Prologue
Its a really weird Saturday on the schedule as there is absolutely nothing out there. So I make the trek to Chisago Lakes to see Benj Figini and the Wildcats take on Hermantown. Then its the enthralling boys/girls doubleheader in the Eastern Minnesota Athletic Conference as International School of Minnesota (ISM) visits Calvin Christian. Be honest folks how many of you have actually heard of that league? For music, a fun selection that I thinks fits the main question I got all week. Why them?
Song of the Day
Who are you - The Who (clean version only boys and girls)
Game 1: Hermantown at Chisago Lakes
Despite an early lunch before the game, I can't pass on the pizza which wasn't bad. Any meal of Pizza and Pepsi is always going to be an option. Mr Basketball finalist Benj Figini not in the starting lineup. He enters at the 14:18 mark. 28-26 Chisago at the 5:56 mark before Figini gets fouled and there's a Hermantown technical. That pushes the lead to 6. Figini with 2 fouls and resting but with an 8 point lead he surprisingly comes back in at the 2:51 mark and a charge gives him his 3rd foul at the 2:20 mark up 5. But Steven Ramberg nails a 3, 2 free throws and then another 3 to beat the buzzer for an 8-1 run to end the half. 45-33 Chisago Lakes leads at the half despite limited minutes from Figini.
Cory Kucza led Hermantown with 12 points in the first half but he picked up his 3rd foul in the last minute of the first half and his 4th comes only 18 seconds into the 2nd half. Then the officiating gets out of hand. A missed over and back call results gets the Hermantown bench a T but both freebies are missed. Spencer Johnson drives for a layup for the 2nd time that Hermantown cuts the lead to 3. Then a big time collision and the call is somehow a travel despite both kids knocking heads and having to leave. Meanwhile the Hermantown fans are just killing the officials. It gets to the point where the Chisago Lakes coach gets on the PA system and tells the fans "Its just a high school game". Later the officials stop play in the middle of action to tell the Hermantown coach to sit and further down the line they badger the Hermantown coaches about further yapping from them. Just a totally horrendous attitude from both members of the 2 man crew. The arrogance was thick enough to cut with a knife. Figini on the post for 2, Per Gulbranson with a jumper, Figini with 1 free throw and the offensive rebound equals 2 Joe Fernstrom free throws. 62-51 Chisago Lakes with 9:22 as its a 7-0 Wildcats run. Hermantown cuts the lead to 7 with about 5 minutes to go. Chisago forces a pair of attempts but Hermantown turns it over twice. Chisago Lakes goes on to win 79-69. Benj Figini with 31 points and 6 rebounds on my sheet. Cory Kucza leads Hermantown with 21, Corey Anderson with 20.
Game 2: International School at Calvin Christian
ISM has a name AAU folks would recognize as their head coach is longtime Minnesota Magic coach Shun Tillman. Calvin Christian is halfway between Spring Lake Park and Fridley High Schools. Tonight features a boys/girls doubleheader as these teams play cross-division in the EMAC. Calvin Christian, Great River, AFSA, Hmong Academy and Metro Deaf School make up the North Division. ISM, Minnetonka Christian, Community of Peace, Shattuck-St. Mary's and MN School for the Deaf make up the South Division. League play is like the Tri-Metro divisional setup with a MCAA like conference tournament that will happen the last week of the month. We have a gray rubber like playing surface with the out of bounds painted maroon. 1 row of folding chairs all the way around, that includes the benches. A loud building too like the Minneapolis City buildings where just a few can cause quite the racket. The concession stand is right behind 1 basket, but we only lose 1 ball into the food. Cheap prices with only $1 for students and $2 for adults to get in. But somebody forgot to turn on the heat as the building was absolutely frigid.
As to the game itself, it was all ISM. Frosh guard Ethan Forney and senior guard Omar Bushara with big games for the Huskies. Bushara scores after a turnover for an 8-2 lead. Then Forney with a layup off another turnover and a 3 off an inbounds. Bushara for 3, Forney with a steal for 2 and then a pair of assists to Bushara for layups. 24-7 ISM at the 11:25 mark. Center Ben Stephens is a big body inside for Calvin Christian. He's all over the offensive glass to keep this one respectable. He scores 10 straight for the Cougars. But Forney hits 2 more 3s during that stretch. Forney with a late assist for a layup and its 45-24 ISM at the break. Forney with 15, Bushara with 14. Bushara to Forney and frosh Brock Hilderbrandt for hoops followed by 2 more of his own. 60-36 with 9:07 left. The rest is coasting as ISM was up 20 with 4 minutes to go when I departed. ISM also has another nice shooter in junior Chris Tiede. They're fun to watch as they really get out and run and will get after with a 1-3-1 3/4 court trap or a 1-2-2 wing trap in the half court. International School now 11-7 overall, 11-1 in the EMAC for the #1 seed. They lost 69-55 to Edison at home, 72-48 at Trinity and beat Great River 53-52. That will likely put them right around the 11 seed in section 4AA (Czar's Note 2/13, see comments for updated explanation, I'd say 13 now). They finish EMAC play at Shattuck St. Mary's on Tuesday before the EMAC tourney starts on Feb 22nd for them. Like Blake, they're also looking at a break before they start section play. Calvin Christian falls to 12-8, 6-7 in the EMAC.
Play of the Day
Nice set from ISM coach Shun Tillman on the side out of bounds. Its a regular box set with posts on the ball side block and elbow and shooters on the back side elbow and block. Bottom shooter runs off the low screen and curls towards the top of the key as the other big seals in. 2nd shooter on the back elbow cuts towards the basket and then off the low screen to the ball side corner for 3. ISM used this at least twice including out of halftime for easy looks at 3. Simple but effective.
Spartans corral Breck
Prologue
Its a rare night in February where I get to see a couple of teams I haven't seen all year as I decide to take in St. Paul Academy at Breck. Breck 10-9, 6-5 coming in. SPA 5-15, 2-9 with only 2 seniors on the roster. 5 underclassmen starting between the 2 teams tonight. Breck won the first meeting 61-42 in mid-December. Nothing like a small crowd totally silent for the national anthem and then a cell phone goes blaring. I'm told there's this thing called the OFF button that works awfully well. Always have to like the supersized hot dog. We also get supermom at halftime handing out signs and pompoms for the students. They were late arriving after the early Breck girls hockey game just next door. And a Did You Know answer for the day. BSM's Sanjay Lumpkin attended Breck through 8th grade.
Song of the Day
Blues Brothers - Rawhide
Game Time
Worth noting that Breck was without 2nd leading scorer Joey Yared in this one. Soph point guard Spencer Egly gets SPA off to a 9-2 start wtih a pair of drives and a 3 ball. 9-2 SPA at the 13:01 mark and Breck uses their 2nd timeout. Jeff Lurie behind the back and John Culliton converts. SPA counters with 2 before a 7-0 Breck run. Lurie finishes that spurt with a steal for 2 and his own 3. 16-14 Breck at the 6:43 mark. Soph Josh Gray returning to the SPA lineup tonight after sitting out with a concussion. He nails back to back 3s and then grabs his own missed 3 for a layup and SPA is back on top 23-17. But he sits the last 3:07 with 2 fouls. Egly gets a skip pass for 3 just before the half. 27-24 SPA at the break.
Gray then heats up in the 2nd half. Inside out for a 3, then a steal for a pullup jumper. That counters 8th grader Will Culliton's pair of 3s. Gray on the offensive glass for a free throw. 34-30 SPA with 13:34 left. Then Lurie with a pair of free throws and a pair of really nice bounce passes for layups. 36-34 Breck with 11:29 left and SPA needs time. Lurie then steps back for 3 to push the lead to 5 with 10:40 left. Sam Dicke starts to get going with a pullup and Gray with a steal that leads to him nailing a 3. Lurie counters with a 1 bounce jumper and 2 more. Those sandwich another Dicke drive to the lane. 43-41 Breck with 7:45 left. Then SPA breaks through. Gray with his 5th 3 of the night and 2 free throws for 14 of the 19 SPA points in the half. Then Dicke driving again for 2 followed by a runner for a 3 point play. Then its Dicke inside out to Egly for 3 with 5:02 left. Its a 13-0 SPA run and Breck needs a timeout down 54-43. Dicke on the post and he scores again. That's a hand in 10 straight SPA points. 56-44 SPA with 4:20 left. Breck gets a steal and can't convert the layup, then a missed front end on their next chance. Down 11 with 3:07 left and they won't threaten again. SPA makes 6 free throws in a row before missing 9 of 12 to keep things slightly interesting. SPA wins 67-51.
Post Game
For Breck, Jeff Lurie leads the way with 19 points and his play gave Breck that 5 point lead with 10+ left. Nick Hoffman with 7 of his 11 points in the 2nd half. 8th grader Will Culliton is a nice piece to build around for the future. Breck falls to 10-10 overall, 6-6 in the Tri-Metro. Tough loss for the Mustangs as they're in a battle with Trinity and Minnehaha for the 4 seed in section 4AA. Good news they play both teams on the remaining schedule. Bad news is that both are on the road. 3 tough ones at home before that with DeLaSalle, archrival Blake, and Roosevelt.
Soph SG Josh Gray with 27 points (box says 26, but I'm taking my totals) in his 1st game back. 5 3s and he turned at least 2 steals into points when they weren't breakaways. Soph PG Spencer Egly with the hot start to finish with 18 points. Sam Dicke 17 points (again I'll take my totals instead of the box) and 6 rebounds on my sheet. He came up big during the 13-0 run that ultimately put the game away. SPA now 3-9, 6-15 overall. I'm looking at them for the #9 seed in #4AA. The win breaks a stretch where they had lost 8 out of 9. They're at Brooklyn Center and at DeLaSalle next week.
Its a rare night in February where I get to see a couple of teams I haven't seen all year as I decide to take in St. Paul Academy at Breck. Breck 10-9, 6-5 coming in. SPA 5-15, 2-9 with only 2 seniors on the roster. 5 underclassmen starting between the 2 teams tonight. Breck won the first meeting 61-42 in mid-December. Nothing like a small crowd totally silent for the national anthem and then a cell phone goes blaring. I'm told there's this thing called the OFF button that works awfully well. Always have to like the supersized hot dog. We also get supermom at halftime handing out signs and pompoms for the students. They were late arriving after the early Breck girls hockey game just next door. And a Did You Know answer for the day. BSM's Sanjay Lumpkin attended Breck through 8th grade.
Song of the Day
Blues Brothers - Rawhide
Game Time
Worth noting that Breck was without 2nd leading scorer Joey Yared in this one. Soph point guard Spencer Egly gets SPA off to a 9-2 start wtih a pair of drives and a 3 ball. 9-2 SPA at the 13:01 mark and Breck uses their 2nd timeout. Jeff Lurie behind the back and John Culliton converts. SPA counters with 2 before a 7-0 Breck run. Lurie finishes that spurt with a steal for 2 and his own 3. 16-14 Breck at the 6:43 mark. Soph Josh Gray returning to the SPA lineup tonight after sitting out with a concussion. He nails back to back 3s and then grabs his own missed 3 for a layup and SPA is back on top 23-17. But he sits the last 3:07 with 2 fouls. Egly gets a skip pass for 3 just before the half. 27-24 SPA at the break.
Gray then heats up in the 2nd half. Inside out for a 3, then a steal for a pullup jumper. That counters 8th grader Will Culliton's pair of 3s. Gray on the offensive glass for a free throw. 34-30 SPA with 13:34 left. Then Lurie with a pair of free throws and a pair of really nice bounce passes for layups. 36-34 Breck with 11:29 left and SPA needs time. Lurie then steps back for 3 to push the lead to 5 with 10:40 left. Sam Dicke starts to get going with a pullup and Gray with a steal that leads to him nailing a 3. Lurie counters with a 1 bounce jumper and 2 more. Those sandwich another Dicke drive to the lane. 43-41 Breck with 7:45 left. Then SPA breaks through. Gray with his 5th 3 of the night and 2 free throws for 14 of the 19 SPA points in the half. Then Dicke driving again for 2 followed by a runner for a 3 point play. Then its Dicke inside out to Egly for 3 with 5:02 left. Its a 13-0 SPA run and Breck needs a timeout down 54-43. Dicke on the post and he scores again. That's a hand in 10 straight SPA points. 56-44 SPA with 4:20 left. Breck gets a steal and can't convert the layup, then a missed front end on their next chance. Down 11 with 3:07 left and they won't threaten again. SPA makes 6 free throws in a row before missing 9 of 12 to keep things slightly interesting. SPA wins 67-51.
Post Game
For Breck, Jeff Lurie leads the way with 19 points and his play gave Breck that 5 point lead with 10+ left. Nick Hoffman with 7 of his 11 points in the 2nd half. 8th grader Will Culliton is a nice piece to build around for the future. Breck falls to 10-10 overall, 6-6 in the Tri-Metro. Tough loss for the Mustangs as they're in a battle with Trinity and Minnehaha for the 4 seed in section 4AA. Good news they play both teams on the remaining schedule. Bad news is that both are on the road. 3 tough ones at home before that with DeLaSalle, archrival Blake, and Roosevelt.
Soph SG Josh Gray with 27 points (box says 26, but I'm taking my totals) in his 1st game back. 5 3s and he turned at least 2 steals into points when they weren't breakaways. Soph PG Spencer Egly with the hot start to finish with 18 points. Sam Dicke 17 points (again I'll take my totals instead of the box) and 6 rebounds on my sheet. He came up big during the 13-0 run that ultimately put the game away. SPA now 3-9, 6-15 overall. I'm looking at them for the #9 seed in #4AA. The win breaks a stretch where they had lost 8 out of 9. They're at Brooklyn Center and at DeLaSalle next week.
Red Knights control North Suburban
Prologue
Its a city rivalry with Benilde-St. Margaret's jogging to St. Louis Park. But more on the line tonight with St. Louis Park only 1 loss back for the top spot in the league. Thanks to the unbalanced North Suburban schedule, its also the only time the teams will meet this season. According to the banners on the wall, its been 25 years since St. Louis Park won a conference title in boys hoops so a win tonight would be a good story. Creighton in the building tonight looking on. I grab Subway on the way over so only a beverage on tonight's concessions menu. I saw the KGB on the way home too, NYET! The outfit was too obvious with the quality overcoat and Ushanka (that's a fur hat with fold down flaps, I definitely need one). I'll have to have speaks with them on that, security in the kingdom is highly important! Restaurant quality work by the BSM students tonight. Now in recent games I've attended they haven't upheld the high standards of season's past. But tonight it was a fairly small group but they had a great theme, fruit (its a loose definition, bear with me). Park ready to shoot the first throw, WATERMELON!. Waiting on the second and... AVACADO! Back to the line.. PASSION FRUIT! So I can't let that one pass without using it for my song of the day.
Song of the Day
Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
Game Time
No Marquealis Edwards in the starting lineup for Park but they get off to a good start. Joe Zangel to a backcutting Quintin Wagner for a jumper. Then Zangel with a drive for a layup and another layup via turnover. 8-3 Park at the 14:45 mark. Sanjay Lumpkin then drives left baseline and throws down the emphatic 1 handed hammer. He's so much more aggressive and involved now than the 1st month of the season. Totally different player and its great to see as that will only improve his stock. DJ Pollard for 3 and then he gets 2 more on a goaltend. 30-24 Park at the 6:11 mark. Then its all Red Knights. Kyle Washington with a 3 point play, 1 free throw and then a big block as BSM is back in front. Will Dunn with 1 free throw and a 3 point play. On the play, SLP draws a technical (soph Garrison Guillard's 4th foul). Isaiah Zierden makes the 2 technicals. Zierden and Dunn add 3s before the half ends. 20-2 Red Knights over the last 6 minutes of the half.
Dunn with a nice bounce pass to Myles Barnes for a dunk to finish the 22-2 run. He adds another layup and a big block that results in a Washington 3 point play. 53-37 BSM before Edwards come off the SLP bench at the 14:15 mark. Then Barnes with the catch at the foul line, 1 bounce to his left and BOOYAH! Some unfortunate Oriole just earned his way onto a poster with Barnes going up and over for the monster jam. 64-50 BSM with 9:27 left when Edwards appears to injure his right ankle and doesn't return. That takes the spirit away and the rest is garbage time. Barnes runs out for a breakaway 2 handed dunk that pushes the lead to 24 with 3:32 left.. Benilde-St. Margaret's wins 88-70.
Post Game
Joe Zangel leads St. Louis Park with 17 points and I had 7 rebounds on my sheet. He had some early success out of the DDM taking Kyle Washington off the bounce but I wish I would have seen more of it. Aaron Ziman goes 10 of 10 from the line for 14 points. DJ Pollard with 9 of his 10 in the first half. Kashif Hayes held to 6 points as the Red Knights had Lumpkin guarding him for a fair chunk of the evening. The Orioles fall to 9-2, 13-8 overall. But those other 6 losses are to Eagan, at Apple Valley (with Tyus Jones), at Chaska, at Hopkins, Armstrong (neutral) and at Washburn. Besides the Hopkins game, those other 5 were decided by 6 points or less. The Irondale loss was by 3 so this is a much better team than their overall record indicates. They're probably looking at the 4 seed in 6AAAA which gives them Hopkins in round 2. It doesn't get any easier with Irondale (triple OT loss in 1st meeting) and Cooper next week.
Benilde-St. Margaret's improves to 17-3 and they take a commanding 2 game lead in the loss column in league play. With this head-head win, it defacto becomes a 3 game lead. Great balance tonight for the Red Knights. Myles Barnes with 13 of his 18 in the 2nd half to help blow the game open . Sanjay Lumpkin and Isaiah Zierden with 17 each (though I thought Danon Briggs had 1 of the 3s credited to Zierden). Kyle Washington 14, Will Dunn 9 pts, 4 rebs, 4 ast (Czar's Note 2/13/11, a friendly watched the tape and said 7 assists). Barnes is playing really well inside and Lumpkin has stepped his game up big. Depth and skill were never a question, with the big win against DeLaSalle and following it up tonight, they look ready to a major push deep into March even in one of the toughest sections in the state (could have 4 conference champions). The Red Knights are at Columbia Heights and host Irondale next week
Its a city rivalry with Benilde-St. Margaret's jogging to St. Louis Park. But more on the line tonight with St. Louis Park only 1 loss back for the top spot in the league. Thanks to the unbalanced North Suburban schedule, its also the only time the teams will meet this season. According to the banners on the wall, its been 25 years since St. Louis Park won a conference title in boys hoops so a win tonight would be a good story. Creighton in the building tonight looking on. I grab Subway on the way over so only a beverage on tonight's concessions menu. I saw the KGB on the way home too, NYET! The outfit was too obvious with the quality overcoat and Ushanka (that's a fur hat with fold down flaps, I definitely need one). I'll have to have speaks with them on that, security in the kingdom is highly important! Restaurant quality work by the BSM students tonight. Now in recent games I've attended they haven't upheld the high standards of season's past. But tonight it was a fairly small group but they had a great theme, fruit (its a loose definition, bear with me). Park ready to shoot the first throw, WATERMELON!. Waiting on the second and... AVACADO! Back to the line.. PASSION FRUIT! So I can't let that one pass without using it for my song of the day.
Song of the Day
Little Richard - Tutti Frutti
Game Time
No Marquealis Edwards in the starting lineup for Park but they get off to a good start. Joe Zangel to a backcutting Quintin Wagner for a jumper. Then Zangel with a drive for a layup and another layup via turnover. 8-3 Park at the 14:45 mark. Sanjay Lumpkin then drives left baseline and throws down the emphatic 1 handed hammer. He's so much more aggressive and involved now than the 1st month of the season. Totally different player and its great to see as that will only improve his stock. DJ Pollard for 3 and then he gets 2 more on a goaltend. 30-24 Park at the 6:11 mark. Then its all Red Knights. Kyle Washington with a 3 point play, 1 free throw and then a big block as BSM is back in front. Will Dunn with 1 free throw and a 3 point play. On the play, SLP draws a technical (soph Garrison Guillard's 4th foul). Isaiah Zierden makes the 2 technicals. Zierden and Dunn add 3s before the half ends. 20-2 Red Knights over the last 6 minutes of the half.
Dunn with a nice bounce pass to Myles Barnes for a dunk to finish the 22-2 run. He adds another layup and a big block that results in a Washington 3 point play. 53-37 BSM before Edwards come off the SLP bench at the 14:15 mark. Then Barnes with the catch at the foul line, 1 bounce to his left and BOOYAH! Some unfortunate Oriole just earned his way onto a poster with Barnes going up and over for the monster jam. 64-50 BSM with 9:27 left when Edwards appears to injure his right ankle and doesn't return. That takes the spirit away and the rest is garbage time. Barnes runs out for a breakaway 2 handed dunk that pushes the lead to 24 with 3:32 left.. Benilde-St. Margaret's wins 88-70.
Post Game
Joe Zangel leads St. Louis Park with 17 points and I had 7 rebounds on my sheet. He had some early success out of the DDM taking Kyle Washington off the bounce but I wish I would have seen more of it. Aaron Ziman goes 10 of 10 from the line for 14 points. DJ Pollard with 9 of his 10 in the first half. Kashif Hayes held to 6 points as the Red Knights had Lumpkin guarding him for a fair chunk of the evening. The Orioles fall to 9-2, 13-8 overall. But those other 6 losses are to Eagan, at Apple Valley (with Tyus Jones), at Chaska, at Hopkins, Armstrong (neutral) and at Washburn. Besides the Hopkins game, those other 5 were decided by 6 points or less. The Irondale loss was by 3 so this is a much better team than their overall record indicates. They're probably looking at the 4 seed in 6AAAA which gives them Hopkins in round 2. It doesn't get any easier with Irondale (triple OT loss in 1st meeting) and Cooper next week.
Benilde-St. Margaret's improves to 17-3 and they take a commanding 2 game lead in the loss column in league play. With this head-head win, it defacto becomes a 3 game lead. Great balance tonight for the Red Knights. Myles Barnes with 13 of his 18 in the 2nd half to help blow the game open . Sanjay Lumpkin and Isaiah Zierden with 17 each (though I thought Danon Briggs had 1 of the 3s credited to Zierden). Kyle Washington 14, Will Dunn 9 pts, 4 rebs, 4 ast (Czar's Note 2/13/11, a friendly watched the tape and said 7 assists). Barnes is playing really well inside and Lumpkin has stepped his game up big. Depth and skill were never a question, with the big win against DeLaSalle and following it up tonight, they look ready to a major push deep into March even in one of the toughest sections in the state (could have 4 conference champions). The Red Knights are at Columbia Heights and host Irondale next week
Blake gets an ugly road win
Prologue
To Edison for a section 4AA showdown with Blake. A quality Tommie Taco (walking taco) on tonight's menu. Despite being the only game in town, an expected sparse crowd. We also get an overzealous public address guy and the Edison dance team at the half.
Game Time
Coach Nick Rathmann has Blake run THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE (that's The Flex for you new readers) on the first possession of the night just to spite me. Freshman point guard John Veil off to a nice start. He hits a runner in the lane for Blake's first lead of 4-3. Then the same set play gets him wide open off a high double screen for a pair a 3s. 18-11 Blake at the 9:20 mark. Kebu Johnson with a nice spin to his right for a layup at 5:50. 23-16 Blake leads. 29-22 Blake at halftime.
Veil for 3 and Kebu to the basket for 2 more. 35-24 with 16:10 left. Then the officiating gets out of hand. An Edison technical on a shooting foul, but the officials shoot the Ts 1st and refuse to realize their error. Veil makes the technical free throws. Kebu follows up with 3 points. 40-24 Blake with 15:30 left. Then THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE rears its ugly head again as Veil makes a 3 out of it followed by a Paul Blake 3. 46-26 Blake leads with 14:05 left. Its a 17-4 Blake run to start the half. The officials still at it as Kebu Johnson picks up a foul and stomps away and gets the really awful technical called. Nothing said and he gets the T, that's a horrendous call. It sends Johnson to the bench with 4 fouls as well. But Edison only gets 1 free throw out of it. Veil for 3 to push the lead to 24 with 9:10 left. Kebu comes back in and picks up his 5th foul and then a shoving technical (deserved) with 4:40 left. Yet an Edison player had gotten in the official's face and yapped all the way from the baseline to almost halfcourt with no T earlier. Not a good night for the zebras or the quality of play. Blake wins a really ugly game 75-54.
Post Game
For Edison, Marcus Nolen leads the way with 22 points, 19 in the second half mostly after the game was out of hand. Marques Gray on the offensive glass for 12 points. Edison is now 2-16 and they're a total mess. You can see a young coach learning as he was on the refs all night. While they weren't the greatest, many of the complaints were just pointless. They have a chance for a win as they visit South St. Paul on Monday night before visiting section rival Trinity on Tuesday.
Blake improves to 15-7, 9-2 in section 4AA games. John Veil with 5 3s and 19 points to lead the Bears. Kebu Johnson finishes with 13 and 7. Due to the 2 technicals, he'll sit out Friday's game with Brooklyn Center. Blake came out really slow and Edison hammered them on the offensive glass mostly in the first half. Worth noting that they're playing without their 2nd best player Tim Zellmer. He's suffered 2 recent concussions (1 from football and 1 during this season) so the Bears hope to have him back for the playoffs. With a shot at the #2 seed in 4AA (remember its seeded all the way through this year, no subsections), its possible they could have a stretch of 3 weeks before their 1st playoff game where they only play once.
To Edison for a section 4AA showdown with Blake. A quality Tommie Taco (walking taco) on tonight's menu. Despite being the only game in town, an expected sparse crowd. We also get an overzealous public address guy and the Edison dance team at the half.
Game Time
Coach Nick Rathmann has Blake run THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE (that's The Flex for you new readers) on the first possession of the night just to spite me. Freshman point guard John Veil off to a nice start. He hits a runner in the lane for Blake's first lead of 4-3. Then the same set play gets him wide open off a high double screen for a pair a 3s. 18-11 Blake at the 9:20 mark. Kebu Johnson with a nice spin to his right for a layup at 5:50. 23-16 Blake leads. 29-22 Blake at halftime.
Veil for 3 and Kebu to the basket for 2 more. 35-24 with 16:10 left. Then the officiating gets out of hand. An Edison technical on a shooting foul, but the officials shoot the Ts 1st and refuse to realize their error. Veil makes the technical free throws. Kebu follows up with 3 points. 40-24 Blake with 15:30 left. Then THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE rears its ugly head again as Veil makes a 3 out of it followed by a Paul Blake 3. 46-26 Blake leads with 14:05 left. Its a 17-4 Blake run to start the half. The officials still at it as Kebu Johnson picks up a foul and stomps away and gets the really awful technical called. Nothing said and he gets the T, that's a horrendous call. It sends Johnson to the bench with 4 fouls as well. But Edison only gets 1 free throw out of it. Veil for 3 to push the lead to 24 with 9:10 left. Kebu comes back in and picks up his 5th foul and then a shoving technical (deserved) with 4:40 left. Yet an Edison player had gotten in the official's face and yapped all the way from the baseline to almost halfcourt with no T earlier. Not a good night for the zebras or the quality of play. Blake wins a really ugly game 75-54.
Post Game
For Edison, Marcus Nolen leads the way with 22 points, 19 in the second half mostly after the game was out of hand. Marques Gray on the offensive glass for 12 points. Edison is now 2-16 and they're a total mess. You can see a young coach learning as he was on the refs all night. While they weren't the greatest, many of the complaints were just pointless. They have a chance for a win as they visit South St. Paul on Monday night before visiting section rival Trinity on Tuesday.
Blake improves to 15-7, 9-2 in section 4AA games. John Veil with 5 3s and 19 points to lead the Bears. Kebu Johnson finishes with 13 and 7. Due to the 2 technicals, he'll sit out Friday's game with Brooklyn Center. Blake came out really slow and Edison hammered them on the offensive glass mostly in the first half. Worth noting that they're playing without their 2nd best player Tim Zellmer. He's suffered 2 recent concussions (1 from football and 1 during this season) so the Bears hope to have him back for the playoffs. With a shot at the #2 seed in 4AA (remember its seeded all the way through this year, no subsections), its possible they could have a stretch of 3 weeks before their 1st playoff game where they only play once.
Osseo battles through Bengals
Prologue
Its my 1st adventure north to Blaine as the Bengals host Osseo in a NW Suburban showdown. Osseo leads the league by 1 game with Blaine tied for 3rd 2 games back. It was Blaine who handed Osseo their only league loss back in December. The NSIC well represented tonight with Concordia, Mankato and The Coolest Guy in the NSIC. Pizza never a bad thing on the menu despite being a touch greasy. Our song comes from the tipoff.
Song of the Day
Motley Crew - Kickstart My Heart
Game Time
A tight first half. Zach Romashko with a tough post turnaround and then he flashes low for another early jumper. 6'3 Jr guard Tanner Schumacher showed up big for Blaine in the first half. His 3 and nice curl cut for 2 give Blaine a 14-13 lead at the 11:15 mark. Terez Van Pelt to DJ Hebert for 3 and then Van Pelt with a putback for a 7-0 run. 20-16 Osseo at the 10:17 mark. Fouls starting to mount in this one as Duke Anywanu is out for Blaine with 2, Joey Sonnenfeld and Terez Van Pelt both with 2 for Osseo. Romashko gets a breather with his 2nd at the 8:33 mark. 22-18 Osseo before Schumacher buries a pair of 3s and a pair of free throws for a 26-25 Blaine lead. Schumacher fouled on a 3 for 2 of 3 freebies and a Romashko jumper. But Sonnenfeld finishes the half with 1 of 2 freebies and then a steal for a 2 handed dunk and 3 point play (signature on poster included). That sends the game to halftime tied at 36. 7 of the 10 starters in the game with 2 or more fouls.
Schumacher with a putback and he nails a 3 from the corner off the baseline inbounds. 43-42 Osseo with 15:35 left and Sonnenfeld is already on the bench with his 4th foul. Duke Anywanu with the 3 point play at 14:50 to tie the game at 45. Then the critical stretch. Hebert for 3 and then off a turnover, Van Pelt finds Bridge Tusler for a clutch 3. Schumacher fouled on another 3 for 3 free throws but Tusler counters that with another 3. Romashko with a 3 point play at 11:17 to keep the game within 5 but Van Pelt nails a 3. Michael Brush for 2 and the 4th foul on Anywanu. Ian Thiesen with a skip that finds Michael Fischer alone for 3 and then Fischer uncontested for a layup. 68-55 Osseo with 8:40 left. But Hebert, Sonnenfeld and Theisen are all on the bench with 4 fouls. Theisen and Sonnenfeld return at the 4:29 mark after Anywanu fouls out on an illegal screen. That's just in time for Romashko to nail a 3 to cut the lead to 7. Then a tieup results in some extra pushing and yapping. It results in an Osseo technical with a 9 point lead and 3:27 left. Blaine only gets 1 free throw out of the 2 technicals and the possession. The teams then trade turnovers and Tusler converts a layup with 2:35 left for a 76-66 Osseo lead and that's all to see. Osseo wins 87-72.
Post Game
For Blaine, Zach Romashko leads the way with 30 points, 17 in the 2nd half. I had 9-20 FGs on my sheet with 5 rebounds. Tanner Schumacher came in averaging 14.1 PPG. He goes for 15 in the first half and finishes with 23. 4 triples and 2 other times where he was fouled shooting a 3 (5-6 FTs on those). Very little depth as Blaine basically played a 6 man rotation. Blaine falls to 10-4 in the NW Suburban, 10-8 overall. The race for the top seed in section 7AAAA is wide open with Forest Lake and Duluth East in the mix as well so this would have been a huge win for Blaine to get at home. Especially with a soft schedule most of the rest of the season with a trip to Anoka and home against Champlin Park on the final night as the only noteworthy games left. Worth noting that Duluth East and Forest Lake play at East on Saturday. That's part of a tough stretch for the Greyhounds. Forest Lake with a win can say they beat both of the contenders.
Osseo stays ahead in the NW Suburban at 13-1, 18-2 overall. The Orioles battled thru foul trouble all night and were able to get keys plays from Terez Van Pelt and soph Bridge Tusler in the 2nd half. Terez Van Pelt leads the way with 20 points. Joey Sonnenfeld continues to play well with 18 points. Ian Theisen and Bridge Tusler both with 12. DJ Hebert with 11. Winning the league outright will make them the easy choice for the top seed in section 5AAAA, but Champlin Park can muddy the waters if they make a run.
Its my 1st adventure north to Blaine as the Bengals host Osseo in a NW Suburban showdown. Osseo leads the league by 1 game with Blaine tied for 3rd 2 games back. It was Blaine who handed Osseo their only league loss back in December. The NSIC well represented tonight with Concordia, Mankato and The Coolest Guy in the NSIC. Pizza never a bad thing on the menu despite being a touch greasy. Our song comes from the tipoff.
Song of the Day
Motley Crew - Kickstart My Heart
Game Time
A tight first half. Zach Romashko with a tough post turnaround and then he flashes low for another early jumper. 6'3 Jr guard Tanner Schumacher showed up big for Blaine in the first half. His 3 and nice curl cut for 2 give Blaine a 14-13 lead at the 11:15 mark. Terez Van Pelt to DJ Hebert for 3 and then Van Pelt with a putback for a 7-0 run. 20-16 Osseo at the 10:17 mark. Fouls starting to mount in this one as Duke Anywanu is out for Blaine with 2, Joey Sonnenfeld and Terez Van Pelt both with 2 for Osseo. Romashko gets a breather with his 2nd at the 8:33 mark. 22-18 Osseo before Schumacher buries a pair of 3s and a pair of free throws for a 26-25 Blaine lead. Schumacher fouled on a 3 for 2 of 3 freebies and a Romashko jumper. But Sonnenfeld finishes the half with 1 of 2 freebies and then a steal for a 2 handed dunk and 3 point play (signature on poster included). That sends the game to halftime tied at 36. 7 of the 10 starters in the game with 2 or more fouls.
Schumacher with a putback and he nails a 3 from the corner off the baseline inbounds. 43-42 Osseo with 15:35 left and Sonnenfeld is already on the bench with his 4th foul. Duke Anywanu with the 3 point play at 14:50 to tie the game at 45. Then the critical stretch. Hebert for 3 and then off a turnover, Van Pelt finds Bridge Tusler for a clutch 3. Schumacher fouled on another 3 for 3 free throws but Tusler counters that with another 3. Romashko with a 3 point play at 11:17 to keep the game within 5 but Van Pelt nails a 3. Michael Brush for 2 and the 4th foul on Anywanu. Ian Thiesen with a skip that finds Michael Fischer alone for 3 and then Fischer uncontested for a layup. 68-55 Osseo with 8:40 left. But Hebert, Sonnenfeld and Theisen are all on the bench with 4 fouls. Theisen and Sonnenfeld return at the 4:29 mark after Anywanu fouls out on an illegal screen. That's just in time for Romashko to nail a 3 to cut the lead to 7. Then a tieup results in some extra pushing and yapping. It results in an Osseo technical with a 9 point lead and 3:27 left. Blaine only gets 1 free throw out of the 2 technicals and the possession. The teams then trade turnovers and Tusler converts a layup with 2:35 left for a 76-66 Osseo lead and that's all to see. Osseo wins 87-72.
Post Game
For Blaine, Zach Romashko leads the way with 30 points, 17 in the 2nd half. I had 9-20 FGs on my sheet with 5 rebounds. Tanner Schumacher came in averaging 14.1 PPG. He goes for 15 in the first half and finishes with 23. 4 triples and 2 other times where he was fouled shooting a 3 (5-6 FTs on those). Very little depth as Blaine basically played a 6 man rotation. Blaine falls to 10-4 in the NW Suburban, 10-8 overall. The race for the top seed in section 7AAAA is wide open with Forest Lake and Duluth East in the mix as well so this would have been a huge win for Blaine to get at home. Especially with a soft schedule most of the rest of the season with a trip to Anoka and home against Champlin Park on the final night as the only noteworthy games left. Worth noting that Duluth East and Forest Lake play at East on Saturday. That's part of a tough stretch for the Greyhounds. Forest Lake with a win can say they beat both of the contenders.
Osseo stays ahead in the NW Suburban at 13-1, 18-2 overall. The Orioles battled thru foul trouble all night and were able to get keys plays from Terez Van Pelt and soph Bridge Tusler in the 2nd half. Terez Van Pelt leads the way with 20 points. Joey Sonnenfeld continues to play well with 18 points. Ian Theisen and Bridge Tusler both with 12. DJ Hebert with 11. Winning the league outright will make them the easy choice for the top seed in section 5AAAA, but Champlin Park can muddy the waters if they make a run.
Smith powers Minutemen over Scots
Prologue
Its back to back weekdays in the St. Paul City as I visit Highland Park for their showdown with Central. These teams are in a 3 way logjam with Como Park for 2nd in the league. Central won the first meeting back in January by 7. Orono and Concordia in the building looking at Central for upcoming non-conference games. I thought Orono coach Barry Wohler got lost on the way back to Hamline before I saw Jordan Smith's dad with him. Highland decided not to do pizza tonight which is always disappointing. But I was just happy to get to the other side of the gym as Highland is cozy but the worst building to get around in. Quality performance by the Highland Park dance squad at the half. We need something musical with bagpipes in it since we're at the home of the Scots.
Song of the Day
Its a long way to the top - AC/DC
Game Time
Highland Park decides to come out box and 1 on Central's top guard William McDonough. 9-8 Highland Park when Nate Anderson drains a 3, then a Dion Bradley layup off a blocked shot and a Cordero Washington putback. 16-10 Highland Park at the 12:30 mark. Martin Smith too effective inside so Highland Park goes 3-2 zone. The lead is 5 when Central gets a Diallo Powell jumper and back to back Montrell Williams 3s for a 27-24 Central lead at the 6:15 mark. Bradley with 5 in a row and a triple to push the lead to 5 inside of 3 minutes. 40-38 Highland at the half. Martin Smith 15 and 6 inside most in the early part of the half along with a pair of assists.
Montrell Williams back to back 3s (4th and 5th ones of the game) and a Smith putback followed by Williams with a layup. 10-1 in the 1st 3 minutes for Central and they lead 48-41. Bradley with a 3 and a pair of drives, but Martin Smith still doing work inside. His 3 point play with 8:31 left keeps Central ahead 62-55. Bradley with 4 free throws that sandwich a great tip in by Montrell Williams. 66-62 Central with 7:20 left. Neither team pulling away. Smith picks up his 4th foul with 6:19 left but Highland misses a front end and a layup. McDonough counters with 2 free throws on the other end for a 69-62 lead with 5:07 left. Washington off the inbounds for a post up 2, Central turns it over out of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE and Bradley finds Ty'Shaun Williams for a layup. 69-68 Central with 3:15 left. Highland has a chance to lead next time down but gets called for a walk with 2:58 left. That gets Smith back in the game and he makes a free throw. Bradley with a nice pullup on the left baseline to tie the game at 70 with about 2:30 left. The teams trade misses and then Smith turns down 1 post chance only to get it back on a nice lob pass for 2 with 1:20 remaining. Highland misses a 3 and a layup but Central goes 1-4 from the line. Bradley uses a high screen and gets Smith on him. But Bradley's 3 is no good. Highland rebounds it for 1 free throw. Montrell Williams makes 2 with 32.9 left for a 75-71 lead. Highland turns it over next time down as McDonough dives on the floor and gets the smart timeout with 19.6 left. 3 of 4 FTs from there are enough for a 78-73 Central win.
Post Game
Dion Bradley leads Highland Park with 15 of his 27 points in the 2nd half. Highland's other lefty guard Ty'Shaun Williams with 20 points. Cordero Washington 15 points and 8 rebounds on my sheet. The Scots fall to 3-3 in the St. Paul City and 10-8 overall. Tough loss as the Scots will likely be fighting Mahtomedi for a section seed. The head-head win over them will help but Highland needs to also keep up in the win column. Highland Park plays next at Harding on Thursday.
Martin Smith with the big night for Central. He finishes with 30 points and 13 rebounds as the small Highland Park lineup had no answer for him on the post or on the glass. Montrell Williams had a real hot streak just around halftime as he had 6 3s on the night and a total of 24 points, 15 in the 2nd half. William McDonough held to 10 points, with 8 of those in the 2nd half. Central is also 10-8 overall and now 4-2 in the St. Paul City. They have a non-conference tilt at Concordia on Friday before a week off.
Its back to back weekdays in the St. Paul City as I visit Highland Park for their showdown with Central. These teams are in a 3 way logjam with Como Park for 2nd in the league. Central won the first meeting back in January by 7. Orono and Concordia in the building looking at Central for upcoming non-conference games. I thought Orono coach Barry Wohler got lost on the way back to Hamline before I saw Jordan Smith's dad with him. Highland decided not to do pizza tonight which is always disappointing. But I was just happy to get to the other side of the gym as Highland is cozy but the worst building to get around in. Quality performance by the Highland Park dance squad at the half. We need something musical with bagpipes in it since we're at the home of the Scots.
Song of the Day
Its a long way to the top - AC/DC
Game Time
Highland Park decides to come out box and 1 on Central's top guard William McDonough. 9-8 Highland Park when Nate Anderson drains a 3, then a Dion Bradley layup off a blocked shot and a Cordero Washington putback. 16-10 Highland Park at the 12:30 mark. Martin Smith too effective inside so Highland Park goes 3-2 zone. The lead is 5 when Central gets a Diallo Powell jumper and back to back Montrell Williams 3s for a 27-24 Central lead at the 6:15 mark. Bradley with 5 in a row and a triple to push the lead to 5 inside of 3 minutes. 40-38 Highland at the half. Martin Smith 15 and 6 inside most in the early part of the half along with a pair of assists.
Montrell Williams back to back 3s (4th and 5th ones of the game) and a Smith putback followed by Williams with a layup. 10-1 in the 1st 3 minutes for Central and they lead 48-41. Bradley with a 3 and a pair of drives, but Martin Smith still doing work inside. His 3 point play with 8:31 left keeps Central ahead 62-55. Bradley with 4 free throws that sandwich a great tip in by Montrell Williams. 66-62 Central with 7:20 left. Neither team pulling away. Smith picks up his 4th foul with 6:19 left but Highland misses a front end and a layup. McDonough counters with 2 free throws on the other end for a 69-62 lead with 5:07 left. Washington off the inbounds for a post up 2, Central turns it over out of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE and Bradley finds Ty'Shaun Williams for a layup. 69-68 Central with 3:15 left. Highland has a chance to lead next time down but gets called for a walk with 2:58 left. That gets Smith back in the game and he makes a free throw. Bradley with a nice pullup on the left baseline to tie the game at 70 with about 2:30 left. The teams trade misses and then Smith turns down 1 post chance only to get it back on a nice lob pass for 2 with 1:20 remaining. Highland misses a 3 and a layup but Central goes 1-4 from the line. Bradley uses a high screen and gets Smith on him. But Bradley's 3 is no good. Highland rebounds it for 1 free throw. Montrell Williams makes 2 with 32.9 left for a 75-71 lead. Highland turns it over next time down as McDonough dives on the floor and gets the smart timeout with 19.6 left. 3 of 4 FTs from there are enough for a 78-73 Central win.
Post Game
Dion Bradley leads Highland Park with 15 of his 27 points in the 2nd half. Highland's other lefty guard Ty'Shaun Williams with 20 points. Cordero Washington 15 points and 8 rebounds on my sheet. The Scots fall to 3-3 in the St. Paul City and 10-8 overall. Tough loss as the Scots will likely be fighting Mahtomedi for a section seed. The head-head win over them will help but Highland needs to also keep up in the win column. Highland Park plays next at Harding on Thursday.
Martin Smith with the big night for Central. He finishes with 30 points and 13 rebounds as the small Highland Park lineup had no answer for him on the post or on the glass. Montrell Williams had a real hot streak just around halftime as he had 6 3s on the night and a total of 24 points, 15 in the 2nd half. William McDonough held to 10 points, with 8 of those in the 2nd half. Central is also 10-8 overall and now 4-2 in the St. Paul City. They have a non-conference tilt at Concordia on Friday before a week off.
2010-11 CzarPI, February 6, 2011
Labels:
10-11 CzarPI
Here is the 8th edition of the CzarPI for the 2010-2011 season (see CzarPI Explained here). It includes games through February 5th, 2011. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.
Class AAAA
Class A
Class AAAA
- Eden Prairie - 61.93 (4)
- Hopkins - 61.68 (7)
- Osseo - 59.21 (28)
- Eastview - 57.51 (45)
- Wayzata - 57.36 (19)
- Chaska - 57.11 (37)
- Owatonna - 56.59 (62)
- Edina - 55.68 (51)
- Lakeville South - 55.61 (25)
- Roseville - 55.55 (50)
- Tartan - 55.32 (65)
- Robbinsdale Cooper - 55.2 (10)
- Robbinsdale Armstrong - 55.07 (41)
- Champlin Park - 54.85 (55)
- Moorhead - 54.76 (23)
- Eagan - 54.71 (49)
- Shakopee - 54.27 (12)
- Buffalo - 53.67 (56)
- Duluth East - 53.46 (40)
- Blaine - 52.99 (20)
- Maple Grove - 52.85 (35)
- St. Louis Park - 52.66 (15)
- Cretin-Derham Hall - 52.62 (34)
- White Bear Lake - 52.19 (26)
- St. Michael-Albertville - 51.83 (42)
- Irondale - 51.82 (46)
- Forest Lake - 51.67 (59)
- Apple Valley - 50.92 (21)
- Spring Lake Park - 50.88 (17)
- Duluth Central - 50.44 (61)
- Burnsville - 50.42 (16)
- Rochester Century - 48.77 (64)
- Andover - 48.42 (6)
- Chanhassen - 47.85 (33)
- Lakeville North - 47.76 (3)
- Stillwater Area - 47.59 (54)
- Minneapolis North - 45.88 (22)
- East Ridge - 45.79 (63)
- Cambridge-Isanti - 45.51 (36)
- Bloomington Kennedy - 45.35 (47)
- Alexandria - 45.05 (52)
- Minneapolis South - 44.62 (31)
- Anoka - 44.08 (14)
- Mounds View - 43.98 (18)
- Prior Lake - 42.52 (5)
- North St. Paul - 42.41 (30)
- St. Cloud Tech - 42.02 (48)
- Park Center - 41.63 (9)
- Woodbury - 41.07 (53)
- Rochester Mayo - 40.36 (29)
- Centennial - 40.13 (27)
- Rosemount - 39.65 (32)
- Henry Sibley - 37.78 (13)
- Bloomington Jefferson - 37.74 (11)
- Elk River - 36.33 (38)
- Minnetonka - 36.28 (1)
- Farmington - 33.67 (58)
- Northfield - 32.74 (2)
- Minneapolis Southwest - 32.53 (57)
- St. Francis - 31.22 (39)
- Brainerd - 27.18 (24)
- Rochester John Marshall - 26.44 (43)
- Coon Rapids - 24.07 (8)
- Park of Cottage Grove - 22.46 (60)
- Hastings - 16.81 (44)
- St. Paul Johnson - 59.07 (42)
- Orono - 56.49 (21)
- Benilde-St. Margaret's - 55.92 (35)
- Bemidji - 55.73 (47)
- St. Cloud Apollo - 55.66 (23)
- Minneapolis Washburn - 55.52 (11)
- Waconia - 55.22 (2)
- DeLaSalle - 55.1 (39)
- Worthington - 54.97 (32)
- Columbia Heights - 54.3 (38)
- Delano - 54.27 (43)
- Hill-Murray - 54.22 (28)
- Detroit Lakes - 53.97 (13)
- Marshall - 53.57 (9)
- New Prague - 53.42 (37)
- Holy Family Catholic - 53.32 (33)
- Little Falls - 53.27 (34)
- Winona - 52.52 (46)
- Grand Rapids - 52.23 (19)
- Willmar - 51.73 (30)
- Hutchinson - 51.45 (4)
- Rogers - 50.97 (41)
- St. Anthony Village - 50.65 (56)
- Richfield - 50.29 (57)
- Totino-Grace - 49.96 (10)
- St. Paul Como Park - 49.93 (14)
- Mahtomedi - 49.28 (20)
- St. Thomas Academy - 48.84 (40)
- Big Lake - 47.99 (52)
- Rocori - 47.75 (53)
- Annandale - 47.68 (8)
- St. Paul Central - 47.39 (6)
- Mankato East - 47.26 (16)
- Austin - 47.19 (22)
- Red Wing - 47.14 (59)
- Hermantown - 46.88 (58)
- St. Paul Highland Park - 46.28 (44)
- Minneapolis Henry - 45.53 (54)
- Hibbing - 45.48 (48)
- Monticello - 42.64 (3)
- Mound-Westonka - 41.27 (31)
- Fergus Falls - 40.38 (29)
- New Ulm - 39.94 (36)
- Holy Angels - 39.02 (1)
- Chisago Lakes Area - 38.73 (17)
- Becker - 37.88 (25)
- Mankato West - 37.77 (27)
- Faribault - 37.01 (24)
- Albert Lea - 36.81 (12)
- St. Paul Harding - 35.91 (60)
- Cloquet - 35.45 (7)
- Waseca - 34.84 (49)
- Sartell-St. Stephen - 34.7 (55)
- Simley - 33.56 (45)
- Fridley - 33.54 (18)
- Princeton - 31.83 (51)
- North Branch - 29.49 (26)
- Dassel-Cokato - 29.28 (5)
- South St. Paul - 17.07 (50)
- Sauk Rapids-Rice - 0 (15)
- Esko - 58.38 (19)
- Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 58.35 (89)
- Perham - 58.18 (53)
- Montevideo - 57.81 (26)
- Moose Lake-Willow River - 57.08 (54)
- Stewartville - 56.42 (48)
- Bagley - 55.94 (109)
- Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 55.86 (105)
- Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 55.83 (80)
- Minnewaska Area - 55.68 (83)
- Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 55.44 (115)
- Windom Area - 55.42 (29)
- Rochester Lourdes - 54.79 (13)
- Thief River Falls - 54.71 (25)
- Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 54.06 (93)
- Pelican Rapids - 53.57 (72)
- New London-Spicer - 53.55 (21)
- Braham - 53.54 (116)
- Maple River - 53.45 (101)
- Caledonia - 53.15 (99)
- Hawley - 52.99 (51)
- Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 52.89 (90)
- Redwood Valley - 52.85 (9)
- Mayer Lutheran - 52.34 (77)
- Pequot Lakes - 52.27 (69)
- Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 52.14 (98)
- Kenyon-Wanamingo - 52.1 (106)
- Kasson-Mantorville - 52.08 (110)
- Deer River - 52.04 (97)
- International Falls - 51.94 (120)
- Hayfield - 51.18 (92)
- Glencoe-Silver Lake - 50.94 (14)
- Virginia - 50.89 (103)
- Zimmerman - 50.78 (86)
- Concordia Academy-Roseville - 50.31 (84)
- Litchfield - 50.16 (33)
- St. Peter - 50.01 (102)
- Watertown-Mayer - 49.74 (32)
- United South Central - 49.6 (37)
- St. Cloud Cathedral - 49.26 (63)
- Blake - 49.08 (71)
- Sauk Centre - 49.03 (87)
- Fairmont - 48.95 (10)
- St. Croix Lutheran - 48.52 (73)
- Jackson County Central - 48.51 (45)
- Byron - 48.5 (61)
- Jordan - 48.1 (124)
- Murray County Central - 47.98 (40)
- Kimball Area - 47.43 (31)
- Maple Lake - 47.26 (78)
- Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 46.96 (59)
- Belle Plaine - 46.84 (76)
- Trinity School - 46.84 (81)
- La Crescent - 46.73 (50)
- Pierz - 46.36 (17)
- East Grand Forks - 46.25 (57)
- Albany - 46.09 (104)
- St. Charles - 46.06 (95)
- Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 46.03 (88)
- New Richland-H-E-G - 45.97 (43)
- Kingsland - 45.19 (39)
- Lake City - 44.98 (11)
- Sibley East - 44.85 (67)
- Southland - 44.77 (64)
- Crookston - 44.66 (5)
- Legacy Christian - 44.24 (112)
- Benson - 44.15 (75)
- Minnehaha Academy - 43.56 (91)
- Crosby-Ironton - 43.54 (52)
- Warroad - 43.39 (58)
- Norwood-Young America - 43.17 (27)
- Rush City - 43.08 (94)
- West Central Area - 43.02 (15)
- St. John's Prep - 42.97 (46)
- Martin County West - 42.92 (123)
- Wadena-Deer Creek - 42.88 (28)
- Pine City - 42.66 (65)
- Melrose - 42.49 (79)
- Breckenridge - 42.13 (7)
- Hinckley-Finlayson - 42.09 (111)
- Breck - 41.87 (118)
- LeSueur-Henderson - 40.71 (34)
- Providence Academy - 40.5 (114)
- Lac qui Parle Valley - 39.99 (55)
- Mora - 39.37 (18)
- Aitkin - 39.15 (36)
- Roseau - 38.97 (113)
- Lewiston-Altura - 38.56 (74)
- Red Lake - 38.29 (44)
- BOLD - 37.71 (96)
- Holdingford - 37.66 (66)
- Minneapolis Roosevelt - 36.87 (121)
- Great River - 36.49 (126)
- Milaca - 35.84 (49)
- Cannon Falls - 35.74 (22)
- Montgomery-Lonsdale - 35.51 (70)
- Rockford - 35.39 (60)
- Eden Valley-Watkins - 35.39 (108)
- International School of MN - 35.2 (127)
- Blue Earth Area - 35.13 (47)
- Winona Cotter - 35.08 (56)
- Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 34.64 (38)
- Pipestone Area - 34.24 (1)
- Chatfield - 33.52 (16)
- Duluth Marshall - 33.04 (82)
- Triton - 32.59 (117)
- Pine Island - 32.56 (35)
- Yellow Medicine East - 32.44 (62)
- Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 32.3 (20)
- Dover-Eyota - 31.92 (23)
- Foley - 31.65 (41)
- Greenway - 31.41 (30)
- Luverne - 31.35 (24)
- St. Paul Academy - 30.8 (107)
- Proctor - 30.66 (125)
- St. James - 30.59 (68)
- Staples-Motley - 30.1 (4)
- Mounds Park Academy - 29.44 (100)
- Osakis - 27.85 (2)
- Minneapolis Edison - 27.33 (122)
- Brooklyn Center - 23.19 (42)
- Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 22.43 (119)
- Eveleth-Gilbert - 21.37 (85)
- Frazee - 19.58 (12)
- Park Rapids Area - 16.96 (8)
- Two Harbors - 0 (6)
- Paynesville Area - 0 (3)
Class A
- Sebeka - 58.38 (62)
- Southwest MN Christian - 56.87 (44)
- Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 56.17 (118)
- Ellsworth - 56.15 (17)
- Upsala - 55.41 (51)
- Springfield - 55.1 (102)
- Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 55.03 (121)
- Maranatha Christian - 53.61 (92)
- Cass Lake-Bena - 53.55 (69)
- Ada-Borup - 53.3 (57)
- Ely - 53.07 (136)
- Battle Lake - 52.94 (141)
- McGregor - 52.58 (119)
- Heritage Christian - 52.43 (76)
- Glenville-Emmons - 52.41 (149)
- Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 52.31 (108)
- Orr - 52.28 (111)
- Lakeview Christian - 52.25 (148)
- MACCRAY - 52.11 (110)
- Chisholm - 51.93 (143)
- Minnesota Transitions Charter - 51.84 (55)
- Rushford-Peterson - 51.62 (82)
- Sleepy Eye - 51.41 (88)
- Mankato Loyola - 50.93 (74)
- Browerville - 50.9 (122)
- Hills-Beaver Creek - 50.8 (93)
- East Central - 50.69 (101)
- Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 50.54 (2)
- Ulen-Hitterdal - 50.54 (79)
- Goodhue - 50.37 (142)
- Bertha-Hewitt - 49.32 (35)
- Northern Freeze - 49.21 (52)
- Barnesville - 49.09 (47)
- Fosston - 49.02 (109)
- Ashby - 48.77 (68)
- Mt. Lake/Butterfield-Odin - 48.77 (30)
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 48.37 (11)
- Hill City - 48.1 (19)
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 48.09 (154)
- New York Mills - 48.07 (97)
- Prairie Seeds Academy - 47.82 (129)
- Nevis - 47.42 (115)
- Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 47.34 (90)
- Dawson-Boyd - 47.26 (85)
- Eagle Valley - 47.21 (72)
- Stephen-Argyle - 47.15 (140)
- Cook County - 47.02 (37)
- Kittson County Central - 46.19 (75)
- Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 46.08 (89)
- Minneota - 45.91 (135)
- Blackduck - 45.87 (113)
- Brandon-Evansville - 45.82 (84)
- Bigfork - 45.76 (77)
- West Lutheran - 45.62 (137)
- Norman County East - 45.57 (86)
- Mahnomen - 45.42 (105)
- Spring Grove - 45.31 (123)
- Lanesboro - 45.16 (152)
- Barnum - 45.09 (125)
- Houston - 44.88 (153)
- FAIR Downtown - 44.77 (150)
- Goodridge-Grygla - 44.71 (64)
- Fulda - 44.69 (15)
- Truman - 44.67 (132)
- Red Lake County - 44.66 (130)
- AlBrook/Cotton - 44.64 (65)
- Isle - 44.05 (34)
- New Ulm Cathedral - 43.75 (27)
- Silver Bay - 43.68 (28)
- Littlefork-Big Falls - 43.16 (31)
- Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 42.41 (39)
- St. Clair - 42.27 (81)
- Bethlehem Academy - 42.01 (59)
- Floodwood - 41.56 (18)
- St. Paul Humboldt - 41.51 (60)
- Nashwauk-Keewatin - 41.31 (83)
- Southwest Star Concept - 41.29 (107)
- Cherry - 41.1 (46)
- Bethany Academy - 41.09 (99)
- St. Agnes - 40.99 (40)
- New Life Academy - 40.81 (20)
- Round Lake-Brewster - 40.73 (56)
- Nicollet - 40.39 (95)
- Onamia - 40.31 (49)
- Pine River-Backus - 40.15 (96)
- Hope Lutheran - 40.07 (138)
- Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 40.03 (78)
- Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 39.83 (23)
- Tower-Soudan - 39.4 (36)
- Clearbrook-Gonvick - 39.3 (21)
- Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 39.19 (25)
- Menahga - 39.09 (24)
- Kelliher/Northome - 38.38 (147)
- Canby - 38.22 (116)
- Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 37.93 (165)
- Henning - 37.69 (58)
- Central MN Christian - 37.38 (100)
- Southwest Christian - 37.37 (98)
- Mesabi East - 37.12 (104)
- Fertile-Beltrami - 36.98 (3)
- Fillmore Central - 36.94 (12)
- Mountain Iron-Buhl - 36.85 (38)
- Win-E-Mac - 36.85 (66)
- Blooming Prairie - 36.5 (32)
- Wabasso - 36.25 (103)
- Ortonville - 35.68 (106)
- Four Directions Charter - 35.52 (158)
- Royalton - 35.44 (53)
- Verndale - 34.86 (16)
- Cook - 34.76 (41)
- Community of Peace Academy - 34.71 (169)
- Carlton - 34.69 (26)
- Lincoln HI - 34.49 (43)
- Cromwell - 33.95 (63)
- Le Center - 33.7 (126)
- Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 33.66 (50)
- Red Rock Central - 33.59 (6)
- Randolph - 33.39 (29)
- Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 33.09 (13)
- CHOF - 33.06 (67)
- Medford - 32.99 (91)
- Alden-Conger - 32.79 (131)
- Calvin Christian - 32.54 (168)
- Mabel-Canton - 32.06 (144)
- Madelia - 31.47 (117)
- Grand Meadow - 31.43 (120)
- Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 31.34 (7)
- Academy for Sciences & Ag - 31.24 (166)
- Renville County West - 30.69 (87)
- PACT Charter - 30.69 (112)
- Edgerton - 30.38 (48)
- Parkers Prairie - 29.99 (45)
- Math & Science Academy - 29.74 (170)
- Wabasha-Kellogg - 29.72 (73)
- Martin Luther - 29.31 (61)
- Lake Park-Audubon - 29.1 (127)
- LeRoy-Ostrander - 28.34 (133)
- Lakeview - 28.19 (139)
- Lake of the Woods - 27.98 (145)
- Climax/Fisher - 27.86 (10)
- Park Christian - 27.72 (128)
- Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 26.45 (42)
- Northland - 25.49 (94)
- Cannon Valley Lutheran - 25.27 (164)
- Ogilvie - 25.23 (9)
- Babbitt-Embarrass - 24.33 (70)
- Sacred Heart - 24.1 (33)
- Cleveland - 23.29 (134)
- Underwood - 22 (146)
- Swanville - 21.75 (71)
- Adrian - 20.73 (1)
- Norman County West - 20.37 (114)
- MN Academy for the Deaf - 20.04 (167)
- Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 18.95 (161)
- Hancock - 17.2 (14)
- St. Paul Prep - 0 (156)
- Laporte - 0 (159)
- Spectrum - 0 (160)
- Metro Deaf School - 0 (163)
- Wrenshall - 0 (4)
- Pillager - 0 (5)
- Mesabi Academy - 0 (8)
- Schaeffer Academy - 0 (80)
- Waubun - 0 (22)
- Rothsay - 0 (54)
- Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (124)
- E.C.H.O. Charter - 0 (151)
- North Lakes Academy - 0 (155)
- Learning for Leadership - 0 (157)
- Hmong Academy - 0 (162)
A weekend celebrating cheeseheads
Prologue
Its a super bowl weekend in cheeseland so its only fitting that I see 3 Wisconsin teams on this Saturday. Its a day full of 4 games. Only 1 of them is local so we'll cover that last. We'll cover the 3 other games of this day first. Out of lettuce for the Walking Taco at Hudson, WI gives their concession stand a downgrade. With apologies to the Sebeka band who was outstanding this morning, I say GO PACK GO! and use the Packers touchdown theme for today's music.
Song of the Day
Bang on the Drum - Todd Lundgren
Games 1, 3 and 4
Games 1 and 3 were at the Target Center. Ryan Sharp bombs away with 5 first half 3s as Sebeka opens up a 31 point margin in the first half. They defeated section rival Isle 87-60. Sharp ends up with 29, Cody Pulju 17, Paul Funk 18 for the class A's top ranked team. Isle led by Wesley Oswald and his 20 points. The other game at the Target Center was another blowout. Siren, WI opened the game 24-3 over Pine City and never looked back. Siren star Elijah Hinze 17 of his 18 in the first half and the Siren zone traps too much to handle. They roll to a 63-23 win. Finally its another look at Rice Lake, WI star Wally Ellenson as they played at Hudson, WI. Hudson goes 11:35 without a field goal across the first and second quarters. That allows Rice Lake to open a 31-8 halftime lead. Hudson cuts the lead to 42-27 after 3 quarters but no real threat. Rice Lake wins 59-40. Wally Ellenson and Alex Cuskey 13 points each to lead Rice Lake. Hudson's star frosh Alex Herink 12 points.
St. Louis Park at Washburn
Skipping the 2 girls games at the Target Center gives just enough time to run to Washburn for their non-conference matchup with upstart St. Louis Park. 11 all at the 12 minute mark when Dwight Anderson nails 3 straight 3s vs the SLP zone and he adds a layup for a personal 11-2 run. 25-15 Millers at the 8:10 mark. Then the Orioles rise up. Quintin Wagner with a layup, tip in and then a 3 for 7 in a row. Aaron Ziman then nails a 3 off the high screen and roll for a 15-2 run. 32-29 Orioles. Nick Anderson for 3 and then he beats the halftime buzzer from halfcourt. That pulls Washburn to within 36-35 at the half.
That 3 inspires Washburn. Dwight Anderson comes out with another 3, Cedric Chappell with a 3 point play and layup, a turnover for a Dwight Anderson 3 point layup and a another Chappell layup. Then Nick Anderson gets his hand on a pass and has the outstanding presence to push/tip it forward right to Clarence Thomas for a 3 point play. 56-40 Washburn leads with 12:04 left. With that halftime buzzer beater, its a 24-4 Washburn run. Ziman 2 free throws, Kashif Hayes 2 free throws and then a great cross court bounce pass from Ziman to Hayes for 3. 59-54 Washburn with 8:45 left (14-3 Orioles run). Marquealis Edwards for 3 at 1:17 to cut the lead to 73-68 and then a Washburn turnover. Edwards goes to the basket and draws the intentional foul with 58 seconds remaining. Edwards makes 1 of the 2 free throws and the Orioles miss an NBA 3. St. Louis Park makes a jumper at the horn but it doesn't matter as Washburn hangs on 76-73.
Dwight Anderson finishes with 32 points, 17 in the first half. That included 5 3s and 11 FTs. Cedric Chappell 18 points. Nick Anderson 12 points and I had 9 assists on my sheet. No point guard that I see besides Tyus Jones is as fun to watch distribute the basketball. That's either out of their dribble drive stuff or out of the middle screen/roll they'll use. Washburn is now 14-5 and they have a pair of difficult city games at Henry Tuesday and home with their league co-leader South on Friday..
Kashif Hayes leads St. Louis Park with 14 points. Look for the sophomore lefty to be dynamite in the DDM for the Orioles next season. Fellow ballhandler Aaron Ziman finishes with 13 points. Marquealis Edwards held to 9 points. The Orioles fall to 12-7 but they're 8-1 in the North Suburban (2nd). The loss breaks an 8 game winning streak. The rest of the schedule is conference play and while 3 of the next 4 are at home, they are all tough games.
Its a super bowl weekend in cheeseland so its only fitting that I see 3 Wisconsin teams on this Saturday. Its a day full of 4 games. Only 1 of them is local so we'll cover that last. We'll cover the 3 other games of this day first. Out of lettuce for the Walking Taco at Hudson, WI gives their concession stand a downgrade. With apologies to the Sebeka band who was outstanding this morning, I say GO PACK GO! and use the Packers touchdown theme for today's music.
Song of the Day
Bang on the Drum - Todd Lundgren
Games 1, 3 and 4
Games 1 and 3 were at the Target Center. Ryan Sharp bombs away with 5 first half 3s as Sebeka opens up a 31 point margin in the first half. They defeated section rival Isle 87-60. Sharp ends up with 29, Cody Pulju 17, Paul Funk 18 for the class A's top ranked team. Isle led by Wesley Oswald and his 20 points. The other game at the Target Center was another blowout. Siren, WI opened the game 24-3 over Pine City and never looked back. Siren star Elijah Hinze 17 of his 18 in the first half and the Siren zone traps too much to handle. They roll to a 63-23 win. Finally its another look at Rice Lake, WI star Wally Ellenson as they played at Hudson, WI. Hudson goes 11:35 without a field goal across the first and second quarters. That allows Rice Lake to open a 31-8 halftime lead. Hudson cuts the lead to 42-27 after 3 quarters but no real threat. Rice Lake wins 59-40. Wally Ellenson and Alex Cuskey 13 points each to lead Rice Lake. Hudson's star frosh Alex Herink 12 points.
St. Louis Park at Washburn
Skipping the 2 girls games at the Target Center gives just enough time to run to Washburn for their non-conference matchup with upstart St. Louis Park. 11 all at the 12 minute mark when Dwight Anderson nails 3 straight 3s vs the SLP zone and he adds a layup for a personal 11-2 run. 25-15 Millers at the 8:10 mark. Then the Orioles rise up. Quintin Wagner with a layup, tip in and then a 3 for 7 in a row. Aaron Ziman then nails a 3 off the high screen and roll for a 15-2 run. 32-29 Orioles. Nick Anderson for 3 and then he beats the halftime buzzer from halfcourt. That pulls Washburn to within 36-35 at the half.
That 3 inspires Washburn. Dwight Anderson comes out with another 3, Cedric Chappell with a 3 point play and layup, a turnover for a Dwight Anderson 3 point layup and a another Chappell layup. Then Nick Anderson gets his hand on a pass and has the outstanding presence to push/tip it forward right to Clarence Thomas for a 3 point play. 56-40 Washburn leads with 12:04 left. With that halftime buzzer beater, its a 24-4 Washburn run. Ziman 2 free throws, Kashif Hayes 2 free throws and then a great cross court bounce pass from Ziman to Hayes for 3. 59-54 Washburn with 8:45 left (14-3 Orioles run). Marquealis Edwards for 3 at 1:17 to cut the lead to 73-68 and then a Washburn turnover. Edwards goes to the basket and draws the intentional foul with 58 seconds remaining. Edwards makes 1 of the 2 free throws and the Orioles miss an NBA 3. St. Louis Park makes a jumper at the horn but it doesn't matter as Washburn hangs on 76-73.
Dwight Anderson finishes with 32 points, 17 in the first half. That included 5 3s and 11 FTs. Cedric Chappell 18 points. Nick Anderson 12 points and I had 9 assists on my sheet. No point guard that I see besides Tyus Jones is as fun to watch distribute the basketball. That's either out of their dribble drive stuff or out of the middle screen/roll they'll use. Washburn is now 14-5 and they have a pair of difficult city games at Henry Tuesday and home with their league co-leader South on Friday..
Kashif Hayes leads St. Louis Park with 14 points. Look for the sophomore lefty to be dynamite in the DDM for the Orioles next season. Fellow ballhandler Aaron Ziman finishes with 13 points. Marquealis Edwards held to 9 points. The Orioles fall to 12-7 but they're 8-1 in the North Suburban (2nd). The loss breaks an 8 game winning streak. The rest of the schedule is conference play and while 3 of the next 4 are at home, they are all tough games.
Scott carries Johnson to big city win
Prologue
To St. Paul Central for their St. Paul City showdown with Johnson. Johnson playing without Marcus Marshall (sick) and Estan Tyler (injury) so if there's any chance they lose a conference game this season, its tonight. Almost a full house on hand so its nice to have a bit of atmosphere. More than water on the beverage menu which is a nice sight after only seeing Central water there in past visits. The Central band in attendance taking up an entire section with 100 members. That means they get our daily music selection.
Song of the Day
Low Rider - War
Game Time
Roosevelt Scott the remaining member of the big 3 needed to step up and he started strong. A pullup jumper, a drive where he missed both freebies and then signing a poster on a dunk at the 13:18 mark. 10-8 Johnson leads. Martin Smith tips in a miss and Montrell Williams nails a jumper for a 19-15 Central lead at the 9:45 mark. Smith on the post for 2 and he adds a later free throw. 24 all at the 6:12 mark Smith picks up his 3rd foul and has to sit at the 3:47 mark 2 Will McDonough free throws at 2:50 cut the Johnson lead to 30-29. Scott with 5 in a row (Montrell Williams 3rd foul), a turnover for 2 Anthony Lee free throws, Scott with a steal for 2 and another turnover for a Waylon Johnson layup. Its an 11-0 run in 1:31 as Central just can't deal with the Johnson 2-2-1 press. Central with the last 4 of the half to trail 41-33 at the break.
Martin Smith picks up his fourth foul at the 16:35 mark as he fouls Scott for 1 free throw. Then Scott with a steal for another dunk followed by a Trey Coffman layup and the lead is 12. Timeout Central down 46-34 with 15:42 left. Montrell Williams led Central with 10 first half points but he picks up his 4th at the 14:29 mark. That's another Scott free throw which he follows with an uncontested drive to the rack for layup. Then another turnover for a layup to push the lead to 15. 1 free throw at the 10:34 mark for Central cuts the lead to 57-44. That's as close as Central will get. Scott with a layup before he picks up his 4th and has to sit at the 8:31 mark. 61-44 Johnson and Smith and Williams are still on the bench. If a run was to be made it was right there, so I would have gotten them right in the game. Frosh Markus Taylor-Knighten then picks up his 4th 20 seconds later and you have 3 of your 4 top players on the bench with 4 in a blowout. Scott comes back in the game and makes 1 more leaner before fouling out with 6:23 left. Montrell Williams doesn't come back in until the 6:03 mark, Smith and Knighten don't come back until 5:40 left. By that time the lead is 20 and this one is long since over. Smith adds on 9 late points that don't matter as those foul trouble kids played until the end. That just didn't make sense to me. Play them when Scott is on the bench with 4 and take your chances and then get the end of the bench kids in if you don't make the comeback. Johnson wins 83-62.
Post Game
For Central, they fall to 9-8 and 3-2 in the St. Paul City. That's a 3 way tie for 2nd with Highland Park and Como Park. Martin Smith 17 points and 9 rebounds but half of those stats were after he came back in late in the blowout. Markus Taylor-Knighten a productive night with 9 points and close to double-digit boards despite some foul trouble. Coach Howell still insists on using William McDonough at the point, he had 12 points but 8 turnovers. That's just not playing to his strong points as a scorer especially when you have a true point guard, Diallo Powell, in your rotation. The Minutemen start a difficult 5 game stretch next week with games at Highland Park and Concordia. 1st 4 of those games are on the road and then a home grudge match with Orono in 3 weeks. Central pulled the upset at Orono last season.
For Johnson, Roosevelt Scott steps up big with 32 points on 11-16 shooting. 18 of those in the first half and then big points in the second half to break the game open. Anthony Lee 11 points and 8 other players score for the Governors. Their pressure defense forced anywhere in the range of 30-40 turnovers so the rematch at Johnson to end the season with Tyler and Marshall healthy could be really ugly. Though Johnson likely won't have anything to play for in that game since Central already has another league loss. The teams combined for 52 fouls resulting in 37-60 makes. Johnson is now 16-2 (16-0 MN opponents) and sweeps the 1st round of St. Paul play at 5-0. Their league winning streak is now is at 39 since January of 2008 (when Central beat them). They host Como Park on Tuesday.
To St. Paul Central for their St. Paul City showdown with Johnson. Johnson playing without Marcus Marshall (sick) and Estan Tyler (injury) so if there's any chance they lose a conference game this season, its tonight. Almost a full house on hand so its nice to have a bit of atmosphere. More than water on the beverage menu which is a nice sight after only seeing Central water there in past visits. The Central band in attendance taking up an entire section with 100 members. That means they get our daily music selection.
Song of the Day
Low Rider - War
Game Time
Roosevelt Scott the remaining member of the big 3 needed to step up and he started strong. A pullup jumper, a drive where he missed both freebies and then signing a poster on a dunk at the 13:18 mark. 10-8 Johnson leads. Martin Smith tips in a miss and Montrell Williams nails a jumper for a 19-15 Central lead at the 9:45 mark. Smith on the post for 2 and he adds a later free throw. 24 all at the 6:12 mark Smith picks up his 3rd foul and has to sit at the 3:47 mark 2 Will McDonough free throws at 2:50 cut the Johnson lead to 30-29. Scott with 5 in a row (Montrell Williams 3rd foul), a turnover for 2 Anthony Lee free throws, Scott with a steal for 2 and another turnover for a Waylon Johnson layup. Its an 11-0 run in 1:31 as Central just can't deal with the Johnson 2-2-1 press. Central with the last 4 of the half to trail 41-33 at the break.
Martin Smith picks up his fourth foul at the 16:35 mark as he fouls Scott for 1 free throw. Then Scott with a steal for another dunk followed by a Trey Coffman layup and the lead is 12. Timeout Central down 46-34 with 15:42 left. Montrell Williams led Central with 10 first half points but he picks up his 4th at the 14:29 mark. That's another Scott free throw which he follows with an uncontested drive to the rack for layup. Then another turnover for a layup to push the lead to 15. 1 free throw at the 10:34 mark for Central cuts the lead to 57-44. That's as close as Central will get. Scott with a layup before he picks up his 4th and has to sit at the 8:31 mark. 61-44 Johnson and Smith and Williams are still on the bench. If a run was to be made it was right there, so I would have gotten them right in the game. Frosh Markus Taylor-Knighten then picks up his 4th 20 seconds later and you have 3 of your 4 top players on the bench with 4 in a blowout. Scott comes back in the game and makes 1 more leaner before fouling out with 6:23 left. Montrell Williams doesn't come back in until the 6:03 mark, Smith and Knighten don't come back until 5:40 left. By that time the lead is 20 and this one is long since over. Smith adds on 9 late points that don't matter as those foul trouble kids played until the end. That just didn't make sense to me. Play them when Scott is on the bench with 4 and take your chances and then get the end of the bench kids in if you don't make the comeback. Johnson wins 83-62.
Post Game
For Central, they fall to 9-8 and 3-2 in the St. Paul City. That's a 3 way tie for 2nd with Highland Park and Como Park. Martin Smith 17 points and 9 rebounds but half of those stats were after he came back in late in the blowout. Markus Taylor-Knighten a productive night with 9 points and close to double-digit boards despite some foul trouble. Coach Howell still insists on using William McDonough at the point, he had 12 points but 8 turnovers. That's just not playing to his strong points as a scorer especially when you have a true point guard, Diallo Powell, in your rotation. The Minutemen start a difficult 5 game stretch next week with games at Highland Park and Concordia. 1st 4 of those games are on the road and then a home grudge match with Orono in 3 weeks. Central pulled the upset at Orono last season.
For Johnson, Roosevelt Scott steps up big with 32 points on 11-16 shooting. 18 of those in the first half and then big points in the second half to break the game open. Anthony Lee 11 points and 8 other players score for the Governors. Their pressure defense forced anywhere in the range of 30-40 turnovers so the rematch at Johnson to end the season with Tyler and Marshall healthy could be really ugly. Though Johnson likely won't have anything to play for in that game since Central already has another league loss. The teams combined for 52 fouls resulting in 37-60 makes. Johnson is now 16-2 (16-0 MN opponents) and sweeps the 1st round of St. Paul play at 5-0. Their league winning streak is now is at 39 since January of 2008 (when Central beat them). They host Como Park on Tuesday.
Orioles fly through Tornadoes
Prologue
Its a trip to Osseo for a NW Suburban showdown with Anoka. Quality showdown of point guards with Terez Van Pelt taking on Marcus Tyus. Tyus back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game for Anoka. Quality Dominos pizza tonight from the concession stand. 3rd Rock from the Sun ref is working again tonight. A long wait to get started as we had Parent's Night with all teams having the parents introduced. The line took up both ends and 1 sideline. Forest Lake in the building scouting Anoka for section time. Everybody clap your hands for our song of the day.
Song of the Day
Cha Cha Slide - DJ Casper
Game Time
DJ Hebert with 3 3s and a Joey Sonnenfeld 3. There's an 8-0 run with that too, 19-7 Osseo at 11:50. 6 in a row from Anoka before a Bridge Tusler steal for a dunk pushes the lead back to 9. Ian Theisen with a pair of inside hoops before he leaves for good with a cut to the head with 2:54 left in the half. Terez Van Pelt with a pair of late 3s. Osseo leads 39-26 at half.
The lead expands to 18 before Anoka's Brandon Lindquist scores a pair of buckets. That cuts the lead to 46-34 with 12:55 left. Van Pelt then with a tough offensive rebound for a 3 point play. Sonnenfeld all over the offensive glass, his 4th offensive board for points of the half makes it a 56-39 game at the 8:26 mark and Spencer Grow has to sit with 4 fouls. Then Anoka heats up from 3. Marcus Tyus with a pair, Eric Jordan with a pair of 3s and Grow back in to hit the 5th Tornadoes 3 in 5 minutes. All of a sudden its 64-58 Osseo with 2 minutes left. But Van Pelt seals it with another 3 point play and a 2 free throws. Osseo wins 69-58.
Post Game
For Anoka, Marcus Tyus leads the way with 22 points. I had him shooting 7-18 from the floor with 4 3s. Spencer Grow with 11 for the other Tornado in double figures. Interesting matchup zone from Anoka as well. Anoka falls to 5-8 in the NW Suburban, 7-9 overall. They've lost 7 out of 9 over the last month and while the schedule has been tougher, they have had Marcus Tyus back from injury. They visit Totino-Grace on Saturday.
For Osseo, Terez Van Pelt leads the way with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Joey Sonnenfeld continues to be the heart and soul of the Orioles with his toughness. 19 points and had to be close to double-digit rebounds and he always has the tough defensive assignment. DJ Hebert 3 3s on the night, 11 of his 15 in the first half to open the lead. Osseo now 17-2 and they stay on top of the NW Suburban at 12-1. They have the big conference showdown at Blaine on Tuesday. Blaine beat the Orioles 61-53 just before Christmas.
Its a trip to Osseo for a NW Suburban showdown with Anoka. Quality showdown of point guards with Terez Van Pelt taking on Marcus Tyus. Tyus back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game for Anoka. Quality Dominos pizza tonight from the concession stand. 3rd Rock from the Sun ref is working again tonight. A long wait to get started as we had Parent's Night with all teams having the parents introduced. The line took up both ends and 1 sideline. Forest Lake in the building scouting Anoka for section time. Everybody clap your hands for our song of the day.
Song of the Day
Cha Cha Slide - DJ Casper
Game Time
DJ Hebert with 3 3s and a Joey Sonnenfeld 3. There's an 8-0 run with that too, 19-7 Osseo at 11:50. 6 in a row from Anoka before a Bridge Tusler steal for a dunk pushes the lead back to 9. Ian Theisen with a pair of inside hoops before he leaves for good with a cut to the head with 2:54 left in the half. Terez Van Pelt with a pair of late 3s. Osseo leads 39-26 at half.
The lead expands to 18 before Anoka's Brandon Lindquist scores a pair of buckets. That cuts the lead to 46-34 with 12:55 left. Van Pelt then with a tough offensive rebound for a 3 point play. Sonnenfeld all over the offensive glass, his 4th offensive board for points of the half makes it a 56-39 game at the 8:26 mark and Spencer Grow has to sit with 4 fouls. Then Anoka heats up from 3. Marcus Tyus with a pair, Eric Jordan with a pair of 3s and Grow back in to hit the 5th Tornadoes 3 in 5 minutes. All of a sudden its 64-58 Osseo with 2 minutes left. But Van Pelt seals it with another 3 point play and a 2 free throws. Osseo wins 69-58.
Post Game
For Anoka, Marcus Tyus leads the way with 22 points. I had him shooting 7-18 from the floor with 4 3s. Spencer Grow with 11 for the other Tornado in double figures. Interesting matchup zone from Anoka as well. Anoka falls to 5-8 in the NW Suburban, 7-9 overall. They've lost 7 out of 9 over the last month and while the schedule has been tougher, they have had Marcus Tyus back from injury. They visit Totino-Grace on Saturday.
For Osseo, Terez Van Pelt leads the way with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Joey Sonnenfeld continues to be the heart and soul of the Orioles with his toughness. 19 points and had to be close to double-digit rebounds and he always has the tough defensive assignment. DJ Hebert 3 3s on the night, 11 of his 15 in the first half to open the lead. Osseo now 17-2 and they stay on top of the NW Suburban at 12-1. They have the big conference showdown at Blaine on Tuesday. Blaine beat the Orioles 61-53 just before Christmas.
Hawks clip Totino-Grace
Labels:
Rashad Vaughn
Prologue
Duplication days begin with tonight's look at Cooper vs Totino-Grace (I'll likely see TG again on Saturday). Its the hands down best bargain in metro concessions food with the $2 Taco In a Bag, but a twist tonight. It was made with the Cool Ranch Doritos instead of the regular Nacho ones. I had tempered expectations but the result was very good. Though Her Majesty just sent me a note today hoping to see milk and apples on a menu sometime. Irondale and Armstrong amongst the schools looking on and a college or 2. We also get famous dads Kevin McHale and Anthony LaPanta in the building. Have to mention the quality performance by the TG Percussion Ensemble. Anything with multiple xylophones, especially on wheels, is going to get a quality review in my book. A GopherLady look alike on the way home and John Lithgow (3rd rock from the Sun) look alike officiating. So since we're on celebrities, let's go with one for our song of the day.
Song of the Day
Eddie Murphy - Party all the Time
Game Time
Back and forth early with both teams going zone. Terrance Averyheart with a pair of 3s for Cooper around a Sam Meyer 3 for TG. Nick Carr with a layup to beat the Cooper press. 14-13 Cooper at the 13 minute mark. Averyheart with his 3rd 3 and a Charles Williams 3 point play for a 22-13 lead. TG cuts the lead to 4 with Carr in the middle of the Cooper zone and a Alex Kreuser 3. 24-20 at the 10:10 mark. Then Cooper breaks the game open. Handful Pour with 3 3s, Rashad Vaughn with a steal for 2 and another turnover for an Averyheart 3 point play. Over 7:50 just before the half its a 20-6 Cooper run that stretches the lead to 18. Its 46-31 Cooper at the half. Handful Pour 13 with 3 3s. Averyheart 14 on 3 more 3s.
Second half isn't much better. Kreuser starts the half with a 3 to cut the lead to 12 before Cooper stops that. Williams for 3, Rashad Vaughn with a steal for an Averyheart layup, Vaughn cuts for a layup and a turnover gives him a big dunk. 57-37 with 13 minutes left. TG 2 of 4 from the line before another Vaughn steal leads to him getting another dunk. 59-43 with 9 minutes left. Another exciting play right after that and Cooper wins 85-66.
Post Game
Totino-Grace falls to 9-8, 4-5 in the North Suburban. Alex Kreuser 17 of his 24 in the second half. Sam Meyer 12 of his 16 in the first half. Nick Carr with a nice showing inside with 14 points. Cooper just too athletic on this night. The Eagles travel to St. Francis on Friday and then have a quick turnaround hosting Anoka on Saturday afternoon.
Cooper improves 10-5, 5-3 in the North Suburban. That 5-3 mark is a 4 way tie for 3rd in the league with Columbia Heights, Irondale and Spring Lake Park. Terrance Averyheart 14 of his 25 in the first half. Handful Pour 13 of his 16 in the first half. Their 6 3s were big in breaking this one open. Rashad Vaughn 12 points and he had at least 6 steals. Very active getting his hands on the ball. Raheem Tyner 8 points and close to double-digit rebounds. The Hawks host Chisago Lakes on Friday before the quick 1 PM Saturday turnaround at home vs archrival Armstrong. Cooper had a lengthy winning streak in the series snapped in the last meeting between the teams last year.
Duplication days begin with tonight's look at Cooper vs Totino-Grace (I'll likely see TG again on Saturday). Its the hands down best bargain in metro concessions food with the $2 Taco In a Bag, but a twist tonight. It was made with the Cool Ranch Doritos instead of the regular Nacho ones. I had tempered expectations but the result was very good. Though Her Majesty just sent me a note today hoping to see milk and apples on a menu sometime. Irondale and Armstrong amongst the schools looking on and a college or 2. We also get famous dads Kevin McHale and Anthony LaPanta in the building. Have to mention the quality performance by the TG Percussion Ensemble. Anything with multiple xylophones, especially on wheels, is going to get a quality review in my book. A GopherLady look alike on the way home and John Lithgow (3rd rock from the Sun) look alike officiating. So since we're on celebrities, let's go with one for our song of the day.
Song of the Day
Eddie Murphy - Party all the Time
Game Time
Back and forth early with both teams going zone. Terrance Averyheart with a pair of 3s for Cooper around a Sam Meyer 3 for TG. Nick Carr with a layup to beat the Cooper press. 14-13 Cooper at the 13 minute mark. Averyheart with his 3rd 3 and a Charles Williams 3 point play for a 22-13 lead. TG cuts the lead to 4 with Carr in the middle of the Cooper zone and a Alex Kreuser 3. 24-20 at the 10:10 mark. Then Cooper breaks the game open. Handful Pour with 3 3s, Rashad Vaughn with a steal for 2 and another turnover for an Averyheart 3 point play. Over 7:50 just before the half its a 20-6 Cooper run that stretches the lead to 18. Its 46-31 Cooper at the half. Handful Pour 13 with 3 3s. Averyheart 14 on 3 more 3s.
Second half isn't much better. Kreuser starts the half with a 3 to cut the lead to 12 before Cooper stops that. Williams for 3, Rashad Vaughn with a steal for an Averyheart layup, Vaughn cuts for a layup and a turnover gives him a big dunk. 57-37 with 13 minutes left. TG 2 of 4 from the line before another Vaughn steal leads to him getting another dunk. 59-43 with 9 minutes left. Another exciting play right after that and Cooper wins 85-66.
Post Game
Totino-Grace falls to 9-8, 4-5 in the North Suburban. Alex Kreuser 17 of his 24 in the second half. Sam Meyer 12 of his 16 in the first half. Nick Carr with a nice showing inside with 14 points. Cooper just too athletic on this night. The Eagles travel to St. Francis on Friday and then have a quick turnaround hosting Anoka on Saturday afternoon.
Cooper improves 10-5, 5-3 in the North Suburban. That 5-3 mark is a 4 way tie for 3rd in the league with Columbia Heights, Irondale and Spring Lake Park. Terrance Averyheart 14 of his 25 in the first half. Handful Pour 13 of his 16 in the first half. Their 6 3s were big in breaking this one open. Rashad Vaughn 12 points and he had at least 6 steals. Very active getting his hands on the ball. Raheem Tyner 8 points and close to double-digit rebounds. The Hawks host Chisago Lakes on Friday before the quick 1 PM Saturday turnaround at home vs archrival Armstrong. Cooper had a lengthy winning streak in the series snapped in the last meeting between the teams last year.
Eden Prairie shoots down Hopkins
Labels:
Joe Coleman,
Marvin Singleton
Prologue
Welcome to the new Lake Conference #3AAAA Eden Prairie. You start your adventure in the league with a trip to #1AAAA Hopkins. These teams also ranked 1 and 2 in the CzarPI and QRF so on paper this one looks to be a dandy, though I had low expectations. A quality Walking Taco as always at Hopkins. Pretty good crowd and the Mr Basketball committee moved from front row to an obscure spot by coaches farther up. Pretty good crowd on hand as well, but no Hopkins pep band which would have been a nice addition. But we do get the Hopkins mascot which is quality. You know the result so let's pick a fitting song. The band is an easy choice.
Song of the Day
The Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane
Game Time
Eden Prairie hanging around early with a Dylan Stewart putback and then Conner Nord to Jacob Foss on a nice interior pass for a layup. Then Grant Soderberg, once, twice, three times 3 is nice. 18-12 EP at 12:25. Marvin Singleton with 2 putbacks before EP goes off. Stewart with a nice spin for 2 and a skip pass finds Jack Klukas for 3. Stewart leaves with his second foul with 8:31 left in the half and EP isn't affected. Klukas for 3, skip to Soderberg for another 3, Blake Wragge for 3. Soderberg with a pair of layups and then an offensive rebound is kicked out to Klukas for 3. 44-26 Eden Prairie with the shocking lead at half after a 26-10 run over the last 11 minutes. 9 bombs in the half for Eden Prairie.
After some paint surely came off the walls of the Hopkins locker room at half, they come out with a purpose. Hopkins 3 quick drives to the rim for 5 of 6 free throws (Coleman 3 of 4). 48-33 only 1:05 into the half and Hopkins is at another level and the feel of a huge run is there. Soderberg backdoor to push the lead right back to 18 at 13:50. Singleton with a layup, Zach Stahl with a 3 point play and Coleman for 3. 54-43 EP with 11:15 left. Stewart back to back layups and we're back to 15. He sits with foul #4 at 9:41. Singleton all over the place in the 2nd half. On the post for 2, then a clutch block and he rewards himself with a 3 point play on the other end. 8:12 left, 62-51 EP. Soderberg drive and kick back to Wragge for the only EP 3 of the 2nd half. 2 EP FTs at 5:29 put them up 69-53 and they've done a nice job of weathering the storm.
But that was just the first wave. Coleman with a putback, Singleton on a drive, a turnover results in a Coleman 3, a missed layup and Coleman lays it in on the other end. EP misses, Hopkins misses 2 chances but EP turns it over and Demetrius Martin nails a 3. Singleton with another clutch block and he puts back a miss on the other end. Holy cow, Hopkins is within 69-67 with 1:40 left after a 14-0 run. Out of a timeout, a great play call on the sideline out of bounds for a Stewart layup and then Hopkins turns it over for a Stewart FT. 72-67 EP with 1:07 left. Chambers 2 free throws and Soderberg misses a front end with 44.7 left. Singleton goes to the hoop for 2 to cut the lead to 1. Sander Mohn 2 FTs for EP. 74-71 Eden Prairie with 28.4 left. Hopkins takes their last timeout with the ball. Its a well executed Howard Pulley look for a Joe Coleman 3 that is short. Marvin Singleton gets the board. Ball becomes loose and a jump ball goes to Eden Prairie with 10 seconds left. Stewart makes 1 of 2 and forces a tieup on his miss with 6.3 left. Hopkins is out of timeouts so this one is effectively over. Hopkins misses at the buzzer and Eden Prairie pulls the shocking upset 75-71.
Post Game
For Hopkins, Marvin Singleton leads the way with 24 and 12, most of those in the 2nd half. Interesting enough it was drives and putbacks that did the work. Very little in the way of actual postups. Joe Coleman 7-15 for 23 points and 7 rebounds. He'd like to have 4 or 5 looks back though as he had some bunnies that he normally makes not go in. I had him 2-6 in actual shooting with a couple of 3s. But giving up 9 3s was the dagger in the first half. Hopkins 22-48 from the floor and 5-17 from 3. The Royals fall to 15-1, 0-1 and host Wayzata on Friday
Eden Prairie is now 14-2, 1-0. Grant Soderberg leads the way with 18 of his 22 points in the first half. 9-15 shooting including 4 of 6 from 3 on my sheet. Dylan Stewart was plagued by foul trouble all night but he still finished with 18 points (12 in the 2nd half) and 6 rebounds on 7-9 shooting. Jack Klukas 5-5, 4-4 from 3 (all 1st half) for 14 points. Eden Prairie shoots 27-41 for the game, 10-14 from 3 (9-13 1st half). They host Minnetonka Friday before a tough 3 game road stretch starts on Saturday.
The teams meet again on February 18th at Eden Prairie. Great trivia question from Mr. Basketball chairman Ken Lien tonight. Name the last team to beat 2 #1s on the road in back to back games. (For the record I don't know). Remember Eden Prairie won at #1AAA DeLaSalle last Saturday. Hopkins could have done it if Johnson would have beat Hyde Park in the Best Buy Holiday Classic.
Late Game Strategy Thoughts
Now I'm in no position to be critical of a coach that has won 600 some games and has forgotten more basketball than I'll ever know, but I didn't like coach Novak's strategy in the last 30 seconds. Out of Eden Prairie 2 free throws and 28.4 left in a 1 possession game, he took his last timeout. That effectively takes 7-9 seconds off the clock because the clock runs after a made basket. That shortens the game when Hopkins would want the game to be extended With that much time left, I think you call Siyani Chambers over (an experienced point guard and your floor leader) and have him get you into something quick to the rim and look for the best shot, 2 or 3. Keep the pressure on Eden Prairie to make free throws since I felt they appeared at a breaking point for most of the second half. It would also have saved the timeout if they needed a 3 later or to stop the clock after a made bucket.
I think it also handcuffed Hopkins into having to go for a 3 early since they wouldn't have had a timeout to draw a play up later or stop the clock. That said, going early may be the best look at 3 that you'll get. Coach Novak had Martin curl off of 2 left elbow screens and then had Coleman flare off of Singleton to the left wing after his initial screen for the open 3. The play was well designed (Howard Pulley 16s ran the same thing for Tyus Jones during the summer with Tyler Vaughan coming off that double), perfectly executed and Coleman got a clean look that was on line but short. Your best player gets a clean look to tie and you show confidence in your star, great call right? I understand the logic and there are good principles in it but I don't like the call.. I've documented Coleman's shooting plenty here. With guys like Siyani Chambers, Demetrius Martin, Nick Jorgenson, Jamal Davis and Zach Stahl (who had fouled out), you have plenty of options for shooters that I would rather have seen shoot that 3. My alternative is this. I think the same play with Coleman curling hard to the basket off that left elbow double screen would have been a great first option for a quick 2 with one of those other shooters flaring off for the wide open 3 as a 2nd option.
Welcome to the new Lake Conference #3AAAA Eden Prairie. You start your adventure in the league with a trip to #1AAAA Hopkins. These teams also ranked 1 and 2 in the CzarPI and QRF so on paper this one looks to be a dandy, though I had low expectations. A quality Walking Taco as always at Hopkins. Pretty good crowd and the Mr Basketball committee moved from front row to an obscure spot by coaches farther up. Pretty good crowd on hand as well, but no Hopkins pep band which would have been a nice addition. But we do get the Hopkins mascot which is quality. You know the result so let's pick a fitting song. The band is an easy choice.
Song of the Day
The Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane
Game Time
Eden Prairie hanging around early with a Dylan Stewart putback and then Conner Nord to Jacob Foss on a nice interior pass for a layup. Then Grant Soderberg, once, twice, three times 3 is nice. 18-12 EP at 12:25. Marvin Singleton with 2 putbacks before EP goes off. Stewart with a nice spin for 2 and a skip pass finds Jack Klukas for 3. Stewart leaves with his second foul with 8:31 left in the half and EP isn't affected. Klukas for 3, skip to Soderberg for another 3, Blake Wragge for 3. Soderberg with a pair of layups and then an offensive rebound is kicked out to Klukas for 3. 44-26 Eden Prairie with the shocking lead at half after a 26-10 run over the last 11 minutes. 9 bombs in the half for Eden Prairie.
After some paint surely came off the walls of the Hopkins locker room at half, they come out with a purpose. Hopkins 3 quick drives to the rim for 5 of 6 free throws (Coleman 3 of 4). 48-33 only 1:05 into the half and Hopkins is at another level and the feel of a huge run is there. Soderberg backdoor to push the lead right back to 18 at 13:50. Singleton with a layup, Zach Stahl with a 3 point play and Coleman for 3. 54-43 EP with 11:15 left. Stewart back to back layups and we're back to 15. He sits with foul #4 at 9:41. Singleton all over the place in the 2nd half. On the post for 2, then a clutch block and he rewards himself with a 3 point play on the other end. 8:12 left, 62-51 EP. Soderberg drive and kick back to Wragge for the only EP 3 of the 2nd half. 2 EP FTs at 5:29 put them up 69-53 and they've done a nice job of weathering the storm.
But that was just the first wave. Coleman with a putback, Singleton on a drive, a turnover results in a Coleman 3, a missed layup and Coleman lays it in on the other end. EP misses, Hopkins misses 2 chances but EP turns it over and Demetrius Martin nails a 3. Singleton with another clutch block and he puts back a miss on the other end. Holy cow, Hopkins is within 69-67 with 1:40 left after a 14-0 run. Out of a timeout, a great play call on the sideline out of bounds for a Stewart layup and then Hopkins turns it over for a Stewart FT. 72-67 EP with 1:07 left. Chambers 2 free throws and Soderberg misses a front end with 44.7 left. Singleton goes to the hoop for 2 to cut the lead to 1. Sander Mohn 2 FTs for EP. 74-71 Eden Prairie with 28.4 left. Hopkins takes their last timeout with the ball. Its a well executed Howard Pulley look for a Joe Coleman 3 that is short. Marvin Singleton gets the board. Ball becomes loose and a jump ball goes to Eden Prairie with 10 seconds left. Stewart makes 1 of 2 and forces a tieup on his miss with 6.3 left. Hopkins is out of timeouts so this one is effectively over. Hopkins misses at the buzzer and Eden Prairie pulls the shocking upset 75-71.
Post Game
For Hopkins, Marvin Singleton leads the way with 24 and 12, most of those in the 2nd half. Interesting enough it was drives and putbacks that did the work. Very little in the way of actual postups. Joe Coleman 7-15 for 23 points and 7 rebounds. He'd like to have 4 or 5 looks back though as he had some bunnies that he normally makes not go in. I had him 2-6 in actual shooting with a couple of 3s. But giving up 9 3s was the dagger in the first half. Hopkins 22-48 from the floor and 5-17 from 3. The Royals fall to 15-1, 0-1 and host Wayzata on Friday
Eden Prairie is now 14-2, 1-0. Grant Soderberg leads the way with 18 of his 22 points in the first half. 9-15 shooting including 4 of 6 from 3 on my sheet. Dylan Stewart was plagued by foul trouble all night but he still finished with 18 points (12 in the 2nd half) and 6 rebounds on 7-9 shooting. Jack Klukas 5-5, 4-4 from 3 (all 1st half) for 14 points. Eden Prairie shoots 27-41 for the game, 10-14 from 3 (9-13 1st half). They host Minnetonka Friday before a tough 3 game road stretch starts on Saturday.
The teams meet again on February 18th at Eden Prairie. Great trivia question from Mr. Basketball chairman Ken Lien tonight. Name the last team to beat 2 #1s on the road in back to back games. (For the record I don't know). Remember Eden Prairie won at #1AAA DeLaSalle last Saturday. Hopkins could have done it if Johnson would have beat Hyde Park in the Best Buy Holiday Classic.
Late Game Strategy Thoughts
Now I'm in no position to be critical of a coach that has won 600 some games and has forgotten more basketball than I'll ever know, but I didn't like coach Novak's strategy in the last 30 seconds. Out of Eden Prairie 2 free throws and 28.4 left in a 1 possession game, he took his last timeout. That effectively takes 7-9 seconds off the clock because the clock runs after a made basket. That shortens the game when Hopkins would want the game to be extended With that much time left, I think you call Siyani Chambers over (an experienced point guard and your floor leader) and have him get you into something quick to the rim and look for the best shot, 2 or 3. Keep the pressure on Eden Prairie to make free throws since I felt they appeared at a breaking point for most of the second half. It would also have saved the timeout if they needed a 3 later or to stop the clock after a made bucket.
I think it also handcuffed Hopkins into having to go for a 3 early since they wouldn't have had a timeout to draw a play up later or stop the clock. That said, going early may be the best look at 3 that you'll get. Coach Novak had Martin curl off of 2 left elbow screens and then had Coleman flare off of Singleton to the left wing after his initial screen for the open 3. The play was well designed (Howard Pulley 16s ran the same thing for Tyus Jones during the summer with Tyler Vaughan coming off that double), perfectly executed and Coleman got a clean look that was on line but short. Your best player gets a clean look to tie and you show confidence in your star, great call right? I understand the logic and there are good principles in it but I don't like the call.. I've documented Coleman's shooting plenty here. With guys like Siyani Chambers, Demetrius Martin, Nick Jorgenson, Jamal Davis and Zach Stahl (who had fouled out), you have plenty of options for shooters that I would rather have seen shoot that 3. My alternative is this. I think the same play with Coleman curling hard to the basket off that left elbow double screen would have been a great first option for a quick 2 with one of those other shooters flaring off for the wide open 3 as a 2nd option.
Rebels comeback against Pirates
Prologue
Its annual first Tuesday of February is screwed up schedule, so we get conference games in the NW Suburban on a Monday night. This one takes me to Park Center for my first look of the season at the Pirates as they take on Champlin Park. Now Park Center is known for their pep band (not in the house tonight, so sad) and usually quality pizza. But they have Walking Tacos, WOO HOO! Haven't had one of those in a long while and I may hit that 3 straight nights with Hopkins and Totino-Grace coming up the next 2 nights. A little salsa for kick and a healthy dollup of sour cream to soothe it, good stuff. For music, let's go with a 1 hit wonder since Park Center was looking to get in the way of Champlin Park's conference title run.
Song of the Day
Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
Game Time
First 4 of the game go to Park Center with a Kevin Handy reverse layup on the post. 10-7 Park Center at the 11:30 mark after a Rebels tip in. Then 7 in a row from the Pirates with Handy on the post again and a Quinton Hooker spin move for 2. That gives Park Center an 18-7 lead but coach Bo Powell bails Champlin out with the timeout they desperately needed. But with nothing going in what do you say? The timeout appears to kill the momentum as Champlin gets the next 2 buckets. Showing that I know NOTHING, Handy and Treyton Daniels score again and Terrance Elmore buries a 3 for 7 more in a row for Park Center. 15-4 is the total run. 25-11 late in the half before Champlin rebounds with the last 4. 25-15 Park Center at halftime.
Second half has TJ Okafor on a mission. He opens the second half with 2 putbacks and shows some range with a 3 all in the 1st 2 minutes. 27-24 Park Center. Champlin Park finally gets the game to even on a free throw at the 13:08 mark. 29 all. The shooting in this one not something that going to make a highlight reel. Okafor makes 2 free throws and Champlin Park goes 2-3 zone down 32-31 with 12+ left. Park Center promptly extends the offense. The Rebels try a possession of 1-3-1 and go back to 2-3. Once again Park Center wants nothing to do with the zone and CP immediately comes out it outside of 9 minutes left. Kevin Handy with 3 fouls and getting a surprisingly long rest before he comes back in with 8 minutes left. That's after a Hooker bucket for a 36-35 lead. Michael Sales 2 free throws and then off a Pirates turnover, Okafor gets out and runs his way to a 2 handed dunk. 39-36 Champlin Park with 6:42 left and they return the earlier favor with a timeout. Teddy Gibson with a steal to push the lead to 5. But the foul like for Rebels was a struggle all night and they miss their next 4. Isaiah Lynn with a pair of buckets along with Handy inside for a 7-2 spurt. 43-41 Park Center with 4 minutes left. Okafor right back with a good spin move to tie it. The teams trade 1 free throw before Okafor goes up and gets a man's rebound on the defensive end. That's 2 more free throws, 46-44 Champlin Park with 2:43 left. Out of a timeout, they're back to the 2-3 zone and with the lead Park Center now has to play against it. That's the danger of pulling it out early. Handy misses and Anthony Hill goes to the floater driving right baseline to push the lead to 4. Hooker in and out for 3 but the Rebels miss 2 free throws on the other end. Gibson with another steal for 1 free throw with 55.1 left. That's a 5 point lead and Okafor adds 3 of 4 free throws to seal it. 54-47 Champlin Park wins.
Post Game
For Park Center, Kevin Handy with 8 of his 13 in the first half where he outplayed Okafor inside. Star guard Quinton Hooker 9 of his 11 in the second half. I was surprised Handy didn't get more looks in the second half since he was the best first half offense they had. With an off night from Hooker, they'll struggle to score. The Pirates fall to 5-11, 4-7 and have Maple Grove, Armstrong and Osseo in their next 3 games, ouch.
For Champlin Park, they outscore Park Center 39-22 in the second half. TJ Okafor finishes with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. 20 and 9 and all 3 blocks in the 2nd half as he flipped the switch and took over. Anthony Hill 10 of his 14 in the 2nd half. Take out Okafor's 7-8 FTs and the rest of the team was 8-23 from the charity stripe. The Rebels stay 1 game behind in the NW Suburban standings. They visit section foe Spring Lake Park on Saturday before hosting Maple Grove on Tuesday.
Its annual first Tuesday of February is screwed up schedule, so we get conference games in the NW Suburban on a Monday night. This one takes me to Park Center for my first look of the season at the Pirates as they take on Champlin Park. Now Park Center is known for their pep band (not in the house tonight, so sad) and usually quality pizza. But they have Walking Tacos, WOO HOO! Haven't had one of those in a long while and I may hit that 3 straight nights with Hopkins and Totino-Grace coming up the next 2 nights. A little salsa for kick and a healthy dollup of sour cream to soothe it, good stuff. For music, let's go with a 1 hit wonder since Park Center was looking to get in the way of Champlin Park's conference title run.
Song of the Day
Break My Stride - Matthew Wilder
Game Time
First 4 of the game go to Park Center with a Kevin Handy reverse layup on the post. 10-7 Park Center at the 11:30 mark after a Rebels tip in. Then 7 in a row from the Pirates with Handy on the post again and a Quinton Hooker spin move for 2. That gives Park Center an 18-7 lead but coach Bo Powell bails Champlin out with the timeout they desperately needed. But with nothing going in what do you say? The timeout appears to kill the momentum as Champlin gets the next 2 buckets. Showing that I know NOTHING, Handy and Treyton Daniels score again and Terrance Elmore buries a 3 for 7 more in a row for Park Center. 15-4 is the total run. 25-11 late in the half before Champlin rebounds with the last 4. 25-15 Park Center at halftime.
Second half has TJ Okafor on a mission. He opens the second half with 2 putbacks and shows some range with a 3 all in the 1st 2 minutes. 27-24 Park Center. Champlin Park finally gets the game to even on a free throw at the 13:08 mark. 29 all. The shooting in this one not something that going to make a highlight reel. Okafor makes 2 free throws and Champlin Park goes 2-3 zone down 32-31 with 12+ left. Park Center promptly extends the offense. The Rebels try a possession of 1-3-1 and go back to 2-3. Once again Park Center wants nothing to do with the zone and CP immediately comes out it outside of 9 minutes left. Kevin Handy with 3 fouls and getting a surprisingly long rest before he comes back in with 8 minutes left. That's after a Hooker bucket for a 36-35 lead. Michael Sales 2 free throws and then off a Pirates turnover, Okafor gets out and runs his way to a 2 handed dunk. 39-36 Champlin Park with 6:42 left and they return the earlier favor with a timeout. Teddy Gibson with a steal to push the lead to 5. But the foul like for Rebels was a struggle all night and they miss their next 4. Isaiah Lynn with a pair of buckets along with Handy inside for a 7-2 spurt. 43-41 Park Center with 4 minutes left. Okafor right back with a good spin move to tie it. The teams trade 1 free throw before Okafor goes up and gets a man's rebound on the defensive end. That's 2 more free throws, 46-44 Champlin Park with 2:43 left. Out of a timeout, they're back to the 2-3 zone and with the lead Park Center now has to play against it. That's the danger of pulling it out early. Handy misses and Anthony Hill goes to the floater driving right baseline to push the lead to 4. Hooker in and out for 3 but the Rebels miss 2 free throws on the other end. Gibson with another steal for 1 free throw with 55.1 left. That's a 5 point lead and Okafor adds 3 of 4 free throws to seal it. 54-47 Champlin Park wins.
Post Game
For Park Center, Kevin Handy with 8 of his 13 in the first half where he outplayed Okafor inside. Star guard Quinton Hooker 9 of his 11 in the second half. I was surprised Handy didn't get more looks in the second half since he was the best first half offense they had. With an off night from Hooker, they'll struggle to score. The Pirates fall to 5-11, 4-7 and have Maple Grove, Armstrong and Osseo in their next 3 games, ouch.
For Champlin Park, they outscore Park Center 39-22 in the second half. TJ Okafor finishes with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. 20 and 9 and all 3 blocks in the 2nd half as he flipped the switch and took over. Anthony Hill 10 of his 14 in the 2nd half. Take out Okafor's 7-8 FTs and the rest of the team was 8-23 from the charity stripe. The Rebels stay 1 game behind in the NW Suburban standings. They visit section foe Spring Lake Park on Saturday before hosting Maple Grove on Tuesday.
2010-11 CzarPI, January 30, 2011
Labels:
10-11 CzarPI
Here is the 7th edition of the CzarPI for the 2010-2011 season (see CzarPI Explained here). It includes games through January 29th, 2011. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class. Since the MSHSL site says that Liberty Classical Academy is no longer playing in the section 4A tournament, I've removed them from the list (they're now treated like any non-MSHSL member).
Class AAAA
Class AA
Class AAAA
- Hopkins - 61.87 (23)
- Eden Prairie - 61.28 (6)
- Osseo - 60.11 (14)
- Eastview - 58.75 (50)
- Chaska - 58.13 (36)
- Wayzata - 57.99 (25)
- Robbinsdale Armstrong - 56.96 (42)
- Owatonna - 56.45 (62)
- Edina - 55.7 (45)
- Champlin Park - 55.58 (51)
- Tartan - 55.39 (65)
- Roseville - 55.23 (53)
- Lakeville South - 55.1 (18)
- Maple Grove - 54.34 (31)
- Moorhead - 54.27 (44)
- Robbinsdale Cooper - 53.86 (11)
- Buffalo - 53.8 (55)
- Shakopee - 53.65 (15)
- Duluth East - 53.57 (40)
- White Bear Lake - 53.39 (32)
- St. Louis Park - 52.67 (17)
- Blaine - 52.6 (12)
- Cretin-Derham Hall - 52.4 (24)
- Eagan - 52.36 (56)
- Burnsville - 51.82 (27)
- Forest Lake - 51.46 (63)
- St. Michael-Albertville - 50.84 (37)
- Apple Valley - 50.54 (10)
- Irondale - 50.53 (48)
- Spring Lake Park - 49.64 (33)
- Rochester Century - 49.57 (64)
- Duluth Central - 48.48 (61)
- Lakeville North - 47.92 (4)
- Cambridge-Isanti - 47.84 (26)
- Minneapolis North - 47.36 (35)
- East Ridge - 46.54 (59)
- Stillwater Area - 46.32 (54)
- Andover - 45.91 (7)
- Chanhassen - 45.82 (28)
- Anoka - 45.32 (13)
- Minneapolis South - 44.68 (39)
- Alexandria - 44.44 (49)
- Bloomington Kennedy - 44.35 (52)
- Prior Lake - 43.88 (2)
- Woodbury - 42.42 (43)
- North St. Paul - 41.69 (21)
- St. Cloud Tech - 41.04 (46)
- Rosemount - 40.19 (22)
- Bloomington Jefferson - 38.35 (19)
- Park Center - 37.55 (9)
- Elk River - 37.49 (30)
- Minnetonka - 37.33 (1)
- Mounds View - 36.65 (20)
- Rochester Mayo - 35.98 (34)
- Farmington - 34.66 (58)
- Northfield - 34.16 (5)
- Centennial - 32.97 (16)
- Henry Sibley - 32.88 (8)
- St. Francis - 32.28 (41)
- Minneapolis Southwest - 31.88 (57)
- Brainerd - 27.25 (29)
- Rochester John Marshall - 25.69 (38)
- Coon Rapids - 24.44 (3)
- Park of Cottage Grove - 23.56 (60)
- Hastings - 17.47 (47)
- St. Paul Johnson - 59.23 (34)
- Orono - 56.98 (12)
- Minneapolis Washburn - 55.89 (9)
- Waconia - 55.74 (5)
- Bemidji - 55.67 (49)
- Benilde-St. Margaret's - 55.01 (32)
- Marshall - 54.77 (2)
- Worthington - 54.39 (24)
- Detroit Lakes - 54.34 (17)
- Hill-Murray - 53.87 (23)
- Delano - 53.73 (38)
- New Prague - 53.71 (15)
- DeLaSalle - 53.55 (45)
- Little Falls - 53.27 (21)
- St. Cloud Apollo - 52.96 (41)
- Columbia Heights - 52.83 (35)
- Holy Family Catholic - 52.4 (36)
- Rogers - 52.33 (37)
- Hutchinson - 52.02 (6)
- Winona - 51.26 (42)
- Willmar - 50.88 (25)
- Totino-Grace - 50.73 (3)
- Richfield - 50.39 (55)
- St. Thomas Academy - 49.96 (43)
- St. Anthony Village - 49.94 (51)
- Grand Rapids - 49.66 (28)
- St. Paul Como Park - 49.23 (7)
- Big Lake - 48.88 (50)
- Mahtomedi - 48.84 (29)
- Rocori - 48.43 (56)
- Annandale - 48.18 (10)
- Austin - 47.69 (33)
- Hermantown - 47.67 (58)
- St. Paul Central - 47.65 (8)
- St. Paul Highland Park - 46.5 (46)
- Hibbing - 45.96 (44)
- Red Wing - 45.86 (57)
- Minneapolis Henry - 45.79 (52)
- Mankato East - 45.41 (20)
- Monticello - 43.79 (4)
- Mound-Westonka - 42.19 (31)
- Fergus Falls - 40.65 (39)
- Holy Angels - 40.63 (1)
- New Ulm - 40.08 (27)
- Chisago Lakes Area - 39.56 (16)
- St. Paul Harding - 37.66 (60)
- Mankato West - 37.17 (22)
- Cloquet - 36.65 (30)
- Faribault - 36.12 (19)
- Albert Lea - 36.07 (11)
- Sartell-St. Stephen - 34.08 (54)
- Fridley - 34.06 (26)
- Simley - 33.98 (48)
- North Branch - 30.82 (40)
- Waseca - 30.5 (47)
- Princeton - 30.46 (53)
- Dassel-Cokato - 30.31 (13)
- Becker - 27.48 (18)
- South St. Paul - 17.77 (59)
- Sauk Rapids-Rice - 0 (14)
Class AA
- Esko - 59.44 (17)
- Montevideo - 59.17 (25)
- Perham - 58.31 (44)
- Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 58.02 (97)
- Moose Lake-Willow River - 57.21 (46)
- Minnewaska Area - 55.96 (54)
- Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 55.96 (110)
- Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 55.86 (105)
- Stewartville - 55.74 (45)
- Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 55.72 (78)
- Bagley - 55.42 (111)
- Windom Area - 55.37 (32)
- Rochester Lourdes - 54.52 (8)
- New London-Spicer - 54.23 (33)
- Pelican Rapids - 54.18 (43)
- Redwood Valley - 53.92 (13)
- Thief River Falls - 53.91 (31)
- Caledonia - 53.89 (75)
- Braham - 53.49 (117)
- Mayer Lutheran - 53.15 (101)
- Maple River - 53.13 (106)
- Deer River - 53.12 (80)
- Kasson-Mantorville - 53.03 (115)
- Glencoe-Silver Lake - 52.98 (12)
- Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 52.94 (59)
- Pequot Lakes - 52.73 (52)
- Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 52.37 (109)
- Hawley - 51.72 (51)
- Kenyon-Wanamingo - 51.58 (100)
- Zimmerman - 51.19 (68)
- Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 51.17 (107)
- International Falls - 51.17 (124)
- Virginia - 50.98 (79)
- United South Central - 50.8 (49)
- St. Peter - 50.15 (87)
- Concordia Academy-Roseville - 50.1 (96)
- Hayfield - 49.89 (93)
- Litchfield - 49.85 (28)
- St. Cloud Cathedral - 49.76 (67)
- Blake - 49.74 (61)
- Byron - 49.69 (73)
- Jackson County Central - 49.07 (27)
- Fairmont - 48.78 (7)
- Sauk Centre - 48.06 (88)
- Kimball Area - 47.77 (26)
- Watertown-Mayer - 47.61 (37)
- Maple Lake - 47.14 (104)
- Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 47.12 (77)
- Trinity School - 46.82 (85)
- Kingsland - 46.7 (70)
- St. Croix Lutheran - 46.51 (57)
- Pierz - 46.18 (19)
- Jordan - 46.13 (121)
- Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 46.05 (81)
- Murray County Central - 46.05 (23)
- Southland - 46.03 (66)
- Albany - 45.93 (103)
- Lake City - 45.88 (39)
- East Grand Forks - 45.66 (91)
- Belle Plaine - 45.61 (64)
- Crookston - 45.43 (4)
- New Richland-H-E-G - 44.95 (35)
- La Crescent - 44.74 (83)
- St. Charles - 44.64 (89)
- Sibley East - 44.47 (55)
- Crosby-Ironton - 43.71 (76)
- Hinckley-Finlayson - 43.56 (65)
- Minnehaha Academy - 43.51 (94)
- Norwood-Young America - 43.48 (36)
- Martin County West - 43.14 (120)
- St. John's Prep - 42.99 (48)
- Rush City - 42.8 (62)
- Breckenridge - 42.74 (14)
- Melrose - 42.67 (92)
- Pine City - 41.75 (56)
- Benson - 41.62 (58)
- Providence Academy - 41.38 (122)
- West Central Area - 41.24 (21)
- Wadena-Deer Creek - 40.95 (30)
- Legacy Christian - 40.55 (113)
- Lac qui Parle Valley - 39.77 (34)
- Breck - 39.65 (112)
- LeSueur-Henderson - 39.54 (40)
- Warroad - 39.4 (60)
- BOLD - 38.95 (102)
- Lewiston-Altura - 38.72 (84)
- Red Lake - 38.65 (47)
- Mora - 38.48 (16)
- Holdingford - 38.43 (41)
- Roseau - 38 (125)
- Winona Cotter - 37.19 (86)
- Minneapolis Roosevelt - 37.03 (118)
- Eden Valley-Watkins - 36.82 (123)
- Aitkin - 36.59 (9)
- Rockford - 36.5 (69)
- Montgomery-Lonsdale - 35.64 (99)
- Great River - 35.36 (126)
- Blue Earth Area - 34.88 (82)
- Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 34.47 (24)
- Pipestone Area - 34.34 (5)
- Cannon Falls - 34.32 (42)
- Pine Island - 33.59 (50)
- Foley - 33.22 (63)
- Duluth Marshall - 33.14 (74)
- Luverne - 32.94 (15)
- St. James - 32.66 (72)
- Dover-Eyota - 32.03 (18)
- Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 31.78 (38)
- International School of MN - 31.47 (127)
- Triton - 31.29 (108)
- St. Paul Academy - 31.21 (114)
- Milaca - 30.87 (71)
- Staples-Motley - 30.52 (20)
- Proctor - 30.04 (116)
- Yellow Medicine East - 29.43 (29)
- Greenway - 29.3 (10)
- Osakis - 28.71 (2)
- Chatfield - 28.4 (22)
- Minneapolis Edison - 25.35 (119)
- Brooklyn Center - 22.58 (53)
- Eveleth-Gilbert - 22.49 (90)
- Frazee - 20.49 (11)
- Park Rapids Area - 17.85 (6)
- Mounds Park Academy - 16.09 (95)
- Two Harbors - 0 (1)
- Paynesville Area - 0 (3)
- Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 0 (98)
- Sebeka - 58.59 (55)
- Southwest MN Christian - 58.42 (68)
- Ellsworth - 55.49 (20)
- Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 55.38 (130)
- Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 55.32 (109)
- Springfield - 54.83 (101)
- Upsala - 54.78 (54)
- Ely - 54.7 (139)
- Battle Lake - 53.95 (149)
- Maranatha Christian - 53.49 (90)
- Orr - 53.12 (87)
- Heritage Christian - 52.54 (62)
- Sleepy Eye - 52.45 (106)
- Ulen-Hitterdal - 52.32 (99)
- Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 52.15 (102)
- Glenville-Emmons - 52.07 (151)
- McGregor - 51.9 (118)
- Hills-Beaver Creek - 51.71 (66)
- Lakeview Christian - 51.63 (150)
- Ada-Borup - 51.46 (75)
- MACCRAY - 51.38 (119)
- Bertha-Hewitt - 51.22 (31)
- Mankato Loyola - 51.21 (41)
- Browerville - 51.08 (143)
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 51.01 (10)
- Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 51 (9)
- East Central - 50.79 (96)
- Chisholm - 50.77 (146)
- Cass Lake-Bena - 50.71 (103)
- Minnesota Transitions Charter - 50.53 (63)
- Rushford-Peterson - 50.49 (98)
- Fosston - 49.87 (132)
- Northern Freeze - 49.85 (91)
- Goodhue - 49.63 (137)
- Mt. Lake/Butterfield-Odin - 49.4 (61)
- Eagle Valley - 49.14 (73)
- Cook County - 49.13 (15)
- Stephen-Argyle - 48.58 (134)
- Barnesville - 48.21 (92)
- Dawson-Boyd - 48.12 (104)
- Nevis - 47.63 (122)
- Bigfork - 47.4 (70)
- Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 47.37 (78)
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 47.36 (152)
- Prairie Seeds Academy - 47.29 (115)
- New York Mills - 46.94 (79)
- West Lutheran - 46.58 (135)
- Hill City - 46.48 (11)
- Blackduck - 46.47 (107)
- Spring Grove - 46.41 (147)
- Littlefork-Big Falls - 46.37 (35)
- Barnum - 45.71 (138)
- Truman - 45.66 (111)
- Norman County East - 45.62 (43)
- Isle - 45.15 (48)
- Houston - 44.96 (157)
- Brandon-Evansville - 44.95 (85)
- Kittson County Central - 44.81 (65)
- Ashby - 44.67 (100)
- Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 44.61 (88)
- Mahnomen - 44.55 (93)
- Fulda - 44.51 (14)
- FAIR Downtown - 44.34 (155)
- AlBrook/Cotton - 43.78 (59)
- Minneota - 43.4 (141)
- Red Lake County - 43.04 (133)
- Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 42.89 (45)
- Goodridge-Grygla - 42.73 (84)
- Bethany Academy - 42.56 (80)
- Lanesboro - 42.39 (154)
- Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 42.09 (83)
- New Ulm Cathedral - 42.04 (27)
- Tower-Soudan - 41.89 (33)
- Silver Bay - 41.87 (49)
- Nicollet - 41.82 (113)
- Nashwauk-Keewatin - 41.76 (71)
- St. Agnes - 41.76 (57)
- Bethlehem Academy - 41.75 (56)
- Southwest Star Concept - 41.65 (86)
- St. Paul Humboldt - 41.59 (89)
- Cherry - 41.57 (22)
- Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 41.36 (58)
- St. Clair - 41.09 (94)
- Round Lake-Brewster - 41.08 (69)
- Floodwood - 41.03 (21)
- Pine River-Backus - 40.3 (46)
- Onamia - 39.96 (53)
- New Life Academy - 39.66 (24)
- Clearbrook-Gonvick - 39.38 (30)
- Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 39 (12)
- Henning - 38.9 (81)
- Hope Lutheran - 38.63 (116)
- Blooming Prairie - 38.49 (25)
- Mountain Iron-Buhl - 38.14 (36)
- Kelliher/Northome - 37.56 (142)
- Fertile-Beltrami - 37.36 (7)
- Menahga - 37.34 (50)
- Southwest Christian - 36.85 (105)
- Carlton - 35.94 (23)
- Wabasso - 35.6 (74)
- Randolph - 35.49 (60)
- Royalton - 35.47 (39)
- Canby - 35.25 (112)
- Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 35.19 (166)
- Cromwell - 34.69 (29)
- Win-E-Mac - 34.69 (42)
- Central MN Christian - 34.64 (76)
- Alden-Conger - 34.63 (148)
- Lincoln HI - 34.49 (34)
- Academy for Sciences & Ag - 34.46 (169)
- Cook - 34.43 (26)
- Medford - 34.19 (108)
- Ortonville - 34.16 (114)
- Le Center - 34.15 (120)
- Mesabi East - 33.44 (126)
- Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 33.44 (16)
- Red Rock Central - 33.25 (18)
- Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 33.16 (64)
- Four Directions Charter - 33.03 (161)
- Mabel-Canton - 32.45 (131)
- Community of Peace Academy - 32.42 (168)
- Fillmore Central - 32.18 (5)
- Madelia - 31.78 (127)
- Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 31.61 (19)
- PACT Charter - 31.4 (77)
- Grand Meadow - 31.13 (124)
- Renville County West - 30.52 (82)
- Martin Luther - 29.76 (72)
- Math & Science Academy - 29.55 (170)
- Edgerton - 29.38 (17)
- Climax/Fisher - 29.02 (37)
- LeRoy-Ostrander - 28.85 (128)
- Park Christian - 28.76 (145)
- Wabasha-Kellogg - 28.52 (52)
- Parkers Prairie - 28.33 (44)
- Lake of the Woods - 28.25 (144)
- Lakeview - 28.13 (121)
- Verndale - 27.17 (3)
- Lake Park-Audubon - 27 (123)
- Sacred Heart - 25.99 (51)
- Babbitt-Embarrass - 25.53 (47)
- Calvin Christian - 25.39 (167)
- Ogilvie - 25.28 (6)
- Cannon Valley Lutheran - 24.36 (164)
- Cleveland - 24.02 (125)
- CHOF - 23.66 (95)
- Norman County West - 22 (117)
- Adrian - 21.68 (2)
- Underwood - 19.46 (129)
- MN Academy for the Deaf - 18.69 (165)
- Northland - 0 (97)
- Swanville - 0 (32)
- Hancock - 0 (13)
- Spectrum - 0 (158)
- St. Paul Prep - 0 (159)
- Laporte - 0 (162)
- Metro Deaf School - 0 (163)
- Wrenshall - 0 (1)
- Mesabi Academy - 0 (4)
- Pillager - 0 (8)
- Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 0 (28)
- Rothsay - 0 (38)
- Waubun - 0 (40)
- Schaeffer Academy - 0 (67)
- Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (110)
- E.C.H.O. Charter - 0 (136)
- North Lakes Academy - 0 (140)
- Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 0 (153)
- Learning for Leadership - 0 (156)
- Hmong Academy - 0 (160)
2011 Border Battle Observations
Labels:
Joe Coleman,
Marvin Singleton,
Siyani Chambers
Prologue
To St. Cloud Tech for the 5th annual Border Battle. Minnesota won last year 5-0 on Wisconsin soil so cheeseheads looking for revenge with a quality lineup of guards across the board. Minnesota defending home turf with the top 2 ranked teams in 4A and #6AAA Apollo in their home town. Respectable hot dog at the cramped concession stand, but props to the Breakdown folks for providing the media with Papa John's. I thought dibs on 1 piece per came called was fair (this was after game 4). I did the color commentary for 5 of the games on Webcast America. Links will be included below to go back and watch any of the games.
Song of the Day
Border Song - Elton John
Game 1: #2AAAA Tartan vs #2-D2 Seymour (Watch it here)
An outstanding opener between 2 of the best traditions in either state. Tartan hosted the inaugural Border Battle and Seymour beat Henry in that same Border Battle. Tartan uses 4 3s from 4 players and 3 interior buckets from Joel Awich to jump out to a 22-8 lead at the 9:05 mark of the 1st half. The rest of the half is all Seymour. Luke Preiner hits another 3 and the lead is 25-12. They use top scorer Cal Skogman in high pick and roll, usually with their other star Phil Romback and usually in transitions and Tartan has no answers. Skogman is in on the last 16 points of the half (11 + 2 ast to Romback for 5 more points) as Seymour finishes on a 14-0 run. 28-27 Seymour at half. Then 5 more out of the break for Skogman. That's involvement in 21 straight over 8:40. He nails another 3 and after a Seymour 3 its 46-34 Seymour with 12:05 left. Tartan had some success vs 1-3-1 with dribble penetration but it went away against 2-3 zone (something Hill-Murray has had great success with against the Titans). Tartan makes an adjustment to set high screens against the 2-3 and it works. Darrion Strong heats up for Tartan with back to back buckets to cut the lead to 6. Then another nice pullup and a tough 3 point play tie the game at 52 with 6 minutes left. Seymour with the ball up 3 late but can't hang on. After a turnover, 2 free throws cut the margin to 1, then 2 missed Seymour FTs with 49.4 left and Awich inside for an easy 2 puts Tartan back ahead with 35 seconds left. Seymour misses 2 or 3 good looks before Tartan makes 2 more freebies. Seymour can't convert at the end and Tartan comes back for a 62-59 win. Darrion Strong 13 of his 15 points in the second half to bring Tartan back. Joel Awich 14 points and 7 rebounds. Cal Skogman 25 points, Phil Romback 20 points for Seymour.
Game 2: Rocori vs #3-D3 Manitowoc Roncalli (Watch it here)
WOW is all I can say to this one. Rocori chooses to go man in the 1st half against the feared motion offense of Roncalli and all the Jets do is drain 11 3s to finish the half on a 21-10 run. Jets star Ben Stelzer (Michigan Tech signee) with 7 3s by himself. Rocori plays zone in the 2nd half and cuts the lead to 45-42 with 10:30 left behind 2 Jonah Eisenschenk buckets. But Stelzer counters with a 4 point play on his 9th 3 of the day. He sits with 4 fouls at the 7:55 mark and Roncalli up 4. Coach Joe Rux rolls the dice and brings him back in with a 54-50 lead and 6:08 left. All Stelzer does is score 8 of the last 10 Roncalli points to close the game out. Roncalli wins 64-54. Stelzer finishes with 10 3s and 41 points. Roncalli finished with 14 3s , 14 FTs and 4 2s. Jonah Eisenschenk 24 points, Nate Meyer 14 for Rocori.
Game 3: St. Cloud Cathedral vs #1-D3 La Crosse Aquinas (Watch it here)
After hammering my alma mater last night, Aquinas comes to town to play St. Cloud Cathedral. The first half Cathedral gives Aquinas all they want. It takes a Bronson Koenig high jumper at the halftime buzzer to tie the game at 32. Cathedral not keeping Evan Pederson out of the lane as he had 5 assists in the half for easy buckets. But Aquinas can't handle Joe Burt as he puts up 15 points in the half. Great matchup with Burt and Koenig going at each other. Bjorn Bjorklund with a 3 and then Scottie Rucks on the baseline drive to keep Cathedral up 46-45 with 10 minutes left. Koenig with a 3 off a set and then coast to coast for a 3 point play to put Aquinas up 55-48. Cathedral cuts the lead to 59-57 with 4:14 left as Koenig takes 3 quick shots and misses when it looked like Aquinas wanted to run some time off. Bjorklund 5 poitns in the run. But Koenig comes back and posts Burt for a 3 point play. Then a sweet pass to Jimmy Ancius for a 3 point play to push the lead to 8 and that's the dagger. Aquinas wins 71-64. Bronson Koenig 26 points, 13 of those after Cathedral took the 46-45 lead. Joe Burt 23 in a quality effort for Cathedral. Bjorn Bjorklund 14 of his 20 in the second half.
Game 4: #1AAAA Hopkins vs Madison East (Watch it here)
This one was over right from the start. Joe Coleman for 2 and a 3 point play. Siyani Chambers with a steal for 2 and then a long ball. 16-2 Hopkins at the 12:08 mark. East couldn't make a shot on the Nimrod Hilliard kickouts but it wouldn't have matter. The lead gets to 31-6 at 7:50, etc etc etc. Hopkins rolls 93-53 with the stars seeing limited action. Nick Jorgenson leads Hopkins with 20 points. Joe Coleman 15 points, 4 rebounds and a highlight block. 0-1 on outside shooting. Marvin Singleton 13. Jake Wright 11 as the frosh saw plenty of 1st half time in this one. Nimrod Hilliard 25 points for East and I had 9 turnovers on my sheet. But he is really fun to watch with his ridiculous quickness.
Game 5: #6AAA St. Cloud Apollo vs #11-D2 Rice Lake (Watch it here)
Rice Lake finishes the 1st half on a 12-2 run to flip the score to a 34-29 halftime lead. Wally Ellenson with 4 highlight reel blocks in the half. The duo of Simon Krych and Blake Maslonkowski producing inside for Apollo. Apollo comes back with their own run out of halftime of 14-3 to take a 43-37 lead inside of 13 minutes remaining. Krych doing work inside for a 3 point play 54-50 Apollo lead. Ellenson quiet to this point in the half banks in a 3 from the left corner (ridiculous) and another 3 at 4:55 for a 58-56 Rice Lake lead. Maslonkowski with a 3 point play countered by a Ellenson pullup. Mas on the post again for 2 with 45 seconds left. Nice play to go right to score after going left most of the game. 62-61 Rice Lake. Ellenson 1 free throw and then Ellenson is roaming on D and appears to tie up Krych but a foul is called. Krych is clutch with both freebies with 10.7 left to tie the game at 63. Rice Lake goes with no time out. Dribble up the right wing and hand off to the lefty Ellenson, he gets another screen at the top of the key but there's nothing there. He fades from 3 against great defense as the buzzer sounds and BOOM goes the dynamite as the 3 goes in for the win. 66-63 Rice Lake wins as Apollo sees another buzzer beater. He finishes with 25 points to lead all scorers. Simon Krych 23 points, Blake Maslonkowski 13 for the Eagles.
Game 6: Baldwin-Woodville at St. Cloud Tech (Watch it here)
To the late game and in a surprise, just nothing for Baldwin-Woodville in the first half. Star point guard Ryan Benoy goes scoreless and has 3 fouls. Tyler Heitmann has 14 points in the half to keep the Blackhawks close. But after a 5-0 Baldwin-Woodville start, the half is all Tech after a 20-5 run. 34-21 Tech at half but not putting it away either. Benoy picks up his 4th foul at 16:45 and has to sit. Tech Frosh Andy Foley with a pair of tough hoops early in the half as Tech extends the lead to 18. Down 13 with 11:15 to play, he comes back in and why not. Benoy finally on the board with a 3 at the 7:50 mark after an 0-7 FG start. Alex Matchinsky with a pair of free throws and Tech keeps the lead at 16 with just over 7 minutes left. But that 3 sparked Benoy. 1 basket, then a 3 point play and a pull up. He follows 2 missed Tech free throws with 2 made free throws of his own. Those 9 in a row cut the Tech lead to 55-48 with 5:05 left. Don't leave just yet. Matchinsky back to back hoops before a Benoy 3 vs a Tech zone cuts the lead to 59-53 with 4:05 left. Matchinsky scores again and Benoy fouls out with 1:58 left. Baldwin-Woodville won't get any closer. Tech makes their free throws to win 71-57. Alex Matchinsky with 18 of his 30 for Tech in the first half. Freshman Andy Foley 14 of his 19 in the second half with 6 late free throws to ice the game. Tyler Heitman 14 of his 20 in the first half to lead Baldwin-Woodville. Ryan Benoy all 15 of his points in a 3:45 span late in the 2nd half where the Blackhawks outscored Tech 19-8.
The series splits 3 and 3. Minnesota leads all time 15-11. Each state has won 2 years and this year's split. Next year's event is at Sun Prairie, WI. Here are the participants for what should be another outstanding.
WI: Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison Edgewood, La Crosse Aquinas and Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau.
MN: Tartan, DeLaSalle, Maranatha, Maple River, Prior Lake and Grand Rapids
The Czar's All Border Battle Team
Ben Stelzer - Manitowoc Roncalli (MVP)
Wally Ellenson - Rice Lake
Alex Matchinsky - St. Cloud Tech
Calahan Skogman - Seymour
Darrion Strong - Tartan
Bronson Koenig - La Crosse Aquinas
Joe Burt - St. Cloud Cathedral
Simon Krych - St. Cloud Apollo
Nathan Meyer- Rocori
Joe Coleman - Hopkins
To St. Cloud Tech for the 5th annual Border Battle. Minnesota won last year 5-0 on Wisconsin soil so cheeseheads looking for revenge with a quality lineup of guards across the board. Minnesota defending home turf with the top 2 ranked teams in 4A and #6AAA Apollo in their home town. Respectable hot dog at the cramped concession stand, but props to the Breakdown folks for providing the media with Papa John's. I thought dibs on 1 piece per came called was fair (this was after game 4). I did the color commentary for 5 of the games on Webcast America. Links will be included below to go back and watch any of the games.
Song of the Day
Border Song - Elton John
Game 1: #2AAAA Tartan vs #2-D2 Seymour (Watch it here)
An outstanding opener between 2 of the best traditions in either state. Tartan hosted the inaugural Border Battle and Seymour beat Henry in that same Border Battle. Tartan uses 4 3s from 4 players and 3 interior buckets from Joel Awich to jump out to a 22-8 lead at the 9:05 mark of the 1st half. The rest of the half is all Seymour. Luke Preiner hits another 3 and the lead is 25-12. They use top scorer Cal Skogman in high pick and roll, usually with their other star Phil Romback and usually in transitions and Tartan has no answers. Skogman is in on the last 16 points of the half (11 + 2 ast to Romback for 5 more points) as Seymour finishes on a 14-0 run. 28-27 Seymour at half. Then 5 more out of the break for Skogman. That's involvement in 21 straight over 8:40. He nails another 3 and after a Seymour 3 its 46-34 Seymour with 12:05 left. Tartan had some success vs 1-3-1 with dribble penetration but it went away against 2-3 zone (something Hill-Murray has had great success with against the Titans). Tartan makes an adjustment to set high screens against the 2-3 and it works. Darrion Strong heats up for Tartan with back to back buckets to cut the lead to 6. Then another nice pullup and a tough 3 point play tie the game at 52 with 6 minutes left. Seymour with the ball up 3 late but can't hang on. After a turnover, 2 free throws cut the margin to 1, then 2 missed Seymour FTs with 49.4 left and Awich inside for an easy 2 puts Tartan back ahead with 35 seconds left. Seymour misses 2 or 3 good looks before Tartan makes 2 more freebies. Seymour can't convert at the end and Tartan comes back for a 62-59 win. Darrion Strong 13 of his 15 points in the second half to bring Tartan back. Joel Awich 14 points and 7 rebounds. Cal Skogman 25 points, Phil Romback 20 points for Seymour.
Game 2: Rocori vs #3-D3 Manitowoc Roncalli (Watch it here)
WOW is all I can say to this one. Rocori chooses to go man in the 1st half against the feared motion offense of Roncalli and all the Jets do is drain 11 3s to finish the half on a 21-10 run. Jets star Ben Stelzer (Michigan Tech signee) with 7 3s by himself. Rocori plays zone in the 2nd half and cuts the lead to 45-42 with 10:30 left behind 2 Jonah Eisenschenk buckets. But Stelzer counters with a 4 point play on his 9th 3 of the day. He sits with 4 fouls at the 7:55 mark and Roncalli up 4. Coach Joe Rux rolls the dice and brings him back in with a 54-50 lead and 6:08 left. All Stelzer does is score 8 of the last 10 Roncalli points to close the game out. Roncalli wins 64-54. Stelzer finishes with 10 3s and 41 points. Roncalli finished with 14 3s , 14 FTs and 4 2s. Jonah Eisenschenk 24 points, Nate Meyer 14 for Rocori.
Game 3: St. Cloud Cathedral vs #1-D3 La Crosse Aquinas (Watch it here)
After hammering my alma mater last night, Aquinas comes to town to play St. Cloud Cathedral. The first half Cathedral gives Aquinas all they want. It takes a Bronson Koenig high jumper at the halftime buzzer to tie the game at 32. Cathedral not keeping Evan Pederson out of the lane as he had 5 assists in the half for easy buckets. But Aquinas can't handle Joe Burt as he puts up 15 points in the half. Great matchup with Burt and Koenig going at each other. Bjorn Bjorklund with a 3 and then Scottie Rucks on the baseline drive to keep Cathedral up 46-45 with 10 minutes left. Koenig with a 3 off a set and then coast to coast for a 3 point play to put Aquinas up 55-48. Cathedral cuts the lead to 59-57 with 4:14 left as Koenig takes 3 quick shots and misses when it looked like Aquinas wanted to run some time off. Bjorklund 5 poitns in the run. But Koenig comes back and posts Burt for a 3 point play. Then a sweet pass to Jimmy Ancius for a 3 point play to push the lead to 8 and that's the dagger. Aquinas wins 71-64. Bronson Koenig 26 points, 13 of those after Cathedral took the 46-45 lead. Joe Burt 23 in a quality effort for Cathedral. Bjorn Bjorklund 14 of his 20 in the second half.
Game 4: #1AAAA Hopkins vs Madison East (Watch it here)
This one was over right from the start. Joe Coleman for 2 and a 3 point play. Siyani Chambers with a steal for 2 and then a long ball. 16-2 Hopkins at the 12:08 mark. East couldn't make a shot on the Nimrod Hilliard kickouts but it wouldn't have matter. The lead gets to 31-6 at 7:50, etc etc etc. Hopkins rolls 93-53 with the stars seeing limited action. Nick Jorgenson leads Hopkins with 20 points. Joe Coleman 15 points, 4 rebounds and a highlight block. 0-1 on outside shooting. Marvin Singleton 13. Jake Wright 11 as the frosh saw plenty of 1st half time in this one. Nimrod Hilliard 25 points for East and I had 9 turnovers on my sheet. But he is really fun to watch with his ridiculous quickness.
Game 5: #6AAA St. Cloud Apollo vs #11-D2 Rice Lake (Watch it here)
Rice Lake finishes the 1st half on a 12-2 run to flip the score to a 34-29 halftime lead. Wally Ellenson with 4 highlight reel blocks in the half. The duo of Simon Krych and Blake Maslonkowski producing inside for Apollo. Apollo comes back with their own run out of halftime of 14-3 to take a 43-37 lead inside of 13 minutes remaining. Krych doing work inside for a 3 point play 54-50 Apollo lead. Ellenson quiet to this point in the half banks in a 3 from the left corner (ridiculous) and another 3 at 4:55 for a 58-56 Rice Lake lead. Maslonkowski with a 3 point play countered by a Ellenson pullup. Mas on the post again for 2 with 45 seconds left. Nice play to go right to score after going left most of the game. 62-61 Rice Lake. Ellenson 1 free throw and then Ellenson is roaming on D and appears to tie up Krych but a foul is called. Krych is clutch with both freebies with 10.7 left to tie the game at 63. Rice Lake goes with no time out. Dribble up the right wing and hand off to the lefty Ellenson, he gets another screen at the top of the key but there's nothing there. He fades from 3 against great defense as the buzzer sounds and BOOM goes the dynamite as the 3 goes in for the win. 66-63 Rice Lake wins as Apollo sees another buzzer beater. He finishes with 25 points to lead all scorers. Simon Krych 23 points, Blake Maslonkowski 13 for the Eagles.
Game 6: Baldwin-Woodville at St. Cloud Tech (Watch it here)
To the late game and in a surprise, just nothing for Baldwin-Woodville in the first half. Star point guard Ryan Benoy goes scoreless and has 3 fouls. Tyler Heitmann has 14 points in the half to keep the Blackhawks close. But after a 5-0 Baldwin-Woodville start, the half is all Tech after a 20-5 run. 34-21 Tech at half but not putting it away either. Benoy picks up his 4th foul at 16:45 and has to sit. Tech Frosh Andy Foley with a pair of tough hoops early in the half as Tech extends the lead to 18. Down 13 with 11:15 to play, he comes back in and why not. Benoy finally on the board with a 3 at the 7:50 mark after an 0-7 FG start. Alex Matchinsky with a pair of free throws and Tech keeps the lead at 16 with just over 7 minutes left. But that 3 sparked Benoy. 1 basket, then a 3 point play and a pull up. He follows 2 missed Tech free throws with 2 made free throws of his own. Those 9 in a row cut the Tech lead to 55-48 with 5:05 left. Don't leave just yet. Matchinsky back to back hoops before a Benoy 3 vs a Tech zone cuts the lead to 59-53 with 4:05 left. Matchinsky scores again and Benoy fouls out with 1:58 left. Baldwin-Woodville won't get any closer. Tech makes their free throws to win 71-57. Alex Matchinsky with 18 of his 30 for Tech in the first half. Freshman Andy Foley 14 of his 19 in the second half with 6 late free throws to ice the game. Tyler Heitman 14 of his 20 in the first half to lead Baldwin-Woodville. Ryan Benoy all 15 of his points in a 3:45 span late in the 2nd half where the Blackhawks outscored Tech 19-8.
The series splits 3 and 3. Minnesota leads all time 15-11. Each state has won 2 years and this year's split. Next year's event is at Sun Prairie, WI. Here are the participants for what should be another outstanding.
WI: Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison Edgewood, La Crosse Aquinas and Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau.
MN: Tartan, DeLaSalle, Maranatha, Maple River, Prior Lake and Grand Rapids
The Czar's All Border Battle Team
Ben Stelzer - Manitowoc Roncalli (MVP)
Wally Ellenson - Rice Lake
Alex Matchinsky - St. Cloud Tech
Calahan Skogman - Seymour
Darrion Strong - Tartan
Bronson Koenig - La Crosse Aquinas
Joe Burt - St. Cloud Cathedral
Simon Krych - St. Cloud Apollo
Nathan Meyer- Rocori
Joe Coleman - Hopkins
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