Washburn survives a south side test

Prologue
Its a Minneapolis City Conference matchup as #7AAA Washburn vists South.  Remember South knocked off league champ North last week.  They also knocked off Washburn 75-74 in the 1st meeting.  A bottle of Sprite for the beverage counter.  D3 represented well with The Coolest Guy in the MIAC, Bethany Lutheran, Hamline and Augsburg all in attendance.  And in honor of Jason Nickleby being hired as the new Director of Offiicals for the MSHSL (great hire), I give you a new referee nickname.  Terry Tate Office Linebacker working tonight.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 148 (61 courts)

Beverage Consumption Counter: 1385.8 ounces (85 days, 118 games, 2 scrimmages added on)\

• Pepsi: 664 ounces
• Coke: 192 ounces
• Dr. Pepper: 48 ounces
• Sprite: 180 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: 96.9 ounces
• Water: 500 ml

Hot Dog Counter: 17

Song of the Day
Guns N Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

Game Time:
Washburn off to a great start with 7 points from JoBreil Powell.  13-3 Millers at the 14:32 mark.  South would reply with a 9-0 run of their own.  From that point we're pretty even the rest of the half.  Washburn by 5 before Taron Myers puts back a miss and then pulls up on the break and banks in a straight away 3.  Then a Myers steal and he'll pull it up again and bang.  10-2 South run for a 28-25 lead at the  6:45 mark.  Derrick Williams fouled and makes all 3 free throws just before the halftime buzzer for a 38-35 South lead at half.

Then 2 quick South hoops to open the half.  Washburn looks shaky before Powell banks in a 3 off a ball screen.  Williams 4 straight to push the lead to 7, then Myers with another pullup 3 in transition and he runs for a layup.  Payton Bowdry adds a 3 for a 58-48 South lead with 10 to play.  Evan Shepherd with a hoop and pair of free throws but its still South up 63-56 inside of 3 to play.  Washburn has 1 last burst in them. 

Kevin Gleason with a steal for 2, then South charges and misses a front end.  Powell puts back a miss for a 3 point play with 1:39 left. Then Powell again (I think) after another South turnover.  That ties it at 63 with 1:20 left.  South kicks it away again and once again its Powell with 49.2 left.  South another turnover with 41 seconds.  Then Washburn can't hang on to the ball either.  They promptly throw it away on their possession after a timeout.  South makes 1 free throw with 23.7 left.  Washburn turns it over again, South misses and we have a jump ball.  It goes to South with 14.6 left.  South 2 good chances that don't go down.  Ball out of bounds to the Tigers for 1 last chance with 3.9 left.  On the inbounds pass, the feet go right out from under the receiver and its a turnover.  What a terrible break though the look would have been tough.  Washburn goes on to win 67-64.

Post Game:
South falls to 5-6 in the Minneapolis City and 10-13 overall.  They'll finish the season with 3 more games at home.  Minnehaha on Saturday, Henry on Tuesday and Edina next Thursday.  Payton Bowdry with 18 to lead the Tigers.  Derrick Williams and Taron Myers with 13 each.  Michael Harris adds 11.  Very small South lineup but they were active.  This is one they'll want back.  5 turnovers and 3 of 4 missed free throws in the last 2:30.  Everything was in place, just didn't close it out.  The Tigers still fighting St. Louis Park for the 6 seed in 6AAAA.

Washburn gets 20 from JoBreil Powell and he came up huge late.  Evan Shepherd with 15, Kevin Gleason with 10.  It wasn't pretty as the Millers missed a bunch of bunnies but they made a big run to steal one.  Washburn now 8-4 for 3rd in the Minneapolis City and 17-8 overall.  They've won 6 in a row and finish the regular season on Tuesday against Carlton.  I'd be very surprised if Washburn isn't the 1 seed in 6AAA, especially with the 27 point win over Waconia.