Its time for the 2nd annual Fury Invitational. Eastview and Eagan both hosting the games on 4 courts each with some stray games off site.
17U
None of the top teams playing but some interesting games in the field. The hosts Fury Davis should be an easy favorite over Magic White and Comets Seevers in pool A. Triple Threat and Heat-Altena go at it at 1:10 Saturday at Eagan in a game that should determine the winner the 4 team pool B. Very interesting pool C with the Pump N Run 16s, GetShook and MN Wolves. GetShook and Wolves have both used their share of seniors this year. Have to like the PNR 16s here but this is the toughest pool. Pool D is the other 4 team pool. Comets Stock vs Heat Reese at noon at Eastview should decide that pool. Fury's 2nd team should be a heavy favorite against Magic Black and Heat Frasier in pool E. MN Premier is my pick over Magic Maroon and Winnipeg Wolves. EOTO Black is another squad that could have anybody but I'll take my chances with them. Eastview and Heat Ogorek round out a difficult to pick pool G. Fury Newell, MN Cagers and MN Crush round out the 17s in Pool H. I'll take Fury here but the best bet in this pool is a Hat Lady sighting at Eastview late Friday and early Saturday.
Only pool winners move on to the 8 team championship bracket that begins at 7:00 on Sat night. I'll take Fury Davis over Triple Threat, Heat Reese over the PNR 16s (classic size vs speed matchup but athletes have bothered the PNR 16s all year), Fury-Ouse over MN Premier and EOTO Black over Fury Newell. Fury Davis over Heat Reese, EOTO over Fury-Ouse. The hosts defeat EOTO to win their own tourney (never bad to pick the host).
16U
Fury Grosz has a good one on Fri night vs MN Rush but they'll still come out of pool A. Heat Vang has to be the pick against Triple Threat Olmscheid and WOTN-Hickox in Pool B. MN Warriors are the pick in pool C. EOTO survives the northern invasion of the Winnipeg Wolves and North Dakota Phenom in pool D. PNR 15s and MN Cyclones move up but should win pools E and F. Heat Frank opens with a rematch against Fury Dixon in pool G. Fury Dixon gave that Heat squad a massive beating when they opened at the Comets tourney. Another watered down pool H with Rochester Ballers, Winnipeg and SW Slam.
Same tourney format across the board and it gives us a rare 1 vs 2 matchup as the Cyclones project to take on Pump N Run in a rematch of the top 2 teams in the state in 15U. PNR won their championship meeting in Iowa last Sunday. I'll take PNR again because of their depth. Fury Grosz over Heat Vang, EOTO in a good one over the MN Warriors, Fury Dixon over anybody in the other quarterfinal. Fury Grosz over EOTO in a rehash of their many meetings last year as MN Elite vs Heat Select. PNR 15s over Fury Dixon. PNR 15s then knock off Fury Grosz again (see Comets tourney) to take home another title.
15U
This division will have a new champ as my old Magic crew won the 14s of this tourney last year (our best ball of the season too). The 3 guys that are left together are at the ECI tourney this week after pulling out late (were scheduled to be in pool A). The top Fury squad (with one of my old guys) looks to win pool A. Heat Prins by default in pool B. Another division with a stacked pool C. East Metro (Johnson kids), TC Running Rebels and the top 43 Hoops squad is a tough pool. I'll go East Metro here but anybody could win this pool. Heat Fossum is a loaded 14U squad playing up with Comets Elite and MN Bulldogs in pool D. I'll go Comets Elite here. Fury 2nd team takes out the 2nd 43 Hoops team and MN Crush to win pool E. Heat Boone is another high level 14U club playing up. They won the 14s in Iowa last weekend. They have WOTN and Winnipeg Wolves in a pool where I think they win. The top Heat team wins pool G and rumor says they may have a major pickup for the weekend. Balanced Pool H with ND Phenom, MN United and my pick Triple Threat. Fury Shelman, East Metro, Fury Johnson and Heat Lesewski all win the quarters. Fury Shelman takes out East Metro but falls to Heat Lesewski in the finals.
2012 Howard Pulley Invitational Review
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2012 Sabes Invitational
.JPG) |
| MN Comets Lewis 16U Champs! |
No surprise with this being the 1st off week after 2 open period weekends that we'd have plenty of missing bodies. No Ted Friedman from Kingdom Hoops, No Tory Miller from KC Run GMC, no Tyus Jones or Akolda Manyang from the top Howard Pulley group. Always something in the spring with weddings (Friedman), injury (Manyang), or illness (Tyus). We even get the Illinois Warriors not showing up because they thought the tournament was next week. How does that happen?
Czar not only samples the Little Caesars pizza (I'd rather have Dominos) but because you, the loyal reader, want to know all about food, I also snagged a chocolate chip cookie off a mom that was intended for a player (playing at the time). Me want cookie! I prefer to view it as quality control and it was outstanding and gained my seal of approval for eating. Mmmmm, cookie!!!
Friday Night
Highlights of Friday night for me were my old Magic guys (down to 3 remaining together) hanging around with tNBA before falling 68-52. That same group took us behind the woodshed last year at the state tournament. MN Warriors 16s make a statement by knocking off Comets Lewis 54-52. That would be the Comets only loss of the tourney. Warriors are a team that if you let them run their stuff, they can pick you apart. Anders Broman would fill in at the point some for Tyus Jones as the top Pulley squad would run away midway thru the 1st half on their way to a 76-47 win. Comets Hanson 17s pulling out their high school warmups on Friday night in a first. That was a quality look. The look didn't help as Zach Hanson and the top Schoolers club beat them down to the tune of 46-15 at half and a 55-30 win. Pulley White 17s would get a steal and layup with less than 10 seconds left to upset Kingdom Hoops Elite 56-54 in a thriller. That would ultimately decide the winner of pool D.
Saturday Pool Play
A couple of good early games with KC Run GMC 15s pulling away from tNBA 64-47 (foreshadowing) and EOTO knocking off the SW MN Stars 58-55. Andre Wallace joined EOTO for the weekend and his play down the stretch with a free throw, bucket and assist helped close the game out. Comets Hanson goes to regular Comets T-Shirts for their 1st warmups of the day but that doesn't help. KC Run GMC took them out 64-35. Connor Voss played for the Comets this weekend, but as expected didn't have his legs but had moments where he moved pretty well but others where the lack of stamina showed. Waiting to see what the next new warmups will be. Iowa Flight took out All Iowa Attack 58-50 in OT in an entertaining finish. That allowed them to hang on and win pool D. KC Gamespeed using the old KC PNR uniforms and going with the smallest 3 guard lineup I'll see all season.
In 16s Pool B, Comets Lewis took care of business beating Lockdown 77-57 to go 2-1 in the pool. They had to wait for their seed as KC Keys and MN Warriors were still in action. The Keys bang in a long 3 with 30 seconds left, get an unforced turnover with 20 seconds left and knock down a 3 from the right corner with 0.6 left to steal that game 63-60. That forces a 3 way tie for the pool tie at 2-1. Comets easily win the point differential. Then they stay with point differential so despite the head to head loss, the Warriors will get the 2 seed and the Keys end up with 3 which they would have gotten with a loss.
Pulley Blue 17s put on a shooting clinic vs the Dakota Schoolers 2nd team. They knock down 17 3s on their way to a 95-52 win and win pool A. Jake Wright with a handful of those. He gets his feet set, forget about it. Renard Suggs with at least 3 of those, everybody knocking it down. KC Run GMC gets all they want from the Schoolers top 17s as they win 63-56 to win pool C. Comets Hanson would struggle with MN Lockdown (a group that is run by former Comets) before picking up a 55-45 win.
Saturday Bracket Play
On to the brackets, my old Magic guys gave the top Kingdom Hoops team (eventual champs) all they wanted. Down 1 with 3:30 to go before Kingdom makes a 3, a bad shot results in a layup and another turnover results in a 3 for a quick 8-0 run to put the game away. 73-65 Kingdom Hoops Elite moves on in the 15U bracket. Schoolers top team would beat Kingdom Hoops II, Pulley Blue def SW MN Stars, tNBA def Dakota Schoolers II and KC Gamespeed defeated Howard Pulley White. Those were pigtail games to determine the quarterfinals.
In the 16U bracket, 8 round of 16 games. Pulley Blue knocked off Lockdown, TVA def KC Keys, Comets Lewis def Schoolers 2nd team, WI Playmakers pull a major upset knocking off MN Warriors. EOTO def MN Posse, SW MN Stars def Chicago Demons, Schoolers top team def Pulley White. KC Run GMC gets a bye thanks to the Ill Warriors not making it.
The 17U bracket also had their round of 16 games. All Iowa Attack knocked off tNBA, Iowa Flight def Schoolers 2nd team, Pulley Blue def SW MN Stars 68-48, Chicago Demons knocked off Kingdom Hoops Red, KC Run GMC def KC Gamespeed 59-47, Schoolers top team def EOTO, Pulley White def Lockdown and Kingdom Hoops Elite def Comets Hanson.
Sunday Championships
In the 15U quarters, Kingdom Hoops Elite def Pulley Blue, Desert Reign def Schoolers top team 57-52 in OT, tNBA def All Iowa Attack, KC Run GMC def KC Gamespeed. Schoolers knocked down a 3 with 2 seconds left in regulation to send that game with Desert Reign to OT.
In the 15U Semis, Kingdom Hoops Elite would pull away from Desert Reign in the 2nd half for a double figure win. tNBA would get revenge on KC Run GMC with a pair of clutch 3s late by Evan Nolan (1 to beat the shot clock). They get the 58-55 win. They would open the championship vs Kingdom Hoops Elite on an 11-2 run but Kingdom Hoops Elite was too much as they would go on to win the 15U title 74-63.
In the 16U quarters, Pulley Blue def WI Playmakers, Comets Lewis def TVA, Schoolers top team impressive big win over EOTO (up 20 late) and KC Run GMC def SW MN Stars. KC Run GMC would pull away from the top Schoolers group to win their semifinal 67-49. Comets Lewis would open up a double figure lead on the top Pulley squad. Then Pulley would come all the way back to tie with 2:47 left. Teams trade missed front ends in the last 35 seconds. Ryan Bruggeman would make a pair of FTs and Austin Poe would close it out with a 3 point play. Comets win 63-55.
In the 16U final, Comets Lewis opened up a 41-26 halftime lead on KC Run GMC. The lead was still 15 with 10:19 left before a 7-0 KC run cut the lead to 8. They would miss 3 of 4 FTs with a chance to cut into the lead further. Comets see the lead get down to 6 but held on to win the 16U title 67-61. Austin Poe 16 points, Austin Rund and Brian Goodwin with 12 each. Ryan Bruggeman 9 points and 6 assists. Christian Pekarek 10 points.
In the 17U quarters, KC Run GMC def Kingdom Hoops Elite 54-45, Schoolers top team def Pulley White 79-63, Pulley Blue def Chicago Demons 82-39, Iowa Flight get another close win over All Iowa Attack 51-49. That would set up a KC Run GMC vs Schoolers rematch from pool play. Zach Hanson would get off to a hot start as the size of the Schoolers bothered KC. KC Run GMC would hang on again for a 60-51 win. Pulley Blue had a bunch of guys banged up but was able to fill the roster with guys from their eliminated White squad. Didn't matter as they blew out Iowa Flight 79-29 in their semifinal.
In the 17U final, Howard Pulley Blue and KC Run GMC in the expected title game. Pulley would use their hot shooting to go on a 10-0 run to end the 1st half. 34-28 Pulley at half. KC would open the 2nd half on a 17-4 run with their own hot shooting. 45-38 KC with 11:36 to play. Big moment late when KC star Connor Frankamp (Kansas commit) fouls out with 1:42 left. The FTs on the foul tie the game at 58. Out of a timeout, KC gets a layup against a 1 time 2-3 zone from Pulley. Then a bad turnover and a great set for a clutch Kyle Smith (Frankamp replacement) 3 with 55 seconds left pushes the lead to 5 and there is your dagger, thank you Wayne Larrivee. KC Run GMC wins the 17U title 67-60. Connor Frankamp 7 bombs and 25 points to lead KC. Power forward George Funtarov comes up huge for KC with 3 3s of his own and 17 points. Anders Broman 4 3s for Howard Pulley as he leads the way with 17 points. Quinton Hooker with 12 points. The game was a shooting gallery as the teams combine for 25 3s from 10 different players. Pulley makes 12 3s but gives up 13 of them.
2012 Sabes Invitational Preview
Labels:
2012 Sabes Invitational,
Tyus Jones
This weekend marks the 12th annual Sabes Invitational put on by Howard Pulley. As expected the games are at High Performance Academy in Eagan Friday through Sunday. With this being an non-open week for the D1 coaches after 2 straight weeks of play, there are many teams that would like to have the week off. That means this year's field isn't what we've seen in the past but still plenty to see.
17U Division
In Pool A, you have Tyus Jones and the top Howard Pulley team. Anders Broman, Quinton Hooker and Akolda Manyang on display as well. Though Manyang was injured last week, we'll see how healthy he is this week. The rest of the pool consists of 2nd teams from the Dakota Schoolers and Kingdom Hoops along with tNBA. tNBA with former Pulley player Harrison Patt of St. Thomas Academy on their roster. I'll predict the pool in order listed (Pulley, Schoolers II, Kingdom Hoops Red and tNBA).
In Pool B, the Chicago Demons make another appearance. Iowa Flight, SW MN Stars and All Iowa Attack make up the rest of the pool. If this is All Iowa Attack's EYBL roster, then its possible they have star wing Peter Jok and high major prospect Akoy Agau in the middle. But Agau has played with Team Nebraska and Jok wasn't at the EYBL here 2 weeks ago as far as I know. I'll take the Attack by default, but this is easily the weakest pool. Don't sleep on Iowa Flight. They were the runner up at the Jayhawk Invitational last week. Though the Jayhawk wasn't certified so it was a very down event from years past.
As opposed to Pool C which is the toughest top to bottom. KC Run GMC (former KC Pump N Run now moved from Adidas to Under Armour) makes their annual trip. The guards for KC are outstanding with high major prospect guard Dominique Collier (Denver, CO) playing up a year, Missouri commit Travis Jorgenson and the star of the group Kansas commit Connor Frankamp. Frankamp is a lights out shooter who teams up with Tyus Jones on Team USA. The Dakota Schoolers top team is also here with star center Zach Hanson who could be a high major kid as well. Looking forward to seeing him play again. The Comets top team joins this pool with their backcourt of Nate Huot and Scottie Stone. No Connor Voss to go against Hanson though as Voss is still out with injury. MN Lockdown has athletes but expect them to be overmatched in this pool. Again I'll take the teams in order listed. Comets might be deeper 1-10 but Hanson is a star and not having Voss to contest him is a big loss so I'll take Schoolers to win that pool game.
Rounding out the field in pool D is the pool favorite Kingdom Hoops (their elite squad). When I saw them play the WI Playmakers at NY2LA 2 weeks ago they got taken behind the woodshed and then came back to win the whole thing by beating a loaded WI Swing squad in the final. KC Run GMC was also in that tourney. Keep an eye on bigs Ted Friedman and Nate Gehring for Kingdom Hoops. Star soph Jay Knuth also moves up a level to the 17s this season. An athletic Illinois Warriors squad that just played in the Best Buy Spring Classic returns to the metro. They took out a solid Team Breakdown squad in showcase play there. Howard Pulley's 2nd team with Hopkins point guard Kamali Chambers and frosh Sam Neumann playing up is also in the pool. KC GameSpeed rounds out the pool.
Pool Games to watch:
Fri 8:30 PM Ct 3 Schoolers I vs Comets
Sat 11:30 AM Ct 5 Kingdom Hoops vs Illinois Warriors
Sat 4:30 PM Ct 1 Schoolers I vs KC Run GMC
17U Picks: Pools A and B are on 1 side of the bracket while pools C and D are stacked on the other side. Pulley makes an easy run to the final before falling to KC Run GMC. KC has a rough road to the final with HP White in the round of 16 Saturday night. Then a rematch with the Schoolers before Kingdom Hoops in the semis. Hoping for a Pulley Blue vs KC Run GMC final.
16U Division
Pool A features the top Pulley team with Bjorn Broman. The Playmakers, Schoolers 2nd team and Village Athletics (who gave PNR fits in St. Cloud) also in that pool. Comets, Lockdown, KC Keys and MN Warriors in pool B. Warriors are my sleeper in the 16U division. Looking forward to their game with the Comets. Illinois Warriors, a quality SW MN Stars team, EOTO and the 2nd HP team make up another deep pool C. KC Run GMC's squad heads up pool D. Chicago Demons, All Iowa Attack and the top Schoolers team round out that pool.
Pool Games to watch:
Fri 6:00 PM Ct 3 Comets vs Warriors
Fri 7:15 PM Ct 2 EOTO vs SW MN Stars
16U Picks: HP Blue, Comets, EOTO and KC Run GMC to win their pools. Comets take out Warriors for a 2nd time to make the semis vs HP Blue and I'll take Comets to win that game. Whoever takes 3rd in pool C (EOTO, Ill Warriors or SW MN Stars) take out the 2nd place team from pool D. Ultimately I'll take KC Run GMC to win it.
15U Division
Only 13 teams in this division so you have 2 pools of 4 and the last pool with 5. Most of these games are banished to the back Pool A has HP Blue and Matt Anderson from Stillwater and Joe Rosga from CDH on the roster. Desert Reign making the trip in from Las Vegas if I'm reading right. Again making the assumption, but they may have had star Rosco Allen on their roster as a 15U kid.
Pool B has KC Run GMC who's always good. A Magic team that might be my old kids or the Blue team that made the semis at the Comets tourney. tNBA in this pool after winning the Jayhawk Invitational 15U division last week which included 2 impressive wins over the very good WI Blizzard team (team that beat them at Best Buy Spring Classic before bowing out in the final to the PNR 15s). 5 teams make up the final pool with the top Kingdom Hoops team, Schoolers I, All Iowa Attack, HP White and SW MN Stars in that pool. Very balanced pool there. I'll take the KC Run GMC squad to win here too. They won the Jayhawk Invitational 16U division last week.
Pool Game to watch: Sat 10:15 AM Ct 6 tNBA vs KC Run GMC
17U Division
In Pool A, you have Tyus Jones and the top Howard Pulley team. Anders Broman, Quinton Hooker and Akolda Manyang on display as well. Though Manyang was injured last week, we'll see how healthy he is this week. The rest of the pool consists of 2nd teams from the Dakota Schoolers and Kingdom Hoops along with tNBA. tNBA with former Pulley player Harrison Patt of St. Thomas Academy on their roster. I'll predict the pool in order listed (Pulley, Schoolers II, Kingdom Hoops Red and tNBA).
In Pool B, the Chicago Demons make another appearance. Iowa Flight, SW MN Stars and All Iowa Attack make up the rest of the pool. If this is All Iowa Attack's EYBL roster, then its possible they have star wing Peter Jok and high major prospect Akoy Agau in the middle. But Agau has played with Team Nebraska and Jok wasn't at the EYBL here 2 weeks ago as far as I know. I'll take the Attack by default, but this is easily the weakest pool. Don't sleep on Iowa Flight. They were the runner up at the Jayhawk Invitational last week. Though the Jayhawk wasn't certified so it was a very down event from years past.
As opposed to Pool C which is the toughest top to bottom. KC Run GMC (former KC Pump N Run now moved from Adidas to Under Armour) makes their annual trip. The guards for KC are outstanding with high major prospect guard Dominique Collier (Denver, CO) playing up a year, Missouri commit Travis Jorgenson and the star of the group Kansas commit Connor Frankamp. Frankamp is a lights out shooter who teams up with Tyus Jones on Team USA. The Dakota Schoolers top team is also here with star center Zach Hanson who could be a high major kid as well. Looking forward to seeing him play again. The Comets top team joins this pool with their backcourt of Nate Huot and Scottie Stone. No Connor Voss to go against Hanson though as Voss is still out with injury. MN Lockdown has athletes but expect them to be overmatched in this pool. Again I'll take the teams in order listed. Comets might be deeper 1-10 but Hanson is a star and not having Voss to contest him is a big loss so I'll take Schoolers to win that pool game.
Rounding out the field in pool D is the pool favorite Kingdom Hoops (their elite squad). When I saw them play the WI Playmakers at NY2LA 2 weeks ago they got taken behind the woodshed and then came back to win the whole thing by beating a loaded WI Swing squad in the final. KC Run GMC was also in that tourney. Keep an eye on bigs Ted Friedman and Nate Gehring for Kingdom Hoops. Star soph Jay Knuth also moves up a level to the 17s this season. An athletic Illinois Warriors squad that just played in the Best Buy Spring Classic returns to the metro. They took out a solid Team Breakdown squad in showcase play there. Howard Pulley's 2nd team with Hopkins point guard Kamali Chambers and frosh Sam Neumann playing up is also in the pool. KC GameSpeed rounds out the pool.
Pool Games to watch:
Fri 8:30 PM Ct 3 Schoolers I vs Comets
Sat 11:30 AM Ct 5 Kingdom Hoops vs Illinois Warriors
Sat 4:30 PM Ct 1 Schoolers I vs KC Run GMC
17U Picks: Pools A and B are on 1 side of the bracket while pools C and D are stacked on the other side. Pulley makes an easy run to the final before falling to KC Run GMC. KC has a rough road to the final with HP White in the round of 16 Saturday night. Then a rematch with the Schoolers before Kingdom Hoops in the semis. Hoping for a Pulley Blue vs KC Run GMC final.
16U Division
Pool A features the top Pulley team with Bjorn Broman. The Playmakers, Schoolers 2nd team and Village Athletics (who gave PNR fits in St. Cloud) also in that pool. Comets, Lockdown, KC Keys and MN Warriors in pool B. Warriors are my sleeper in the 16U division. Looking forward to their game with the Comets. Illinois Warriors, a quality SW MN Stars team, EOTO and the 2nd HP team make up another deep pool C. KC Run GMC's squad heads up pool D. Chicago Demons, All Iowa Attack and the top Schoolers team round out that pool.
Pool Games to watch:
Fri 6:00 PM Ct 3 Comets vs Warriors
Fri 7:15 PM Ct 2 EOTO vs SW MN Stars
16U Picks: HP Blue, Comets, EOTO and KC Run GMC to win their pools. Comets take out Warriors for a 2nd time to make the semis vs HP Blue and I'll take Comets to win that game. Whoever takes 3rd in pool C (EOTO, Ill Warriors or SW MN Stars) take out the 2nd place team from pool D. Ultimately I'll take KC Run GMC to win it.
15U Division
Only 13 teams in this division so you have 2 pools of 4 and the last pool with 5. Most of these games are banished to the back Pool A has HP Blue and Matt Anderson from Stillwater and Joe Rosga from CDH on the roster. Desert Reign making the trip in from Las Vegas if I'm reading right. Again making the assumption, but they may have had star Rosco Allen on their roster as a 15U kid.
Pool B has KC Run GMC who's always good. A Magic team that might be my old kids or the Blue team that made the semis at the Comets tourney. tNBA in this pool after winning the Jayhawk Invitational 15U division last week which included 2 impressive wins over the very good WI Blizzard team (team that beat them at Best Buy Spring Classic before bowing out in the final to the PNR 15s). 5 teams make up the final pool with the top Kingdom Hoops team, Schoolers I, All Iowa Attack, HP White and SW MN Stars in that pool. Very balanced pool there. I'll take the KC Run GMC squad to win here too. They won the Jayhawk Invitational 16U division last week.
Pool Game to watch: Sat 10:15 AM Ct 6 tNBA vs KC Run GMC
Houston Hello
Each year I try to join a team on the road. This year's road trip takes me deep in the heart of Texas as I joined the Magic Elite 17s in Houston for the H-Town Classic. This marks the 3rd road trip of the season already for the Magic when many teams were getting out of state for the first time this past weekend. Full game by game details are in my Northstar Hoops Report article.
Friday
An early afternoon departure gets us into George Bush Intercontinental Airport just in time for the middle of rush hour. Despite being setup north of the airport, the trip still takes forever in the hellish traffic that Houston is known for. Its claimed that everything is bigger in Texas and the roads didn't disappoint. 1 way frontage roads doubled as extra lanes and every major exit seemed to have a flyover ramp. A quick drop and run at the hotel and we go next door for dinner. Hoping for some BBQ later in the weekend, I go with a chicken sandwich for dinner.
Then a quick chance to setup the laptop in the hotel and its off to the Legends Sports Complex for the 8:30 game vs Mississippi D1 Ambassadors. Its a 2x2 setup for the 4 courts with plenty of room to move around but a very strange setup for the college coaches. You also had to worry about running into the numerous garbage cans they had around to catch water from the leaky roof. Magic would use a big 1st half run to open the margin. Final score shows the Magic picking up the win 65-53. Reggie Lynch comes up 1 block short of a triple double on my sheet. Minor scoring issue late as a Tom Aase layup gets credited to the wrong side of the scoreboard. So the final score should have been 16. Where the point differental max is +15 that could come into play. The evening's campfire session is in the continental breakfast room for a review of the night's game. Back to the room to type up the evening's notes before turning in late.
Saturday
Only known game of the day isn't until 2:30 PM and nothing in the championship bracket after the 3:35 game. But no rest as the other pool game between FOH Seattle and the Mississippi D1 Ambassadors is at 10:10 so up early for a quick banana and hard boiled egg for breakfast (Czar's not a big breakfast guy). No OJ but the apple juice was worth it. Coaches and I mosey over to watch that pool game and then while the coaches round up the players for lunch I stick around for the rest of play in the other pools. FOH Seattle the most impressive team that I saw with 2 high major prospects and a kid off of the bench getting a mid-major head coach in the building to watch him. I did the BBQ Pork Sandwich for lunch from the concession stand. Oversized bun and overflowing to the point where half the sandwich ended up in the tub it came in. 2 words: Finger Food. No way The Czar is letting that go to waste! Good stuff with the big sandwich and enough kick to be an attention getter but not too much. With FOH Seattle winning easily, that meant that only seeding was at stake in the Magic game. Both teams were guaranteed to make the quarters of the top bracket at 8 AM on Sunday. An off day for everyone on the Magic squad as FOH takes them out 64-47. Magic did hang around but too much from a very good Seattle club.
After a break in the hotel, the team runs around trying to find a Golden Corral only to find its out of business. After about 3 different changes of mind, its Chipotle for half the group. The coaches go with the Garfield rules of eating plan by having yogurt while waiting. I hold out for Rudy's BBQ and I get my wish after dropping the kids off. MN Triple Threat director Brett Rhodes (a Houston native who recommended the place) and Jerry Robertson forever make The Czar's Christmas Card list for making that happen. Its a gas station look and when coming inside there's a great sight. A line of about 50 people. Add in a 30 foot ice filled bin of every bottle of soda you could imagine and a menu that begins with half pound portions Get up to get the food and none of this sissy plate stuff. Here's a crate lined with wax paper, we'll just throw your meat in there. YA! I went with a half pound of lean brisket, a small portion of potato salad and a 12 oz bottle of Pepsi. That's living. Back to the hotel to catch the end of day 1 of the NBA playoffs and an early turn in for a long Sunday.
Sunday
Thanks to the loss on Saturday, the Magic draw Gold Coast (a pre-tourney favorite) in the bracket opener. Magic would take a lead late in the first half only to see Gold Coast take control from there. Magic would fight back in the 2nd half but Gold Coast would never give up the lead. Magic's hot shooting can't get them over the top. Gold Coast moves on with a 74-68 win. They would end up winning the tournament. Major shock that they didn't play FOH Seattle in the championship game. With an evening flight, its back to the hotel for some R & R. Off to TGI Friday's for a late lunch and then back to the airport and home in plenty of time to rest up for the week ahead. Magic finish 1-2 with losses to arguably the 2 best teams in the tournament. Gold Coast was on the ropes and they hung around with FOH Seattle despite dismal shooting. Magic take the week off before making the trip to Iowa next week.
Friday
An early afternoon departure gets us into George Bush Intercontinental Airport just in time for the middle of rush hour. Despite being setup north of the airport, the trip still takes forever in the hellish traffic that Houston is known for. Its claimed that everything is bigger in Texas and the roads didn't disappoint. 1 way frontage roads doubled as extra lanes and every major exit seemed to have a flyover ramp. A quick drop and run at the hotel and we go next door for dinner. Hoping for some BBQ later in the weekend, I go with a chicken sandwich for dinner.
Then a quick chance to setup the laptop in the hotel and its off to the Legends Sports Complex for the 8:30 game vs Mississippi D1 Ambassadors. Its a 2x2 setup for the 4 courts with plenty of room to move around but a very strange setup for the college coaches. You also had to worry about running into the numerous garbage cans they had around to catch water from the leaky roof. Magic would use a big 1st half run to open the margin. Final score shows the Magic picking up the win 65-53. Reggie Lynch comes up 1 block short of a triple double on my sheet. Minor scoring issue late as a Tom Aase layup gets credited to the wrong side of the scoreboard. So the final score should have been 16. Where the point differental max is +15 that could come into play. The evening's campfire session is in the continental breakfast room for a review of the night's game. Back to the room to type up the evening's notes before turning in late.
Saturday
Only known game of the day isn't until 2:30 PM and nothing in the championship bracket after the 3:35 game. But no rest as the other pool game between FOH Seattle and the Mississippi D1 Ambassadors is at 10:10 so up early for a quick banana and hard boiled egg for breakfast (Czar's not a big breakfast guy). No OJ but the apple juice was worth it. Coaches and I mosey over to watch that pool game and then while the coaches round up the players for lunch I stick around for the rest of play in the other pools. FOH Seattle the most impressive team that I saw with 2 high major prospects and a kid off of the bench getting a mid-major head coach in the building to watch him. I did the BBQ Pork Sandwich for lunch from the concession stand. Oversized bun and overflowing to the point where half the sandwich ended up in the tub it came in. 2 words: Finger Food. No way The Czar is letting that go to waste! Good stuff with the big sandwich and enough kick to be an attention getter but not too much. With FOH Seattle winning easily, that meant that only seeding was at stake in the Magic game. Both teams were guaranteed to make the quarters of the top bracket at 8 AM on Sunday. An off day for everyone on the Magic squad as FOH takes them out 64-47. Magic did hang around but too much from a very good Seattle club.
After a break in the hotel, the team runs around trying to find a Golden Corral only to find its out of business. After about 3 different changes of mind, its Chipotle for half the group. The coaches go with the Garfield rules of eating plan by having yogurt while waiting. I hold out for Rudy's BBQ and I get my wish after dropping the kids off. MN Triple Threat director Brett Rhodes (a Houston native who recommended the place) and Jerry Robertson forever make The Czar's Christmas Card list for making that happen. Its a gas station look and when coming inside there's a great sight. A line of about 50 people. Add in a 30 foot ice filled bin of every bottle of soda you could imagine and a menu that begins with half pound portions Get up to get the food and none of this sissy plate stuff. Here's a crate lined with wax paper, we'll just throw your meat in there. YA! I went with a half pound of lean brisket, a small portion of potato salad and a 12 oz bottle of Pepsi. That's living. Back to the hotel to catch the end of day 1 of the NBA playoffs and an early turn in for a long Sunday.
Sunday
Thanks to the loss on Saturday, the Magic draw Gold Coast (a pre-tourney favorite) in the bracket opener. Magic would take a lead late in the first half only to see Gold Coast take control from there. Magic would fight back in the 2nd half but Gold Coast would never give up the lead. Magic's hot shooting can't get them over the top. Gold Coast moves on with a 74-68 win. They would end up winning the tournament. Major shock that they didn't play FOH Seattle in the championship game. With an evening flight, its back to the hotel for some R & R. Off to TGI Friday's for a late lunch and then back to the airport and home in plenty of time to rest up for the week ahead. Magic finish 1-2 with losses to arguably the 2 best teams in the tournament. Gold Coast was on the ropes and they hung around with FOH Seattle despite dismal shooting. Magic take the week off before making the trip to Iowa next week.
Results from The Big Weekend
Labels:
The Big Weekend 2012
So what a weekend it was. Games and food galore. I spend Friday night, the last session on Saturday and the semis/finals Sunday at the Pump N Run tourney. Saturday's first half was at NY2LA and then the night session of the EYBL. Tough call between the Fritos Walking Taco at Hopkins or the Famous Dave's BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich at the EYBL. Add in a cinnamon roll and that's not a bad Saturday of food. People galore at Pulley. Full from the divider to the sideline and then on the 1 open baseline, 5 deep from the wall right to the edge of the court. Parking was even worse as cars were being towed left and right. Double parked, parking on the grass, you name it. Anything to find a spot. In fairness, all the of events did a nice job with their setups to manage the crowds and the coaches. Amazing to see all the head coaches from Jim Boeheim to Coach K to Bill Self and the list goes on and on and on.
Pump N Run lost a heartbreaker on Friday night to the KC 76ers. A great play call gave Cullen Russo a wide open layup that wouldn't go down and KC held on 56-54. Liked point guard Martez Harrison and forward Joey Lillis for the 76ers. Anybody named Cornsharks (Iowa) is worth seeing but no sight of their outstanding logo. Illinois Warriors hung on in an entertaining game vs Team Breakdown. Pump N Run 16s couldn't make a shot as Illinois Basketball Academy (with their Muscle Milk Jerseys) knocked them out in the semis. Fury Dixon got a buzzer beater runner John Veil to beat IBA in that title game. PNR 15s knocked off Wisconsin Blizzard-Pronschinske (last year's loaded Fox Valley Swing team) in a very good title game. Cody Schwartz will be a player from that squad. They took out a very good tNBA team in the semis. Fun to see Schwartz go up against Henry Ellenson in the final. Ellenson and Marshawn Wilson continue to impress.
15U Bracket Results
PNR def Heat Lesewski, NE Select Fisher def Triple Threat, WI Blizzard def KC 76ers, tNBA def Fury Shelman
PNR def Nebraska Select-Fisher
WI Blizzard def tNBA
PNR def WI Blizzard - Pronschinske 61-54
16U Bracket Results
PNR def MN Warriors, IBA def Chicago Magic, WI Blizzard def EOTO Black, Fury Dixon def WI Blaze
IBA def PNR, Fury Dixon def Blizzard
Fury Dixon def IBA 51-49 (Fury Dixon's only loss was to Heat Vang, they actually beat 2015 stud Diamond Stone and the Milwaukee Young Legends, corrected from original post)
17U Results
PNR def KC 76ers 67-50 for title
PNR def Team Breakdown, KC 76ers def Team Breakdown
KC 76ers def Team NE, Fundamental U def Grassroots, PNR def Fury Davis, Team Breakdown def AK Hawks.
KC 76ers def KC Premiere, Team NE def Fury Ouse, Fundamental U def MI Hurricanes, Grassroots def Ill Warriors, PNR def WI Blizzard, Fury Davis def Omaha Crusaders, AK Hawks def WI Jets, Team Breakdown def TX D1 Ambassadors
NY2LA Spring Extravaganza
Net Gain goes 2-2 as they lose to Texas Select in pool play and then bow out in the quarters to WI Swing on a buzzer. Comets Hanson had a crazy overtime game to finish pool play and then lost to TP Elite in the round of 16. 43 Hoops lost their pool to ECI after beating them in St. Cloud. 43 then knocked out both Select before losing to the Green Bay Gunners in the semifinals of the gold bracket. Comets Stock knocked out Getshook in the Silver bracket and then lost in the Silver title game by 4.
In the 16s Comets Lewis fell in the round of 16s to a very good KC Run GMC club. MN Select lost in the round of 16s to eventual champ RAS (Ray Allen Select) Net Gain 15s won their quarterfinal before losing to KC Run GMC in the semifinals.
The Rest
The Minnesota Cyclones lost to the St Louis Eagles at the IM Bball tourney before rolling through the Red bracket to win that title. My old Magic crew was 1-3 in that same division. Howard Pulley's top 17s went 3-1 and could have been 4-0 if not for a close loss to Albany City Rocks.
Pump N Run lost a heartbreaker on Friday night to the KC 76ers. A great play call gave Cullen Russo a wide open layup that wouldn't go down and KC held on 56-54. Liked point guard Martez Harrison and forward Joey Lillis for the 76ers. Anybody named Cornsharks (Iowa) is worth seeing but no sight of their outstanding logo. Illinois Warriors hung on in an entertaining game vs Team Breakdown. Pump N Run 16s couldn't make a shot as Illinois Basketball Academy (with their Muscle Milk Jerseys) knocked them out in the semis. Fury Dixon got a buzzer beater runner John Veil to beat IBA in that title game. PNR 15s knocked off Wisconsin Blizzard-Pronschinske (last year's loaded Fox Valley Swing team) in a very good title game. Cody Schwartz will be a player from that squad. They took out a very good tNBA team in the semis. Fun to see Schwartz go up against Henry Ellenson in the final. Ellenson and Marshawn Wilson continue to impress.
15U Bracket Results
PNR def Heat Lesewski, NE Select Fisher def Triple Threat, WI Blizzard def KC 76ers, tNBA def Fury Shelman
PNR def Nebraska Select-Fisher
WI Blizzard def tNBA
PNR def WI Blizzard - Pronschinske 61-54
16U Bracket Results
PNR def MN Warriors, IBA def Chicago Magic, WI Blizzard def EOTO Black, Fury Dixon def WI Blaze
IBA def PNR, Fury Dixon def Blizzard
Fury Dixon def IBA 51-49 (Fury Dixon's only loss was to Heat Vang, they actually beat 2015 stud Diamond Stone and the Milwaukee Young Legends, corrected from original post)
17U Results
PNR def KC 76ers 67-50 for title
PNR def Team Breakdown, KC 76ers def Team Breakdown
KC 76ers def Team NE, Fundamental U def Grassroots, PNR def Fury Davis, Team Breakdown def AK Hawks.
KC 76ers def KC Premiere, Team NE def Fury Ouse, Fundamental U def MI Hurricanes, Grassroots def Ill Warriors, PNR def WI Blizzard, Fury Davis def Omaha Crusaders, AK Hawks def WI Jets, Team Breakdown def TX D1 Ambassadors
NY2LA Spring Extravaganza
Net Gain goes 2-2 as they lose to Texas Select in pool play and then bow out in the quarters to WI Swing on a buzzer. Comets Hanson had a crazy overtime game to finish pool play and then lost to TP Elite in the round of 16. 43 Hoops lost their pool to ECI after beating them in St. Cloud. 43 then knocked out both Select before losing to the Green Bay Gunners in the semifinals of the gold bracket. Comets Stock knocked out Getshook in the Silver bracket and then lost in the Silver title game by 4.
In the 16s Comets Lewis fell in the round of 16s to a very good KC Run GMC club. MN Select lost in the round of 16s to eventual champ RAS (Ray Allen Select) Net Gain 15s won their quarterfinal before losing to KC Run GMC in the semifinals.
The Rest
The Minnesota Cyclones lost to the St Louis Eagles at the IM Bball tourney before rolling through the Red bracket to win that title. My old Magic crew was 1-3 in that same division. Howard Pulley's top 17s went 3-1 and could have been 4-0 if not for a close loss to Albany City Rocks.
The Big Weekend Brackets
Labels:
The Big Weekend 2012
Here are championship brackets for Sunday of The Big Weekend 2012.
Best Buy Spring Classic
17U Semifinals - 12:30 PM Courts 1 and 2 Jefferson
KC 76ers vs Fundamental U
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Team Breakdown (FL)
Team Breakdown came from double digits down in 2nd half to beat Arkansas Hawks.
16U Semifinals - 11:25 AM Courts 1 and 2 Jefferson
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Illinois Basketball Academy
Wisconsin Blizzard vs Minnesota Fury-Dixon
15U Semifinals - 11:25 AM Courts 3 and 4 Jefferson
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Nebraska Select - Fisher
tNBA-Brown vs Wisconsin Blizzard Pronschinske
15U Championship - 1:40 PM Court 3 Jefferson
16U Championship - 1:40 PM Court 1 Jefferson
17U Championship - 2:45 PM Court 3 Jefferson
NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza
17U Quarterfinals - 9:10 AM Courts 1,3,4 and 5 Hopkins
Texas Select vs KC Run GMC
Kingdom Hoops Elite vs TP Elite
WI Playmakers White vs I-Can All-Stars
Net Gain Sports vs Wisconsin Swing
17U Semifinals - 11:30 AM Courts 3 and 4 Hopkins
17U Championship - 1:50 PM Court 4 Hopkins
16U Quarterfinals - 8:00 AM Courts 1,3,4 and 5 Hopkins
Wisconsin Swing-Litscher vs Milwaukee Rebels
Inland Empire vs Wisconsin Playmakers
RAS vs SYF Hoopmatics
Iowa Barnstormers vs KC Run GMC
16U Semifinals - 10:20 AM Courts 3 and 4 Hopkins
16U Championship - 12:40 PM Court 4 Hopkins
15U Semifinals - 10:20 AM Courts 1 and 5 Hopkins
Kingdom Hoops Elite vs DTA Spartans
Net Gain vs KC Run GMC
15U Championship - 12:40 PM Court 3 Hopkins
IM Bball Spring Showcase
17U Bracket Semifinal 1 10:10 AM at Metcalf
17U Bracket Semifinal 2 11:15 AM at Nicollet
17U Bracket Championship 2:30 PM Eagan Court 1
15U Red Bracket Semifinals - 9:05 and 10:10 AM Eastview Court 2
Minnesota Cyclones vs Wisconsin Playground Elite
MOKAN vs All Iowa Attack Moore
15U Red Bracket Championship - 1:25 PM Eagan Court 3
15U Black Bracket Semifinals - 10:10 AM Courts 1 and 2 Burnsville
Illinois Elite vs Pumas 15U
MN Magic Blue vs DSM Knicks 15U
15U Black Bracket Championship- 1:25 PM Eastview Court 1
EYBL
Howard Pulley vs NJ Playaz - 9:30 AM Court 1 Hight Performance Academy
Best Buy Spring Classic
17U Semifinals - 12:30 PM Courts 1 and 2 Jefferson
KC 76ers vs Fundamental U
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Team Breakdown (FL)
Team Breakdown came from double digits down in 2nd half to beat Arkansas Hawks.
16U Semifinals - 11:25 AM Courts 1 and 2 Jefferson
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Illinois Basketball Academy
Wisconsin Blizzard vs Minnesota Fury-Dixon
15U Semifinals - 11:25 AM Courts 3 and 4 Jefferson
Minnesota Pump N Run vs Nebraska Select - Fisher
tNBA-Brown vs Wisconsin Blizzard Pronschinske
15U Championship - 1:40 PM Court 3 Jefferson
16U Championship - 1:40 PM Court 1 Jefferson
17U Championship - 2:45 PM Court 3 Jefferson
NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza
17U Quarterfinals - 9:10 AM Courts 1,3,4 and 5 Hopkins
Texas Select vs KC Run GMC
Kingdom Hoops Elite vs TP Elite
WI Playmakers White vs I-Can All-Stars
Net Gain Sports vs Wisconsin Swing
17U Semifinals - 11:30 AM Courts 3 and 4 Hopkins
17U Championship - 1:50 PM Court 4 Hopkins
16U Quarterfinals - 8:00 AM Courts 1,3,4 and 5 Hopkins
Wisconsin Swing-Litscher vs Milwaukee Rebels
Inland Empire vs Wisconsin Playmakers
RAS vs SYF Hoopmatics
Iowa Barnstormers vs KC Run GMC
16U Semifinals - 10:20 AM Courts 3 and 4 Hopkins
16U Championship - 12:40 PM Court 4 Hopkins
15U Semifinals - 10:20 AM Courts 1 and 5 Hopkins
Kingdom Hoops Elite vs DTA Spartans
Net Gain vs KC Run GMC
15U Championship - 12:40 PM Court 3 Hopkins
IM Bball Spring Showcase
17U Bracket Semifinal 1 10:10 AM at Metcalf
17U Bracket Semifinal 2 11:15 AM at Nicollet
17U Bracket Championship 2:30 PM Eagan Court 1
15U Red Bracket Semifinals - 9:05 and 10:10 AM Eastview Court 2
Minnesota Cyclones vs Wisconsin Playground Elite
MOKAN vs All Iowa Attack Moore
15U Red Bracket Championship - 1:25 PM Eagan Court 3
15U Black Bracket Semifinals - 10:10 AM Courts 1 and 2 Burnsville
Illinois Elite vs Pumas 15U
MN Magic Blue vs DSM Knicks 15U
15U Black Bracket Championship- 1:25 PM Eastview Court 1
EYBL
Howard Pulley vs NJ Playaz - 9:30 AM Court 1 Hight Performance Academy
The Big Weekend Preview
Labels:
Rashad Vaughn,
The Big Weekend 2012
The biggest weekend in Minnesota basketball history comes to town this weekend. Nike brings their EYBL to town at High Performance Academy in Eagan. It'll be very interesting to see how the setup there works with all of the fans, coaches and media. IM BBall has the lesser 17s and the 15s/16s from that division. That's at Bursnville and Eastview. NY2LA looks to cash in as they add to their list of tournaments by adding an event here this weekend. They'll take over Hopkins and Minnetonka. Then there's the annual Best Buy Spring Classic in Bloomington. Here's what catches my eye.
Best Buy Spring Classic
Most Interesting Pool Matchup: SW MN Stars 16s vs MN Pump N Run 16s- 1:10 PM Saturday Court 5 Jefferson.
I'm hoping Ishmael Wainright rejoins the 76ers for the tournament. He was the leader for a club that swept the late period last July by winning the Fab 48 in Las Vegas and The Best of Summer in Los Angeles. The Michigan Hurricanes return to the cities with star forward Byron Ziegler. Team Nebraska Express also returns after losing last year's Best Buy Summer Classic title game in double overtime. Traditionally strong Team Breakdown from Florida makes the trip in. The Wisconsin Jets make the trip in as a next kid on the block but they've picked up some nice talent in kids like Tim Wagner who played here with Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau last fall and winter.
I'm hoping for a tNBA vs Pump N Run final in the 15U bracket on Sunday at 1:40. tNBA might have to go through the top Fury team in the quarters though to do it. In the 16s could get a Fury Grosz vs PNR semifinal. EOTO with a tough pool on the other side of the bracket. In the 17s I absolutely love the bracket format with the big games on Friday night. Pump N Run vs KC 76ers (Travis vs Wainright?, that would be cool), Fury Davis vs Team Nebraska Express, Omaha Crusaders vs Iowa PNR-Henderson, Illinois Warriors vs Team Breakdown highlight that schedule.
EYBL/IM BBall
No less than 30 of the top players in 2013 are expected at the 1st session of the EYBL. No surprise then that it also means you have some of the most talented teams in the country. That list begins with the Oakland Soldiers and star Aaron Gordon. The 2014 talent is loaded with Andrew Wiggins, Jahil Okafor, Trey Lyles and D'Angelo Russell. Oh yeah and some kid named Tyus Jones too.
Howard Pulley has 4 games all outside their pool, highest profile should be vs Jackson Tigers on Saturday night at 6:30 on court 2. Kyle Washington not eligible for the EYBL but he will play in the 17U division of the IM BBall event with the 2nd team. Might be the only chance to see him with Pulley in true AAU ball. This group is loaded at 15s/16s with the Nike teams. Minnesota Cyclones, Mokan Elite, Playground Elite, CIA Bounce and top Pulley team (along with the remains of my old 14U team) all in the top 15U division. Similar criminal level of talent in the 16U field.
NY2LA Spring Extravaganza
Best Pool Matchup: KC Run GMC vs Wisconsin Swing - 1:50 PM Saturday Court 3 Hopkins.
Must See Game: Wisconsin Playmakers White vs Net Gain - Friday 7:10 Hopkins Court 4
Crazy Schedule Game: ECI vs 43 Hoops in a pool rematch of last week's quarterfinal in St. Cloud
Top Minnesota Players:
Riley Dearring and Rashad Vaughn - Net Gain
Carson Shanks and Jon Sobaski - Minnesota Select White
2013 Top Players:
Connor Frankamp - KC Run GMC
Luke Fischer, Nick Fuller and Bronson Koenig - Wisconsin Swing
Turner Botz, Toby Hegner and Matt Thomas - Wisconsin Playmakers White
Deonte Burton - TP Elite
2014 Top Players:
Emanuel Mudiay - Texas Select
Kevon Looney - Milwaukee Rebels
Dominique Collier - KC Run GMC
Best Buy Spring Classic
Most Interesting Pool Matchup: SW MN Stars 16s vs MN Pump N Run 16s- 1:10 PM Saturday Court 5 Jefferson.
I'm hoping Ishmael Wainright rejoins the 76ers for the tournament. He was the leader for a club that swept the late period last July by winning the Fab 48 in Las Vegas and The Best of Summer in Los Angeles. The Michigan Hurricanes return to the cities with star forward Byron Ziegler. Team Nebraska Express also returns after losing last year's Best Buy Summer Classic title game in double overtime. Traditionally strong Team Breakdown from Florida makes the trip in. The Wisconsin Jets make the trip in as a next kid on the block but they've picked up some nice talent in kids like Tim Wagner who played here with Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau last fall and winter.
I'm hoping for a tNBA vs Pump N Run final in the 15U bracket on Sunday at 1:40. tNBA might have to go through the top Fury team in the quarters though to do it. In the 16s could get a Fury Grosz vs PNR semifinal. EOTO with a tough pool on the other side of the bracket. In the 17s I absolutely love the bracket format with the big games on Friday night. Pump N Run vs KC 76ers (Travis vs Wainright?, that would be cool), Fury Davis vs Team Nebraska Express, Omaha Crusaders vs Iowa PNR-Henderson, Illinois Warriors vs Team Breakdown highlight that schedule.
EYBL/IM BBall
No less than 30 of the top players in 2013 are expected at the 1st session of the EYBL. No surprise then that it also means you have some of the most talented teams in the country. That list begins with the Oakland Soldiers and star Aaron Gordon. The 2014 talent is loaded with Andrew Wiggins, Jahil Okafor, Trey Lyles and D'Angelo Russell. Oh yeah and some kid named Tyus Jones too.
Howard Pulley has 4 games all outside their pool, highest profile should be vs Jackson Tigers on Saturday night at 6:30 on court 2. Kyle Washington not eligible for the EYBL but he will play in the 17U division of the IM BBall event with the 2nd team. Might be the only chance to see him with Pulley in true AAU ball. This group is loaded at 15s/16s with the Nike teams. Minnesota Cyclones, Mokan Elite, Playground Elite, CIA Bounce and top Pulley team (along with the remains of my old 14U team) all in the top 15U division. Similar criminal level of talent in the 16U field.
NY2LA Spring Extravaganza
Best Pool Matchup: KC Run GMC vs Wisconsin Swing - 1:50 PM Saturday Court 3 Hopkins.
Must See Game: Wisconsin Playmakers White vs Net Gain - Friday 7:10 Hopkins Court 4
Crazy Schedule Game: ECI vs 43 Hoops in a pool rematch of last week's quarterfinal in St. Cloud
Top Minnesota Players:
Riley Dearring and Rashad Vaughn - Net Gain
Carson Shanks and Jon Sobaski - Minnesota Select White
2013 Top Players:
Connor Frankamp - KC Run GMC
Luke Fischer, Nick Fuller and Bronson Koenig - Wisconsin Swing
Turner Botz, Toby Hegner and Matt Thomas - Wisconsin Playmakers White
Deonte Burton - TP Elite
2014 Top Players:
Emanuel Mudiay - Texas Select
Kevon Looney - Milwaukee Rebels
Dominique Collier - KC Run GMC
2012 Comets Shootout Review
Labels:
2012 Comets Shootout,
Reid Travis
Results and my random thoughts from the 2012 Comets Shootout.
The food was outstanding with the pulled pork at the concession stand. I had to hit that twice on Saturday. I conned my way into mini-donuts on Sunday otherwise I would have done it again. Good crew of college coaches from the NSIC, MIAC, WIAC etc on hand. The play was generally ragged and I'm shocked that the officials basically worked the entire day. The official formerly known as Al Sharpton worked enough games for a lifetime. Not sure we have enough refs for a solution but getting these guys in and out quicker would make things much better all the way around. I've seen in Denver where the refs are on for 2 and then they're gone.
A great way to end the weekend as a Fury team was playing and upon closer look, there was the one and only HAT LADY!!! All purple and the hat was outstanding as usual.
17U
Pool Winners: ECI Prospects, 43 Hoops, Select White, PNR, Heat Ogorek, NGS, Playmakers, Heat Reese
My predictions had 15 of the 16 teams in the Championship Bracket (Fury-Ouse miss). Comets/ECI and Heat Reese/Fury Davis flip spots so I get 11 of the 16 spots exactly right. 6 of the 8 quarterfinal winners right with the correct team losing in the other 2 games. I got half of the games in the quarters right. Then my bracket fell apart and got nothing else right.
Round of 16 results: ECI def Glory 64-48, 43 Hoops def GetShook 63-61, Select over Comets Hanson, PNR over Playmakers Blue, Triple Threat 59-52 over Heat Ogorek, NGS 82-78 over Fury Davis, Playmakers White 70-54 over Comets Stock and Heat Reese over SD Heat.
Quarters: ECI def 43 Hoops 77-68, PNR def Select 78-51, NGS def Triple Threat 76-53, Heat Reese def Playmakers White (no Matt Thomas) 79-71.
Semis: PNR def ECI 71-60, NGS def Heat Reese 70-65.
Championship NGS def PNR 70-66. 25 and 10 from Reid Travis of PNR. 18 points from Riley Dearring to lead Net Gain.
Phil Nolan showing up with Net Gain was a major surprise. A big center might show up, but this wasn't the name on everybody's mind, see Akolda Manyang. NGS built with a crew of Sean Scott, Ater Manyang and Nolan with their regulars. Heck, maybe we'll see Tommy McDermott with them again at some point this season. With NGS, you never know. They showed some early struggles like last year.
Heat Reese not only beat Fury Davis in pool play to win their pool but also beat the Wisconsin Playmakers top club that still had 2 D1 kids. They held a double digit lead for a large chunk of the 2nd half so no fluke. They were down double digits to NGS in the 2nd half before storming back and taking the lead. They had a good look late to tie as well before NGS held on.
43 Hoops has some pieces for Chris Carr to work with. Nick Anderson to run the show, Markus Taylor Knighten to score. It'll be interesting to see how that team evolves. Select White didn't play well but a 27 thrashing from Pump N Run was a surprise. Comets Hanson was throttled by ECI Prospects in the pool deciding game late Saturday night and then immediately went out to Select White in the round of 16. Much higher hopes here for the top Comets club. Worth noting that 7 footer Connor Voss is probably out another month at minimum. That certainly impacts what you want to do on the defensive end.
16U
In the 16s results, I don't know the Pool H finishes but other than those I know I went a perfect 14 for 14 in the title bracket. 8 for 8 in the round of 16. Both quarters in the top half right along with the semifinalist and champion from that half.
Pool Winners: Comets Lewis, Heat Vang, Select, Fury Dixon, Comets Stanfield, Fury Grosz and PNR 15s (Pool H???).
Round of 16: PNR def MN Rush, EOTO def Heat Schumann, Fury Dixon def NGS 15s, Dakota Pride win, Fury Grosz over Comets Stanfield, PNR 15s win, Select def Heat Frank, Comets Lewis def Heat Vang
Quarters: PNR def EOTO 62-59, Fury Dixon def Dakota Pride 80-65, PNR 15s def Fury Grosz 59-51, Select def Comets Elite 77-71 in 3OT.
Semis: PNR 16s def Fury Dixon 65-54, PNR 15s def Select 65-59
Championship: PNR 16s retain in house bragging rights with 69-66 win over PNR 15s.
Furious comebacks in this division. EOTO was down 16 vs PNR and made big run late. PNR 15s need a run vs Fury Grosz and then ended their game with Select on a 17-4 run to come from 9 down in the last 5 minutes. The 15s also made a run from double digits down to the 16s in the title game but just didn't have enough left to pull it off.
Fury Dixon blasted a quality Heat Frank team 71-27 in their pool opener. That Fury club has size and outstanding guard play. Very very dangerous. Liked how the South Dakota Heat 16s played in terms of moving the ball and not beating it to death with the dribble. Henry Ellenson of the PNR 15s looks so much wider and stronger than a year ago. Was more than physically capable enough in the 16U bracket let alone vs 15s. PNR 16s struggled vs TVA in the pool opener (a team they should pound) and were down 3 with 12 to play before pulling that out. EOTO (last year's Heat Select) still has a dangerous squad of athletes even without Andre Wallace. Kyle Kalivoda is a nice pickup for that group.
15U
I only saw semis and finals of the 15U bracket because almost all of pool play was up in Foley. But no surprise that the Cyclones ran through it with no problem. They won their semifinal over Magic 73-34 and throttled Heat Bui/Lesewski in the championship 81-49 (though that was an 11 point game late in the 1st half). Fury Johnson gave them their best game with a loss by just over 10.
Here were the matchups in the 15u championship bracket
MN Comets Elite v TC Running Rebels
MN Heat Calistro v Triple Threat Westberg
43 Hoops I v MN Fury Shelman
WI Playmakers v MN Heat Lesewski
South Dakota Heat v MN Magic Blue
Triple Threat High v Grassroots
MN Fury Johnson v WOTN Gold
MN Select v MN Cyclones
??, Heat Calistro, Fury Shelman, Heat Bui/Lesewski, Magic Blue, TT High, Fury Johnson and Cyclones won in the round of 16.
Heat Calistro won, Heat Bui/Lesewski beat Fury Shelman by 20+, Magic Blue def Triple Threat, Cyclones def Fury Johnson
Heat Bui/Lesewski def Heat Calistro, Cyclones def Magic Blue
Cyclones win 15U title over Heat Bui/Lesewski
The food was outstanding with the pulled pork at the concession stand. I had to hit that twice on Saturday. I conned my way into mini-donuts on Sunday otherwise I would have done it again. Good crew of college coaches from the NSIC, MIAC, WIAC etc on hand. The play was generally ragged and I'm shocked that the officials basically worked the entire day. The official formerly known as Al Sharpton worked enough games for a lifetime. Not sure we have enough refs for a solution but getting these guys in and out quicker would make things much better all the way around. I've seen in Denver where the refs are on for 2 and then they're gone.
A great way to end the weekend as a Fury team was playing and upon closer look, there was the one and only HAT LADY!!! All purple and the hat was outstanding as usual.
17U
Pool Winners: ECI Prospects, 43 Hoops, Select White, PNR, Heat Ogorek, NGS, Playmakers, Heat Reese
My predictions had 15 of the 16 teams in the Championship Bracket (Fury-Ouse miss). Comets/ECI and Heat Reese/Fury Davis flip spots so I get 11 of the 16 spots exactly right. 6 of the 8 quarterfinal winners right with the correct team losing in the other 2 games. I got half of the games in the quarters right. Then my bracket fell apart and got nothing else right.
Round of 16 results: ECI def Glory 64-48, 43 Hoops def GetShook 63-61, Select over Comets Hanson, PNR over Playmakers Blue, Triple Threat 59-52 over Heat Ogorek, NGS 82-78 over Fury Davis, Playmakers White 70-54 over Comets Stock and Heat Reese over SD Heat.
Quarters: ECI def 43 Hoops 77-68, PNR def Select 78-51, NGS def Triple Threat 76-53, Heat Reese def Playmakers White (no Matt Thomas) 79-71.
Semis: PNR def ECI 71-60, NGS def Heat Reese 70-65.
Championship NGS def PNR 70-66. 25 and 10 from Reid Travis of PNR. 18 points from Riley Dearring to lead Net Gain.
Phil Nolan showing up with Net Gain was a major surprise. A big center might show up, but this wasn't the name on everybody's mind, see Akolda Manyang. NGS built with a crew of Sean Scott, Ater Manyang and Nolan with their regulars. Heck, maybe we'll see Tommy McDermott with them again at some point this season. With NGS, you never know. They showed some early struggles like last year.
Heat Reese not only beat Fury Davis in pool play to win their pool but also beat the Wisconsin Playmakers top club that still had 2 D1 kids. They held a double digit lead for a large chunk of the 2nd half so no fluke. They were down double digits to NGS in the 2nd half before storming back and taking the lead. They had a good look late to tie as well before NGS held on.
43 Hoops has some pieces for Chris Carr to work with. Nick Anderson to run the show, Markus Taylor Knighten to score. It'll be interesting to see how that team evolves. Select White didn't play well but a 27 thrashing from Pump N Run was a surprise. Comets Hanson was throttled by ECI Prospects in the pool deciding game late Saturday night and then immediately went out to Select White in the round of 16. Much higher hopes here for the top Comets club. Worth noting that 7 footer Connor Voss is probably out another month at minimum. That certainly impacts what you want to do on the defensive end.
16U
In the 16s results, I don't know the Pool H finishes but other than those I know I went a perfect 14 for 14 in the title bracket. 8 for 8 in the round of 16. Both quarters in the top half right along with the semifinalist and champion from that half.
Pool Winners: Comets Lewis, Heat Vang, Select, Fury Dixon, Comets Stanfield, Fury Grosz and PNR 15s (Pool H???).
Round of 16: PNR def MN Rush, EOTO def Heat Schumann, Fury Dixon def NGS 15s, Dakota Pride win, Fury Grosz over Comets Stanfield, PNR 15s win, Select def Heat Frank, Comets Lewis def Heat Vang
Quarters: PNR def EOTO 62-59, Fury Dixon def Dakota Pride 80-65, PNR 15s def Fury Grosz 59-51, Select def Comets Elite 77-71 in 3OT.
Semis: PNR 16s def Fury Dixon 65-54, PNR 15s def Select 65-59
Championship: PNR 16s retain in house bragging rights with 69-66 win over PNR 15s.
Furious comebacks in this division. EOTO was down 16 vs PNR and made big run late. PNR 15s need a run vs Fury Grosz and then ended their game with Select on a 17-4 run to come from 9 down in the last 5 minutes. The 15s also made a run from double digits down to the 16s in the title game but just didn't have enough left to pull it off.
Fury Dixon blasted a quality Heat Frank team 71-27 in their pool opener. That Fury club has size and outstanding guard play. Very very dangerous. Liked how the South Dakota Heat 16s played in terms of moving the ball and not beating it to death with the dribble. Henry Ellenson of the PNR 15s looks so much wider and stronger than a year ago. Was more than physically capable enough in the 16U bracket let alone vs 15s. PNR 16s struggled vs TVA in the pool opener (a team they should pound) and were down 3 with 12 to play before pulling that out. EOTO (last year's Heat Select) still has a dangerous squad of athletes even without Andre Wallace. Kyle Kalivoda is a nice pickup for that group.
15U
I only saw semis and finals of the 15U bracket because almost all of pool play was up in Foley. But no surprise that the Cyclones ran through it with no problem. They won their semifinal over Magic 73-34 and throttled Heat Bui/Lesewski in the championship 81-49 (though that was an 11 point game late in the 1st half). Fury Johnson gave them their best game with a loss by just over 10.
Here were the matchups in the 15u championship bracket
MN Comets Elite v TC Running Rebels
MN Heat Calistro v Triple Threat Westberg
43 Hoops I v MN Fury Shelman
WI Playmakers v MN Heat Lesewski
South Dakota Heat v MN Magic Blue
Triple Threat High v Grassroots
MN Fury Johnson v WOTN Gold
MN Select v MN Cyclones
??, Heat Calistro, Fury Shelman, Heat Bui/Lesewski, Magic Blue, TT High, Fury Johnson and Cyclones won in the round of 16.
Heat Calistro won, Heat Bui/Lesewski beat Fury Shelman by 20+, Magic Blue def Triple Threat, Cyclones def Fury Johnson
Heat Bui/Lesewski def Heat Calistro, Cyclones def Magic Blue
Cyclones win 15U title over Heat Bui/Lesewski
2012 Heat Jamboree
The Minnesota Heat held their inaugural jamboree at Fridley High School. (Czar's Note 4/13/12, its actually the 3rd year according to Heat Director Willie Vang) That takes us back to the days of the old Magic Jamboree where they'd get their top teams together, add a team of seniors and have the college coaches come in for the evening. You need a bunch of teams to do it but the Heat have just that (is there any other program in the nation with that many teams?). The difference for the Heat is that we got a start with the lower levels tonight too going all the way down the ranks. Great experience for the kids and it gives them a chance to get in a quick run against somebody else before really ramping up their spring season. A great concept that I'm sure the Heat will utilize in the future.
As to the teams and kids, I bounced back and forth between 3 courts to take a look at that. Games were 20 minutes running time so get em in and get em out. Some tidbits of what I saw.
Play of the Night: Quashingm Smith-Pugh putting a poster on somebody in the back gym. He's a nice pick up for the Heat Reese 17s
Team that caught my eye: Heat Reese 17s. This may be listed as the 3rd team with the Ogorek and Altena groups returning from last year. That said its an entirely different team than those 2. Coach Reese has athletes and the willingness to turn the game into an up and down frenzy to match that crew. With Smith-Pugh, Deshawn Jones, lanky Christian Esko and Isaiah Hanson they have the ability to get after people. Tommy Scarver runs the point after not seeing much time during the high school season. Bremiah Snyder is a glue guy banger who sets mean screens. Mike Wales provides them with some shooting. Its a crew that has a chance to be a real pain in the neck to anybody they play.
Evening News:
I had to watch the 15s since my old team took on the Heat 14s last year . They've added some quality pieces with Edina's Ben Boone and Alec Synstelien of Minnetonka. Kai Endahl gives toughness on the wing.
The Heat Altena squad has 5 Centennial guys and they have prom this weekend so that explains why they aren't at the Comets tourney.. That crew along with the Heat Ogorek crew will rely on their chemistry and on execution to win games. Heat Ogorek is a bit of a cross between the Altena and Reese groups in that they try to do some of the same type trapping as the Reese squad but with personnel like the Altena squad. At the 16s, Willie Vang's crew is missing Careino Gurley to a concussion.
Interesting to see some of the teams go with the simple 5 out look on the offensive end. Its fine until you go 30 seconds without shooting and then one of the players feels like the world will end if they don't shoot and you get a 1 on 5 forced look. But I loved what New Prague did with it against zone via a 4 out look, but conceptually the same. Makes great sense for AAU with the limited practice time a team has.
Czar's Assessment:
I've made my comments on the event, now on to the teams themselves. The 14s level is loaded and despite the usual raiding that happens you'd like to believe they can get at least 1 team out of it that brings them back into the top level 2 discussion. As 2013 is a down year for Minnesota talent, its a down year for the Heat too at the 15-17 levels. The teams will have chemistry and be competitive and as well run as any organization out there. This year they just don't have the same horses that their peers have.
As to the teams and kids, I bounced back and forth between 3 courts to take a look at that. Games were 20 minutes running time so get em in and get em out. Some tidbits of what I saw.
Play of the Night: Quashingm Smith-Pugh putting a poster on somebody in the back gym. He's a nice pick up for the Heat Reese 17s
Team that caught my eye: Heat Reese 17s. This may be listed as the 3rd team with the Ogorek and Altena groups returning from last year. That said its an entirely different team than those 2. Coach Reese has athletes and the willingness to turn the game into an up and down frenzy to match that crew. With Smith-Pugh, Deshawn Jones, lanky Christian Esko and Isaiah Hanson they have the ability to get after people. Tommy Scarver runs the point after not seeing much time during the high school season. Bremiah Snyder is a glue guy banger who sets mean screens. Mike Wales provides them with some shooting. Its a crew that has a chance to be a real pain in the neck to anybody they play.
Evening News:
I had to watch the 15s since my old team took on the Heat 14s last year . They've added some quality pieces with Edina's Ben Boone and Alec Synstelien of Minnetonka. Kai Endahl gives toughness on the wing.
The Heat Altena squad has 5 Centennial guys and they have prom this weekend so that explains why they aren't at the Comets tourney.. That crew along with the Heat Ogorek crew will rely on their chemistry and on execution to win games. Heat Ogorek is a bit of a cross between the Altena and Reese groups in that they try to do some of the same type trapping as the Reese squad but with personnel like the Altena squad. At the 16s, Willie Vang's crew is missing Careino Gurley to a concussion.
Interesting to see some of the teams go with the simple 5 out look on the offensive end. Its fine until you go 30 seconds without shooting and then one of the players feels like the world will end if they don't shoot and you get a 1 on 5 forced look. But I loved what New Prague did with it against zone via a 4 out look, but conceptually the same. Makes great sense for AAU with the limited practice time a team has.
Czar's Assessment:
I've made my comments on the event, now on to the teams themselves. The 14s level is loaded and despite the usual raiding that happens you'd like to believe they can get at least 1 team out of it that brings them back into the top level 2 discussion. As 2013 is a down year for Minnesota talent, its a down year for the Heat too at the 15-17 levels. The teams will have chemistry and be competitive and as well run as any organization out there. This year they just don't have the same horses that their peers have.
2012 Comets Shootout Preview
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2012 Comets Shootout
Back after a state tournament breather its time for the annual big time kickoff of the Minnesota season. That means its time for 2012 Comets Shootout. Here's what I'm watching.
15U
In 15U there are 30 pools divided into 10 pools of 3. 28 of the 30 pool games are in Foley with the round of 16 and quarterfinals at Sauk Rapids High School before moving to the home base at Whitney. But this division is more about who's not playing than who is. tNBA is at the Howard Pulley Jamboree. Net Gain, Pump N Run and MN Phenom are all playing up in the 16U division. That leaves the MN Cyclones as the overwhelming favorite to win their division again (14U champs last year). I'll be shocked if Alex Illikainen and company don't steamroll through to another title. Best competition comes from the top Comets squad out of pool A and the top Fury team out of pool D.
15U Picks: Comets Stumpf, Fury Johnson, Grassroots, Fury Shelman, Cyclones, 43 Hoops Vaughn, Heat Lesewski/Bui, MN Select SD Heat, WI Playmakers are my picks to win the pools. Cyclones have their half of the bracket to themselves while Comets Stumpf and Fury Shelman are on the other side. Since Fury has one of my former players, we'll take them to make the final before losing to the Cyclones.
16U
This bracket provides the most exciting pool game of the entire tournament. That's Comets Elite vs Pump N Run at 11:30 AM Saturday on the main court at Whitney. Big props to the coaches for putting that one together. The 15U teams playing up will have good chance to move on. Net Gain gets a favorable draw in pool C. MN Phenom has 2 tough ones against Fury Dixon and Heat Gardner but I wouldn't be shocked to see them move on. 12:40 PM on Whitney court 1 with Phenom vs Gardner will likely decide the other gold bracket qualifier. Pump N Run 15s got a very good draw in pool G.
The young talent is noteworthy with Evan Shephard (Phenom), Sacar Anim (NGS) and whatever PNR has. 8th grader Dalante Peyton playing up on the MN Premiere 16s. EOTO is likely the squad that was Heat Select last year (though missing Andre Wallace) hence they get my nod. Heat Frank with Geno Crandall and Lance Gardner has some talent to play with. Fury Dixon may be the 2nd team but in name only. They have size with Ngor Barnaba of Rochester John Marshall and a talented guard group of John Veil, Zach Wessels, swiss army knife Noble Fahnbulleh and TC Robinson. Fury Grosz with a balanced group and talent to boot with guys like Clay Elrod, Andrew Grosz and Charlie Koontz. Add in guys like Wheeler Baker, Derek Magnuson, Kolby Seiffert and Eric West and you have depth too. Hoping to see Jim Warmack with the Dakota Pride again. The East Grand Forks post played at both 16s and 15s last year for the Pride.
16U Pool Picks: PNR and Comets, Heat Vang and MN Rush, Select and Net Gain 15s, Fury Dixon and Heat Frank. EOTO and Comets Stanfield, Fury Grosz and Heat Schumann, PNR 15s and Dakota Pride, Playmakers and Triple Threat.
16U Bracket Picks:
Top half: PNR 16s over MN Rush, EOTO over Heat Schumann, Fury Dixon over NGS 15s, Pride over Playmakers
Bottom half: Fury Grosz over Comets Stanfield, PNR 15s over Triple Threat, Select over Heat Frank, Comets Elite over Heat Vang.
Quarters: PNR 16s over EOTO, Fury Dixon over Dakota Pride, Fury Grosz over PNR 15s (great game at 10:20 ct 3 Whitney on Sunday), Comets Elite over Select
PNR def Fury Dixon and Fury Grosz over Comets Elite in the semis. PNR 16s def Fury Grosz for 16U title.
17U
Now to Minnesota's Toughest Basketball. As always the championship game will be 7th game for the teams in just over 24 hours. All after taking the ACT and making the trip north. Like the 16U division the games are mostly split between the Whitney and Sauk Rapids Middle School.
Pool A goes to the host Comets Hanson. A very good group with Nate Huot running the show and 7 feet of Connor Voss inside. The other player to keep an eye in this pool is AJ Jacobsen of ECI.
Pool B has the mystery known as Chris Carr's 43 Hoops group. Markus Taylor-Knighten is expected to be with that group, what else he has remains to be seen. The surprise in this group should be the MN Wolves. Its a new crew that has added seniors Latrell Love and Darian Pittman. Fury Ouse (2nd team) has Sam Burt in the middle along with shooters Adam Huessner and Collin Host. Peter Kruize and Nick Goldberg are 2 more front court pieces with Nick O'Hara to run the show and Kharie Kirkland to lock people down.
Select's top team and 7-footer Carson Shanks headline pool C. Devon Pekas and Dan Wills highlight the Glory squad and where else would you find a star out of the Christian Athletic League (Peter Maring of Cambridge Christian). PEM's state tourney star Beau Nelson also on the Glory roster. Comets Seevers will have St. Cloud Cathedral's Joe Burt joining the party.
Pump N Run's top club picks up a good draw in pool D. With the quick turnaround and high number of games we'll see if not having a full slate of 10 guys hurts them later on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing Cullen Russo again after a year of prep school. I'll also bet on Darius Hill here rather than MN Chosen.
Pool E is full of teams that don't have the superstar type player but try to embody the concept of team. Heat Ogorek has a kid I'm a fan of in Brad Freeborn (face up 4). They have workable guards in Jack Martinek, Beau Smit and Robert Claypool, a defender in Drake Mjaanes and a role player in Brad Carlson. Comets Stock has some kids who had really nice seasons in Cody Sprenger, Mike Millard and Dylan Erickson. Magic Maroon is largely north metro kids. Porter Morrell was a solid guard for Elk River during the season.
Pool F has Net Gain which means you never who or what will show up. Last year they looked positively awful on Saturday night and barely made the championship bracket. Then on Sunday they ran through 4 games to win the title. Bryce Wojta runs the point. Riley Dearring and Rashad Vaughn are back on the wings. Andre Wallace was added as well. The South Dakota Heat feature guard Wyatt Krogman. He was the top player on a state title team and is the younger brother of Louie Krogman, the all time scoring leader in South Dakota.
Pool G features the top Playmakers squad that won the 16s last year. The group has the core back with skilled 4 men Toby Hegner and Turner Botz. Both are D1 talents. That also includes Gopher target and the best closer I saw all year in Matt Thomas. He didn't play in the event last year and the Playmakers still won it. Triple Threat with additions from the old Ultimate Hoops squad (merged with Fury) looks to be a sleeper. Matt Rachey, Jack Kozlowski and Wiley Ferron will all be big contributors. Ethan Freer, Alex Chandler and Brett Ahsenmacher will also contribute. Select Blue will feature Jack Harrison of Prior Lake. Austin Huss and Tyler Bates are 2 others to watch there.
Last but not least is the top Fury squad of Ben Davis. This is the rest of the old Ultimate Hoops group with some new names thrown in. Grant Shaeffer runs the point, Dustin Fronk shoots it. Bridge Tusler and Zach Lindquist are tough wing matchups. Ben Oberfield, Jordan Burich and Carter Evans give them size Danny Sullivan is a skilled 4 and DJ Pollard gives them another athlete. Plenty of pieces for a quality 17U team. Heat Reese featuring Isaiah Hanson and the Mike duo of Wales and Hudspeth from Tartan. They also have the athletic animal Deshawn Jones up front. Post Jeff Probert and guard Kyle Filzen highlight the WOTN squad in this pool.
The Picks:
Comets Elite and ECI, 43 Hoops and Fury Ouse, Select and Glory, PNR and GetShook (very wide open for 2nd spot), Heat Ogorek and Comets Stock, NGS and SD Heat, Playmakers and Triple Threat, Fury Davis and Heat Reese
Top Half: Comets Elite over Glory, 43 Hoops over Get Shook, Select over ECI, PNR over Fury Ouse
Bottom Half: Triple Threat over Heat Ogorek, Net Gain over Heat Reese, Playmakers over Comets Stock, Fury Davis over SD Heat.
Comets Elite over 43 Hoops, PNR over Select, Net Gain over Triple Threat, Playmakers over Fury Davis (best quarterfinal by a mile, 12:40 PM Whitney Court 3)
Comets Elite over PNR thanks to depth, Playmakers over Net Gain, Playmakers def Comets to win the title.
15U
In 15U there are 30 pools divided into 10 pools of 3. 28 of the 30 pool games are in Foley with the round of 16 and quarterfinals at Sauk Rapids High School before moving to the home base at Whitney. But this division is more about who's not playing than who is. tNBA is at the Howard Pulley Jamboree. Net Gain, Pump N Run and MN Phenom are all playing up in the 16U division. That leaves the MN Cyclones as the overwhelming favorite to win their division again (14U champs last year). I'll be shocked if Alex Illikainen and company don't steamroll through to another title. Best competition comes from the top Comets squad out of pool A and the top Fury team out of pool D.
15U Picks: Comets Stumpf, Fury Johnson, Grassroots, Fury Shelman, Cyclones, 43 Hoops Vaughn, Heat Lesewski/Bui, MN Select SD Heat, WI Playmakers are my picks to win the pools. Cyclones have their half of the bracket to themselves while Comets Stumpf and Fury Shelman are on the other side. Since Fury has one of my former players, we'll take them to make the final before losing to the Cyclones.
16U
This bracket provides the most exciting pool game of the entire tournament. That's Comets Elite vs Pump N Run at 11:30 AM Saturday on the main court at Whitney. Big props to the coaches for putting that one together. The 15U teams playing up will have good chance to move on. Net Gain gets a favorable draw in pool C. MN Phenom has 2 tough ones against Fury Dixon and Heat Gardner but I wouldn't be shocked to see them move on. 12:40 PM on Whitney court 1 with Phenom vs Gardner will likely decide the other gold bracket qualifier. Pump N Run 15s got a very good draw in pool G.
The young talent is noteworthy with Evan Shephard (Phenom), Sacar Anim (NGS) and whatever PNR has. 8th grader Dalante Peyton playing up on the MN Premiere 16s. EOTO is likely the squad that was Heat Select last year (though missing Andre Wallace) hence they get my nod. Heat Frank with Geno Crandall and Lance Gardner has some talent to play with. Fury Dixon may be the 2nd team but in name only. They have size with Ngor Barnaba of Rochester John Marshall and a talented guard group of John Veil, Zach Wessels, swiss army knife Noble Fahnbulleh and TC Robinson. Fury Grosz with a balanced group and talent to boot with guys like Clay Elrod, Andrew Grosz and Charlie Koontz. Add in guys like Wheeler Baker, Derek Magnuson, Kolby Seiffert and Eric West and you have depth too. Hoping to see Jim Warmack with the Dakota Pride again. The East Grand Forks post played at both 16s and 15s last year for the Pride.
16U Pool Picks: PNR and Comets, Heat Vang and MN Rush, Select and Net Gain 15s, Fury Dixon and Heat Frank. EOTO and Comets Stanfield, Fury Grosz and Heat Schumann, PNR 15s and Dakota Pride, Playmakers and Triple Threat.
16U Bracket Picks:
Top half: PNR 16s over MN Rush, EOTO over Heat Schumann, Fury Dixon over NGS 15s, Pride over Playmakers
Bottom half: Fury Grosz over Comets Stanfield, PNR 15s over Triple Threat, Select over Heat Frank, Comets Elite over Heat Vang.
Quarters: PNR 16s over EOTO, Fury Dixon over Dakota Pride, Fury Grosz over PNR 15s (great game at 10:20 ct 3 Whitney on Sunday), Comets Elite over Select
PNR def Fury Dixon and Fury Grosz over Comets Elite in the semis. PNR 16s def Fury Grosz for 16U title.
17U
Now to Minnesota's Toughest Basketball. As always the championship game will be 7th game for the teams in just over 24 hours. All after taking the ACT and making the trip north. Like the 16U division the games are mostly split between the Whitney and Sauk Rapids Middle School.
Pool A goes to the host Comets Hanson. A very good group with Nate Huot running the show and 7 feet of Connor Voss inside. The other player to keep an eye in this pool is AJ Jacobsen of ECI.
Pool B has the mystery known as Chris Carr's 43 Hoops group. Markus Taylor-Knighten is expected to be with that group, what else he has remains to be seen. The surprise in this group should be the MN Wolves. Its a new crew that has added seniors Latrell Love and Darian Pittman. Fury Ouse (2nd team) has Sam Burt in the middle along with shooters Adam Huessner and Collin Host. Peter Kruize and Nick Goldberg are 2 more front court pieces with Nick O'Hara to run the show and Kharie Kirkland to lock people down.
Select's top team and 7-footer Carson Shanks headline pool C. Devon Pekas and Dan Wills highlight the Glory squad and where else would you find a star out of the Christian Athletic League (Peter Maring of Cambridge Christian). PEM's state tourney star Beau Nelson also on the Glory roster. Comets Seevers will have St. Cloud Cathedral's Joe Burt joining the party.
Pump N Run's top club picks up a good draw in pool D. With the quick turnaround and high number of games we'll see if not having a full slate of 10 guys hurts them later on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing Cullen Russo again after a year of prep school. I'll also bet on Darius Hill here rather than MN Chosen.
Pool E is full of teams that don't have the superstar type player but try to embody the concept of team. Heat Ogorek has a kid I'm a fan of in Brad Freeborn (face up 4). They have workable guards in Jack Martinek, Beau Smit and Robert Claypool, a defender in Drake Mjaanes and a role player in Brad Carlson. Comets Stock has some kids who had really nice seasons in Cody Sprenger, Mike Millard and Dylan Erickson. Magic Maroon is largely north metro kids. Porter Morrell was a solid guard for Elk River during the season.
Pool F has Net Gain which means you never who or what will show up. Last year they looked positively awful on Saturday night and barely made the championship bracket. Then on Sunday they ran through 4 games to win the title. Bryce Wojta runs the point. Riley Dearring and Rashad Vaughn are back on the wings. Andre Wallace was added as well. The South Dakota Heat feature guard Wyatt Krogman. He was the top player on a state title team and is the younger brother of Louie Krogman, the all time scoring leader in South Dakota.
Pool G features the top Playmakers squad that won the 16s last year. The group has the core back with skilled 4 men Toby Hegner and Turner Botz. Both are D1 talents. That also includes Gopher target and the best closer I saw all year in Matt Thomas. He didn't play in the event last year and the Playmakers still won it. Triple Threat with additions from the old Ultimate Hoops squad (merged with Fury) looks to be a sleeper. Matt Rachey, Jack Kozlowski and Wiley Ferron will all be big contributors. Ethan Freer, Alex Chandler and Brett Ahsenmacher will also contribute. Select Blue will feature Jack Harrison of Prior Lake. Austin Huss and Tyler Bates are 2 others to watch there.
Last but not least is the top Fury squad of Ben Davis. This is the rest of the old Ultimate Hoops group with some new names thrown in. Grant Shaeffer runs the point, Dustin Fronk shoots it. Bridge Tusler and Zach Lindquist are tough wing matchups. Ben Oberfield, Jordan Burich and Carter Evans give them size Danny Sullivan is a skilled 4 and DJ Pollard gives them another athlete. Plenty of pieces for a quality 17U team. Heat Reese featuring Isaiah Hanson and the Mike duo of Wales and Hudspeth from Tartan. They also have the athletic animal Deshawn Jones up front. Post Jeff Probert and guard Kyle Filzen highlight the WOTN squad in this pool.
The Picks:
Comets Elite and ECI, 43 Hoops and Fury Ouse, Select and Glory, PNR and GetShook (very wide open for 2nd spot), Heat Ogorek and Comets Stock, NGS and SD Heat, Playmakers and Triple Threat, Fury Davis and Heat Reese
Top Half: Comets Elite over Glory, 43 Hoops over Get Shook, Select over ECI, PNR over Fury Ouse
Bottom Half: Triple Threat over Heat Ogorek, Net Gain over Heat Reese, Playmakers over Comets Stock, Fury Davis over SD Heat.
Comets Elite over 43 Hoops, PNR over Select, Net Gain over Triple Threat, Playmakers over Fury Davis (best quarterfinal by a mile, 12:40 PM Whitney Court 3)
Comets Elite over PNR thanks to depth, Playmakers over Net Gain, Playmakers def Comets to win the title.
2012 Class AAAA Championship
Labels:
2012 State Tournament
What an amazing night at the Target Center. An ugly offensive display but both teams made clutch plays. The full game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report. Amazing display from both student sections. Very entertaining to see both of them cheer. No attendance numbers but the largest crowd that I've seen at state in my years of covering it on press row. Lakeville North suffered through shooting that would put most teams way down and out. Osseo would make critical plays and not just the final buzzer beater to hang on. Overall a very entertaining tournament.
Czar's Class AAAA All-Tournament Ballot
Tyler Flack - Lakeville North
Ryan Saarela - Lakeville North
Grant Erickson - Lakeville North
Ian Theisen - Osseo
Cal Bloom - Osseo (Bridge Tusler made the official team)
DJ Hebert - Osseo
Sander Mohn - Eden Prairie
Grant Shaeffer - Eden Prairie
Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Demetrius Martin - Hopkins
Czar's Class AAAA All-Tournament Ballot
Tyler Flack - Lakeville North
Ryan Saarela - Lakeville North
Grant Erickson - Lakeville North
Ian Theisen - Osseo
Cal Bloom - Osseo (Bridge Tusler made the official team)
DJ Hebert - Osseo
Sander Mohn - Eden Prairie
Grant Shaeffer - Eden Prairie
Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Demetrius Martin - Hopkins
2012 Class AAA Championship
Labels:
2012 State Tournament,
Reid Travis
Another amazing game at the 2012 state tournament. Washburn doesn't take the lead until the overtime and then a very exciting 20 seconds of basketball to end the overtime. Love to see no timeouts. I can't say I've ever seen as many people in the upper deck of the Target Center for a state tournament game in my time. An amazing atmosphere. My entire game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report.
Czar's Class AAA All-Tournament Ballot (all 10 on official team)
Jerry Pratt - Minneapolis Washburn
Nick Anderson - Minneapolis Washburn
Joseph Doby - Minneapolis Washburn
Reid Travis - De La Salle
Luke Scott - De La Salle
Jarvis Johnson - De La Salle
Alex Illikainen - Grand Rapids
Austin Pohlen - Grand Rapids
Marcus Marshall - St. Paul Johnson
Quashingm Smith-Pugh - St. Paul Johnson
Czar's Class AAA All-Tournament Ballot (all 10 on official team)
Jerry Pratt - Minneapolis Washburn
Nick Anderson - Minneapolis Washburn
Joseph Doby - Minneapolis Washburn
Reid Travis - De La Salle
Luke Scott - De La Salle
Jarvis Johnson - De La Salle
Alex Illikainen - Grand Rapids
Austin Pohlen - Grand Rapids
Marcus Marshall - St. Paul Johnson
Quashingm Smith-Pugh - St. Paul Johnson
2012 Class AA Championship
Labels:
2012 State Tournament
Not the prettiest of finals in the class AA title game between Plainview-Elgin-Millville and Litchfield. Certainly no super star to watch . A defensive struggle anticipated but overall the game was higher scoring than anticipated. Beau Nelson stepped up big as PEM won the title 55-39. Full game log will be on Northstar Hoops Report. A big second half run by PEM would ultimately put this battle out of reach. Who would have thought that this would be the PEM team to win a championship? But so many different pieces. Chase Montgomery and Beau Nelson were quality pieces to go with Cory Speer.
Czar's Class AA All-Tournament Ballot
Zach Kinny - Litchfield
Jon Terning - Litchfield
Dylan Koll - Litchfield (Mitch Wollin made final team)
Cory Speer - PEM
Sam Ruth - PEM
Beau Nelson - PEM
Jordan Bruhn - Perham
Jordan Cresap - Perham
Tyler Vaughan - Braham
Cameron Braund - Braham
Czar's Class AA All-Tournament Ballot
Zach Kinny - Litchfield
Jon Terning - Litchfield
Dylan Koll - Litchfield (Mitch Wollin made final team)
Cory Speer - PEM
Sam Ruth - PEM
Beau Nelson - PEM
Jordan Bruhn - Perham
Jordan Cresap - Perham
Tyler Vaughan - Braham
Cameron Braund - Braham
2012 Class A Championship
Labels:
2012 State Tournament
An outstanding atmosphere for the Class A tournament game between #1 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and #2 Southwest Minnesota Christian. The lower bowl of the Target Center almost completely full. I love the small town support and its a refreshing site from the big school and metro games I mostly watch. Great to see a Brian Wilson look a like in the crowd. Also saw the SW MN Christian students hold up umbrellas after a 3. That's quality. The game was a war with BBE controlling most of the 2nd half . BBE wins 54-45. Zach Huisken and Brian Goodwin absolutely outstanding for their teams. The entire game log will be part of my work for Northstar Hoops Report.
Czar's Class A All-Tournament Ballot
Brian Goodwin - BBE (my tourney MVP)
Connor Goodwin - BBE
Billy Borgerding - BBE (Kirby Montbriand made official team)
Zach Huisken - SW MN Christian
Andrew Top - SW MN Christian
Dominic Nibbelink - SW MN Christian (Klint Knudson made official team)
Nick Thompson - Rushford-Peterson
Trent Vix - Rushford-Peterson
Beau Herrig - MLBO
Carter Kirk - MLBO
Czar's Class A All-Tournament Ballot
Brian Goodwin - BBE (my tourney MVP)
Connor Goodwin - BBE
Billy Borgerding - BBE (Kirby Montbriand made official team)
Zach Huisken - SW MN Christian
Andrew Top - SW MN Christian
Dominic Nibbelink - SW MN Christian (Klint Knudson made official team)
Nick Thompson - Rushford-Peterson
Trent Vix - Rushford-Peterson
Beau Herrig - MLBO
Carter Kirk - MLBO
2012 State Tourney Semis
Labels:
2012 State Tournament
.JPG) |
| Litchfield Dragon |
The AA Semifinal between Litchfield and Perham has already ignited the almost annual shot clock debate caused by the AA semifinals. There's definitely a different taste for a defensive brand of basketball that isn't one for most average fans and can be difficult for many hardcore fans. Great twitter debate amongst some of the Tri-Metro coaches tonight about it (and that's a largely AA league). The game made up for much of the pain with a clear out and buzzer beater for the win. Litchfield with no name that sticks out but as much a team as any team out there.
Ditto that for Plainview-Elgin-Millville who took out St. Peter in the quarters and then handled Braham in the semis. They have athletes, some size and Cory Speer orchestrated it. Braham got another big night from Tyler Vaughan but not enough depth. After 34, 12 and 7 to steal one from St. Croix Lutheran, he added 35 and 10 tonight. Only other loss of the year for Braham was in the season opener at Hopkins.
Speaking of Hopkins, I have to talk about the Osseo vs Hopkins semifinal. What an amazing game that has to go down as one for the ages. It takes me back to Armstrong vs Buffalo from 2007 but even better. Each team had responses for the other. Big plays. Siyani Chambers goes out with 3 state titles and a semifinal loss where he stepped up large. Just no good way to give the game enough words.
A tale of 2 games in the other AAAA semifinal. Eden Prairie wins the first 16 minutes by 14 and then Lakeville North dominates from there. The Panthers front line impressive again and their defense holds down Grant Shaeffer after his quarterfinal explosion vs Eastview. Disappointing Eden Prairie crowd for the game. Eden Prairie will end up with Eastview, Lakeville North and Hopkins at state. Great matchup of front lines in the state title game with Johnson, Bloom, Gichaba and Theisen going up against Saarela, Rasmussen and Flack. 2 very strong and even teams.
2012 State Tourney Day 1
Labels:
2012 State Tournament
Much to my dismay I'm stuck in the real world for the day sessions for the forseeable future. But an entertaining day at the state tourney none the less. Thankfully I could listen on MSBN (thanks for the shout out on the Hopkins telecast guys). I have detailed reports from the AA quarters at Target Center during the night session as part of my Northstar Hoops Report work and if you're not a member shame on you, join now, its all hoops all the time, if you're a fan there's no place you'd rather be. Enough self-promotion, the games speak volumes so here's some thoughts on day 1 story lines.
So much for the top seeds rolling. #1 Hopkins was lucky to escape with a victory in a game I was totally wrong about. #3 Eastview goes out to Eden Prairie (not all that surprised at that one) and #2 Lakeville North had a struggle with Moorhead. #1 Washburn barely survived Rocori . #2 St. Peter crumbles late and #3 Braham needs a crazy comeback ending to beat St. Croix Lutheran. That last game was one that some may have thought was the best draw in the AA bracket.
Turn on the lights, the Party is just beginning. Tyler Vaughan goes nuts in Braham's win. Mitch Weg played very well in Worthington's loss to Perham. Perham's Jordan Bruhn jumps on to the big state with a great performance. By the way Eden Prairie's Grant Shaeffer had 2 points in the 1st half and then scored 39, yes 39! after halftime including 20 in a row. going into the overtime. Throw in a 3 at the regulation buzzer to force overtime and you have a performance for the ages.
Duluth East not only having players give up medals at the section final but everybody including the coaching staff wearing Akolda Manyang T-Shirts. Head Coach Chuck Tolo really going all out for the kid. He feels its worth his job which I commend if the kid is truly innocent. Hopefully it all works out for the kid and everybody in the program but a gigantic mess brewing there. Hard not to wonder what would have happened if Akolda had played and couldn't because he was innocent. If guilty then the East program has all kinds of egg on its face and it could cost Tolo his job (and it might anyway).
Litchfield probably the least flashy and noteworthy of any of the teams playing but they're sound and well-coached. The matchup with Perham is a very interesting one in Friday's semifinals. They made Watertown-Mayer pay for mistakes which all good teams do.
So much for the top seeds rolling. #1 Hopkins was lucky to escape with a victory in a game I was totally wrong about. #3 Eastview goes out to Eden Prairie (not all that surprised at that one) and #2 Lakeville North had a struggle with Moorhead. #1 Washburn barely survived Rocori . #2 St. Peter crumbles late and #3 Braham needs a crazy comeback ending to beat St. Croix Lutheran. That last game was one that some may have thought was the best draw in the AA bracket.
Turn on the lights, the Party is just beginning. Tyler Vaughan goes nuts in Braham's win. Mitch Weg played very well in Worthington's loss to Perham. Perham's Jordan Bruhn jumps on to the big state with a great performance. By the way Eden Prairie's Grant Shaeffer had 2 points in the 1st half and then scored 39, yes 39! after halftime including 20 in a row. going into the overtime. Throw in a 3 at the regulation buzzer to force overtime and you have a performance for the ages.
Duluth East not only having players give up medals at the section final but everybody including the coaching staff wearing Akolda Manyang T-Shirts. Head Coach Chuck Tolo really going all out for the kid. He feels its worth his job which I commend if the kid is truly innocent. Hopefully it all works out for the kid and everybody in the program but a gigantic mess brewing there. Hard not to wonder what would have happened if Akolda had played and couldn't because he was innocent. If guilty then the East program has all kinds of egg on its face and it could cost Tolo his job (and it might anyway).
Litchfield probably the least flashy and noteworthy of any of the teams playing but they're sound and well-coached. The matchup with Perham is a very interesting one in Friday's semifinals. They made Watertown-Mayer pay for mistakes which all good teams do.
2012 Mr Basketball Finalists Announced
Here are the 5 finalists for the 2012 Mr Basketball Award
Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Joey King - Eastview
Sanjay Lumpkin - BSM
Johnny Woodard - Duluth East
Isaiah Zierden - BSM
King and Chambers were absolute locks and you have to think that if one of their teams wins the state title that the Mr Basketball award will go that direction. Lumpkin and Zierden might have been questionable after losing in the 6AAA final but they are 2 of the best prospects in the state and they were number one most of the season. No problem with either one making it, both is a little more dicey but hard to argue against. Most interesting case is Woodard. He sat out until the Timberwolves Shooout and the Greyhounds needed a buzzer beater from halfcourt with him fouled out just to make state. That said he's been dominant (see TWolves Shootout vs future Gopher Wally Ellenson) and had a huge impact on East when he returned. Definitely was a name everybody thought would be in the discussions. All of these are D1 level kids and that definitely appeared to be a major factor to the committee.
Kids going off to the NSIC and at small schools will feel snubbed by this list. That includes Tyler Vaughan from Braham (MN-Moorhead) and Zach Huisken (Augustana) from SW MN Christian who have had their teams on top of the polls all year and have played very well. Vaughan's 53 point game in the section final made him a lock on my list. Mitch Weg (SMSU) had a great year for Worthington leading his team to a state over Michael Busack (Mankato) of Redwood Valley. He never had the high recognition of the others. I would have gone with 4 big school kids and 1 small school for balance. That would have meant 1 of this group and then 2 from Woodard, Zierden and Lumpkin.
Siyani Chambers - Hopkins
Joey King - Eastview
Sanjay Lumpkin - BSM
Johnny Woodard - Duluth East
Isaiah Zierden - BSM
King and Chambers were absolute locks and you have to think that if one of their teams wins the state title that the Mr Basketball award will go that direction. Lumpkin and Zierden might have been questionable after losing in the 6AAA final but they are 2 of the best prospects in the state and they were number one most of the season. No problem with either one making it, both is a little more dicey but hard to argue against. Most interesting case is Woodard. He sat out until the Timberwolves Shooout and the Greyhounds needed a buzzer beater from halfcourt with him fouled out just to make state. That said he's been dominant (see TWolves Shootout vs future Gopher Wally Ellenson) and had a huge impact on East when he returned. Definitely was a name everybody thought would be in the discussions. All of these are D1 level kids and that definitely appeared to be a major factor to the committee.
Kids going off to the NSIC and at small schools will feel snubbed by this list. That includes Tyler Vaughan from Braham (MN-Moorhead) and Zach Huisken (Augustana) from SW MN Christian who have had their teams on top of the polls all year and have played very well. Vaughan's 53 point game in the section final made him a lock on my list. Mitch Weg (SMSU) had a great year for Worthington leading his team to a state over Michael Busack (Mankato) of Redwood Valley. He never had the high recognition of the others. I would have gone with 4 big school kids and 1 small school for balance. That would have meant 1 of this group and then 2 from Woodard, Zierden and Lumpkin.
Lightning strikes 3 times
Labels:
Joey King,
Tyus Jones
Prologue
Out to Burnsville for the 3AAAA final and the 3rd show by the Eastview Apple Valley circus. I arrive at 5:30 and the line is already up the stairs, down the hall and 40 feet out the door. It ends up twice as long later. Thankfully I find the Presold line and jump right in before the concession stand gets out of hand. Then its about 60% full when I enter 55 minutes before tip. Sounds like 200+ (and probably much more than that) were turned away. The building is cozy and with the amazing weather, the gym (especially up high in my seat) is an absolute sauna. Might need another 24 oz Pepsi after using the 1st to wash down the cheese pizza. Both bands in attendance and quality choices starting 45 minutes before intros. Apple Valley pulls out a Queen classic Crazy Little Thing Called Love. But the final Song of the Day for this season goes to the Eastview band.
Song of the Day
Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf
Game Time
The 1st half pace is very slow and you'd think that would favor Eastview. But its Apple Valley that jumps out to an 8-2 lead behind a pair of Tyus Jones buckets and an assist for another. 8-2 Eagles at the 15:07 mark. Joey King starts to get it going. He finds Jordan Bulger for 2 on the high/low feed. Then he counters a Tyus assist with a faceup jumper out of the post. Apple Valley guards really annoyed the Eastview bigs early by digging inside and sagging but they got used to it. 13-8 Apple Valley at the 8:05 mark. Bolger with 2 more and then King 6 straight Eastview points to put the Lightning ahead 16-15. That's their 1st lead. Dustin Fronk with a pullup jumper in the lane then he goes the other way on the break. Ben Oberfeld sprints back and challenges that for a miss and then hustles the other way and King finds him running for a layup. Impressive sequence there. Its sends Eastview to the locker room ahead 21-18 at the half. King with 13 of those points but didn't shoot it well. Tyus with 7.
Quinn Trusty for 2, Oberfeld with the face up jumper in the post and Chris Narum for 3. 7-0 run for a 28-18 lead at the 16:31 mark. Apple Valley takes a timeout to regroup. They stay close and then Harry Sonie for 3, Tyus for 2 and then off a screen roll, Tyus to Dennis Austin who regroups and goes to the reverse at the 12:15 mark. 35-32 Eastview hanging on to the lead. Tyus with a putback at the 10:30 mark to keep the lead at 38-34. Then 8 in a row from the Lightning. After a long possession, Oberfeld puts back a miss and then finds Bolger on the post give and go. King drives for 2 and makes the tough shot. Tyus with the rare turnovers and Oberfeld runs and Darin Haugh finds him for a layup with 5:48 left. 46-34 Eastview with the lead and it looks to be over.
Haugh with a drive and then find Bolger for another layup with 3:10 left. 51-39 Eastview leading. Apple Valley won't go quietly. Tyus with 2 free throws and Eastview misses a front end. Harry Sonie with a 3 at the 2:20 mark to cut the lead to 9. Then more missed Eastview free throws and Tyus gets fouled shooting a 3. Might have kicked his legs out to draw it but he's crafty like that. He makes all 3 with 1:52 left to cut the lead to 6, 53-47. Jump ball to Eastview, they drive and miss a layup with 1:30 left. Tyus has a long 3 go all the way down and come out and Bolger converts it for a layup. Surely it has to be over now.
Not yet. Dustin Fronk was cold all night but knocks down a 3 with 53 seconds left and the lead is 5. Eastview turns it over and Fronk has a good look at 3 that's short. Tyus misses a 3 with 28 seconds left. Eastview misses another front end and Chris Laymon comes off the AV bench cold to knock down a 3 with 12.5 left. Holy cow we have a 2 point game. Eastview has 2 timeouts but they get called for a quick 5 second call on the inbound. Oh My! Apple Valley has it back with a chance to tie or lead. Tyus to the lane and into the trees. There's some contact but no whistle and Joey King comes away with the miss with 5.5 seconds left. He makes 2 free throws and that seals it. Eastview wins 57-53.
Post Game
Apple Valley ends their season at 23-6. All 6 losses were to teams that will play at state next week (3 to Eastview, 2 to Lakeville North and 1 to Eden Prairie). They lose only 1 senior and almost all of their firepower back with Tyus Jones, Dustin Fronk and Harry Sonie returning. Expect them to be a top 5 team and favored to make state out of this section next year. Tyus Jones leads the way with 20 points but thanks to cold shooting his assist number was kept down. The pace of the game certainly helped slow him down too. Harry Sonie with 3 3s for 9. Dustin Fronk had a few good looks but only saw 1 3 go in. He finished with 7 points. One of those nights where the ball just doesn't want to go in. Despite Eastview's struggles to close the game out, give the Eagles credit for making a comeback. You can see the will to win in Tyus Jones.
Joey King leads Eastview with 20 points and I had him for 9 rebounds. He struggled with his shot in the 1st half. Ben Oberfeld 11 points and 18 rebounds. Another case of Apple Valley's lack of size haunting them. Jordan Bolger with the surprise of the night as he comes off the bench and scores 14 points. Always that guy you don't expect in a big game that puts you over the top and Bolger was outstanding. Eastview stayed mostly man but did show some triangle and 2 against Jones and Fronk. Teams did that this year and watching Apple Valley next year should be interesting to see how much opponents go to it. Eastview would be my 2 seed at the state tournament. Lakeville North 1, Hopkins 3, Osseo 4 with Duluth East and Eden Prairie wanting that 4th spot but ending up as teams you don't want to draw. I go with Lakeville North due to the win at Eastview in last meeting. Hopkins without Stahl has to go behind Eastview due to Eastview's win over BSM and the Hopkins loss to BSM without Stahl. Osseo definitely the best of the rest.
Out to Burnsville for the 3AAAA final and the 3rd show by the Eastview Apple Valley circus. I arrive at 5:30 and the line is already up the stairs, down the hall and 40 feet out the door. It ends up twice as long later. Thankfully I find the Presold line and jump right in before the concession stand gets out of hand. Then its about 60% full when I enter 55 minutes before tip. Sounds like 200+ (and probably much more than that) were turned away. The building is cozy and with the amazing weather, the gym (especially up high in my seat) is an absolute sauna. Might need another 24 oz Pepsi after using the 1st to wash down the cheese pizza. Both bands in attendance and quality choices starting 45 minutes before intros. Apple Valley pulls out a Queen classic Crazy Little Thing Called Love. But the final Song of the Day for this season goes to the Eastview band.
Song of the Day
Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf
Game Time
The 1st half pace is very slow and you'd think that would favor Eastview. But its Apple Valley that jumps out to an 8-2 lead behind a pair of Tyus Jones buckets and an assist for another. 8-2 Eagles at the 15:07 mark. Joey King starts to get it going. He finds Jordan Bulger for 2 on the high/low feed. Then he counters a Tyus assist with a faceup jumper out of the post. Apple Valley guards really annoyed the Eastview bigs early by digging inside and sagging but they got used to it. 13-8 Apple Valley at the 8:05 mark. Bolger with 2 more and then King 6 straight Eastview points to put the Lightning ahead 16-15. That's their 1st lead. Dustin Fronk with a pullup jumper in the lane then he goes the other way on the break. Ben Oberfeld sprints back and challenges that for a miss and then hustles the other way and King finds him running for a layup. Impressive sequence there. Its sends Eastview to the locker room ahead 21-18 at the half. King with 13 of those points but didn't shoot it well. Tyus with 7.
Quinn Trusty for 2, Oberfeld with the face up jumper in the post and Chris Narum for 3. 7-0 run for a 28-18 lead at the 16:31 mark. Apple Valley takes a timeout to regroup. They stay close and then Harry Sonie for 3, Tyus for 2 and then off a screen roll, Tyus to Dennis Austin who regroups and goes to the reverse at the 12:15 mark. 35-32 Eastview hanging on to the lead. Tyus with a putback at the 10:30 mark to keep the lead at 38-34. Then 8 in a row from the Lightning. After a long possession, Oberfeld puts back a miss and then finds Bolger on the post give and go. King drives for 2 and makes the tough shot. Tyus with the rare turnovers and Oberfeld runs and Darin Haugh finds him for a layup with 5:48 left. 46-34 Eastview with the lead and it looks to be over.
Haugh with a drive and then find Bolger for another layup with 3:10 left. 51-39 Eastview leading. Apple Valley won't go quietly. Tyus with 2 free throws and Eastview misses a front end. Harry Sonie with a 3 at the 2:20 mark to cut the lead to 9. Then more missed Eastview free throws and Tyus gets fouled shooting a 3. Might have kicked his legs out to draw it but he's crafty like that. He makes all 3 with 1:52 left to cut the lead to 6, 53-47. Jump ball to Eastview, they drive and miss a layup with 1:30 left. Tyus has a long 3 go all the way down and come out and Bolger converts it for a layup. Surely it has to be over now.
Not yet. Dustin Fronk was cold all night but knocks down a 3 with 53 seconds left and the lead is 5. Eastview turns it over and Fronk has a good look at 3 that's short. Tyus misses a 3 with 28 seconds left. Eastview misses another front end and Chris Laymon comes off the AV bench cold to knock down a 3 with 12.5 left. Holy cow we have a 2 point game. Eastview has 2 timeouts but they get called for a quick 5 second call on the inbound. Oh My! Apple Valley has it back with a chance to tie or lead. Tyus to the lane and into the trees. There's some contact but no whistle and Joey King comes away with the miss with 5.5 seconds left. He makes 2 free throws and that seals it. Eastview wins 57-53.
Post Game
Apple Valley ends their season at 23-6. All 6 losses were to teams that will play at state next week (3 to Eastview, 2 to Lakeville North and 1 to Eden Prairie). They lose only 1 senior and almost all of their firepower back with Tyus Jones, Dustin Fronk and Harry Sonie returning. Expect them to be a top 5 team and favored to make state out of this section next year. Tyus Jones leads the way with 20 points but thanks to cold shooting his assist number was kept down. The pace of the game certainly helped slow him down too. Harry Sonie with 3 3s for 9. Dustin Fronk had a few good looks but only saw 1 3 go in. He finished with 7 points. One of those nights where the ball just doesn't want to go in. Despite Eastview's struggles to close the game out, give the Eagles credit for making a comeback. You can see the will to win in Tyus Jones.
Joey King leads Eastview with 20 points and I had him for 9 rebounds. He struggled with his shot in the 1st half. Ben Oberfeld 11 points and 18 rebounds. Another case of Apple Valley's lack of size haunting them. Jordan Bolger with the surprise of the night as he comes off the bench and scores 14 points. Always that guy you don't expect in a big game that puts you over the top and Bolger was outstanding. Eastview stayed mostly man but did show some triangle and 2 against Jones and Fronk. Teams did that this year and watching Apple Valley next year should be interesting to see how much opponents go to it. Eastview would be my 2 seed at the state tournament. Lakeville North 1, Hopkins 3, Osseo 4 with Duluth East and Eden Prairie wanting that 4th spot but ending up as teams you don't want to draw. I go with Lakeville North due to the win at Eastview in last meeting. Hopkins without Stahl has to go behind Eastview due to Eastview's win over BSM and the Hopkins loss to BSM without Stahl. Osseo definitely the best of the rest.
Rubber match for 4AAAA title
Prologue
Off to East Ridge for the section 4AAAA final between the top 2 teams in the Suburban East. Roseville and Woodbury split their regular season meetings on each other's home court, 89-75 Royals at Roseville, and a 77-76 Roseville win at Woodbury. A late change of plans sends me to this game and I just make it with 2 minutes to spare before tip. Big line out the door but surprisingly empty in the upper decks while the lower decks were full.
Game Time
Renard Suggs another quality outing in this one for Woodbury. He starts the game with a long 3. Then a spin for 2 for the Woodbury lead. Rickey Suggs ends 5 in a row for the Royals. Then Renard goes the other way off a blocked shot for the dunk. 7-0 run for a 17-11 Woodbury lead at the 9:45 mark. Jordan Burich in the middle has been in foul trouble in the 1st 2 meetings but he stays out of it tonight and a big first half. He knocks down a jumper and scores on the block. After a Renard Suggs 3, Burich converts a feed for a layup. Tied at 20 at the 7:20 mark. Rickey Suggs with the drive and then a blocked shot for a Renard Suggs layup. Mack Johnson with the runner and a bomb then Burich follows a miss with a 2 handed tip dunk. The 7-0 run forces a Woodbury timeout at the 4:27 mark. Mack Johnson with another 3 to end a 10-0 Raiders run. Roseville leading 32-24 inside of 4. Burich 2 late blocks and he was on the glass too in a very productive first half. 36-28 Roseville at halftime. Renard Suggs and Mack Johnson cancel each other out with 2 3s and 3 buckets. Burich with 10 points and 3-4 blocks.
A 10-2 spurt opens the biggest Roseville lead of the night. Emeche Wells flying in for a putback and he drives for 2 more . Burich with a block on one end and ends up with a layup on the other. 46-32 Roseville with 12:47 to play and Woodbury talks it over. These 3 meetings have been all about runs and this game was no different. Woodbury gets a putback from Rickey Suggs. Renard Suggs with a steal for a dunk and a BLOB layup. Tack on another steal for 2. 48-41 Roseville at the 10:33 mark after the 9-2 run. Rickey Suggs with another putback, very active on the boards in this one. Tyler Graves off the Woodbury bench with a pair of 3s and a nice give and go for 2 from Connor McKeen. Roseville lead is cut to 52-51 with 8:25 left. 20-5 Royals run in 4:20. Woodbury would then miss 2 chances to take the lead. Burich swatting away one of those chances. Wells to Burich for a layup with 5:05 left and Roseville clinging to a 56-53 lead. After a Woodbury free throw, McKeen with a great backcut for a layup while his defender ends up somewhere near the volleyball line. 56 all with 3:45 to play. Renard Suggs with the reverse layup off the inbounds to tie the game at 58 with 3:05 left. Renard gets it back but Burich swats him with 2:19 left. Ryan Fritze makes 1 of 2 free throws with 2:09 left and Woodbury finally has the lead 59-58.
Renard Suggs with a steal for 2 free throws with 1:56 left. Mack Johnson comes back with the 1 bounce straight away 3 that's nothing but net with 1:40 to play. That ties the game at 61. Woodbury with a quick bad shot and Roseville has it back. The teams trade turnovers and Roseville rushes their shot when they get it back. Woodbury has it back with 45 seconds to play and they hold for 1. Renard Suggs gets the ball and it looks like 1-4 low. But the play gets started late and it becomes a fading 3. A second putback attempt is good but well after the buzzer and correctly waved off. Tied at 61 as we'll play overtime.
Renard Suggs with a putback and gets out after a Roseville miss for a dunk. 65-61 Woodbury with 2:55 left. Then a defensive gamble ends up with a pass to a wide open Mack Johnson who drains the 3. Woodbury has a 3 go in and out and Wells drives and converts 2 free throws on the other end. 66-65 Raiders with 1:48 left in OT. After a Woodbury free throw, Roseville has it back. On the drive, up in the air but no shot twist and nobody there to receive the pass except an opponent. Woodbury has it back as we go inside a minute tied at 66. Renard Suggs on the pick and roll finds McKeen going toward the rim. McKeen makes the extra pass to a wide open Diallo Powell for a layup with 25 seconds left. Roseville brings the ball to the front court and nothing develops. They take timeout with 10.2 seconds left down by 2. The set looks to be drawn up for Johnson as a misdirection (look like flex cut but come back high). Roseville doesn't wait for him and it becomes a 1 on 1 force. The shot is long, Woodbury grabs that and a berth in the state tournament. 68-66 Woodbury wins in overtime
Post Game
For Roseville, a tough loss considering they had a 14 point lead with 12:47 to play. Mack Johnson leads with 4 3s and 22 points. Jordan Burich with 14 points and likely had a double digit rebounds and around 5 blocks. He stayed out of foul trouble and was very productive. Emeche Wells 10 points. Roseville ends an outstanding season at 24-5. 4 of the 5 losses by a total of 11 points and 2 of those in overtime. Emeche Wells and Collin Johnson are important losses but they have their backcourt returning as well as Burich so expect the Raiders to contend again next year in the Suburban East.
For Woodbury, Renard Suggs has another huge game vs Roseville. This time he only makes 2 3s but lots to the rim has he goes for 28 points. Rickey Suggs active on the glass with 12 points. Tyler Graves with the 6 points on 2 3s during the big 20-5 run that got Woodbury back in the game when they were down 14. Not a great shooting night for either team and that wasn't just because of shot selection. Woodbury will most likely draw against a top 4 team. That's a team with size like Osseo, Lakeville North or Eastview, which Woodbury doesn't have, or Hopkins who matches up well defensively. None of those are good draws.
Off to East Ridge for the section 4AAAA final between the top 2 teams in the Suburban East. Roseville and Woodbury split their regular season meetings on each other's home court, 89-75 Royals at Roseville, and a 77-76 Roseville win at Woodbury. A late change of plans sends me to this game and I just make it with 2 minutes to spare before tip. Big line out the door but surprisingly empty in the upper decks while the lower decks were full.
Game Time
Renard Suggs another quality outing in this one for Woodbury. He starts the game with a long 3. Then a spin for 2 for the Woodbury lead. Rickey Suggs ends 5 in a row for the Royals. Then Renard goes the other way off a blocked shot for the dunk. 7-0 run for a 17-11 Woodbury lead at the 9:45 mark. Jordan Burich in the middle has been in foul trouble in the 1st 2 meetings but he stays out of it tonight and a big first half. He knocks down a jumper and scores on the block. After a Renard Suggs 3, Burich converts a feed for a layup. Tied at 20 at the 7:20 mark. Rickey Suggs with the drive and then a blocked shot for a Renard Suggs layup. Mack Johnson with the runner and a bomb then Burich follows a miss with a 2 handed tip dunk. The 7-0 run forces a Woodbury timeout at the 4:27 mark. Mack Johnson with another 3 to end a 10-0 Raiders run. Roseville leading 32-24 inside of 4. Burich 2 late blocks and he was on the glass too in a very productive first half. 36-28 Roseville at halftime. Renard Suggs and Mack Johnson cancel each other out with 2 3s and 3 buckets. Burich with 10 points and 3-4 blocks.
A 10-2 spurt opens the biggest Roseville lead of the night. Emeche Wells flying in for a putback and he drives for 2 more . Burich with a block on one end and ends up with a layup on the other. 46-32 Roseville with 12:47 to play and Woodbury talks it over. These 3 meetings have been all about runs and this game was no different. Woodbury gets a putback from Rickey Suggs. Renard Suggs with a steal for a dunk and a BLOB layup. Tack on another steal for 2. 48-41 Roseville at the 10:33 mark after the 9-2 run. Rickey Suggs with another putback, very active on the boards in this one. Tyler Graves off the Woodbury bench with a pair of 3s and a nice give and go for 2 from Connor McKeen. Roseville lead is cut to 52-51 with 8:25 left. 20-5 Royals run in 4:20. Woodbury would then miss 2 chances to take the lead. Burich swatting away one of those chances. Wells to Burich for a layup with 5:05 left and Roseville clinging to a 56-53 lead. After a Woodbury free throw, McKeen with a great backcut for a layup while his defender ends up somewhere near the volleyball line. 56 all with 3:45 to play. Renard Suggs with the reverse layup off the inbounds to tie the game at 58 with 3:05 left. Renard gets it back but Burich swats him with 2:19 left. Ryan Fritze makes 1 of 2 free throws with 2:09 left and Woodbury finally has the lead 59-58.
Renard Suggs with a steal for 2 free throws with 1:56 left. Mack Johnson comes back with the 1 bounce straight away 3 that's nothing but net with 1:40 to play. That ties the game at 61. Woodbury with a quick bad shot and Roseville has it back. The teams trade turnovers and Roseville rushes their shot when they get it back. Woodbury has it back with 45 seconds to play and they hold for 1. Renard Suggs gets the ball and it looks like 1-4 low. But the play gets started late and it becomes a fading 3. A second putback attempt is good but well after the buzzer and correctly waved off. Tied at 61 as we'll play overtime.
Renard Suggs with a putback and gets out after a Roseville miss for a dunk. 65-61 Woodbury with 2:55 left. Then a defensive gamble ends up with a pass to a wide open Mack Johnson who drains the 3. Woodbury has a 3 go in and out and Wells drives and converts 2 free throws on the other end. 66-65 Raiders with 1:48 left in OT. After a Woodbury free throw, Roseville has it back. On the drive, up in the air but no shot twist and nobody there to receive the pass except an opponent. Woodbury has it back as we go inside a minute tied at 66. Renard Suggs on the pick and roll finds McKeen going toward the rim. McKeen makes the extra pass to a wide open Diallo Powell for a layup with 25 seconds left. Roseville brings the ball to the front court and nothing develops. They take timeout with 10.2 seconds left down by 2. The set looks to be drawn up for Johnson as a misdirection (look like flex cut but come back high). Roseville doesn't wait for him and it becomes a 1 on 1 force. The shot is long, Woodbury grabs that and a berth in the state tournament. 68-66 Woodbury wins in overtime
Post Game
For Roseville, a tough loss considering they had a 14 point lead with 12:47 to play. Mack Johnson leads with 4 3s and 22 points. Jordan Burich with 14 points and likely had a double digit rebounds and around 5 blocks. He stayed out of foul trouble and was very productive. Emeche Wells 10 points. Roseville ends an outstanding season at 24-5. 4 of the 5 losses by a total of 11 points and 2 of those in overtime. Emeche Wells and Collin Johnson are important losses but they have their backcourt returning as well as Burich so expect the Raiders to contend again next year in the Suburban East.
For Woodbury, Renard Suggs has another huge game vs Roseville. This time he only makes 2 3s but lots to the rim has he goes for 28 points. Rickey Suggs active on the glass with 12 points. Tyler Graves with the 6 points on 2 3s during the big 20-5 run that got Woodbury back in the game when they were down 14. Not a great shooting night for either team and that wasn't just because of shot selection. Woodbury will most likely draw against a top 4 team. That's a team with size like Osseo, Lakeville North or Eastview, which Woodbury doesn't have, or Hopkins who matches up well defensively. None of those are good draws.
3AAA Top Seeds Move On
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Reid Travis
Prologue
Off to Blaine for the section 3AAA semifinals. They're the only game in town and the coaches were out. Augsburg, UW-River Falls, St. John's, St. Thomas, Crookston, Bemidji St, Dakota County, Rochester Community and Tech College just some of the colleges in the building. No food at the building as I had Burger King on the way and no I didn't wear the crown afterwards. Don't laugh. You all wanted the Burger King cardboard crown as kids too, you know you did. Hot dogs looked pretty good though. Respectable crowd on hand and great props to the Blaine crowd control for putting students in their own area and helping fans (e.g me) not get stuck behind them. Rare to have crowd control at a game and have it do its job well. Also the usual outstanding performance from the St. Anthony pep band.
Game 1: #1 Spring Lake Park vs #4 Totino-Grace
Game of contrasts here with the small and frenetic Panthers taking on the slow paced Eagles and their big man Nick Carr. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica with 3 bombs. Sean Scott adds 2 more bombs and a takes a steal for a dunk. 23-13 Spring Lake Park at the 8:30 mark. The full court man pressure from Spring Lake Park really bothering Totino-Grace and they're turning it over. Scott knocks down 2 free throws and another 3 after a pair of turnovers. That 3 pushes the lead to 40-20 at the 4:12 mark. 45-29 Spring Lake Park at half. Nick Carr with 13 in the half for Totino-Grace. Scott 15 for Spring Lake Park.
The Panthers shot selection in the 2nd half allows the Eagles to get back in the game. Carr 2 inside buckets, a kick to Sam Meyer for 3 and a post bucket on the side out of bounds. Meyer adds another 3 and Spring Lake Park needs a timeout. 47-41 Spring Lake Park with 13:25 to play. 21-7 Eagles run in less than 8 minutes. Thimmesch-Slepica a putback and his 4th 3 of the night and its back to double digits. But he commits his 4th foul moments later and sits with 11:01 to play. Carr with the lefty finish for 2 and an assist on an Andy Moritko layup. 57-50 Panthers with 9:35 left. Robert Ben with back to back layups on the same inbounds play underneath as the lead grows back to 13. Carr on the block and Meyer to the fadeaway and its back down to 9 with 5:38 to play, 63-54. Scott with a tip for 2 and Thimmesch-Slepica back in with a steal for 2 as Spring Lake Park puts it away. 73-56 Spring Lake Park wins despite a very ugly second half. Sean Scott 19 points to lead the Panthers. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica 14 points and was the glue guy. Nick Carr was a handful inside with 25 points. Sam Meyer got loose for 4 3s and 23 points. The Eagles did try some triangle and 2 on Scott and Bryce Williams in a strategy that made sense but Slepica was big early.
Game 2: #2 De La Salle vs #3 St. Anthony
St. Anthony really focused on Reid Travis and Luke Scott in this one. They used triangle and 2 with both in the game and diamond and 1 with only 1 of them in the game. Throw in some 2-3 zone to boot. Huskies star Anthony Brama starting strong with a drive for 2 and a layup. Timeout DLS at the 11:31 mark with St. Anthony leading 11-8. He scores 12 of the 1st 15 for St. Anthony before DLS slows him down. After a couple of early buckets Jarvis Johnson adds 2 more buckets as DLS opens the lead to 27-21 at the 4 minute mark. Then Johnson with back to back 3s from in front of the Huskies and Spike Lee must be on the Huskies bench as Johnson has some words. 33-23 Islanders at the 2 minute mark. 33-25 Islanders at the half. Brama and Johnson with 14 each.
The second half has Reid Travis take control. His back to back buckets push the lead to 41-28 at the 15:15 mark. After a Huskies timeout, he catches on the right block and goes to the Hakeem Olajuwon baseline spin (always a travel) for the dunk. He adds a layup and the lead is 17. Travis on the offensive glass for 2 more and his backup James Lawson with a tip for 2. 49-31 with 12:15 left. That ends a 16-4 run. Then some deja vu as Brama would make 3 triples to keep it respectable (like the 1st meeting). But the lead is never less than 14 again. De La Salle wins 73-54. Reid Travis 26 points and 9 rebounds. 18 of those points in the 2nd half. Jarvis Johnson 14 of his 16 in the 1st half. Luke Scott 3 more bombs and 15 points. Anthony Brama finishes his career with 29 points.
Off to Blaine for the section 3AAA semifinals. They're the only game in town and the coaches were out. Augsburg, UW-River Falls, St. John's, St. Thomas, Crookston, Bemidji St, Dakota County, Rochester Community and Tech College just some of the colleges in the building. No food at the building as I had Burger King on the way and no I didn't wear the crown afterwards. Don't laugh. You all wanted the Burger King cardboard crown as kids too, you know you did. Hot dogs looked pretty good though. Respectable crowd on hand and great props to the Blaine crowd control for putting students in their own area and helping fans (e.g me) not get stuck behind them. Rare to have crowd control at a game and have it do its job well. Also the usual outstanding performance from the St. Anthony pep band.
Game 1: #1 Spring Lake Park vs #4 Totino-Grace
Game of contrasts here with the small and frenetic Panthers taking on the slow paced Eagles and their big man Nick Carr. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica with 3 bombs. Sean Scott adds 2 more bombs and a takes a steal for a dunk. 23-13 Spring Lake Park at the 8:30 mark. The full court man pressure from Spring Lake Park really bothering Totino-Grace and they're turning it over. Scott knocks down 2 free throws and another 3 after a pair of turnovers. That 3 pushes the lead to 40-20 at the 4:12 mark. 45-29 Spring Lake Park at half. Nick Carr with 13 in the half for Totino-Grace. Scott 15 for Spring Lake Park.
The Panthers shot selection in the 2nd half allows the Eagles to get back in the game. Carr 2 inside buckets, a kick to Sam Meyer for 3 and a post bucket on the side out of bounds. Meyer adds another 3 and Spring Lake Park needs a timeout. 47-41 Spring Lake Park with 13:25 to play. 21-7 Eagles run in less than 8 minutes. Thimmesch-Slepica a putback and his 4th 3 of the night and its back to double digits. But he commits his 4th foul moments later and sits with 11:01 to play. Carr with the lefty finish for 2 and an assist on an Andy Moritko layup. 57-50 Panthers with 9:35 left. Robert Ben with back to back layups on the same inbounds play underneath as the lead grows back to 13. Carr on the block and Meyer to the fadeaway and its back down to 9 with 5:38 to play, 63-54. Scott with a tip for 2 and Thimmesch-Slepica back in with a steal for 2 as Spring Lake Park puts it away. 73-56 Spring Lake Park wins despite a very ugly second half. Sean Scott 19 points to lead the Panthers. Jordan Thimmesch-Slepica 14 points and was the glue guy. Nick Carr was a handful inside with 25 points. Sam Meyer got loose for 4 3s and 23 points. The Eagles did try some triangle and 2 on Scott and Bryce Williams in a strategy that made sense but Slepica was big early.
Game 2: #2 De La Salle vs #3 St. Anthony
St. Anthony really focused on Reid Travis and Luke Scott in this one. They used triangle and 2 with both in the game and diamond and 1 with only 1 of them in the game. Throw in some 2-3 zone to boot. Huskies star Anthony Brama starting strong with a drive for 2 and a layup. Timeout DLS at the 11:31 mark with St. Anthony leading 11-8. He scores 12 of the 1st 15 for St. Anthony before DLS slows him down. After a couple of early buckets Jarvis Johnson adds 2 more buckets as DLS opens the lead to 27-21 at the 4 minute mark. Then Johnson with back to back 3s from in front of the Huskies and Spike Lee must be on the Huskies bench as Johnson has some words. 33-23 Islanders at the 2 minute mark. 33-25 Islanders at the half. Brama and Johnson with 14 each.
The second half has Reid Travis take control. His back to back buckets push the lead to 41-28 at the 15:15 mark. After a Huskies timeout, he catches on the right block and goes to the Hakeem Olajuwon baseline spin (always a travel) for the dunk. He adds a layup and the lead is 17. Travis on the offensive glass for 2 more and his backup James Lawson with a tip for 2. 49-31 with 12:15 left. That ends a 16-4 run. Then some deja vu as Brama would make 3 triples to keep it respectable (like the 1st meeting). But the lead is never less than 14 again. De La Salle wins 73-54. Reid Travis 26 points and 9 rebounds. 18 of those points in the 2nd half. Jarvis Johnson 14 of his 16 in the 1st half. Luke Scott 3 more bombs and 15 points. Anthony Brama finishes his career with 29 points.
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