Smith leads with 24 points. Isaiah McKay ends his career with 21 for Park Center
Game 2: Osseo vs Maple Grove
Osseo jumps out to an 8-0 lead with a bucket, 2 free throws and assist from Ian Theisen. Maple Grove's post, soph Reed Nikko, was a worthy matchup. He finishes a 3 point play, slams home a pass from frosh PG Brad Davison and scores again for another chance at a 3 point play. Matt Lindgren with back to back 3s and that ends a 10-1 Crimson run and they take a 17-14 lead at the 7:30 mark. 20-19 Maple Grove after Wheeler Baker's first hoop. Then a horrendous charge call on Davison by Lithgow sends Davison to the bench with 2 fouls for the last 4:37 of the half. Nikko dunks on Theisen for a 3 point play to reach double figures. That's Theisen's 2nd foul at the 2:02 mark. Tyler Barker beats the buzzer for a 25-21 Maple Grove lead at half.
Davison makes a tough shot that banks home just under a minute into the half. But the Maple Grove offense disappears from there. Theisen pops for 3 and Elliot Kane buries a 3 as Osseo reclaims the lead. Baker spins in the post for 2, Kane hits another bomb and Baker pulls up for 2 more. That's an 18-2 Osseo run over 7 minutes and no Maple Grove field goals. Nikko finally gets a bucket for the Crimson at the 5:59 mark. We get the MoKiller timeout as somehow Maple Grove is only down 39-35 after scoring the last 6 points. Then a Maple Grove wing falls down on the entry and Jordan Dembley takes that for a 3 point play, Baker drives for another 3 point play and buries a 3 after a turnover. Kane again from the deep end of the pool. That 12-2 run slams the door shut. 51-37 with 3:02 left. Osseo goes onto win 55-43. Maple Grove held to 18 points and 4 field goals in the 2nd half, 1 of those field goals in garbage time. Elliot Kane with 14 points and 4 3s off the bench to lead the Orioles. Ian Thiesen 13 points. Reed Nikko and Matt Lindgren lead Maple Grove with 14 points each. Nikko still developing on the offensive end but you can see he's got big time upside.
Game 1: Champlin Park vs Park Center
3 different Rebels knock down 3s and Champlin Park jumps out to an 11-1 lead. Its 15-6 Champlin Park at the 13:30 mark when they decide to change to a 1-3-1 zone. Not only does the zone not make sense in the given context, but you also have a little guy in Ian Smith at the top of it which totally defeats the purpose of an odd front zone. Flip him to the back to run the baseline and move Jeremy Johnson up to the top to play havoc with his length. Park Center makes their comeback. Amani Hooker drives, Isaiah McKay for 3 in transition and a block leads to an Arione Farrar 3 that gives Park Center their 1st lead. Pirates run is 14-4 in just under 8 minutes, but 8-0 in the last minute of the run. Park Center using their own zone with effectiveness. 34-32 Champlin Park at the break.
The Rebels attempt to break the game open with a 10-2 run early in the 2nd half. Alec Leabo for 3, Ian Smith converts a turnover, another turnover for 2 Johnson free throws and he adds a 3 to cap it. 52-43 Champlin Park with 12:46 left as the Pirates regroup with a timeout. Isaac Matthews doing work for the Pirates. He scoops for 2 and puts back a free throw miss as Champlin Park just stood and watched. Champlin Park inexplicably goes back to the 1-3-1 and its Matthews with a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1 with just over 7 minutes left. Then Matthews called for his 4th foul on a charge with 6:42 left. Bo Powell doesn't get him out of the game. JT Gibson blows by him for 2 as he's helpless to defend. Gibson takes Matthews off the bounce again and its a layup for Johnson off the assist. Farrar buries a 3 and Smith hits a free throw for a 59-58 Champlin Park lead at the 5:02 mark. That foul appeared to be on Matthews but it somehow got switched which was a huge break as he would have been gone. Smith comes up clutch late. He drives and goes to the left hand for 2 and then pulls up in the lane for 2 more. Smith with a bunny at the 2:37 mark to push the Rebels lead to 69-63. Champlin Park with 2 misses on shots that were decent looks and some missed free throws but never anymore real danger. Frosh McKinley Wright goes 4-4 from the stripe late to seal it. Champlin Park wins 79-71 Ian Smith leads with 24 points. Isaiah McKay ends his career with 21 for Park Center
Game 2: Osseo vs Maple Grove
Osseo jumps out to an 8-0 lead with a bucket, 2 free throws and assist from Ian Theisen. Maple Grove's post, soph Reed Nikko, was a worthy matchup. He finishes a 3 point play, slams home a pass from frosh PG Brad Davison and scores again for another chance at a 3 point play. Matt Lindgren with back to back 3s and that ends a 10-1 Crimson run and they take a 17-14 lead at the 7:30 mark. 20-19 Maple Grove after Wheeler Baker's first hoop. Then a horrendous charge call on Davison by Lithgow sends Davison to the bench with 2 fouls for the last 4:37 of the half. Nikko dunks on Theisen for a 3 point play to reach double figures. That's Theisen's 2nd foul at the 2:02 mark. Tyler Barker beats the buzzer for a 25-21 Maple Grove lead at half.
Davison makes a tough shot that banks home just under a minute into the half. But the Maple Grove offense disappears from there. Theisen pops for 3 and Elliot Kane buries a 3 as Osseo reclaims the lead. Baker spins in the post for 2, Kane hits another bomb and Baker pulls up for 2 more. That's an 18-2 Osseo run over 7 minutes and no Maple Grove field goals. Nikko finally gets a bucket for the Crimson at the 5:59 mark. We get the MoKiller timeout as somehow Maple Grove is only down 39-35 after scoring the last 6 points. Then a Maple Grove wing falls down on the entry and Jordan Dembley takes that for a 3 point play, Baker drives for another 3 point play and buries a 3 after a turnover. Kane again from the deep end of the pool. That 12-2 run slams the door shut. 51-37 with 3:02 left. Osseo goes onto win 55-43. Maple Grove held to 18 points and 4 field goals in the 2nd half, 1 of those field goals in garbage time. Elliot Kane with 14 points and 4 3s off the bench to lead the Orioles. Ian Thiesen 13 points. Reed Nikko and Matt Lindgren lead Maple Grove with 14 points each. Nikko still developing on the offensive end but you can see he's got big time upside.
Semifinal Saturday
Its semifinal Saturday from one end of the metro to the other. We'll start in Chaska with the 6AAAA semifinals and end with 4AAAA at East Ridge for the night session. Weird to see 6AAAA at Chaska after 2AAAA hosted it in past years.
Game 1: Hopkins vs Armstrong
The Hopkins pressure really bothering Armstrong. But after trailing by 9, Jerome Dixon ISOs for a bucket and then knocks down a 3 in a 9-0 run to bring the Falcons back to even. They'll take a 39-38 lead to the half. Hopkins puts the game out of reach with a 17-3 run early in the 2nd half. John Warren with a big first half and Noble Fahnbulleh with a big second half in his starting role. Amir Coffey outstanding all day. Sean Burns and Ryan Casperson productive inside in the 2nd half but its not enough. Hopkins wins 88-76. Amir Coffey with 27 points. Noble Fahnbulleh and John Warren 21 each. Sean Burns with 19 and Ryan Casperson with 18 for Armstrong. Stephon Sharp very limited minutes off the Hopkins bench.
Game 2: Eden Prairie vs Minnetonka
No Grantham Gillard, Anthony Anderson or Brady Rudrud for Eden Prairie. That leads to guard Blake Cashman playing some in the post. Minnetonka struggled with 1st half foul trouble. Justin Moes with a late 3 despite his 2 fouls to send Minnetonka to the half with a 28-25 lead. Andre Wallace carrying the Eagles offense and he has a big 2nd half. He buries a 3, makes a free throw and scores again. Zach Hovey adds a 3 point play to 3nd an 11-2 run. 51-43 Eden Prairie with 9:33 left. Careino Gurley getting plenty of post touches and looking more to pass than score. But at this point he looks to score and that brings Tonka back. He goes for 2 and then a 3 point play and a layup before ducking the shoulder for an offensive foul. That's his 4th with 6:58 left and Tonka is down 5. Wallace with a steal for 2 more and another turnover for an Alex Ihrke layup pushes the lead to 9. The teams trade 3s before Cashman gets a 3 point play inside. 65-55 Eagles with 3:29 left. Minnetonka makes a big come back. Gurley with a 3 point play inside, Seth Coatta catch and shoot 3 out of a great SLOB set, offensive foul on Cashman pushing off undersized Amar Miller in the post, Miller counters with a 3. Then on the way back down the floor, extra curricular activity and its a technical on Eden Prairie. Coatta makes both of those and Gurley fouled in the post on the possession for 2 free throws. The Skippers run is 13-0 and they lead 68-65 with 1:38 left. Wallace right to the rim for 2. Tonka spreads but Miller drives and forces against Hovey at the rim. Wallace right back to the rim for 2 more. Miller with a chance to tie but misses on the give and go. Its out to Minnetonka with 8.4 left down 2. After the timeout, Gurley catches inside and goes middle but gets stripped. Wallace makes 1 free throw and a desperation 3 is no good. Eden Prairie wins 71-68, Andre Wallace struggled from the free throw line but got to the rim at will on his way to 36 points. Seth Coatta 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Careino Gurley all 14 of his points in the 2nd half and he basically ran the offense from the right box in the 2nd half.
Game 3: Mounds View vs Tartan
Mounds View gets a huge first half from star junior Ryan Kaczynski. He scores 12 points in a 20-2 Mounds View run. That allows the Mustangs to run out to a 26-10 lead. Just beautiful basketball from the Mustangs in first 12 minutes. Tartan would counter with a 13-0 run of their own to get back in the game. Frosh Emanuel Humphrey off the Tartan bench replacing Brody Jackson and he scores 6 points before rolling an ankle (he'd come back from that). 36-30 Mounds View at half. Kaczynski with a pair of run stopping buckets to keep Mounds View up 55-49. He gets fouled as Tartan presses and makes 2 free throws with 7:19 left. 57-52 Mounds View lead but that would be last points from Kaczynski as Tartan switches guard Eric Winter on to him. Mounds View with only 2 field goals in the last 8 minutes. Frosh Jordan Horn outstanding as he spins for 2 and finds Humphrey for a layup. Then he runs out and gets foul but converts the crazy finish for a 3 point play with 1:16 left that is the dagger. Tartan wins 75-65. Ryan Kaczynski with 18 of his 27 in the 1st half. Tim Hanson with 15 but his shooting left him in the 2nd half. With those 2 not scoring, Mounds View was unable to generate any offense in the last 8 minutes. Jordan Horn leads Tartan withi 18 points. Tommy Hanson with 4 3s and 14 points.
Game 4: Woodbury vs Stillwater
Woodbury's offense all about the 3 early on. They make 7 3s and have a 3 point play for a 26-22 lead. Kyle McKinley with a pair of early blocks to send the message that the lane is not to be used. Nick Ogren with 3 bombs in the half and his 2 free throws at 1.7 give Stillwater a 33-32 halftime lead. Woodbury opens up the lead in the 2nd half. Isaiah Codden a putback, Charlie Olson with a 3 point play on a no look pass and his steal gives Coddon a layup. Nick Yan to the floater to end the 9-0 run. Olson with a 3 as Woodbury spreads the floor against McKinley to get him away from the basket. Frosh Jeremiah Coddon for 3 to end a 9-2 run at the 6 minute mark. Woodbury lead up to 67-53. McKinley scores 5 in a row. Yan adds 2 free throws to keep the lead at 8 with 1:41 left. Connor Gamble 2 free throws, Matt Anderson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Woodbury turns it over and its Gamble for 3 and we're tied at 70 with 53 seconds left. That's a 17-3 Stillwater run with Woodbury playing not to lose. Woodbury holds for the last possession and a ball goes off McKinley's foot with 4.3 left. Woodbury draws up a great BLOB set. Matt Ambriz sets a back screen in the right corner for Ben Rizzardi and Rizzardi is wide open. The pass from the top is tipped away and we'll go to overtime. Woodbury controls the overtime and wins 84-78. Kyle McKinley and Nick Ogren each with 22 points for Stillwater. Ogren with 6 3s of his own. Arguably one of McKinley's best games of the year. Woodbury with 5 in double figures and they hit 11 3s. Isaiah Coddon with 16 points. Matt Ambriz held to 13 thanks to being faceguarded most of the night.
Game 1: Hopkins vs Armstrong
The Hopkins pressure really bothering Armstrong. But after trailing by 9, Jerome Dixon ISOs for a bucket and then knocks down a 3 in a 9-0 run to bring the Falcons back to even. They'll take a 39-38 lead to the half. Hopkins puts the game out of reach with a 17-3 run early in the 2nd half. John Warren with a big first half and Noble Fahnbulleh with a big second half in his starting role. Amir Coffey outstanding all day. Sean Burns and Ryan Casperson productive inside in the 2nd half but its not enough. Hopkins wins 88-76. Amir Coffey with 27 points. Noble Fahnbulleh and John Warren 21 each. Sean Burns with 19 and Ryan Casperson with 18 for Armstrong. Stephon Sharp very limited minutes off the Hopkins bench.
Game 2: Eden Prairie vs Minnetonka
No Grantham Gillard, Anthony Anderson or Brady Rudrud for Eden Prairie. That leads to guard Blake Cashman playing some in the post. Minnetonka struggled with 1st half foul trouble. Justin Moes with a late 3 despite his 2 fouls to send Minnetonka to the half with a 28-25 lead. Andre Wallace carrying the Eagles offense and he has a big 2nd half. He buries a 3, makes a free throw and scores again. Zach Hovey adds a 3 point play to 3nd an 11-2 run. 51-43 Eden Prairie with 9:33 left. Careino Gurley getting plenty of post touches and looking more to pass than score. But at this point he looks to score and that brings Tonka back. He goes for 2 and then a 3 point play and a layup before ducking the shoulder for an offensive foul. That's his 4th with 6:58 left and Tonka is down 5. Wallace with a steal for 2 more and another turnover for an Alex Ihrke layup pushes the lead to 9. The teams trade 3s before Cashman gets a 3 point play inside. 65-55 Eagles with 3:29 left. Minnetonka makes a big come back. Gurley with a 3 point play inside, Seth Coatta catch and shoot 3 out of a great SLOB set, offensive foul on Cashman pushing off undersized Amar Miller in the post, Miller counters with a 3. Then on the way back down the floor, extra curricular activity and its a technical on Eden Prairie. Coatta makes both of those and Gurley fouled in the post on the possession for 2 free throws. The Skippers run is 13-0 and they lead 68-65 with 1:38 left. Wallace right to the rim for 2. Tonka spreads but Miller drives and forces against Hovey at the rim. Wallace right back to the rim for 2 more. Miller with a chance to tie but misses on the give and go. Its out to Minnetonka with 8.4 left down 2. After the timeout, Gurley catches inside and goes middle but gets stripped. Wallace makes 1 free throw and a desperation 3 is no good. Eden Prairie wins 71-68, Andre Wallace struggled from the free throw line but got to the rim at will on his way to 36 points. Seth Coatta 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Careino Gurley all 14 of his points in the 2nd half and he basically ran the offense from the right box in the 2nd half.
Game 3: Mounds View vs Tartan
Mounds View gets a huge first half from star junior Ryan Kaczynski. He scores 12 points in a 20-2 Mounds View run. That allows the Mustangs to run out to a 26-10 lead. Just beautiful basketball from the Mustangs in first 12 minutes. Tartan would counter with a 13-0 run of their own to get back in the game. Frosh Emanuel Humphrey off the Tartan bench replacing Brody Jackson and he scores 6 points before rolling an ankle (he'd come back from that). 36-30 Mounds View at half. Kaczynski with a pair of run stopping buckets to keep Mounds View up 55-49. He gets fouled as Tartan presses and makes 2 free throws with 7:19 left. 57-52 Mounds View lead but that would be last points from Kaczynski as Tartan switches guard Eric Winter on to him. Mounds View with only 2 field goals in the last 8 minutes. Frosh Jordan Horn outstanding as he spins for 2 and finds Humphrey for a layup. Then he runs out and gets foul but converts the crazy finish for a 3 point play with 1:16 left that is the dagger. Tartan wins 75-65. Ryan Kaczynski with 18 of his 27 in the 1st half. Tim Hanson with 15 but his shooting left him in the 2nd half. With those 2 not scoring, Mounds View was unable to generate any offense in the last 8 minutes. Jordan Horn leads Tartan withi 18 points. Tommy Hanson with 4 3s and 14 points.
Game 4: Woodbury vs Stillwater
Woodbury's offense all about the 3 early on. They make 7 3s and have a 3 point play for a 26-22 lead. Kyle McKinley with a pair of early blocks to send the message that the lane is not to be used. Nick Ogren with 3 bombs in the half and his 2 free throws at 1.7 give Stillwater a 33-32 halftime lead. Woodbury opens up the lead in the 2nd half. Isaiah Codden a putback, Charlie Olson with a 3 point play on a no look pass and his steal gives Coddon a layup. Nick Yan to the floater to end the 9-0 run. Olson with a 3 as Woodbury spreads the floor against McKinley to get him away from the basket. Frosh Jeremiah Coddon for 3 to end a 9-2 run at the 6 minute mark. Woodbury lead up to 67-53. McKinley scores 5 in a row. Yan adds 2 free throws to keep the lead at 8 with 1:41 left. Connor Gamble 2 free throws, Matt Anderson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Woodbury turns it over and its Gamble for 3 and we're tied at 70 with 53 seconds left. That's a 17-3 Stillwater run with Woodbury playing not to lose. Woodbury holds for the last possession and a ball goes off McKinley's foot with 4.3 left. Woodbury draws up a great BLOB set. Matt Ambriz sets a back screen in the right corner for Ben Rizzardi and Rizzardi is wide open. The pass from the top is tipped away and we'll go to overtime. Woodbury controls the overtime and wins 84-78. Kyle McKinley and Nick Ogren each with 22 points for Stillwater. Ogren with 6 3s of his own. Arguably one of McKinley's best games of the year. Woodbury with 5 in double figures and they hit 11 3s. Isaiah Coddon with 16 points. Matt Ambriz held to 13 thanks to being faceguarded most of the night.
4AAA Thriller
Prologue
Its 4AAA finally getting their bracket underway. The 4 vs 5 game is Hill-Murray at Simley. Simley won the 2 regular season meetings by a combined 6 points. Hill-Murray finished 1 game ahead of Simley in the Classic Suburban. All signs pointing to a great game and this one didn't disappoint. Pepsi at the concession stand is too tempting to pass on so after a 3 day break, we finally up the beverage counter.
Song of the Day
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1360 ounces (116 games, 100 days)
Eric Weimar with a pair of bombs to get Hill-Murray out to a 6-0 lead. Simley counters with a 13-2 run thanks to Sam Stensgard and post Mark Della Vedova knocking down 3s. Marshawn Wilson doing his thing to carry the Pioneers offense before he sits with his 2nd foul at the 8:10 mark. Hill-Murray loses 4 points with him sitting and he returns at 4:09. Simley ends the half on an 8-1 run thanks to a Della Vedova dunk to start it. 38-28 Simley at half.
Sam Stensgard hot to start the 2nd half. He knocks down a jumper off a BLOB, then a lefty layup. Another layup and a trip to the deep beyond and all of a sudden Simley is up 50-32. He goes to the reverse and is 54-37 Simley with 11:22 left. Hill-Murray comes roaring back as they go halfcourt trap. Alex Ogren for 3 and he converts a turnover for 2 more and adds 2 free throws. Wilson with a steal for 2 and Sam Westby takes a kickout pass and knocks down a 3. That's ends as 15-2 run to pull Hill-Murray within 56-52 with 6:20 left. Simley counters with Alex Anderson inside for 2 buckets (getting Della Vedova's minutes) and Ben Scheffley takes a turnover for a 3 point play. 64-55 Simley with 4:18 left. Wilson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Weimar converts a turnover for 2. Simley just trying to hang on and survive. Simley misses a front end and Wilson makes both ends and the lead is down to 3 with 1:46 left. Sam Stensgard converts on the break with 32.5 left and the Simley lead is 7. Ogren counters for 3 with 22.3 left and Scheffley makes 2 free throws to keep the lead at 6. Della Vedova blocks a 3 with 15 seconds left. Jack Fahey buries a 3 with 8 seconds left and Hill-Murray calls time. Fahey steals the inbounds and converts with 5.4 left to cut the lead to 1. Simley makes 1 of 2 and Hill-Murray comes right back. Wilson from 30 no good but he chases that shot and grabs his own rebound in the lane. He puts it back in at the buzzer, referees conference and that basket will count and some how Hill-Murray has forced overtime tied at 76.
Tie game late in the overtime. Simley holding. Della Vedova catches a dish in the left short corner and he'll go to hammer that home. But here comes Wilson from the help side and he smashes that away. Holy cow, one of the best blocks you'll see all year. Hill-Murray recovers it and holds. After a timeout with 15.1 left, Wilson catches in the backcourt and here we go. He drives and kicks and Hill-Murray can't get a good look so we'll play a 2nd overtime.
Wilson goes strong and finishes thru Della Vedova with 1:15 left in the 2nd OT. Hill-Murray up 83-82. Sam Stensgard misses a 3 and its goes over to Hill-Murray with 57.4 left. On the backcourt inbounds, tick tick tick. Hill-Murray granted the timeout with 46.8 left as they get a break on a slow 10 count. That doesn't matter as Matt Amspoker steals that inbounds and takes it for a layup to regain the lead for Simley. Wilson misses a 3 and a kickout for a good look to Ogren is no good. Anderson fouled on the rebound and he makes 2 with 16.1 left. Wilson has the ball tipped away, Amspoker takes that for 2 more. Simley fans storm the court as they win a thriller 88-83 in double overtime. What a game!
Post Game
Hill-Murray finishes the season 16-11. Marshawn Wilson leads with a double double of 31 points and I had 11 boards on my sheet. Forward Alex Ogren 4 3s on his way to 21 points. The Pioneers make 12 3s but its not enough. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back from 18 down at 1 point and they were down 7 inside of 25 seconds left in regulation.
This is Simley's 1st playoff win in 4 seasons. Sam Stensgard with 15 of his 22 in the 2nd half to lead the Spartans. Matt Amspoker comes up large off the bench with 14, 8 in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd OT. Alex Anderson with 13 off the bench as well. All but 2 of those after halftime. Mark Della Vedova 12 including a pair of 3s, Ben Scheffley 10 for great Simley balance. Simley advances to play Johnson at St. Paul Washington on Tuesday night in the 4AAA semifinals. Johnson's pressure defense will be an entirely different world for Simley but the Spartans have a bevy of shooters that could punish that if they don't turn it over. Biggest word there is if.
Its 4AAA finally getting their bracket underway. The 4 vs 5 game is Hill-Murray at Simley. Simley won the 2 regular season meetings by a combined 6 points. Hill-Murray finished 1 game ahead of Simley in the Classic Suburban. All signs pointing to a great game and this one didn't disappoint. Pepsi at the concession stand is too tempting to pass on so after a 3 day break, we finally up the beverage counter.
Song of the Day
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1360 ounces (116 games, 100 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Eric Weimar with a pair of bombs to get Hill-Murray out to a 6-0 lead. Simley counters with a 13-2 run thanks to Sam Stensgard and post Mark Della Vedova knocking down 3s. Marshawn Wilson doing his thing to carry the Pioneers offense before he sits with his 2nd foul at the 8:10 mark. Hill-Murray loses 4 points with him sitting and he returns at 4:09. Simley ends the half on an 8-1 run thanks to a Della Vedova dunk to start it. 38-28 Simley at half.
Sam Stensgard hot to start the 2nd half. He knocks down a jumper off a BLOB, then a lefty layup. Another layup and a trip to the deep beyond and all of a sudden Simley is up 50-32. He goes to the reverse and is 54-37 Simley with 11:22 left. Hill-Murray comes roaring back as they go halfcourt trap. Alex Ogren for 3 and he converts a turnover for 2 more and adds 2 free throws. Wilson with a steal for 2 and Sam Westby takes a kickout pass and knocks down a 3. That's ends as 15-2 run to pull Hill-Murray within 56-52 with 6:20 left. Simley counters with Alex Anderson inside for 2 buckets (getting Della Vedova's minutes) and Ben Scheffley takes a turnover for a 3 point play. 64-55 Simley with 4:18 left. Wilson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Weimar converts a turnover for 2. Simley just trying to hang on and survive. Simley misses a front end and Wilson makes both ends and the lead is down to 3 with 1:46 left. Sam Stensgard converts on the break with 32.5 left and the Simley lead is 7. Ogren counters for 3 with 22.3 left and Scheffley makes 2 free throws to keep the lead at 6. Della Vedova blocks a 3 with 15 seconds left. Jack Fahey buries a 3 with 8 seconds left and Hill-Murray calls time. Fahey steals the inbounds and converts with 5.4 left to cut the lead to 1. Simley makes 1 of 2 and Hill-Murray comes right back. Wilson from 30 no good but he chases that shot and grabs his own rebound in the lane. He puts it back in at the buzzer, referees conference and that basket will count and some how Hill-Murray has forced overtime tied at 76.
Tie game late in the overtime. Simley holding. Della Vedova catches a dish in the left short corner and he'll go to hammer that home. But here comes Wilson from the help side and he smashes that away. Holy cow, one of the best blocks you'll see all year. Hill-Murray recovers it and holds. After a timeout with 15.1 left, Wilson catches in the backcourt and here we go. He drives and kicks and Hill-Murray can't get a good look so we'll play a 2nd overtime.
Wilson goes strong and finishes thru Della Vedova with 1:15 left in the 2nd OT. Hill-Murray up 83-82. Sam Stensgard misses a 3 and its goes over to Hill-Murray with 57.4 left. On the backcourt inbounds, tick tick tick. Hill-Murray granted the timeout with 46.8 left as they get a break on a slow 10 count. That doesn't matter as Matt Amspoker steals that inbounds and takes it for a layup to regain the lead for Simley. Wilson misses a 3 and a kickout for a good look to Ogren is no good. Anderson fouled on the rebound and he makes 2 with 16.1 left. Wilson has the ball tipped away, Amspoker takes that for 2 more. Simley fans storm the court as they win a thriller 88-83 in double overtime. What a game!
Post Game
Hill-Murray finishes the season 16-11. Marshawn Wilson leads with a double double of 31 points and I had 11 boards on my sheet. Forward Alex Ogren 4 3s on his way to 21 points. The Pioneers make 12 3s but its not enough. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back from 18 down at 1 point and they were down 7 inside of 25 seconds left in regulation.
This is Simley's 1st playoff win in 4 seasons. Sam Stensgard with 15 of his 22 in the 2nd half to lead the Spartans. Matt Amspoker comes up large off the bench with 14, 8 in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd OT. Alex Anderson with 13 off the bench as well. All but 2 of those after halftime. Mark Della Vedova 12 including a pair of 3s, Ben Scheffley 10 for great Simley balance. Simley advances to play Johnson at St. Paul Washington on Tuesday night in the 4AAA semifinals. Johnson's pressure defense will be an entirely different world for Simley but the Spartans have a bevy of shooters that could punish that if they don't turn it over. Biggest word there is if.
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