The 2019-2020 season is a wrap. That means its time to hand out hardware and review what happened and what we thought would happen. In that spirit, I'm going to go back and select a player or 2 from each conference that I previewed. But this is not an MVP vote. These are players that didn't necessarily make the biggest impact, but they are guys that exceeded any expectations that I had before the season started. All were highly valuable contributors to their teams.
EMAC: Joey Ritzema - Avail Academy
Ritzema was the classic dirty work guy for the Valor (FEAR THE RHINO!). But he also made big plays.
IMAC: Theo Liu - Blake
The 3 Amigos at the guard spots for the Bears are well known. But its Theo Liu as a stretch 4 and a 4th scoring option on the floor took the Bears to another level.
Lake: JT Gaffney - Minnetonka and Regan Merritt - Hopkins
Gaffney was a very productive wing for the Skippers. From knocking down shots to being a defensive stopper, he was a critical piece.
Merritt was a great role guy for Hopkins off the bench. He hit big shots and was solid defensively. He always seemed to make a big impact when on the floor.
Metro East: Dewayne Thompson - Henry Sibley
While the Warriors had a long year, it would have been much longer if not for Thompson. He emerged as a go to guy that was hard to contain off the bounce.
Metro West: Mahad Faisal - Chaska
Faisal was a productive wing scorer for the Hawks. He gave them critical length and another guy who could make a big shot.
Minneapolis: Quientrail Jamison-Travis - Minneapolis North
Jamison-Travis was an absolute load inside for opponents to deal with. His strength and size allowed him to bully his way to many buckets and rebounds. It also allowed Davon Townley to expand his game by playing more away from the basket.
MCAA: Alex Heimerl - Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity
Another forward gets recognized here. Heimerl was a key frontcourt piece for the Bulldogs to go with their solid guard play.
NW Suburban: Kaleb Skelly - Spring Lake Park
It was the seniors who rightfully got noticed for the Panthers. But it was the junior Skelly who was the extra piece for Spring Lake Park. His ability to play inside and outside and give them some sort of front line presence was critical to their success.
St. Paul: Nico Peterson - Highland Park
I could have gone with teammate Carter Owens here too. But it was Peterson's energetic forward play that really got my attention when I watched the Scots this year. He could run the floor for dunks but also block shots on the other end.
Skyline: Teige Lethert - St. Croix Prep and AJ Greene - Concordia
In the Skyline I have to stretch a bit. Freshman AJ Greene is the clear newcomer of the year. The lefty wing was a big part of the rotation for a very good season for Concordia. A quality 3rd option that will be a much more important player next year.
Lethert forced his way into the St. Croix Prep rotation with toughness and physical play. That was much needed on the Lions front line. He'll also see a bigger role next year to go with the quality backcourt that St. Croix Prep returns.
South Suburban: Malcolm Jones - Prior Lake and Avery Mast - Lakeville South
Here its a pair of sophomores who raised their games to become key rotation pieces. Jones showed a 2 way game that will allow him to step in and try to pick up some of the slack of losing Dawson Garcia. Expect a big season for him next year at Prior Lake.
Mast proved to be very productive for the Cougars. While the guard play and interior play were known, it was the wing play of Mast that was a big key.
Suburban East: Evan Kim - Mounds View
For a team that had a very surprising year and did it in their typical fashion, Kim was the perfect guy. Big, tough and smart with the ability to knock down shots. That was Kim's story and he was the key to the Mustangs offense all year.
Tri-Metro: Bryce Boyd - Holy Angels and Lamar Grayson - Richfield
I first saw Boyd over the holidays and immediately liked the junior wing. Good athlete and capable of making plays. Definitely a name I'm keeping an eye on.
Grayson went from just another one of many guys for Richfield to being a major force. He was a dynamic scoring slasher for the Spartans. Very tough to stop and very dangerous in transition.
Independents: Michael Jude - Kaleidoscope
The freshman guard saw plenty of time last year. This year he took the point guard spot and ran with it. Not only did he run the show effectively but he was a knockdown shooter as well. That helped lead the young Comets to a very nice 15-13 season in their 2nd year. That included their 1st playoff home game.
Coaches: Omar McMillan - Richfield and Nate Bellefeuille - Legacy Christian
This section is to recognize the coaches of teams who went beyond expectations (#ShockTheCzar). I'm saddened not to see Richfield make a run at state as that could have given them a case for worst Czar prediction ever. But they still come in a clear 2nd as I got them totally wrong. The pieces from last year came back and put it together. Coach McMillan for that would be my metro coach of the year.
Even in the wide open abyss known as the section 4A race, seeing Legacy make the section final was a big surprise. This year was a 15 game improvement from 9 wins to 24-4. That results in the best season in school history. There were definitely pieces in place and getting Jake Wald from St. Francis was huge. But the Lions put it together at least a year earlier than expected. Great work by coach Bellefeuille to put it together.
The Fans Go Out With A Bang
Prologue
Section finals here we go. 31 teams playing for titles starting tonight. But its a really strange 24 hours that we've seen. Tonight's finals played with fans but that's the last fan night we'll see. Friday's finals will be played with limited family tickets available due to the Corona virus scare. Props to the MSHSL for lifting the restriction on live streaming playoff games for those games. So tonight we get a subdued crowd in Hastings for the 4AAAA final. Its a rubber match between Suburban East foes East Ridge and Cretin-Derham Hall. The teams split home wins during the regular season with a Woodbury upset costing CDH a share of the league crown.
Game Time
Offense hard to come by early, particularly for East Ridge. Tre Holloman 6 straight CDH points for a 12-2 CDH lead at the 10:15 mark. East Ridge unable to get anything to fall. But Ben North finally breaks the ice with a 3 just under the 10 minute mark. That triggers an 11-2 Raptors run. Brody Kriesel with a 3 to end it. 14-13 CDH at 5:50. CDH with the next 8 as a couple of East Ridge turnovers end the run. North with 2 hoops to stop the bleeding. 22-17 CDH at the break.
CDH seemed to have an answer for every East Ridge bit of momentum. Kriesel 2 FTs countered by a J'Vonne Hadley triple. Drew Adams 3 countered by Amari Carter with a drive for 2 and a triple of his own. Hadley in the post dishes to Will Burke for a layup. Carter puts back his own miss. CDH lead back to 10, 38-28, with under 12 minutes left.
Ben Carlson heating up despite being mugged all night inside. He scores in the post and knocks down a 3 as part of 6 straight East Ridge points. After a CDH FT, its Hadley's 4th foul and another Ben North triple. Kriesel to the line to make 1 of 2 with 4:49 left. That miss would have tied the game and it brings Hadley back in. 42-41 CDH. Holloman takes Carlson off the ball screen switch and finishes. Kriesel from the short corner vs a 1-2-2 zone. Holloman has the answer with the left hand. Then he strips Carlson inside (could have easily been a jump ball). Carter goes to the quick spin move in the post for a layup. 48-42 CDH with 1:40 left and it looks to be over.
Carlson with a free throw. Kriesel with a strip at halfcourt that he converts with 1:10 left. Back to a 1 possession game. CDH misses a front end. Kriesel converts that into a left wing triple. 48 all with 40 seconds left. CDH timeout with 27.2 left. They hold with Holloman. He drives and his lob is too high for Hadley. Carlson with a chance to grab it but can't hang on. Its out to Cretin under their basket with 3.7 left. The teams trade time outs. On the BLOB, nothing on the initial set. Curtis Jones drops back beyond the 3 point line for the catch. 1 dribble left and he'll pull it from 25 feet straight away. BANG! Raiders advance with a 51-48 win. Not to mention it keeps my picks at dead even going into the final night (though I need a Spring Lake Park win to not be underwater). All 10 starters score and no bench points in the game.
Post Game
Heartbreak hotel for East Ridge. Brody Kriesel with 13 of his 18 points in the 2nd half including the clutch plays in the last 1:15 to get the game back to even. Ben Carlson with 10 of his 15 in the 2nd half. Ben North with 2 3s and 10 points. Kendall Blue with only 2 FTs as he couldn't buy a shot all night. Bad luck for the talented sophomore and the Raptors. Ben Carlson goes over 2000 points for his career and finishes as the school's all-time leading scorer. Raptors finish their season 23-6 with their only losses in the new year being the 2 to CDH.
Curtis Jones with the game winner and 16 points to lead CDH. Tre Holloman adds 14 points including 3 big plays down the stretch. Amari Carter adds a productive 12 point night. J'Vonne Hadley held to 7 points. He's been used in the post more as the season has progressed. Didn't see much of it tonight though.
Now assuming the state tourney is played (which is a major assumption at this point), worst case for CDH is a 3 seed. But the debate of Eastview vs CDH in the seeding is a fun one. The Eastview win over Wayzata while CDH lost to Wayzata likely tips the scales to Eastview. But CDH has a Minnehaha win on their resume. At the end of the day its likely a 2 vs 3 scenario which only determines jersey color in a potential semifinal. Both would get a random draw team in round 1.
Section finals here we go. 31 teams playing for titles starting tonight. But its a really strange 24 hours that we've seen. Tonight's finals played with fans but that's the last fan night we'll see. Friday's finals will be played with limited family tickets available due to the Corona virus scare. Props to the MSHSL for lifting the restriction on live streaming playoff games for those games. So tonight we get a subdued crowd in Hastings for the 4AAAA final. Its a rubber match between Suburban East foes East Ridge and Cretin-Derham Hall. The teams split home wins during the regular season with a Woodbury upset costing CDH a share of the league crown.
Game Time
Offense hard to come by early, particularly for East Ridge. Tre Holloman 6 straight CDH points for a 12-2 CDH lead at the 10:15 mark. East Ridge unable to get anything to fall. But Ben North finally breaks the ice with a 3 just under the 10 minute mark. That triggers an 11-2 Raptors run. Brody Kriesel with a 3 to end it. 14-13 CDH at 5:50. CDH with the next 8 as a couple of East Ridge turnovers end the run. North with 2 hoops to stop the bleeding. 22-17 CDH at the break.
CDH seemed to have an answer for every East Ridge bit of momentum. Kriesel 2 FTs countered by a J'Vonne Hadley triple. Drew Adams 3 countered by Amari Carter with a drive for 2 and a triple of his own. Hadley in the post dishes to Will Burke for a layup. Carter puts back his own miss. CDH lead back to 10, 38-28, with under 12 minutes left.
Ben Carlson heating up despite being mugged all night inside. He scores in the post and knocks down a 3 as part of 6 straight East Ridge points. After a CDH FT, its Hadley's 4th foul and another Ben North triple. Kriesel to the line to make 1 of 2 with 4:49 left. That miss would have tied the game and it brings Hadley back in. 42-41 CDH. Holloman takes Carlson off the ball screen switch and finishes. Kriesel from the short corner vs a 1-2-2 zone. Holloman has the answer with the left hand. Then he strips Carlson inside (could have easily been a jump ball). Carter goes to the quick spin move in the post for a layup. 48-42 CDH with 1:40 left and it looks to be over.
Carlson with a free throw. Kriesel with a strip at halfcourt that he converts with 1:10 left. Back to a 1 possession game. CDH misses a front end. Kriesel converts that into a left wing triple. 48 all with 40 seconds left. CDH timeout with 27.2 left. They hold with Holloman. He drives and his lob is too high for Hadley. Carlson with a chance to grab it but can't hang on. Its out to Cretin under their basket with 3.7 left. The teams trade time outs. On the BLOB, nothing on the initial set. Curtis Jones drops back beyond the 3 point line for the catch. 1 dribble left and he'll pull it from 25 feet straight away. BANG! Raiders advance with a 51-48 win. Not to mention it keeps my picks at dead even going into the final night (though I need a Spring Lake Park win to not be underwater). All 10 starters score and no bench points in the game.
Post Game
Heartbreak hotel for East Ridge. Brody Kriesel with 13 of his 18 points in the 2nd half including the clutch plays in the last 1:15 to get the game back to even. Ben Carlson with 10 of his 15 in the 2nd half. Ben North with 2 3s and 10 points. Kendall Blue with only 2 FTs as he couldn't buy a shot all night. Bad luck for the talented sophomore and the Raptors. Ben Carlson goes over 2000 points for his career and finishes as the school's all-time leading scorer. Raptors finish their season 23-6 with their only losses in the new year being the 2 to CDH.
Curtis Jones with the game winner and 16 points to lead CDH. Tre Holloman adds 14 points including 3 big plays down the stretch. Amari Carter adds a productive 12 point night. J'Vonne Hadley held to 7 points. He's been used in the post more as the season has progressed. Didn't see much of it tonight though.
Now assuming the state tourney is played (which is a major assumption at this point), worst case for CDH is a 3 seed. But the debate of Eastview vs CDH in the seeding is a fun one. The Eastview win over Wayzata while CDH lost to Wayzata likely tips the scales to Eastview. But CDH has a Minnehaha win on their resume. At the end of the day its likely a 2 vs 3 scenario which only determines jersey color in a potential semifinal. Both would get a random draw team in round 1.
2020 5AAAA Semis Recap
We're down semifinals and finals across the state this week. My week begins with the 5AAAA semis at Coon Rapids. Good crowd on hand. Solid hot dog on the concessions. No band for any of the schools was disappointing. South Dakota on hand watching the games as well.
Game 1: Park Center 60 Mounds View 39
Dain Dainja with a pass out of the post that leads to an offensive board. Then an assist for a layup and he'll score his own post up with Mounds View not bringing a double team. Josh Brown 2 bombs and its 17-5 Park Center just over 5 minutes in. Soph wing Dylan Wheeler with a couple of 3s as Mounds View counters with a 10-0 run to jump right back in the game. Dainja 2 more inside hoops. Wheeler a hoop and a triple. Dainja ends the half with a mean dunk. 29-25 Park Cetner at the break.
Park Center much more disciplined on the defensive end in the 2nd half. John Montgomery with a free throw and a tip in to keep Mounds View within 36-31 with 10:35 left. Mustangs go the next 4 minutes without a field goal. Dainja with a steal and some circus dribbling to go coast to coast for a 3 point play. Josh Brown another triple. Park Center hits a bunch of free throws from there to coast to a win Dain Dainja with 17 points to lead all scorers. Park Center with 4 in double figures. Dylan Wheeler with 15 to lead Mounds View, 13 in the 1st half. Mounds View tried a quick box and 1 on Josh Brown. Interesting that they never really doubled inside much but Dainja's passing is a legit threat.
Game 2: Spring Lake Park 80 Champlin Park 59
2 simple storylines here. Too much Gabe Myren for Spring Lake Park and too little offense from Champlin Park. Spring Lake Park 4 early 3s to open a 19-6 lead. Champlin Park with the next 10 to cut the margin to 3. Francis Nwaokorie 1st 5 points in that run plus a skip pass for the next 3. Myren converts 2 turnovers into 3 point plays. Kaleb Skelly adds 3 triples. Spring Lake Park 40-30 at the break.
Its a 12 point game with 12:30 left when Spring Lake Park blows it open. Myren in the post, at the line, from deep and 2 more for 9 in a row. Jacob Say adds his 3rd 3 of the night. Blake Remme 2 hoops before a Myren putback. Remme with the exclamation point with a mean tip dunk with 5:43 left. 74-43 Spring Lake Park lead after the 24-5 run. Garbage time from the there. Gabe Myren terrific with 33 points on the night. 20 of those in the 1st half. Only 2 3s as he was attacking all night. 3 others in double figures for Spring Lake Park. Cooper Olson and Devon Moore with 11 each for Champlin Park. They strangely really didn't look at Francis Nwaokorie inside. All 5 of his points in that 1 early spurt and largely invisible beyond that. Some credit to Daydor Phillips for battling him in there all night. His reward? Another chance to battle with Dain Dainja inside in the section final at Rogers on Friday night.
Game 1: Park Center 60 Mounds View 39
Dain Dainja with a pass out of the post that leads to an offensive board. Then an assist for a layup and he'll score his own post up with Mounds View not bringing a double team. Josh Brown 2 bombs and its 17-5 Park Center just over 5 minutes in. Soph wing Dylan Wheeler with a couple of 3s as Mounds View counters with a 10-0 run to jump right back in the game. Dainja 2 more inside hoops. Wheeler a hoop and a triple. Dainja ends the half with a mean dunk. 29-25 Park Cetner at the break.
Park Center much more disciplined on the defensive end in the 2nd half. John Montgomery with a free throw and a tip in to keep Mounds View within 36-31 with 10:35 left. Mustangs go the next 4 minutes without a field goal. Dainja with a steal and some circus dribbling to go coast to coast for a 3 point play. Josh Brown another triple. Park Center hits a bunch of free throws from there to coast to a win Dain Dainja with 17 points to lead all scorers. Park Center with 4 in double figures. Dylan Wheeler with 15 to lead Mounds View, 13 in the 1st half. Mounds View tried a quick box and 1 on Josh Brown. Interesting that they never really doubled inside much but Dainja's passing is a legit threat.
Game 2: Spring Lake Park 80 Champlin Park 59
2 simple storylines here. Too much Gabe Myren for Spring Lake Park and too little offense from Champlin Park. Spring Lake Park 4 early 3s to open a 19-6 lead. Champlin Park with the next 10 to cut the margin to 3. Francis Nwaokorie 1st 5 points in that run plus a skip pass for the next 3. Myren converts 2 turnovers into 3 point plays. Kaleb Skelly adds 3 triples. Spring Lake Park 40-30 at the break.
Its a 12 point game with 12:30 left when Spring Lake Park blows it open. Myren in the post, at the line, from deep and 2 more for 9 in a row. Jacob Say adds his 3rd 3 of the night. Blake Remme 2 hoops before a Myren putback. Remme with the exclamation point with a mean tip dunk with 5:43 left. 74-43 Spring Lake Park lead after the 24-5 run. Garbage time from the there. Gabe Myren terrific with 33 points on the night. 20 of those in the 1st half. Only 2 3s as he was attacking all night. 3 others in double figures for Spring Lake Park. Cooper Olson and Devon Moore with 11 each for Champlin Park. They strangely really didn't look at Francis Nwaokorie inside. All 5 of his points in that 1 early spurt and largely invisible beyond that. Some credit to Daydor Phillips for battling him in there all night. His reward? Another chance to battle with Dain Dainja inside in the section final at Rogers on Friday night.
Roll along Playoffs, roll along
A fun couple of playoff nights on the schedule. Thursday gives the small schools center stage. Friday is a quiet night with the 1st AAAA semis on the schedule.
Thursday: Humboldt 65 Hiawatha 52
This was the 8 vs 9 game in 4AA and I had the upset correctly picked in this one. No Jaheim Houts for Hiawatha in this one. Desmond Lugo a pair of 3s and Humboldt storms out to a 15-4 lead. But a mysterious lack of game plan from Humboldt coach Augie Garcia. He lets the 1 Hiawatha weapon, PG Jessye Lewis, pretty much do whatever he wants. Plus he lets his guys settle for 3s against the 2-3 zone rather than easier looks against a defense that was one of the worst I saw all year. Humboldt gets a couple of free throws at the halftime buzzer to go up by 5.
Romelle Bell lights up the 2nd half for Hiawatha. He starts with 2 buckets. Lewis with a 3 and a drive. Bell from Lewis and he'll cut for 2 more. Lewis for 3 and Bell for 3 to end an 11-2 run from a tie game. 44-35 Hiawatha with their biggest lead of the night with just under 12 minutes left. Lewis with another assist for a 3 to keep the Wolves lead at 47-40 with 10:10 left. But Hiawatha gets only 1 more field goal the rest of the way. Hawks go on a 25-5 run to finish the game. Lugo 2 more trips to the deep beyond. Keith Pabon 2 triples with the 2nd coming as Bell cramps up. A turnover for a layup and the Humboldt lead is 59-50 with 4:14 left. The rest is basically free throws. Jessye Lewis 22, Romelle Bell 20 for Hiawatha but no help beyond that. Desmond Lugo with 5 triples and 18 points to lead Humboldt to the quarters on Saturday vs St. Croix Prep.
Friday: Hopkins 66 Wayzata 56
Hopkins with 2 buckets in the 1st minute but then only 1 FG in the next 12:50. Wayzata with a 12-0 run after those buckets with a couple Camden Heide assists included. Heide with a floater and a Drew Berkland 3 to push the lead to 22-11 at 5:28. Walton backdoor for 2 free throws plus a jumper and Hopkins converts a turnover to cut the lead to 5 with just over 3 minutes left. Wayzata rallies with 2 Carter Bjerke 3s in an 8-0 for a 33-20 lead. Walton closes the half with 2 free throws to cut the margin to 33-22. Walton 12 in the half, 8-8 FTs. Half of that damage done with his primary defender Kody Williams sitting with 2 fouls.
Bjerke scores inside to open the half for another 13 point lead. Here come the Royals. 7-0 run with 2 Xavier White buckets to force a quick Wayzata timeout. Walton for 3 and a putback for a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1. Regan Merritt another productive night off the bench for Hopkins. His steal for a 3 point play and another 3 tie it up. Walton to a fadeaway and Hopkins is back on top 47-45 with 8:45 left. Back and forth we go with Merritt making 1-2 free throws for a 53-52 Hopkins lead with 4:21 left.
Then its time for Kerwin Walton to take over. He drives and hits a crazy off balance banker for a 3 point play with 3:33 left. Then a sweet backcut on a BLOB for another 3 point play. Teams trade a couple of buckets and its Walton to Andre Gray for a bucket with 1:32 left to keep the lead at 7. He adds 2 free throws to help the margin get to double figures. Kerwin Walton finishes with 30 points, half of them at the charity stripe. Much to the chagrin of Wayzata coach Brian Schnettler who had to be held back from the officials late. Carter Bjerke 3 triples and 15 points to lead Wayzata. Drew Berkland adds 3 triples and 13 points for the Trojans. Hopkins advances to face Cooper in the section final next Wednesday. Cooper and St. Louis Park played 3 games this year with margins of 2, 2 and 4 points.
Thursday: Humboldt 65 Hiawatha 52
This was the 8 vs 9 game in 4AA and I had the upset correctly picked in this one. No Jaheim Houts for Hiawatha in this one. Desmond Lugo a pair of 3s and Humboldt storms out to a 15-4 lead. But a mysterious lack of game plan from Humboldt coach Augie Garcia. He lets the 1 Hiawatha weapon, PG Jessye Lewis, pretty much do whatever he wants. Plus he lets his guys settle for 3s against the 2-3 zone rather than easier looks against a defense that was one of the worst I saw all year. Humboldt gets a couple of free throws at the halftime buzzer to go up by 5.
Romelle Bell lights up the 2nd half for Hiawatha. He starts with 2 buckets. Lewis with a 3 and a drive. Bell from Lewis and he'll cut for 2 more. Lewis for 3 and Bell for 3 to end an 11-2 run from a tie game. 44-35 Hiawatha with their biggest lead of the night with just under 12 minutes left. Lewis with another assist for a 3 to keep the Wolves lead at 47-40 with 10:10 left. But Hiawatha gets only 1 more field goal the rest of the way. Hawks go on a 25-5 run to finish the game. Lugo 2 more trips to the deep beyond. Keith Pabon 2 triples with the 2nd coming as Bell cramps up. A turnover for a layup and the Humboldt lead is 59-50 with 4:14 left. The rest is basically free throws. Jessye Lewis 22, Romelle Bell 20 for Hiawatha but no help beyond that. Desmond Lugo with 5 triples and 18 points to lead Humboldt to the quarters on Saturday vs St. Croix Prep.
Friday: Hopkins 66 Wayzata 56
Hopkins with 2 buckets in the 1st minute but then only 1 FG in the next 12:50. Wayzata with a 12-0 run after those buckets with a couple Camden Heide assists included. Heide with a floater and a Drew Berkland 3 to push the lead to 22-11 at 5:28. Walton backdoor for 2 free throws plus a jumper and Hopkins converts a turnover to cut the lead to 5 with just over 3 minutes left. Wayzata rallies with 2 Carter Bjerke 3s in an 8-0 for a 33-20 lead. Walton closes the half with 2 free throws to cut the margin to 33-22. Walton 12 in the half, 8-8 FTs. Half of that damage done with his primary defender Kody Williams sitting with 2 fouls.
Bjerke scores inside to open the half for another 13 point lead. Here come the Royals. 7-0 run with 2 Xavier White buckets to force a quick Wayzata timeout. Walton for 3 and a putback for a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1. Regan Merritt another productive night off the bench for Hopkins. His steal for a 3 point play and another 3 tie it up. Walton to a fadeaway and Hopkins is back on top 47-45 with 8:45 left. Back and forth we go with Merritt making 1-2 free throws for a 53-52 Hopkins lead with 4:21 left.
Then its time for Kerwin Walton to take over. He drives and hits a crazy off balance banker for a 3 point play with 3:33 left. Then a sweet backcut on a BLOB for another 3 point play. Teams trade a couple of buckets and its Walton to Andre Gray for a bucket with 1:32 left to keep the lead at 7. He adds 2 free throws to help the margin get to double figures. Kerwin Walton finishes with 30 points, half of them at the charity stripe. Much to the chagrin of Wayzata coach Brian Schnettler who had to be held back from the officials late. Carter Bjerke 3 triples and 15 points to lead Wayzata. Drew Berkland adds 3 triples and 13 points for the Trojans. Hopkins advances to face Cooper in the section final next Wednesday. Cooper and St. Louis Park played 3 games this year with margins of 2, 2 and 4 points.
Maybe a different playoff game, or(o)no
Prologue:
A late change of plans takes me from my planned 4 vs 5 game (Tartan at NSP) to another 4 vs 5 game. This one in section 6AAA as Orono visits Minneapolis Henry. Lots of contrast in this one. Henry going with 8 seniors in their 9 man rotation including 5 senior starters. Orono returning all 5 starters next year and only bringing 2 seniors off the bench. Orono with a slower big lineup against a smaller more athletic Patriots squad. Orono with execution, post play and shooting. Henry with slashing and the defense generating offense. Always fun tunes on the PA at Henry but tonight's tune was blaring in City Center before the game. Its from 30 years ago and was from a fantastic album that was worked on right here in Minneapolis.
Song of the Day: Escapade - Janet Jackson
Game Time
Orono can't get anything to drop early on. Henry slashing to the rim. They open up on a 17-4 run. But starting guards Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell both to the bench with 2 fouls just over 5 minutes in. Freshman guard Kyle Kallenbach off the Orono bench with a triple and another bucket as the Spartans claw their way back. Sebastian Loder back to back bombs to end an 8-0 run for Orono. That ties the game at 22 at the 3:15 mark. Yusuf Abdullah counters for Henry with 2 3s of his own and a steal that he dishes off for another bucket. Henry ends the half on a 14-4 run over the last 2:40. 36-26 Henry at the break.
Campbell with his 4th foul on the 1st play of the 2nd half. Orono pounding the offense glass early in the 2nd half. Big center Andrew Mandel with 3 grabs leading to 6 points. Forward Connor Chappell with 2 buckets and triple as part of the run too. 12-2 Orono run to start the half. That ties the game at 38 with 12:30 left. Henry breaks the run and then decides to spread the floor on offense. Defensively they spin up a diamond press. The diamond press creates 3 quick turnovers. That spread opens up driving lanes which lead to wide open kick out 3s. Henry makes 4 of them as part of a 17-2 run that puts the game out of reach. 55-40 with 7:23 left. Orono tries some 1-3-1 trap but never really threatens the rest of the way. Henry wins 68-58.
Post Game:
Sebastian Loder leads Orono with 17 points and 5 3s. Being able to stop the dribble and some critical turnovers were the story for them. The Spartans finish the season 10-17 (3-9 start). With a 6-4 league finish and 7 players from tonight's rotation, including all 5 starters, coming back there's plenty to be excited about for next year.
Henry advances to play at top seed De La Salle on Saturday. Isaiah Smith with 4 triples and 14 points in an unexpected performance. De'Leon Gardner with 14 points off the bench. He had to fill in the minutes of Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell due to foul trouble. After struggling on the glass tonight, can they keep Jalen Travis off the boards on Saturday.
A late change of plans takes me from my planned 4 vs 5 game (Tartan at NSP) to another 4 vs 5 game. This one in section 6AAA as Orono visits Minneapolis Henry. Lots of contrast in this one. Henry going with 8 seniors in their 9 man rotation including 5 senior starters. Orono returning all 5 starters next year and only bringing 2 seniors off the bench. Orono with a slower big lineup against a smaller more athletic Patriots squad. Orono with execution, post play and shooting. Henry with slashing and the defense generating offense. Always fun tunes on the PA at Henry but tonight's tune was blaring in City Center before the game. Its from 30 years ago and was from a fantastic album that was worked on right here in Minneapolis.
Song of the Day: Escapade - Janet Jackson
Game Time
Orono can't get anything to drop early on. Henry slashing to the rim. They open up on a 17-4 run. But starting guards Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell both to the bench with 2 fouls just over 5 minutes in. Freshman guard Kyle Kallenbach off the Orono bench with a triple and another bucket as the Spartans claw their way back. Sebastian Loder back to back bombs to end an 8-0 run for Orono. That ties the game at 22 at the 3:15 mark. Yusuf Abdullah counters for Henry with 2 3s of his own and a steal that he dishes off for another bucket. Henry ends the half on a 14-4 run over the last 2:40. 36-26 Henry at the break.
Campbell with his 4th foul on the 1st play of the 2nd half. Orono pounding the offense glass early in the 2nd half. Big center Andrew Mandel with 3 grabs leading to 6 points. Forward Connor Chappell with 2 buckets and triple as part of the run too. 12-2 Orono run to start the half. That ties the game at 38 with 12:30 left. Henry breaks the run and then decides to spread the floor on offense. Defensively they spin up a diamond press. The diamond press creates 3 quick turnovers. That spread opens up driving lanes which lead to wide open kick out 3s. Henry makes 4 of them as part of a 17-2 run that puts the game out of reach. 55-40 with 7:23 left. Orono tries some 1-3-1 trap but never really threatens the rest of the way. Henry wins 68-58.
Post Game:
Sebastian Loder leads Orono with 17 points and 5 3s. Being able to stop the dribble and some critical turnovers were the story for them. The Spartans finish the season 10-17 (3-9 start). With a 6-4 league finish and 7 players from tonight's rotation, including all 5 starters, coming back there's plenty to be excited about for next year.
Henry advances to play at top seed De La Salle on Saturday. Isaiah Smith with 4 triples and 14 points in an unexpected performance. De'Leon Gardner with 14 points off the bench. He had to fill in the minutes of Glentrell Carter and Mark Campbell due to foul trouble. After struggling on the glass tonight, can they keep Jalen Travis off the boards on Saturday.
Let's Get It Started
2020 Playoffs here we go. A couple of pigtail games on the docket before we jump into hardcore section play. Monday takes me to the 3AAA 8 vs 9 pigtail game.as that section in AAA has the extra team this year. Then its my 1st trip to Jump City to see if MTS can pull off another 4A seed upset and make my picks look outstanding.
Monday: Henry Sibley 57 St. Thomas Academy 53
Low scoring 1st half as neither team could convert shots. Particularly St. Thomas who missed a bunch of easy layups on this night. They use a late 10-2 1st half run to lead 22-21 at the break. 32-29 Cadets maintaining the lead with under 12 minutes left. Sibley with a 13-1 run to regain the lead. Tre Michaels off the bench with a big 3 and a Joey Hazzard putback during that run. 42-33 Sibley with 6 minutes left. Center MJ Davis with a putback and the harm with 3:20 left. That looks like a dagger. But Davis promptly fouls out as Yenika Fondungallah (who had fouls of his own all night) comes right back with a 3 point play. Grady O'Neal fouled on a 3 for 2-3 freebies and loops off the staggered double to bank in a straight away 3. That sandwiches a Sibley missed front end. 49-46 Sibley clinging to the lead with 2:11 left. The rest is basically free throws. Cam Latvis makes 6-8 free throws and the Warriors got 8-10 FTs in the last 1:33 to survive a couple of turnovers. They'll visit top seed Richfield in the 3AAA quarterfinals on Wednesday. MJ Davis 14 points and I was told 19 rebounds cleaning up inside. He'll be a nice project big for somebody at the JUCO level (already has a couple offers there). Cam Latvis with 12 of his 14 points in the 2nd half for Sibley. Yenika Fondungallah and Jamie Smith with 10 each as all 10 Cadets score. St. Thomas Academy's super young lineup finishes with just 2 wins, both over Hill-Murray. Sibley sweeps the season series of Mendota Heights rivals 3-0.
Tuesday: HSRA 61 MTS 44
MTS going back to back as they upset Groves last night. They had beaten HSRA twice this year so I liked the upset here. With apologies to Brian Sandifer, I didn't have any camo in my outfit tonight. Jacquez Fondern 10 early points for HSRA with a couple of 3s. But its the pair of 2s before his 3rd foul that help ignite a 19-4 HSRA run later in the 1st half. That breaks a 10 all tie. But MTS would cut into that 15 point margin before the half. Post Anthony Key with a 3 to stop the bleeding. That helps MTS outscore HSRA 12-3 over the last 4 minutes. 32-26 HSRA at the break. The kid running the clock gets replaced just before the break after his 3rd instance of forgetting to start it. 3 strikes and you're out kid. MTS bench very unhappy with him to the point of a late technical in the half.
The second half is all HSRA. Fondern with 2 triples to force a quick MTS timeout. Then he'll add another easy bucket. Jaelen Thomas puts back a miss and the run is 12-0. HSRA with their biggest lead of 44-26. Lashone Patterson was most of the MTS offense as expected. He goes coast to coast for 2, makes 2 FTs and is fouled on a putback that results in 2 more made freebies. That's Fondern's 4th foul with 9:11 left. MTS has the lead down to 45-35 and has the momentum. But 3 straight layups as MTS misses a couple chances. 8-0 HSRA run slams the door. Jacquez Fondern leads all scorers with 24 points. He knocked down 4 3s. Jaelen Thomas adds 14. Lashone Patterson with 20 to lead MTS. Only 2 field goals but other players in the 2nd half for the Wolves. They played with just 5 guys. HSRA advances to play 8 seed Avail Academy (RHINO ALERT!) on Thursday night in the 3rd round of the section 4A playoffs. Winner of that advances to the quarterfinals on Saturday at CHOF.
Monday: Henry Sibley 57 St. Thomas Academy 53
Low scoring 1st half as neither team could convert shots. Particularly St. Thomas who missed a bunch of easy layups on this night. They use a late 10-2 1st half run to lead 22-21 at the break. 32-29 Cadets maintaining the lead with under 12 minutes left. Sibley with a 13-1 run to regain the lead. Tre Michaels off the bench with a big 3 and a Joey Hazzard putback during that run. 42-33 Sibley with 6 minutes left. Center MJ Davis with a putback and the harm with 3:20 left. That looks like a dagger. But Davis promptly fouls out as Yenika Fondungallah (who had fouls of his own all night) comes right back with a 3 point play. Grady O'Neal fouled on a 3 for 2-3 freebies and loops off the staggered double to bank in a straight away 3. That sandwiches a Sibley missed front end. 49-46 Sibley clinging to the lead with 2:11 left. The rest is basically free throws. Cam Latvis makes 6-8 free throws and the Warriors got 8-10 FTs in the last 1:33 to survive a couple of turnovers. They'll visit top seed Richfield in the 3AAA quarterfinals on Wednesday. MJ Davis 14 points and I was told 19 rebounds cleaning up inside. He'll be a nice project big for somebody at the JUCO level (already has a couple offers there). Cam Latvis with 12 of his 14 points in the 2nd half for Sibley. Yenika Fondungallah and Jamie Smith with 10 each as all 10 Cadets score. St. Thomas Academy's super young lineup finishes with just 2 wins, both over Hill-Murray. Sibley sweeps the season series of Mendota Heights rivals 3-0.
Tuesday: HSRA 61 MTS 44
MTS going back to back as they upset Groves last night. They had beaten HSRA twice this year so I liked the upset here. With apologies to Brian Sandifer, I didn't have any camo in my outfit tonight. Jacquez Fondern 10 early points for HSRA with a couple of 3s. But its the pair of 2s before his 3rd foul that help ignite a 19-4 HSRA run later in the 1st half. That breaks a 10 all tie. But MTS would cut into that 15 point margin before the half. Post Anthony Key with a 3 to stop the bleeding. That helps MTS outscore HSRA 12-3 over the last 4 minutes. 32-26 HSRA at the break. The kid running the clock gets replaced just before the break after his 3rd instance of forgetting to start it. 3 strikes and you're out kid. MTS bench very unhappy with him to the point of a late technical in the half.
The second half is all HSRA. Fondern with 2 triples to force a quick MTS timeout. Then he'll add another easy bucket. Jaelen Thomas puts back a miss and the run is 12-0. HSRA with their biggest lead of 44-26. Lashone Patterson was most of the MTS offense as expected. He goes coast to coast for 2, makes 2 FTs and is fouled on a putback that results in 2 more made freebies. That's Fondern's 4th foul with 9:11 left. MTS has the lead down to 45-35 and has the momentum. But 3 straight layups as MTS misses a couple chances. 8-0 HSRA run slams the door. Jacquez Fondern leads all scorers with 24 points. He knocked down 4 3s. Jaelen Thomas adds 14. Lashone Patterson with 20 to lead MTS. Only 2 field goals but other players in the 2nd half for the Wolves. They played with just 5 guys. HSRA advances to play 8 seed Avail Academy (RHINO ALERT!) on Thursday night in the 3rd round of the section 4A playoffs. Winner of that advances to the quarterfinals on Saturday at CHOF.
2020 Better Than Chalk Section Predictions
152 games and 3 months later, it all comes down to this. Its March and now its tournament time. So that means prediction time. A rules refresher. Any fool can pick nothing but top seeds (aka chalk) and claim they were something like 85-6. My mission, and I do choose to accept it, is to do better than a bracket with nothing but higher seeds picked. Last year I was +2 thanks to a +4 showing in the seeding wreck known as section 4A. I've seen all 62 teams in class AAAA this year but was underwater on those picks last year. Not happy with your pick, #ShockTheCzar is great motivational material online. So without delay, here we go.
Class A
Section 1: 16 seed United Christian wins their home pigtail game and goes out in round 2 (2-0, +0). This was prepicked on twitter last weekend.
Section 2: 5 seed Lester Prairie gets the upset on the road at Sleepy Eye St. Mary's but loses in round 2. This was prepicked on twitter last weekend as well. SESM won the game by 3. (0-1, -1) Next game won't impact the +/-. So we begin in a hole.
Section 4: My favorite section to pick. Once again we have the tiered entry system
Monday Round 1: Kaleidoscope over Ubah Medical, Eagle Ridge over Lincoln International. Upset pick violating my rule of always pick home team in pigtails, give me MTS to win at Groves.
Tuesday Round 2: Give me MTS to pull another upset over HSRA (2-0 head to head this season). COPA over N Lakes, Trinity over Kaleidoscope. Eagle Ridge beat LILA by 3 at home, but I'll take LILA in a grudge match here.
Thursday Round 3: Avail over MTS, Liberty over COPA, Heritage over Trinity, PACT over LILA
Saturday Quarterfinals: CHOF over Avail, Hope over Liberty, Heritage and West Lutheran split on each other's home court this year. Coin flip says West Lutheran. Legacy over PACT
Tuesday or Wednesday semis: CHOF over Hope, Legacy over West Lutheran (teams split 2 close games).
Friday final at ARCC: CHOF over Legacy.
Class AA
Section 4AA, it too has the tiered entry system
Tuesday Round 1: Mounds Park over Nova, Math and Science over MSCP
Thursday Round 2: Humboldt over Hiawatha in an upset pick. SPA over MPA, Washington over Math and Science, St. Agnes over New Life.
Saturday Quarterfinals: St. Croix Prep over Humboldt, Cristo Rey over SPA, TCA wins a rematch with Washington, Concordia over St. Agnes
Semis: SCPA over Cristo Rey, Concordia over TCA/GR.
Friday Final at St Thomas Academy: SCPA over Concordia.
Section 5AA
Thursday Round of 16: Litchfield over Dassel-Cokato, MCA over Breck, W-M over BC, HLWW over SW Christian, Holy Family over Providence.
Sat Qtrs at STMA: North over Holy Family, Litchfield over Maranatha, Blake over Watertown-Mayer, Rockford over HLWW
Wed Semis at STMA: North over Litchfield, Rockford over Blake
Fri Final at St Cloud St: North over Rockford.
Class AAA
Section 1: Winona over Simley
Section 3
Monday Pigtail: Sibley over STA for 3rd time this season.
Wednesday Qtrs: Richfield over Sibley, Kennedy over St.Croix Lutheran, AHA over Harding, S St. Paul over Highland Park.
Saturday semis: Richfield over Kennedy, SSP upsets Holy Angels
Thursday final at Jefferson: SSP over Richfield (best SSP season since their last state trip exactly 50 years ago, let the cinderella story continue)
Section 4:
Wednesday qtrs: Minnehaha over Como Park, Columbia Heights as the higher seed goes to Mahtomedi (construction at Heights) and survives again (won by 2 there in early December), TG over Hill-Murray, Johnson over St. Anthony
Saturday semis at Woodbury: TG over Johnson, Minnehaha over Heights.
Thursday final at Woodbury: Minnehaha over TG
Section 5:
Tuesday Qtr: Fridley over St. Francis
Fri semi at STMA: Monticello over Fridley
Section 6:
Wednesday Qtrs: DLS over Roosevelt, Henry over Orono, Mound over Edison, Waconia over BSM.
Sat semis: DLS over Henry, Waconia over Mound-Westonka
Th Final at Chanhassen: DLS over Waconia
Class AAAA
Section 1
Tuesday Qtrs: Lakeville S over New Prague, Owatonna over Farmington, Century over JM, Mayo over Northfield.
Sat Semis: Lakeville South over Owatonna, Mayo over Century
Fri final at Rochester: Lakeville South over Rochester Mayo
Section 2 (SECTION OF DEATH)
Qtrs: EP over Chanhassen, Prior Lake over Tonka, Shako over Edina, Chaska over Jefferson
Sat Semis (highest seed hosts both): EP over Prior Lake, Chaska over Shakopee
Friday Final (high seed): EP over Chaska
Section 3:
Th Qtrs: Eastview over Park, Apple Valley upsets Eagan (2-0 head to head), Lakeville N over Hastings, Burnsville over Rosemount
Tuesday semis: Eastview over Apple Valley, Lakeville North over Burnsville
Friday final at Farmington: Eastview over Lakevile North.
Section 4:
Wed Qtrs: East Ridge over Stillwater, Tartan upsets North (no Damien Johnson), Woodbury survives White Bear Lake, CDH over St. Paul Central
Sat Semis at Hastings: East Ridge over Tartan, CDH over Woodbury
Th Final at Hastings: CDH over East Ridge
Section 5:
Wed Qtrs: Park Center over Centennial, Mounds View over Irondale, Champlin Park survives Osseo, Spring Lake Park over Roseville.
Tues Semis at Coon Rapids: Park Center over Mounds View, Champlin Park over Spring Lake Park
Fri Final at Rogers: Champlin Park over Park Center
Section 6:
Wed Qtrs: Hopkins over South, Wayzata just lost at Armstrong by 5 and Armstrong is rightfully ticked about the 4 seed, I think Wayzata figures it out and pulls an upset. St. Louis Park over Southwest, Cooper over Washburn.
Fri Semis at Osseo: Hopkins over Wayzata, Cooper over St. Louis Park
Wed Final at Osseo: Hopkins over Cooper
Section 7:
Wed Qtrs: Forest Lake over Blaine, Duluth East over Anoka, Coon Rapids with their 1-3-1 upsets Andover (Coon Rapids won last meeting).
Sat Semis at Elk River: Duluth East over Coon Rapids, Cambridge-Isanti over Forest Lake
Th Final at Elk River: Father beat son in 2 close meetings this year, make it 3 as Cambridge-Isanti uses big game experience to return to state over Duluth East.
Section 8:
Tues Qtrs: STMA upsets Rogers, Moorhead another home win over Brainerd, Buffalo over Elk River
Sat semis at St Cloud Tech: Maple Grove over STMA, Moorhead over Buffalo
Th final at Monticello: MG continues their state streak as they beat Moorhead.
Class A
Section 1: 16 seed United Christian wins their home pigtail game and goes out in round 2 (2-0, +0). This was prepicked on twitter last weekend.
Section 2: 5 seed Lester Prairie gets the upset on the road at Sleepy Eye St. Mary's but loses in round 2. This was prepicked on twitter last weekend as well. SESM won the game by 3. (0-1, -1) Next game won't impact the +/-. So we begin in a hole.
Section 4: My favorite section to pick. Once again we have the tiered entry system
Monday Round 1: Kaleidoscope over Ubah Medical, Eagle Ridge over Lincoln International. Upset pick violating my rule of always pick home team in pigtails, give me MTS to win at Groves.
Tuesday Round 2: Give me MTS to pull another upset over HSRA (2-0 head to head this season). COPA over N Lakes, Trinity over Kaleidoscope. Eagle Ridge beat LILA by 3 at home, but I'll take LILA in a grudge match here.
Thursday Round 3: Avail over MTS, Liberty over COPA, Heritage over Trinity, PACT over LILA
Saturday Quarterfinals: CHOF over Avail, Hope over Liberty, Heritage and West Lutheran split on each other's home court this year. Coin flip says West Lutheran. Legacy over PACT
Tuesday or Wednesday semis: CHOF over Hope, Legacy over West Lutheran (teams split 2 close games).
Friday final at ARCC: CHOF over Legacy.
Class AA
Section 4AA, it too has the tiered entry system
Tuesday Round 1: Mounds Park over Nova, Math and Science over MSCP
Thursday Round 2: Humboldt over Hiawatha in an upset pick. SPA over MPA, Washington over Math and Science, St. Agnes over New Life.
Saturday Quarterfinals: St. Croix Prep over Humboldt, Cristo Rey over SPA, TCA wins a rematch with Washington, Concordia over St. Agnes
Semis: SCPA over Cristo Rey, Concordia over TCA/GR.
Friday Final at St Thomas Academy: SCPA over Concordia.
Section 5AA
Thursday Round of 16: Litchfield over Dassel-Cokato, MCA over Breck, W-M over BC, HLWW over SW Christian, Holy Family over Providence.
Sat Qtrs at STMA: North over Holy Family, Litchfield over Maranatha, Blake over Watertown-Mayer, Rockford over HLWW
Wed Semis at STMA: North over Litchfield, Rockford over Blake
Fri Final at St Cloud St: North over Rockford.
Class AAA
Section 1: Winona over Simley
Section 3
Monday Pigtail: Sibley over STA for 3rd time this season.
Wednesday Qtrs: Richfield over Sibley, Kennedy over St.Croix Lutheran, AHA over Harding, S St. Paul over Highland Park.
Saturday semis: Richfield over Kennedy, SSP upsets Holy Angels
Thursday final at Jefferson: SSP over Richfield (best SSP season since their last state trip exactly 50 years ago, let the cinderella story continue)
Section 4:
Wednesday qtrs: Minnehaha over Como Park, Columbia Heights as the higher seed goes to Mahtomedi (construction at Heights) and survives again (won by 2 there in early December), TG over Hill-Murray, Johnson over St. Anthony
Saturday semis at Woodbury: TG over Johnson, Minnehaha over Heights.
Thursday final at Woodbury: Minnehaha over TG
Section 5:
Tuesday Qtr: Fridley over St. Francis
Fri semi at STMA: Monticello over Fridley
Section 6:
Wednesday Qtrs: DLS over Roosevelt, Henry over Orono, Mound over Edison, Waconia over BSM.
Sat semis: DLS over Henry, Waconia over Mound-Westonka
Th Final at Chanhassen: DLS over Waconia
Class AAAA
Section 1
Tuesday Qtrs: Lakeville S over New Prague, Owatonna over Farmington, Century over JM, Mayo over Northfield.
Sat Semis: Lakeville South over Owatonna, Mayo over Century
Fri final at Rochester: Lakeville South over Rochester Mayo
Section 2 (SECTION OF DEATH)
Qtrs: EP over Chanhassen, Prior Lake over Tonka, Shako over Edina, Chaska over Jefferson
Sat Semis (highest seed hosts both): EP over Prior Lake, Chaska over Shakopee
Friday Final (high seed): EP over Chaska
Section 3:
Th Qtrs: Eastview over Park, Apple Valley upsets Eagan (2-0 head to head), Lakeville N over Hastings, Burnsville over Rosemount
Tuesday semis: Eastview over Apple Valley, Lakeville North over Burnsville
Friday final at Farmington: Eastview over Lakevile North.
Section 4:
Wed Qtrs: East Ridge over Stillwater, Tartan upsets North (no Damien Johnson), Woodbury survives White Bear Lake, CDH over St. Paul Central
Sat Semis at Hastings: East Ridge over Tartan, CDH over Woodbury
Th Final at Hastings: CDH over East Ridge
Section 5:
Wed Qtrs: Park Center over Centennial, Mounds View over Irondale, Champlin Park survives Osseo, Spring Lake Park over Roseville.
Tues Semis at Coon Rapids: Park Center over Mounds View, Champlin Park over Spring Lake Park
Fri Final at Rogers: Champlin Park over Park Center
Section 6:
Wed Qtrs: Hopkins over South, Wayzata just lost at Armstrong by 5 and Armstrong is rightfully ticked about the 4 seed, I think Wayzata figures it out and pulls an upset. St. Louis Park over Southwest, Cooper over Washburn.
Fri Semis at Osseo: Hopkins over Wayzata, Cooper over St. Louis Park
Wed Final at Osseo: Hopkins over Cooper
Section 7:
Wed Qtrs: Forest Lake over Blaine, Duluth East over Anoka, Coon Rapids with their 1-3-1 upsets Andover (Coon Rapids won last meeting).
Sat Semis at Elk River: Duluth East over Coon Rapids, Cambridge-Isanti over Forest Lake
Th Final at Elk River: Father beat son in 2 close meetings this year, make it 3 as Cambridge-Isanti uses big game experience to return to state over Duluth East.
Section 8:
Tues Qtrs: STMA upsets Rogers, Moorhead another home win over Brainerd, Buffalo over Elk River
Sat semis at St Cloud Tech: Maple Grove over STMA, Moorhead over Buffalo
Th final at Monticello: MG continues their state streak as they beat Moorhead.
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