North stays on top of the city

Prologue
Off to #8AAA Minneapolis Henry to see the Patriots take on archrival #1A Minneapolis North.  Henry comes in 1 game behind North for 1st in the Minneapolis City standings.  The Henry pep band is in attendance and that's the only open area of the building as the fans fill up each side.  Pat Rock and crew working tonight.  If I don't see The Rev doing this game, I may not see him all year.  I was trying to remember the last time these teams played when both were ranked.  Hamline and Augsburg in the building to watch.  Great to see this rivalry start to come back.  No concessions so its kick back and enjoy.

Song of the Day
Sugar Hill Gang - Rapper's Delight

Number of Teams I've Seen: 113 (41 courts, 2 new, 2 TV games, 72 varsity games)

Beverage Ticker: 420 ounces (3460 calories) + 5.5 liters (670 calories)

• Pepsi: 204 ounces (2300 Calories) + 1.5 liters (630 Calories)
• Coke: 24 ounces (280 Calories)
• Dr Pepper: 48 ounces (600 Calories)
• Sprite: 24 ounces (280 Calories)
• Water: 3.5 Liters + 120 ounces (0 Calories)
• Gatorade: 500 ml (40 Calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 7
Pizza Ticker: 8
Walking Taco Ticker: 7

Game Time:
Jamil Jackson for 3 to open the scoring and its a track meet.  Tyler Johnson with a dunk and a layup.  Julian Jackson countering with a layup and a dunk.  19-16 North at the 11:18 mark.  Lamar Wood with a strong block and we go the other way only to see a sensational block by Tyler Johnson.  He's amped up.  Julian Jackson with another dunk, Jordan Lynn with a floater and Wood on the offensive glass. 7-0 Henry run for a 27-24 lead with 7 minutes left in the half.  North counters with Pat Dembley for 2, Isaac Johnson coast to coast, Tyler Johnson a 3 point play, post up and a lob dunk.  11-2 North run to put them back up by 6 with 4:30 left in the half.  Henry cuts it to 4.  Dembley takes a turnover for 2 and an Isaac Johnson hoop in the last minute push the North lead to 49-40 at half.

Tyler Johnson had a big 1st half but picks up his 4th foul less than 2 minutes in and has to sit.  North shooting kicks in early in the 2nd half.  Dembley for 3 and 2 free throws.  Jamil Jackson steps back for 2 and then hits a 3 off a side ball screen.  Isaac Johnson then buries a pair of 3s.  69-57 North with 13:10 left.  A missed North dunk and a technical give Henry 3 of 4 free throws but they miss a front end on the possession.  D. Edwards-Brown with a 3 point play and 2-3 free throws to cut the margin to 8.  This is after Tyler Johnson comes back in the game with more than 12 minutes left.  Henry won't get any closer.  Dembley makes a free throw and eventually converts a hoop off the other miss.  Issac Johnson runs for a layup and makes 2 free throws to break the Henry momentum.  Another Dembley hoop and 2 more Isaac Johnson free throws push the lead to 88-70 with 6:23 left.  North goes on to win 106-91.

Post Game
For Henry, Savion Scott off the bench with 15 of his 21 in the second half.  Julian Jackson with 20.  All 5 Patriots starters reach double figures.  Henry falls to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in the Minneapolis City.  They host Hill-Murray in the MLK Classic on Monday.  Then league home games vs Roosevelt and Washburn finish the week.

For North, their stars shine.  Pat Dembley and Issac Johnson 29 each.  Tyler Johnson chips in with 23 despite 2nd half foul trouble.  Neither team will be happy with their defensive effort.  Kids getting to the rim left and right.  Plus easy chances on the offensive glass both ways.  Just a matter that North had more firepower tonight.  North pulls 2 games ahead in the Minneapolis City at 6-0.  They are now 12-2 overall.  They host Southwest Friday and then a quick turnaround vs #5AA Minnehaha on Saturday afternoon.