Osseo continues run to playoffs

Prologue
Its a chance to see the large Blaine lineup as they visit Osseo in a NW Suburban cross over game.  This one being made up from January.  Only 1 side of bleachers open tonight so we'll move the benches to the other side.  A bottle of Pepsi and a slice of Domino's sausage pizza from the usual high quality Osseo concession menu keeps my waistline happy.  It was seriously grumpy after a couple of no concessions nights this week.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 140 (55 courts)

Beverage Consumption Counter: 1256.9 ounces (78 days, 107 games, 2 scrimmages added on)

• Pepsi: 592 ounces
• Coke: 192 ounces
• Dr. Pepper: 48 ounces
• Sprite: 140 ounces
• Sierra Mist: 12 ounces
• Barq's Root Beer: 20 ounces
• A&W Root Beer: 36 ounces
• Red Powerade: 100 ounces
• 0 Calorie Fruit Punch Powerade: 20 ounces
• Red Gatorade: 80 ounces
• Water: 500 ml

Hot Dog Counter: 15

Song of the Day
Pink - So What

Game Time:
Its Blaine off to the good start. Soph guard Sam Gerrity with a steal for 2 and mountain Ben Scherer with a 3 point play to end a 7-0 Bengals run.  11-4 Blaine at 11:43 as Osseo takes timeout.  Osseo smartly going to their run and jump pressure against the young Blaine backcourt.  Matt Bezdicek off the Osseo bench with a 3 point play and a steal for 2.  Fellow bench mob guy Kyle Williams with 6 in a row.  That's part of an 18-2 Osseo run in just over 5 minutes.  Blaine needs and takes a timeout at the 5:47 mark down 24-15.  Blaine scores the next 5 with frosh Byron Bynum making a 3 and soph post Tim Leo going to the lefty finish inside.  Osseo keeps the lead at 29-23 going to the half.

The lead quickly expands to 11 on another turnover, an Elliot Kane 3 in transition (his only hoop) and a slick behind the back assist from Allen Anderson to Kameron Bettie for a layup.  36-25 Osseo with 15:40 left and it looks like they may be ready to run away.  But Scherer counters and Blaine adds a 3 to stay within 6 with 10 to play.  Anderson with a triple as Osseo stretches the lead back to 9.  Blaine closes to 4 with Bynum driving and hitting Jared Kaul in the corner for 3.  42-38 Osseo with 4:30 left.  Anderson slams the door with another 3 and a jumper.  That makes the lead 9 and after a Blaine turnover, Osseo has it back with 3:12 left.  They'll spread the floor and make their free throws.  Osseo wins 55-43.

Post Game
Soph Sam Gerrity leads the Bengals with 10 points.  Frosh Byron Bynum with 8 off the bench. Turnovers a major issue for the Bengals guards.  That kept them from exploiting their size advantage.  Blaine falls to 6-9 in the NW Suburban and 9-13 overall.  They finish the season playing 3 of the 4 teams in front of them in the North division.  Blaine's strength of schedule and head to head win over Duluth East looks like it will give them the home court advantage in the 4 vs 5 rematch in the 1st round of the 7AAAA playoffs.

Osseo improves to 11-4 in the NW Suburban and 12-9 overall.  They're quietly streaking as they've now won 7 out of 9 in the new year since a 5-7 start.  They've played quality opponents tough.  They host Spring Lake Park tomorrow before a trip to Armstrong on Wednesday.  Allen Anderson leads Osseo with 16 points.  12 of those in the 2nd half and they all stopped Blaine momentum.  Kameron Bettie is that quiet Osseo big guy who just jumps in the rotation and produces.  11 points tonight and always seems to be around the ball.  That offsets a quiet night from Elliot Kane who had only 3 points on 1 3.