Delano visits the city

Prologue
Late change of plans takes me to St. Paul Central to see their home opener against Delano.  The night starts badly as I think I'm being smart waiting for the concession to clear out before the JV game.  So right after its starts, its empty.  Brilliant!  Only to find out, they have to do a new batch of hot dogs.  I settle for the popcorn instead and let's just say that trade was a FAIL!  Another half liter of water adds to the beverage ticker.  Maybe Thanksgiving will mean I'm thankful this water idea is over.  Who knows.

Song of the Day
None - All songs played are too inappropriate for here

Number of Teams I've Seen: 8 (4 courts, 2 new)

Beverage Ticker: 24 ounces (190 Calories) + 2 liters (0 calories)
6 days (5 possible game days), 4 games, 2 scrimmages added on

• Pepsi: 12 ounces (150 Calories)
• Sprite: 12 ounces (140 Calories)
• Water: 2 Liters (0 Calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 0
Pizza Ticker: 3

Game Time:
Guard Jack Beckman on the bench with crutches for the Central and that's a big loss.  That leaves Sam Gubbrud to carry their offense and he does that. A putback, score and a spin for 2 put Central up 10-9 at 10:45.  Central giving me my first taste of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE for the season.  Soph Calvin Wishart attacking the paint for Delano with a pair of drives and splitting 2 free throws.  Central counters with 2 hoops to tie the game at 16 at the 6:35 mark.  From there its all Delano.  Wishart still atacking, Matt Kreklow with a hoop and bonus free throws.  24-17 as Delano takes time at the 3:22 mark.  At that point they go to a 2-3 zone the rest of the game.  Central immediately gets a nice kickout for 3 against it.  That's the only FG for the Minutemen in a 12-4 Delano run to end the half.  28-20 Tigers at halftime.

Delano stays with the zone and slams the door with the 1st 10 points of the 2nd half.  Mitchell Kurtz with a bunny, then a nice triple off inside out action from Kreklow to end that run.  It all elementary from there.  Central getting outside looks that won't go in.  They did have a fairly easy time getting the ball to the high post.  But that was no help against Kreklow in the middle.  He was swatting shots inside all night against the smaller Central lineup.  A couple of inbounds sets push the lead to 21.  Central get as close as 13 with 6:30 left thanks to a banked in 3.  This one was really in no danger thought.  Delano wins 54-39.
 
Post Game
Sam Gubbrud leads Central with 15 points all of those in the 1st 30 points before garbage time.  Shawn Blanchard Jr with 7 off the bench.  Jack Beckman's shooting would have been a definite factor for them against the zone.  Interesting that they tried to Ice the side euro ball screen offense but they gave up a number of easy baseline drives to the rim on it.  No backside help and no resistance from the big who would normally sag to take that away.  The tough opening schedule continues next week with St. Paul Academy and Orono.

Calvin Wishart leads Delano with 19 points.  Could have had 25 as he left a bunch at the charity stripe.  Very aggressive trying to get to the rim and drew a ton of fouls.  Matt Kreklow adds 10 points and may very well have had 10 blocks.   I counted 1 possession where he had 3 alone.  He definitely will need to get stronger at U of Mary but you can't discount his length. The other 3 starters add 8, 8 and 9 points to provide great balance.  Though they got 0 points from the bench.  They host Sauk Rapids-Rice on Saturday.  Lots of underclassmen getting quality minutes in that game.