Jenson shines brightly again

Prologue
Its an all in one night with Christmas shopping, grocery shopping and a game all together.  That can mean only place.  Its off to The Mall to see MTS host SW Christian.  SW Christian coming in off an impressive win over #2A Central MN Christian (Stars win the Compass Trophy) on Friday.  Jack Jenson going for 40 in that one.  MTS on the other hand is depleted.  Star forward Isaiah Wade has moved. No Charles Gordon tonight either.  So a 6 man crew tonight for Wolves coach Bruce Weston.  Our tune is from the public address and good for the variety

Song of the Day
Kanye West - Amazing

Number of Teams I've Seen: 63 (21 courts, 2 new, 1 TV game)

Beverage Ticker: 120 ounces (1390 calories) + 1 liter (250 calories) + 3 liters (0 calories) + 80 oz (0 calories.
27 days (22 possible game days), 35 games, 2 scrimmages added on, includes 1 TV replay

• Pepsi: 72 ounces (900 Calories) + 500 ml (210 Calories)
• Dr Pepper: 36 ounces (450 Calories)
• Sprite: 12 ounces (140 Calories)
• Water: 3 Liters + 80 ounces (0 Calories)
• Gatorade: 500 ml (40 Calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 4
Pizza Ticker: 7
Walking Taco Ticker: 4

Game Time:
Southwest Christian in their usual matchup zone.  Trey Sandness with a long 3 and its 11-7 SW Christian at the 14 minute mark.  MTS would go on a 16-4 run from there. Bryce Mills spinning for 2 free throws and a hoop during that run.  Add in a Isaiah Williams triple as well.  23-15 MTS at the 10 minute mark  SW Christian looks lifeless.  Jack Jenson with one of his many steals for a hoop, Sandness another bomb and Jenson to the rack.  But Williams drives for 2 more and the MTS lead is still 31-24 inside of 6 minutes left in the half.  Then its Zach Winters off the bench to spark the Stars.  2 kickouts to him for 2 triples.  There's another, then a set elevator play for a 4th.  Let's get one for the thumb just before half.  Jenson converts 2 hoops in the last 10 seconds.  43-37 SW Christian at half.  Its a 19-6 run in the final 5 minutes with 5 bombs from Winters.

Williams drives and then takes a steal for a dunk.  Mills hits a 3 and Caleb Rush buries his 2nd 3 of the night.  47 all with 14 minutes left.  Too much Jenson in the 2nd half though.  He hits a floater, takes a steal for 2 and off a scramble gets the pass out for a triple.  Then a triple off a BLOB.  61-51 Stars after a 14-4 run.  Williams with a hoop and another off a turnover.  Then 2 missed free throws with a chance to cut the lead to 4.  Jenson takes a breather and the Stars score the next 6.  He immediately scores after returning.  69-55 SW Christian with 7:30 left.  Winters buries another 3 for icing on the cake.  A couple late buckets by MTS tighten it up but the outcome isn't in doubt.  Southwest Christian wins 79-72

Post Game
Senior guard Isaiah Williams goes for 32 for Minnesota Transitions.  He attacked the rim all night.  Bryce Mills with 18.  Its a small MTS lineup now without Wade and no real shooters.  They still have plenty of soft games on the schedule though.  But there's enough meat left (at CHOF, Red Lake, Heritage etc) where that will hurt them.  MTS is now 3-2 overall.  They are at Bethany on Thursday before playing the Trinity holiday tournament.

Jack Jenson with another outstanding night for SW Christian.  He finishes with 31 points and a handful of rebounds, assists and steals.  Story of the night is Zach Winters coming off the bench with 6 3s.  That included 5 in the last 5 minutes of the 1st half to spark the 19-6 run.  Most of that on kickouts from drivers like Jenson.  They don't have much size and that shows on the rebounding side which is a weakness.  They may not be that athletic but they do have length in that zone.  The Stars are now 6-0.  They have a couple of important 5AA East games before the holiday as they host Breck on Friday and Providence next Tuesday.  Those games will go a long way in seeding.

Play of the Day
Now I could draw up SW Christian's variation of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE.  But you know I can't do that.  So I wanted to mention the interesting press look that they have.  Coach Kit Avery will deploy a full court press with a man on the ball out of bounds.  OK fine we've all done that, so what.  What makes it interesting is that he plays that man on the ball inside the inbounder and directly facing the sideline.  Not a new concept to try to force the ball to the short side of the floor but playing it to that extreme is something I haven't seen before.  Its a very interesting idea.