The 2013-2014 season came to a close over the weekend . What a finish
to the AAAA season with a pair of amazing semifinals and a championship
game. The Hopkins vs Shakopee semifinal will be memorable for more
than 1 reason. The chess match at the end of regulation and through the
4 overtimes may not have pleased the fans but both strategies made
sense. Why not hold for the last shot and not even give Shakopee a
chance to win if you're Hopkins? If you're Shakopee, why make your
defense more vulnerable by extending, get a stop and move on. If roles
were reversed there would be no uproar but since Hopkins was the more
talented and favored team, I was surprised they didn't play it out.
Will that game cause enough uproar for a shot clock? Maybe, but most
folks don't understand that we already have the shot clock and choose
not to use it. Personally I love the chess match and the option for the
underdog. A shot clock would have given St. Cloud Tech no chance vs
Hopkins in 2009. Instead, we had extremely compelling theater until
Nate Wolters rolled an ankle. Add in the cost and lower quality of
basketball at small schools and I'm still firmly opposed. A very
under-appreciated part of the ending was the last draw up by Shakopee.
It appeared the Sabers had a layup for the win but the pass was late and
the steal allowed Hopkins to get the ball back for the memorable final
Coffey heave from 57 feet.
Then what more can we say
about JP Macura. He goes for 31 in the semi including a 30 foot buzzer
beater to beat CDH. Then 43 and 9 with a critical assist late as
Lakeville North came back late to shock Hopkins and win the title. Long
3s, drives to the bucket and movement without the basketball for layups
all part of the display. Lakeville North was very beatable when it was
just Macura, but Bronson Bruneau, soph Drew Stewart and Connor Flack
also made big plays and that was the difference. Lakeville North
couldn't get a stop for a long time down the stretch but managed to
steal away the game late. Hopkins with their 1st loss in a final since
1994 and it was disappointing that some members of the team didn't
handle it well. While some of the fan criticism online is ridiculous
(calling the kids thugs etc), seeing parents trying to write it off as
just being kids or it can't be criticized because they are kids is also
ridiculous. These kids have played enough games at all levels
throughout the years and been at state enough to know better. Win with
class, lose with class is something all players learn very early on.
Great teaching moment for those kids in how to deal with adversity.
Life is full of disappointments, losing 1 game is a minor one in the big
scheme of things.
In the rest of the tournament,
impressed with Kory Deadrick of Esko and what he did to lead to Eskomos
to a title. Soph Jaxson Turner didn't make all tourney but showed he'll
be a very good player for them the next 2 years. Matt Miller of
Annandale did a bit of everything for the Cardinals and Chase
Knickerbocker really helped his stock. Biggest breakout star of the
tourney may have been 8th grader Owen King of Caledonia. Expect
Caledonia forward Kyle Sorenson's stock to go up this spring. De La
Salle with a thoroughly dominating season as they weren't challenged on
their way to the AAA title. Outside of AJ Nywesh, Austin shot 6-31 in
the championship game.
Refecting back on this year's
playoffs in general, it may be the craziest season I've seen in the 7
seasons that I've written here. Apple Valley out in OT, Buffalo makes
state in 5 OT, Simley/Hill-Murray double OT etc etc What a fun season
Next
up is #AAUBingo 2014. Year 2 of AAUBingo is a special Czar is a Head
Coach edition. Let's just say its been an adventure already and we're
still 2 weeks away from the 1st games for local teams.
Osseo returns to the big dance
Prologue
Back to Rogers for the 5AAAA championship between Osseo and Champlin Park. Osseo had a rough stretch without Ian Theisen during the 2nd half of the year. They beat Champlin Park without him and lost with him earlier in the season. Champlin Park had a late hiccup in the season but generally rolled. Looking for another classic here. I actually liked the officiating crew coming into the game. But despite letting them play actually had some very strange calls on minimal contact and let plenty of fouls go.
Song of the Day
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1396 ounces (125 games, 107 days)
Connor Kittleson with a pair of early easy buckets as Osseo takes a 7-6 lead at 14:15. Champlin Park sees Marty Hill get his offense going. Hill with a jumper and triple for force an Osseo timeout. Ian Smith for 3 and a kickout to Alec Leabo for 3. Ian Smith to Alex Hilley for a layup. 27-12 Champlin Park at the 6 minute mark. Then the Rebels once again go the 1-3-1 that killed them against Park Center. Wheeler Baker to the rack to end a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 11 at the 3 minute mark. Gibson with a strip late in the half and finds Smith for a layup at the buzzer for a 39-27 Rebels lead at the half.
Gibson for 3 and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 44-27. Then Osseo pounds the glass. Elliot Kane with a putback, Theisen on the glass for a 3 point play. Jordan Dembley with a 3 point play and coast to coast for 2 more. Theisen buries a 3, Wheeler Baker drives for 2, Theisen with another putback. 17-3 Osseo run brings the Orioles within 47-44 at the 12:22 mark and we have a ball game. Game stays tight when Wheeler Baker dives after a loose ball and gets called for his 4th foul with 8:08 left, tough break there. Smith makes both for a 5 point lead and scores again with 5:50 left for a 59-53 Rebels lead. Osseo makes their comeback. Theisen with 2 putbacks that sandwich a Kane bucket and we're tied at 59 with 3:45 left.
Teams trade 1 of 2 at the line. Osseo with a long final possession that they save by diving on a loose ball and getting a timeout with 1:35 left. Osseo holds until 21 ticks left and takes time. Ball swung on the pick and roll to find Kane in the right corner, he has a lane to the bucket and goes hard but stepped on the baseline. We'll go to OT tied at 60. Kane with a big 3 at the 2:20 mark of OT to give Osseo a 5 point lead. Baker fouls out on the next possession. Gibson makes 1 and Osseo misses a front end but Champlin Park can't convert. Giovanni Pastrano makes 3 of 4 free throws late as he continues his outstanding play for the Orioles. Osseo wins 72-67 in overtime.
Post Game
Champlin Park finishes the year 25-3 with 2 losses to Osseo and a loss to Hopkins. Ian Smith leads with 18 points, Marty Hill with 12 of his 15 in the first half. Champlin Park gives away a 17 point second half lead which will make this one tough to swallow. The future is very bright despite losing stars Ian Smith and Brennan Witt
Ian Theisen comes up huge for Osseo with 14 of his 23 in the second half. He was all over the glass with somewhere in the vicinity of 20 rebounds. Wheeler Baker with another off night but still scored 12 points. Jordan Dembley with 10. I didn't think Osseo could get away with the front court combination of Theisen, Kittleson and Pastrano when Champlin Park backed off them but the Orioles stayed within their roles and made it work. Osseo's seed at state will be a fun topic of discussion with Lakeville North and Cretin-Derham Hall likely ending up in the 2-4 slots. How much weight will be on this win and Theisen's injury during the 4 game losing streak. How much will the CDH win over Apple Valley weigh?
Back to Rogers for the 5AAAA championship between Osseo and Champlin Park. Osseo had a rough stretch without Ian Theisen during the 2nd half of the year. They beat Champlin Park without him and lost with him earlier in the season. Champlin Park had a late hiccup in the season but generally rolled. Looking for another classic here. I actually liked the officiating crew coming into the game. But despite letting them play actually had some very strange calls on minimal contact and let plenty of fouls go.
Song of the Day
Big Time - Peter Gabriel
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1396 ounces (125 games, 107 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 104 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 272 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Connor Kittleson with a pair of early easy buckets as Osseo takes a 7-6 lead at 14:15. Champlin Park sees Marty Hill get his offense going. Hill with a jumper and triple for force an Osseo timeout. Ian Smith for 3 and a kickout to Alec Leabo for 3. Ian Smith to Alex Hilley for a layup. 27-12 Champlin Park at the 6 minute mark. Then the Rebels once again go the 1-3-1 that killed them against Park Center. Wheeler Baker to the rack to end a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 11 at the 3 minute mark. Gibson with a strip late in the half and finds Smith for a layup at the buzzer for a 39-27 Rebels lead at the half.
Gibson for 3 and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 44-27. Then Osseo pounds the glass. Elliot Kane with a putback, Theisen on the glass for a 3 point play. Jordan Dembley with a 3 point play and coast to coast for 2 more. Theisen buries a 3, Wheeler Baker drives for 2, Theisen with another putback. 17-3 Osseo run brings the Orioles within 47-44 at the 12:22 mark and we have a ball game. Game stays tight when Wheeler Baker dives after a loose ball and gets called for his 4th foul with 8:08 left, tough break there. Smith makes both for a 5 point lead and scores again with 5:50 left for a 59-53 Rebels lead. Osseo makes their comeback. Theisen with 2 putbacks that sandwich a Kane bucket and we're tied at 59 with 3:45 left.
Teams trade 1 of 2 at the line. Osseo with a long final possession that they save by diving on a loose ball and getting a timeout with 1:35 left. Osseo holds until 21 ticks left and takes time. Ball swung on the pick and roll to find Kane in the right corner, he has a lane to the bucket and goes hard but stepped on the baseline. We'll go to OT tied at 60. Kane with a big 3 at the 2:20 mark of OT to give Osseo a 5 point lead. Baker fouls out on the next possession. Gibson makes 1 and Osseo misses a front end but Champlin Park can't convert. Giovanni Pastrano makes 3 of 4 free throws late as he continues his outstanding play for the Orioles. Osseo wins 72-67 in overtime.
Post Game
Champlin Park finishes the year 25-3 with 2 losses to Osseo and a loss to Hopkins. Ian Smith leads with 18 points, Marty Hill with 12 of his 15 in the first half. Champlin Park gives away a 17 point second half lead which will make this one tough to swallow. The future is very bright despite losing stars Ian Smith and Brennan Witt
Ian Theisen comes up huge for Osseo with 14 of his 23 in the second half. He was all over the glass with somewhere in the vicinity of 20 rebounds. Wheeler Baker with another off night but still scored 12 points. Jordan Dembley with 10. I didn't think Osseo could get away with the front court combination of Theisen, Kittleson and Pastrano when Champlin Park backed off them but the Orioles stayed within their roles and made it work. Osseo's seed at state will be a fun topic of discussion with Lakeville North and Cretin-Derham Hall likely ending up in the 2-4 slots. How much weight will be on this win and Theisen's injury during the 4 game losing streak. How much will the CDH win over Apple Valley weigh?
Goliath falls
Labels:
Tyus Jones
Prologue
Off to Farmington for the 3AAAA championship game between Cretin-Derham Hall and Apple Valley. The expected full house on hand. Great games tonight in Monticello (5 OT in 8AAAA final), Marshall advances to state in OT, SW MN Christian loses and this one didn't disappoint either. Red Gatorade is the beverage with sausage pizza. Quality 40 minute pregame performance from the Apple Valley band.
Song of the Day
Runnin down a dream - Tom Petty
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1376 ounces (124 games, 106 days)
Big key in this game was a good start for CDH. They get that with Donnell Gresham scoring the 1st 5 and Michael Hannon from deep. Timeout Apple Valley at 16:46 trailing 8-2 and that's despite 4 offensive boards. Tyus Jones 4 points to cut the lead to 2. Sam Neumann putback, Gresham with another 3, Neumann for 3. George Hottinger with a layup and Neumann with a layup after a turnover. 22-15 CDH at 12:50. Tyus coast to coast for the And 1 and he adds a steal for 2 to tie the game at 26. Tyus on the run for 2 more to conclude the 16-4 Apple Valley run. Tobroxen with a layup and Tyus to Brock Bertram for a bucket on the pick and roll. Loose ball ends up with a Tyus 3. Hannon with a jumper and then 1 of many abuses he had of the Eagles bigs off the bounce. 44-38 Apple Valley at the half. Early on the pace was absolutely furious but CDH made an effort to slow the game down.
Hottinger a pair of buckets countered by Tyus for 2 and then Tyus dunks a turnover. 51-44 Apple Valley 4 minutes into the half. Hannon with a drive to start a spurt, Neumann blocks Tyus and Hannon makes 2 free throws off of it. Then Hannon buries a 3 after a Tyus bucket and we're tied at 53 (9-2 run). Tyus playing out of the right block finds Bertram for a layup and then goes to the reverse for 2 of his own and scores again. Dennis Austin and Bertram add buckets and the Eagles lead is 65-57 with 6:45 left.
CDH always able to score. Neumann for 3, Joe Rosga steals an outlet pass and no fear as he immediately drills the right wing 3. Tyus trying to take over as he scores the next 3 but misses 3 free throws in that stretch. Then he swats a shot away on the help side. But there's that Hannon guy again as he takes an inside out feed from Neumann and drills the 3 and drills another on the next possession. Then its Neumann for 3 with 1:45 left and CDH has the lead. Tyus called for the offensive foul going to the rim with 1:36 left. Oh my. CDH ball up 72-70. After 2 Rosga free throws, Tyus goes straight to the rim for 2. After a timeout, he steals the inbounds and makes 2 free throws to tie the game at 74. CDH will hold for the last shot. Gresham no good off the high screen, rebound no good, Rosga a great look from 10 feet with 8 ticks left is in and out. CDH has 1 last chance from under their basket with 1.3 left but turns it over. We'll play overtime.
CDH wins the tip and holds until they turn it over at the 2:37 mark. Apple Valley misses 30 seconds later and now CDH will continue to hold. They hold until a timeout with 13 seconds left. Its Rosga off a double high ball screen to Gresham who's shot is no good and we'll play a second overtime.
Tyus opens the overtime scoring (in the 2nd OT) with a drive that's countered by another Hannon 3. Apple Valley misses and Gresham makes 2 free throws. Austin makes 1 free throw on an offensive board to cut the lead to 79-77 with 1:45 left. But Apple Valley doesn't score again. Austin and tyus go down with injuries with 58.5 left. Big delay before Austin is stretchered off, Tyus comes back out to an ovation during the delay. But at that point the game is over as CDH is up 10 Cretin-Derham Hall pulls the upset 89-77 in double overtime.
Post Game
Apple Valley finishes the season 27-2 and the loss breaks a 55 game winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones finishes his outstanding career with 35 points. What a pleasure to watch one of the best ever to come out of the state during these last 5 seasons. Brock Bertram with a big double double with 19 points. The rest of the roster only comes up with 23. Apple Valley not showing any outside shooting in the game and didn't pound the ball inside nearly enough. Tyus with some great success off a flat ball screen at mid-court but we only saw it late and a couple of times. Didn't see that huge killer instinct from him that we've seen in the past either. Almost like Apple Valley thought they could just turn it on and win. Honestly I thought this game was more about what they didn't do than what Cretin-Derham Hall did on the strategy side.
Cretin-Derham Hall was successful running early and much to my chagrin they slowed the tempo. But give them credit it worked. Michael Hannon goes bezerk with 5 3s and 26 points. Donnell Gresham also large with 22 points and a pair of 3s. Joe Rosga 15 and Sam Neumann with 3 bombs and 16 points. CDH managed to not get completely crushed on the glass which was a huge factor. Seeding them for the state tourney is an interesting debate. On 1 side you have this win. On the other you have 2 losses to Woodbury, a team that Tartan just beat and Tartan is still scrambling to be seeded. If Lakeville North and Champlin Park lose, maybe they're the 2 seed (Hopkins will clearly be #1). But if those 2 win, now they're likely looking at 4. The 5 seed is a scramble of the remaining teams. Cretin's secondary guys stepped up big and Apple Valley's didn't and that was your difference. CDH buries 12 3s and when they shoot it well they are extremely dangerous and difficult to guard.
Off to Farmington for the 3AAAA championship game between Cretin-Derham Hall and Apple Valley. The expected full house on hand. Great games tonight in Monticello (5 OT in 8AAAA final), Marshall advances to state in OT, SW MN Christian loses and this one didn't disappoint either. Red Gatorade is the beverage with sausage pizza. Quality 40 minute pregame performance from the Apple Valley band.
Song of the Day
Runnin down a dream - Tom Petty
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1376 ounces (124 games, 106 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 272 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Big key in this game was a good start for CDH. They get that with Donnell Gresham scoring the 1st 5 and Michael Hannon from deep. Timeout Apple Valley at 16:46 trailing 8-2 and that's despite 4 offensive boards. Tyus Jones 4 points to cut the lead to 2. Sam Neumann putback, Gresham with another 3, Neumann for 3. George Hottinger with a layup and Neumann with a layup after a turnover. 22-15 CDH at 12:50. Tyus coast to coast for the And 1 and he adds a steal for 2 to tie the game at 26. Tyus on the run for 2 more to conclude the 16-4 Apple Valley run. Tobroxen with a layup and Tyus to Brock Bertram for a bucket on the pick and roll. Loose ball ends up with a Tyus 3. Hannon with a jumper and then 1 of many abuses he had of the Eagles bigs off the bounce. 44-38 Apple Valley at the half. Early on the pace was absolutely furious but CDH made an effort to slow the game down.
Hottinger a pair of buckets countered by Tyus for 2 and then Tyus dunks a turnover. 51-44 Apple Valley 4 minutes into the half. Hannon with a drive to start a spurt, Neumann blocks Tyus and Hannon makes 2 free throws off of it. Then Hannon buries a 3 after a Tyus bucket and we're tied at 53 (9-2 run). Tyus playing out of the right block finds Bertram for a layup and then goes to the reverse for 2 of his own and scores again. Dennis Austin and Bertram add buckets and the Eagles lead is 65-57 with 6:45 left.
CDH always able to score. Neumann for 3, Joe Rosga steals an outlet pass and no fear as he immediately drills the right wing 3. Tyus trying to take over as he scores the next 3 but misses 3 free throws in that stretch. Then he swats a shot away on the help side. But there's that Hannon guy again as he takes an inside out feed from Neumann and drills the 3 and drills another on the next possession. Then its Neumann for 3 with 1:45 left and CDH has the lead. Tyus called for the offensive foul going to the rim with 1:36 left. Oh my. CDH ball up 72-70. After 2 Rosga free throws, Tyus goes straight to the rim for 2. After a timeout, he steals the inbounds and makes 2 free throws to tie the game at 74. CDH will hold for the last shot. Gresham no good off the high screen, rebound no good, Rosga a great look from 10 feet with 8 ticks left is in and out. CDH has 1 last chance from under their basket with 1.3 left but turns it over. We'll play overtime.
CDH wins the tip and holds until they turn it over at the 2:37 mark. Apple Valley misses 30 seconds later and now CDH will continue to hold. They hold until a timeout with 13 seconds left. Its Rosga off a double high ball screen to Gresham who's shot is no good and we'll play a second overtime.
Tyus opens the overtime scoring (in the 2nd OT) with a drive that's countered by another Hannon 3. Apple Valley misses and Gresham makes 2 free throws. Austin makes 1 free throw on an offensive board to cut the lead to 79-77 with 1:45 left. But Apple Valley doesn't score again. Austin and tyus go down with injuries with 58.5 left. Big delay before Austin is stretchered off, Tyus comes back out to an ovation during the delay. But at that point the game is over as CDH is up 10 Cretin-Derham Hall pulls the upset 89-77 in double overtime.
Post Game
Apple Valley finishes the season 27-2 and the loss breaks a 55 game winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones finishes his outstanding career with 35 points. What a pleasure to watch one of the best ever to come out of the state during these last 5 seasons. Brock Bertram with a big double double with 19 points. The rest of the roster only comes up with 23. Apple Valley not showing any outside shooting in the game and didn't pound the ball inside nearly enough. Tyus with some great success off a flat ball screen at mid-court but we only saw it late and a couple of times. Didn't see that huge killer instinct from him that we've seen in the past either. Almost like Apple Valley thought they could just turn it on and win. Honestly I thought this game was more about what they didn't do than what Cretin-Derham Hall did on the strategy side.
Cretin-Derham Hall was successful running early and much to my chagrin they slowed the tempo. But give them credit it worked. Michael Hannon goes bezerk with 5 3s and 26 points. Donnell Gresham also large with 22 points and a pair of 3s. Joe Rosga 15 and Sam Neumann with 3 bombs and 16 points. CDH managed to not get completely crushed on the glass which was a huge factor. Seeding them for the state tourney is an interesting debate. On 1 side you have this win. On the other you have 2 losses to Woodbury, a team that Tartan just beat and Tartan is still scrambling to be seeded. If Lakeville North and Champlin Park lose, maybe they're the 2 seed (Hopkins will clearly be #1). But if those 2 win, now they're likely looking at 4. The 5 seed is a scramble of the remaining teams. Cretin's secondary guys stepped up big and Apple Valley's didn't and that was your difference. CDH buries 12 3s and when they shoot it well they are extremely dangerous and difficult to guard.
Titans make it back to State
Prologue
Off to Tartan for the section 4AAAA championship between Tartan and Woodbury. Good size crowd but not a problem getting a seat in the upper level. The students very vocal and somewhat crass at times. That triggered a tongue thrashing from the public address guy at halftime. No concessions tonight but a nice stop for Jersey Mike's during the pregame. Concordia in the building with SW MN State assistant Chad Welk (a Concordia asst until last year). St. Mary's also in the building. Hollywood, Mr. Clean and The Reverend are your officials.
Song of the Day
We are the Champions - Queen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1356 ounces (123 games, 105 days)
Tartan off to a great start. Brody Jackson takes the UNC secondary break back screen for 2 and another postup for a 7-0 lead. Eric Winter again gets the defensive chore for the Titans. This time its faceguarding Matt Ambriz. Jordan Horn starts to heat up as he goes off the ball screen for 3. 21-12 Tartan at 7:35. Isaiah Coddon for Woodbury catches at the right elbow, jabs right and goes left down the lane for the thunderous finish, seriously nasty there. Horn counters with another trey, Coddon 2 free throws, Horn a 3 point play and after a Woodbury bucket Horn with 2 free throws. That's 11 straight Titans points for Horn. Jackson takes the post feed for 2 more and the lead is 13 at 4:45. Horn fouled on a 3 and makes all 3 free throws and makes 2 more threes in the half. 45-35 Tartan at the half. Horn with 4 3s and 20 points to carry the offense.
First 5 of the second half to Tartan and it looks like the game could get out of hand quickly. Woodbury counters but Tartan tries to blow it open again. Tommy Hanson buries a kickout pass for 3 and then off a turnover Horn goes to the spin move for the 3 point play. That move is legal because The (slimmed down) Nutty Professor isn't working the game. 60-44 Tartan with 12:52 left and Woodbury takes time to try and figure out a solution. Matt Ambriz with a 4 point play and Coddon takes a turnover and smashes that on the break with 2 hands and the lead is down to 10 quickly. Tartan's role players make big shots. Jake Lyle a pair of bombs off the bench and Winter shows with one. Strange event with 9:08 left and Woodbury down 13. Ambriz fouled and steps up to shoot the 1 and 1. He misses the 1st and nobody plays it. Finally Hollywood just grabs it and both teams almost tackle him for it. We get a conference and not much choice but to go to the arrow and give it to Woodbury. Woodbury would have 1 last spurt in them. Nick Yan drives for 2, Coddon with 2 free throws and a 3 and the lead is down to 6, 73-67 Tartan 6:15 left. Winter counters with another 3 as Tartan takes the timeout at that point to regroup. Tartan would be patient with the offense after that and never be threatened the rest of the way. Tartan wins 90-78.
Post Game
Coach Scott Swanson's career at Woodbury comes to an end with the loss. Many outstanding seasons for him with the Royals. He finishes his 13 year career there with a record of 216-146 with 4 trips to state (last 2 years) along with a least 2 other trips to the section final. Matt Ambriz finishes his outstanding senior season with 22 points before fouling out. Isaiah Coddon and Nick Yan both add 20 points. But the Royals get 0 points from their bench.
Tartan makes their 1st trip to state since their run of 8 straight trips ended with their last trip in 2005. Freshman point guard Jordan Horn was even better today than he was in the semifinals. 20 of his 28 points in the 1st half to lead all scorers. Keenan Bellaphant with a bunch of late free throws to reach 12 points. Tommy Hanson 3 bombs for 11, Eric Winter and Jake Lyle each with 2 bombs for 8. Brody Jackson got touches early in each half by design and scored 10 points. Think about all the players Tartan lost that could have been on this team (Marshawn Wilson, Donnell Gresham, Simeon and Jahleel Davis) and they're still going. Fun display after the game, Tartan players storm the court, then they mob their coaches (love that). Then the students storm the court to celebrate with the team.
Off to Tartan for the section 4AAAA championship between Tartan and Woodbury. Good size crowd but not a problem getting a seat in the upper level. The students very vocal and somewhat crass at times. That triggered a tongue thrashing from the public address guy at halftime. No concessions tonight but a nice stop for Jersey Mike's during the pregame. Concordia in the building with SW MN State assistant Chad Welk (a Concordia asst until last year). St. Mary's also in the building. Hollywood, Mr. Clean and The Reverend are your officials.
Song of the Day
We are the Champions - Queen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1356 ounces (123 games, 105 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 252 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 544 oz Pepsi
Tartan off to a great start. Brody Jackson takes the UNC secondary break back screen for 2 and another postup for a 7-0 lead. Eric Winter again gets the defensive chore for the Titans. This time its faceguarding Matt Ambriz. Jordan Horn starts to heat up as he goes off the ball screen for 3. 21-12 Tartan at 7:35. Isaiah Coddon for Woodbury catches at the right elbow, jabs right and goes left down the lane for the thunderous finish, seriously nasty there. Horn counters with another trey, Coddon 2 free throws, Horn a 3 point play and after a Woodbury bucket Horn with 2 free throws. That's 11 straight Titans points for Horn. Jackson takes the post feed for 2 more and the lead is 13 at 4:45. Horn fouled on a 3 and makes all 3 free throws and makes 2 more threes in the half. 45-35 Tartan at the half. Horn with 4 3s and 20 points to carry the offense.
First 5 of the second half to Tartan and it looks like the game could get out of hand quickly. Woodbury counters but Tartan tries to blow it open again. Tommy Hanson buries a kickout pass for 3 and then off a turnover Horn goes to the spin move for the 3 point play. That move is legal because The (slimmed down) Nutty Professor isn't working the game. 60-44 Tartan with 12:52 left and Woodbury takes time to try and figure out a solution. Matt Ambriz with a 4 point play and Coddon takes a turnover and smashes that on the break with 2 hands and the lead is down to 10 quickly. Tartan's role players make big shots. Jake Lyle a pair of bombs off the bench and Winter shows with one. Strange event with 9:08 left and Woodbury down 13. Ambriz fouled and steps up to shoot the 1 and 1. He misses the 1st and nobody plays it. Finally Hollywood just grabs it and both teams almost tackle him for it. We get a conference and not much choice but to go to the arrow and give it to Woodbury. Woodbury would have 1 last spurt in them. Nick Yan drives for 2, Coddon with 2 free throws and a 3 and the lead is down to 6, 73-67 Tartan 6:15 left. Winter counters with another 3 as Tartan takes the timeout at that point to regroup. Tartan would be patient with the offense after that and never be threatened the rest of the way. Tartan wins 90-78.
Post Game
Coach Scott Swanson's career at Woodbury comes to an end with the loss. Many outstanding seasons for him with the Royals. He finishes his 13 year career there with a record of 216-146 with 4 trips to state (last 2 years) along with a least 2 other trips to the section final. Matt Ambriz finishes his outstanding senior season with 22 points before fouling out. Isaiah Coddon and Nick Yan both add 20 points. But the Royals get 0 points from their bench.
Tartan makes their 1st trip to state since their run of 8 straight trips ended with their last trip in 2005. Freshman point guard Jordan Horn was even better today than he was in the semifinals. 20 of his 28 points in the 1st half to lead all scorers. Keenan Bellaphant with a bunch of late free throws to reach 12 points. Tommy Hanson 3 bombs for 11, Eric Winter and Jake Lyle each with 2 bombs for 8. Brody Jackson got touches early in each half by design and scored 10 points. Think about all the players Tartan lost that could have been on this team (Marshawn Wilson, Donnell Gresham, Simeon and Jahleel Davis) and they're still going. Fun display after the game, Tartan players storm the court, then they mob their coaches (love that). Then the students storm the court to celebrate with the team.
A Rogers Rumble
Off to Rogers for the 5AAAA semifinals which showcased 4 of the better teams in the Northwest Suburban. Very good crowd on hand after all though it was slow arriving. Mr. Basketball and Director of Officials Jim Robinson in the building. We also get John Lithgow working the late game. Needless to say, Mr. Robinson's neighborhood was in absolute chaos. The officiating was a mess in both games and Lithgow once again in big game was bad. As a fan, its a a crying shame that the kids don't get better crews for these games. Jim Robinson continues to see this night in and night out and yet absolutely nothing changes. Off my soapbox and on to the games.
Game 1: Champlin Park vs Park Center
3 different Rebels knock down 3s and Champlin Park jumps out to an 11-1 lead. Its 15-6 Champlin Park at the 13:30 mark when they decide to change to a 1-3-1 zone. Not only does the zone not make sense in the given context, but you also have a little guy in Ian Smith at the top of it which totally defeats the purpose of an odd front zone. Flip him to the back to run the baseline and move Jeremy Johnson up to the top to play havoc with his length. Park Center makes their comeback. Amani Hooker drives, Isaiah McKay for 3 in transition and a block leads to an Arione Farrar 3 that gives Park Center their 1st lead. Pirates run is 14-4 in just under 8 minutes, but 8-0 in the last minute of the run. Park Center using their own zone with effectiveness. 34-32 Champlin Park at the break.
The Rebels attempt to break the game open with a 10-2 run early in the 2nd half. Alec Leabo for 3, Ian Smith converts a turnover, another turnover for 2 Johnson free throws and he adds a 3 to cap it. 52-43 Champlin Park with 12:46 left as the Pirates regroup with a timeout. Isaac Matthews doing work for the Pirates. He scoops for 2 and puts back a free throw miss as Champlin Park just stood and watched. Champlin Park inexplicably goes back to the 1-3-1 and its Matthews with a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1 with just over 7 minutes left. Then Matthews called for his 4th foul on a charge with 6:42 left. Bo Powell doesn't get him out of the game. JT Gibson blows by him for 2 as he's helpless to defend. Gibson takes Matthews off the bounce again and its a layup for Johnson off the assist. Farrar buries a 3 and Smith hits a free throw for a 59-58 Champlin Park lead at the 5:02 mark. That foul appeared to be on Matthews but it somehow got switched which was a huge break as he would have been gone. Smith comes up clutch late. He drives and goes to the left hand for 2 and then pulls up in the lane for 2 more. Smith with a bunny at the 2:37 mark to push the Rebels lead to 69-63. Champlin Park with 2 misses on shots that were decent looks and some missed free throws but never anymore real danger. Frosh McKinley Wright goes 4-4 from the stripe late to seal it. Champlin Park wins 79-71 Ian Smith leads with 24 points. Isaiah McKay ends his career with 21 for Park Center
Game 2: Osseo vs Maple Grove
Osseo jumps out to an 8-0 lead with a bucket, 2 free throws and assist from Ian Theisen. Maple Grove's post, soph Reed Nikko, was a worthy matchup. He finishes a 3 point play, slams home a pass from frosh PG Brad Davison and scores again for another chance at a 3 point play. Matt Lindgren with back to back 3s and that ends a 10-1 Crimson run and they take a 17-14 lead at the 7:30 mark. 20-19 Maple Grove after Wheeler Baker's first hoop. Then a horrendous charge call on Davison by Lithgow sends Davison to the bench with 2 fouls for the last 4:37 of the half. Nikko dunks on Theisen for a 3 point play to reach double figures. That's Theisen's 2nd foul at the 2:02 mark. Tyler Barker beats the buzzer for a 25-21 Maple Grove lead at half.
Davison makes a tough shot that banks home just under a minute into the half. But the Maple Grove offense disappears from there. Theisen pops for 3 and Elliot Kane buries a 3 as Osseo reclaims the lead. Baker spins in the post for 2, Kane hits another bomb and Baker pulls up for 2 more. That's an 18-2 Osseo run over 7 minutes and no Maple Grove field goals. Nikko finally gets a bucket for the Crimson at the 5:59 mark. We get the MoKiller timeout as somehow Maple Grove is only down 39-35 after scoring the last 6 points. Then a Maple Grove wing falls down on the entry and Jordan Dembley takes that for a 3 point play, Baker drives for another 3 point play and buries a 3 after a turnover. Kane again from the deep end of the pool. That 12-2 run slams the door shut. 51-37 with 3:02 left. Osseo goes onto win 55-43. Maple Grove held to 18 points and 4 field goals in the 2nd half, 1 of those field goals in garbage time. Elliot Kane with 14 points and 4 3s off the bench to lead the Orioles. Ian Thiesen 13 points. Reed Nikko and Matt Lindgren lead Maple Grove with 14 points each. Nikko still developing on the offensive end but you can see he's got big time upside.
Game 1: Champlin Park vs Park Center
3 different Rebels knock down 3s and Champlin Park jumps out to an 11-1 lead. Its 15-6 Champlin Park at the 13:30 mark when they decide to change to a 1-3-1 zone. Not only does the zone not make sense in the given context, but you also have a little guy in Ian Smith at the top of it which totally defeats the purpose of an odd front zone. Flip him to the back to run the baseline and move Jeremy Johnson up to the top to play havoc with his length. Park Center makes their comeback. Amani Hooker drives, Isaiah McKay for 3 in transition and a block leads to an Arione Farrar 3 that gives Park Center their 1st lead. Pirates run is 14-4 in just under 8 minutes, but 8-0 in the last minute of the run. Park Center using their own zone with effectiveness. 34-32 Champlin Park at the break.
The Rebels attempt to break the game open with a 10-2 run early in the 2nd half. Alec Leabo for 3, Ian Smith converts a turnover, another turnover for 2 Johnson free throws and he adds a 3 to cap it. 52-43 Champlin Park with 12:46 left as the Pirates regroup with a timeout. Isaac Matthews doing work for the Pirates. He scoops for 2 and puts back a free throw miss as Champlin Park just stood and watched. Champlin Park inexplicably goes back to the 1-3-1 and its Matthews with a 3 point play to cut the lead to 1 with just over 7 minutes left. Then Matthews called for his 4th foul on a charge with 6:42 left. Bo Powell doesn't get him out of the game. JT Gibson blows by him for 2 as he's helpless to defend. Gibson takes Matthews off the bounce again and its a layup for Johnson off the assist. Farrar buries a 3 and Smith hits a free throw for a 59-58 Champlin Park lead at the 5:02 mark. That foul appeared to be on Matthews but it somehow got switched which was a huge break as he would have been gone. Smith comes up clutch late. He drives and goes to the left hand for 2 and then pulls up in the lane for 2 more. Smith with a bunny at the 2:37 mark to push the Rebels lead to 69-63. Champlin Park with 2 misses on shots that were decent looks and some missed free throws but never anymore real danger. Frosh McKinley Wright goes 4-4 from the stripe late to seal it. Champlin Park wins 79-71 Ian Smith leads with 24 points. Isaiah McKay ends his career with 21 for Park Center
Game 2: Osseo vs Maple Grove
Osseo jumps out to an 8-0 lead with a bucket, 2 free throws and assist from Ian Theisen. Maple Grove's post, soph Reed Nikko, was a worthy matchup. He finishes a 3 point play, slams home a pass from frosh PG Brad Davison and scores again for another chance at a 3 point play. Matt Lindgren with back to back 3s and that ends a 10-1 Crimson run and they take a 17-14 lead at the 7:30 mark. 20-19 Maple Grove after Wheeler Baker's first hoop. Then a horrendous charge call on Davison by Lithgow sends Davison to the bench with 2 fouls for the last 4:37 of the half. Nikko dunks on Theisen for a 3 point play to reach double figures. That's Theisen's 2nd foul at the 2:02 mark. Tyler Barker beats the buzzer for a 25-21 Maple Grove lead at half.
Davison makes a tough shot that banks home just under a minute into the half. But the Maple Grove offense disappears from there. Theisen pops for 3 and Elliot Kane buries a 3 as Osseo reclaims the lead. Baker spins in the post for 2, Kane hits another bomb and Baker pulls up for 2 more. That's an 18-2 Osseo run over 7 minutes and no Maple Grove field goals. Nikko finally gets a bucket for the Crimson at the 5:59 mark. We get the MoKiller timeout as somehow Maple Grove is only down 39-35 after scoring the last 6 points. Then a Maple Grove wing falls down on the entry and Jordan Dembley takes that for a 3 point play, Baker drives for another 3 point play and buries a 3 after a turnover. Kane again from the deep end of the pool. That 12-2 run slams the door shut. 51-37 with 3:02 left. Osseo goes onto win 55-43. Maple Grove held to 18 points and 4 field goals in the 2nd half, 1 of those field goals in garbage time. Elliot Kane with 14 points and 4 3s off the bench to lead the Orioles. Ian Thiesen 13 points. Reed Nikko and Matt Lindgren lead Maple Grove with 14 points each. Nikko still developing on the offensive end but you can see he's got big time upside.
Semifinal Saturday
Its semifinal Saturday from one end of the metro to the other. We'll start in Chaska with the 6AAAA semifinals and end with 4AAAA at East Ridge for the night session. Weird to see 6AAAA at Chaska after 2AAAA hosted it in past years.
Game 1: Hopkins vs Armstrong
The Hopkins pressure really bothering Armstrong. But after trailing by 9, Jerome Dixon ISOs for a bucket and then knocks down a 3 in a 9-0 run to bring the Falcons back to even. They'll take a 39-38 lead to the half. Hopkins puts the game out of reach with a 17-3 run early in the 2nd half. John Warren with a big first half and Noble Fahnbulleh with a big second half in his starting role. Amir Coffey outstanding all day. Sean Burns and Ryan Casperson productive inside in the 2nd half but its not enough. Hopkins wins 88-76. Amir Coffey with 27 points. Noble Fahnbulleh and John Warren 21 each. Sean Burns with 19 and Ryan Casperson with 18 for Armstrong. Stephon Sharp very limited minutes off the Hopkins bench.
Game 2: Eden Prairie vs Minnetonka
No Grantham Gillard, Anthony Anderson or Brady Rudrud for Eden Prairie. That leads to guard Blake Cashman playing some in the post. Minnetonka struggled with 1st half foul trouble. Justin Moes with a late 3 despite his 2 fouls to send Minnetonka to the half with a 28-25 lead. Andre Wallace carrying the Eagles offense and he has a big 2nd half. He buries a 3, makes a free throw and scores again. Zach Hovey adds a 3 point play to 3nd an 11-2 run. 51-43 Eden Prairie with 9:33 left. Careino Gurley getting plenty of post touches and looking more to pass than score. But at this point he looks to score and that brings Tonka back. He goes for 2 and then a 3 point play and a layup before ducking the shoulder for an offensive foul. That's his 4th with 6:58 left and Tonka is down 5. Wallace with a steal for 2 more and another turnover for an Alex Ihrke layup pushes the lead to 9. The teams trade 3s before Cashman gets a 3 point play inside. 65-55 Eagles with 3:29 left. Minnetonka makes a big come back. Gurley with a 3 point play inside, Seth Coatta catch and shoot 3 out of a great SLOB set, offensive foul on Cashman pushing off undersized Amar Miller in the post, Miller counters with a 3. Then on the way back down the floor, extra curricular activity and its a technical on Eden Prairie. Coatta makes both of those and Gurley fouled in the post on the possession for 2 free throws. The Skippers run is 13-0 and they lead 68-65 with 1:38 left. Wallace right to the rim for 2. Tonka spreads but Miller drives and forces against Hovey at the rim. Wallace right back to the rim for 2 more. Miller with a chance to tie but misses on the give and go. Its out to Minnetonka with 8.4 left down 2. After the timeout, Gurley catches inside and goes middle but gets stripped. Wallace makes 1 free throw and a desperation 3 is no good. Eden Prairie wins 71-68, Andre Wallace struggled from the free throw line but got to the rim at will on his way to 36 points. Seth Coatta 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Careino Gurley all 14 of his points in the 2nd half and he basically ran the offense from the right box in the 2nd half.
Game 3: Mounds View vs Tartan
Mounds View gets a huge first half from star junior Ryan Kaczynski. He scores 12 points in a 20-2 Mounds View run. That allows the Mustangs to run out to a 26-10 lead. Just beautiful basketball from the Mustangs in first 12 minutes. Tartan would counter with a 13-0 run of their own to get back in the game. Frosh Emanuel Humphrey off the Tartan bench replacing Brody Jackson and he scores 6 points before rolling an ankle (he'd come back from that). 36-30 Mounds View at half. Kaczynski with a pair of run stopping buckets to keep Mounds View up 55-49. He gets fouled as Tartan presses and makes 2 free throws with 7:19 left. 57-52 Mounds View lead but that would be last points from Kaczynski as Tartan switches guard Eric Winter on to him. Mounds View with only 2 field goals in the last 8 minutes. Frosh Jordan Horn outstanding as he spins for 2 and finds Humphrey for a layup. Then he runs out and gets foul but converts the crazy finish for a 3 point play with 1:16 left that is the dagger. Tartan wins 75-65. Ryan Kaczynski with 18 of his 27 in the 1st half. Tim Hanson with 15 but his shooting left him in the 2nd half. With those 2 not scoring, Mounds View was unable to generate any offense in the last 8 minutes. Jordan Horn leads Tartan withi 18 points. Tommy Hanson with 4 3s and 14 points.
Game 4: Woodbury vs Stillwater
Woodbury's offense all about the 3 early on. They make 7 3s and have a 3 point play for a 26-22 lead. Kyle McKinley with a pair of early blocks to send the message that the lane is not to be used. Nick Ogren with 3 bombs in the half and his 2 free throws at 1.7 give Stillwater a 33-32 halftime lead. Woodbury opens up the lead in the 2nd half. Isaiah Codden a putback, Charlie Olson with a 3 point play on a no look pass and his steal gives Coddon a layup. Nick Yan to the floater to end the 9-0 run. Olson with a 3 as Woodbury spreads the floor against McKinley to get him away from the basket. Frosh Jeremiah Coddon for 3 to end a 9-2 run at the 6 minute mark. Woodbury lead up to 67-53. McKinley scores 5 in a row. Yan adds 2 free throws to keep the lead at 8 with 1:41 left. Connor Gamble 2 free throws, Matt Anderson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Woodbury turns it over and its Gamble for 3 and we're tied at 70 with 53 seconds left. That's a 17-3 Stillwater run with Woodbury playing not to lose. Woodbury holds for the last possession and a ball goes off McKinley's foot with 4.3 left. Woodbury draws up a great BLOB set. Matt Ambriz sets a back screen in the right corner for Ben Rizzardi and Rizzardi is wide open. The pass from the top is tipped away and we'll go to overtime. Woodbury controls the overtime and wins 84-78. Kyle McKinley and Nick Ogren each with 22 points for Stillwater. Ogren with 6 3s of his own. Arguably one of McKinley's best games of the year. Woodbury with 5 in double figures and they hit 11 3s. Isaiah Coddon with 16 points. Matt Ambriz held to 13 thanks to being faceguarded most of the night.
Game 1: Hopkins vs Armstrong
The Hopkins pressure really bothering Armstrong. But after trailing by 9, Jerome Dixon ISOs for a bucket and then knocks down a 3 in a 9-0 run to bring the Falcons back to even. They'll take a 39-38 lead to the half. Hopkins puts the game out of reach with a 17-3 run early in the 2nd half. John Warren with a big first half and Noble Fahnbulleh with a big second half in his starting role. Amir Coffey outstanding all day. Sean Burns and Ryan Casperson productive inside in the 2nd half but its not enough. Hopkins wins 88-76. Amir Coffey with 27 points. Noble Fahnbulleh and John Warren 21 each. Sean Burns with 19 and Ryan Casperson with 18 for Armstrong. Stephon Sharp very limited minutes off the Hopkins bench.
Game 2: Eden Prairie vs Minnetonka
No Grantham Gillard, Anthony Anderson or Brady Rudrud for Eden Prairie. That leads to guard Blake Cashman playing some in the post. Minnetonka struggled with 1st half foul trouble. Justin Moes with a late 3 despite his 2 fouls to send Minnetonka to the half with a 28-25 lead. Andre Wallace carrying the Eagles offense and he has a big 2nd half. He buries a 3, makes a free throw and scores again. Zach Hovey adds a 3 point play to 3nd an 11-2 run. 51-43 Eden Prairie with 9:33 left. Careino Gurley getting plenty of post touches and looking more to pass than score. But at this point he looks to score and that brings Tonka back. He goes for 2 and then a 3 point play and a layup before ducking the shoulder for an offensive foul. That's his 4th with 6:58 left and Tonka is down 5. Wallace with a steal for 2 more and another turnover for an Alex Ihrke layup pushes the lead to 9. The teams trade 3s before Cashman gets a 3 point play inside. 65-55 Eagles with 3:29 left. Minnetonka makes a big come back. Gurley with a 3 point play inside, Seth Coatta catch and shoot 3 out of a great SLOB set, offensive foul on Cashman pushing off undersized Amar Miller in the post, Miller counters with a 3. Then on the way back down the floor, extra curricular activity and its a technical on Eden Prairie. Coatta makes both of those and Gurley fouled in the post on the possession for 2 free throws. The Skippers run is 13-0 and they lead 68-65 with 1:38 left. Wallace right to the rim for 2. Tonka spreads but Miller drives and forces against Hovey at the rim. Wallace right back to the rim for 2 more. Miller with a chance to tie but misses on the give and go. Its out to Minnetonka with 8.4 left down 2. After the timeout, Gurley catches inside and goes middle but gets stripped. Wallace makes 1 free throw and a desperation 3 is no good. Eden Prairie wins 71-68, Andre Wallace struggled from the free throw line but got to the rim at will on his way to 36 points. Seth Coatta 12 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Careino Gurley all 14 of his points in the 2nd half and he basically ran the offense from the right box in the 2nd half.
Game 3: Mounds View vs Tartan
Mounds View gets a huge first half from star junior Ryan Kaczynski. He scores 12 points in a 20-2 Mounds View run. That allows the Mustangs to run out to a 26-10 lead. Just beautiful basketball from the Mustangs in first 12 minutes. Tartan would counter with a 13-0 run of their own to get back in the game. Frosh Emanuel Humphrey off the Tartan bench replacing Brody Jackson and he scores 6 points before rolling an ankle (he'd come back from that). 36-30 Mounds View at half. Kaczynski with a pair of run stopping buckets to keep Mounds View up 55-49. He gets fouled as Tartan presses and makes 2 free throws with 7:19 left. 57-52 Mounds View lead but that would be last points from Kaczynski as Tartan switches guard Eric Winter on to him. Mounds View with only 2 field goals in the last 8 minutes. Frosh Jordan Horn outstanding as he spins for 2 and finds Humphrey for a layup. Then he runs out and gets foul but converts the crazy finish for a 3 point play with 1:16 left that is the dagger. Tartan wins 75-65. Ryan Kaczynski with 18 of his 27 in the 1st half. Tim Hanson with 15 but his shooting left him in the 2nd half. With those 2 not scoring, Mounds View was unable to generate any offense in the last 8 minutes. Jordan Horn leads Tartan withi 18 points. Tommy Hanson with 4 3s and 14 points.
Game 4: Woodbury vs Stillwater
Woodbury's offense all about the 3 early on. They make 7 3s and have a 3 point play for a 26-22 lead. Kyle McKinley with a pair of early blocks to send the message that the lane is not to be used. Nick Ogren with 3 bombs in the half and his 2 free throws at 1.7 give Stillwater a 33-32 halftime lead. Woodbury opens up the lead in the 2nd half. Isaiah Codden a putback, Charlie Olson with a 3 point play on a no look pass and his steal gives Coddon a layup. Nick Yan to the floater to end the 9-0 run. Olson with a 3 as Woodbury spreads the floor against McKinley to get him away from the basket. Frosh Jeremiah Coddon for 3 to end a 9-2 run at the 6 minute mark. Woodbury lead up to 67-53. McKinley scores 5 in a row. Yan adds 2 free throws to keep the lead at 8 with 1:41 left. Connor Gamble 2 free throws, Matt Anderson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Woodbury turns it over and its Gamble for 3 and we're tied at 70 with 53 seconds left. That's a 17-3 Stillwater run with Woodbury playing not to lose. Woodbury holds for the last possession and a ball goes off McKinley's foot with 4.3 left. Woodbury draws up a great BLOB set. Matt Ambriz sets a back screen in the right corner for Ben Rizzardi and Rizzardi is wide open. The pass from the top is tipped away and we'll go to overtime. Woodbury controls the overtime and wins 84-78. Kyle McKinley and Nick Ogren each with 22 points for Stillwater. Ogren with 6 3s of his own. Arguably one of McKinley's best games of the year. Woodbury with 5 in double figures and they hit 11 3s. Isaiah Coddon with 16 points. Matt Ambriz held to 13 thanks to being faceguarded most of the night.
4AAA Thriller
Prologue
Its 4AAA finally getting their bracket underway. The 4 vs 5 game is Hill-Murray at Simley. Simley won the 2 regular season meetings by a combined 6 points. Hill-Murray finished 1 game ahead of Simley in the Classic Suburban. All signs pointing to a great game and this one didn't disappoint. Pepsi at the concession stand is too tempting to pass on so after a 3 day break, we finally up the beverage counter.
Song of the Day
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1360 ounces (116 games, 100 days)
Eric Weimar with a pair of bombs to get Hill-Murray out to a 6-0 lead. Simley counters with a 13-2 run thanks to Sam Stensgard and post Mark Della Vedova knocking down 3s. Marshawn Wilson doing his thing to carry the Pioneers offense before he sits with his 2nd foul at the 8:10 mark. Hill-Murray loses 4 points with him sitting and he returns at 4:09. Simley ends the half on an 8-1 run thanks to a Della Vedova dunk to start it. 38-28 Simley at half.
Sam Stensgard hot to start the 2nd half. He knocks down a jumper off a BLOB, then a lefty layup. Another layup and a trip to the deep beyond and all of a sudden Simley is up 50-32. He goes to the reverse and is 54-37 Simley with 11:22 left. Hill-Murray comes roaring back as they go halfcourt trap. Alex Ogren for 3 and he converts a turnover for 2 more and adds 2 free throws. Wilson with a steal for 2 and Sam Westby takes a kickout pass and knocks down a 3. That's ends as 15-2 run to pull Hill-Murray within 56-52 with 6:20 left. Simley counters with Alex Anderson inside for 2 buckets (getting Della Vedova's minutes) and Ben Scheffley takes a turnover for a 3 point play. 64-55 Simley with 4:18 left. Wilson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Weimar converts a turnover for 2. Simley just trying to hang on and survive. Simley misses a front end and Wilson makes both ends and the lead is down to 3 with 1:46 left. Sam Stensgard converts on the break with 32.5 left and the Simley lead is 7. Ogren counters for 3 with 22.3 left and Scheffley makes 2 free throws to keep the lead at 6. Della Vedova blocks a 3 with 15 seconds left. Jack Fahey buries a 3 with 8 seconds left and Hill-Murray calls time. Fahey steals the inbounds and converts with 5.4 left to cut the lead to 1. Simley makes 1 of 2 and Hill-Murray comes right back. Wilson from 30 no good but he chases that shot and grabs his own rebound in the lane. He puts it back in at the buzzer, referees conference and that basket will count and some how Hill-Murray has forced overtime tied at 76.
Tie game late in the overtime. Simley holding. Della Vedova catches a dish in the left short corner and he'll go to hammer that home. But here comes Wilson from the help side and he smashes that away. Holy cow, one of the best blocks you'll see all year. Hill-Murray recovers it and holds. After a timeout with 15.1 left, Wilson catches in the backcourt and here we go. He drives and kicks and Hill-Murray can't get a good look so we'll play a 2nd overtime.
Wilson goes strong and finishes thru Della Vedova with 1:15 left in the 2nd OT. Hill-Murray up 83-82. Sam Stensgard misses a 3 and its goes over to Hill-Murray with 57.4 left. On the backcourt inbounds, tick tick tick. Hill-Murray granted the timeout with 46.8 left as they get a break on a slow 10 count. That doesn't matter as Matt Amspoker steals that inbounds and takes it for a layup to regain the lead for Simley. Wilson misses a 3 and a kickout for a good look to Ogren is no good. Anderson fouled on the rebound and he makes 2 with 16.1 left. Wilson has the ball tipped away, Amspoker takes that for 2 more. Simley fans storm the court as they win a thriller 88-83 in double overtime. What a game!
Post Game
Hill-Murray finishes the season 16-11. Marshawn Wilson leads with a double double of 31 points and I had 11 boards on my sheet. Forward Alex Ogren 4 3s on his way to 21 points. The Pioneers make 12 3s but its not enough. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back from 18 down at 1 point and they were down 7 inside of 25 seconds left in regulation.
This is Simley's 1st playoff win in 4 seasons. Sam Stensgard with 15 of his 22 in the 2nd half to lead the Spartans. Matt Amspoker comes up large off the bench with 14, 8 in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd OT. Alex Anderson with 13 off the bench as well. All but 2 of those after halftime. Mark Della Vedova 12 including a pair of 3s, Ben Scheffley 10 for great Simley balance. Simley advances to play Johnson at St. Paul Washington on Tuesday night in the 4AAA semifinals. Johnson's pressure defense will be an entirely different world for Simley but the Spartans have a bevy of shooters that could punish that if they don't turn it over. Biggest word there is if.
Its 4AAA finally getting their bracket underway. The 4 vs 5 game is Hill-Murray at Simley. Simley won the 2 regular season meetings by a combined 6 points. Hill-Murray finished 1 game ahead of Simley in the Classic Suburban. All signs pointing to a great game and this one didn't disappoint. Pepsi at the concession stand is too tempting to pass on so after a 3 day break, we finally up the beverage counter.
Song of the Day
Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1360 ounces (116 games, 100 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Eric Weimar with a pair of bombs to get Hill-Murray out to a 6-0 lead. Simley counters with a 13-2 run thanks to Sam Stensgard and post Mark Della Vedova knocking down 3s. Marshawn Wilson doing his thing to carry the Pioneers offense before he sits with his 2nd foul at the 8:10 mark. Hill-Murray loses 4 points with him sitting and he returns at 4:09. Simley ends the half on an 8-1 run thanks to a Della Vedova dunk to start it. 38-28 Simley at half.
Sam Stensgard hot to start the 2nd half. He knocks down a jumper off a BLOB, then a lefty layup. Another layup and a trip to the deep beyond and all of a sudden Simley is up 50-32. He goes to the reverse and is 54-37 Simley with 11:22 left. Hill-Murray comes roaring back as they go halfcourt trap. Alex Ogren for 3 and he converts a turnover for 2 more and adds 2 free throws. Wilson with a steal for 2 and Sam Westby takes a kickout pass and knocks down a 3. That's ends as 15-2 run to pull Hill-Murray within 56-52 with 6:20 left. Simley counters with Alex Anderson inside for 2 buckets (getting Della Vedova's minutes) and Ben Scheffley takes a turnover for a 3 point play. 64-55 Simley with 4:18 left. Wilson puts back a miss for a 3 point play. Weimar converts a turnover for 2. Simley just trying to hang on and survive. Simley misses a front end and Wilson makes both ends and the lead is down to 3 with 1:46 left. Sam Stensgard converts on the break with 32.5 left and the Simley lead is 7. Ogren counters for 3 with 22.3 left and Scheffley makes 2 free throws to keep the lead at 6. Della Vedova blocks a 3 with 15 seconds left. Jack Fahey buries a 3 with 8 seconds left and Hill-Murray calls time. Fahey steals the inbounds and converts with 5.4 left to cut the lead to 1. Simley makes 1 of 2 and Hill-Murray comes right back. Wilson from 30 no good but he chases that shot and grabs his own rebound in the lane. He puts it back in at the buzzer, referees conference and that basket will count and some how Hill-Murray has forced overtime tied at 76.
Tie game late in the overtime. Simley holding. Della Vedova catches a dish in the left short corner and he'll go to hammer that home. But here comes Wilson from the help side and he smashes that away. Holy cow, one of the best blocks you'll see all year. Hill-Murray recovers it and holds. After a timeout with 15.1 left, Wilson catches in the backcourt and here we go. He drives and kicks and Hill-Murray can't get a good look so we'll play a 2nd overtime.
Wilson goes strong and finishes thru Della Vedova with 1:15 left in the 2nd OT. Hill-Murray up 83-82. Sam Stensgard misses a 3 and its goes over to Hill-Murray with 57.4 left. On the backcourt inbounds, tick tick tick. Hill-Murray granted the timeout with 46.8 left as they get a break on a slow 10 count. That doesn't matter as Matt Amspoker steals that inbounds and takes it for a layup to regain the lead for Simley. Wilson misses a 3 and a kickout for a good look to Ogren is no good. Anderson fouled on the rebound and he makes 2 with 16.1 left. Wilson has the ball tipped away, Amspoker takes that for 2 more. Simley fans storm the court as they win a thriller 88-83 in double overtime. What a game!
Post Game
Hill-Murray finishes the season 16-11. Marshawn Wilson leads with a double double of 31 points and I had 11 boards on my sheet. Forward Alex Ogren 4 3s on his way to 21 points. The Pioneers make 12 3s but its not enough. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back from 18 down at 1 point and they were down 7 inside of 25 seconds left in regulation.
This is Simley's 1st playoff win in 4 seasons. Sam Stensgard with 15 of his 22 in the 2nd half to lead the Spartans. Matt Amspoker comes up large off the bench with 14, 8 in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd OT. Alex Anderson with 13 off the bench as well. All but 2 of those after halftime. Mark Della Vedova 12 including a pair of 3s, Ben Scheffley 10 for great Simley balance. Simley advances to play Johnson at St. Paul Washington on Tuesday night in the 4AAA semifinals. Johnson's pressure defense will be an entirely different world for Simley but the Spartans have a bevy of shooters that could punish that if they don't turn it over. Biggest word there is if.
Parrish leads Wolves to second half blowout
Prologue
Some love for the little guys as I venture out to the 6 vs 11 game in section 4A with Minnesota Transitions hosting Christian Life. Christian Life went 12-1 to win the EMAC regular season but was knocked off in the EMAC tournament championship game. No concessions for the 3rd straight game is killing the beverage counter. At least I should still hit the 130 game mark for the season.
Song of the Day
Sign Your Name - Terence Trent D'Arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (115 games, 99 days)
Christian Life comes out in a 2-3 zone and that allows the Hawks to slow the tempo. Isaiah Williams coast to coast for 2 and that's ties the game at 4 at the 13:22 mark. Lewis McCaleb was uncanny finding soft spots in the middle of the Hawks zone. He passes and cuts for 2, then cuts to a gap for 2 more, buries a 3 and takes it to the rack for 2 more. Donald Williams adds a 3 point play to end a 7-0 run. 20-12 MTS at the 9:44 mark and Christian Life needs time. Caleb Wochnick carrying the Christian Life offense. He scores 2 free throws and a bucket as the Hawks hang around. 37-28 MTS at the half.
The 2nd half is a huge half from Willie Parrish for MTS. He starts with a jumper and runs for a layup. He adds his 1st bomb of the half and the lead is 10 at the 14:20 mark. Isaiah Williams with a steal for 2 and knocks down an inside out 3. Parrish off a turnover with another dagger from deep. 59-44 MTS with 10:24 left. James Hancock a pair of buckets as MTS extends the lead to 20. Parrish back to back 3s and the lead is 23 with 6 minutes left. Between that and the MTS pressure, this one gets out of hand. MTS wins 94-62.
Post Game
Christian Life gets 19 points from senior point guard Mick Spangrud. Junior forward Caleb Wochnick with 18. Very porous 2-3 zone in the middle and limited adjustments out of it. But not much you were going to do in this one would have helped. They played 7 with the 2 reserves being sophomores.
For MTS, Willie Parrish with 28 points on 7 3s. 25 of those points and 6 of the 3s in the second half when he got it going. Soph Lewis McCaleb finishes with 18. 10 players score for the Wolves. Too athletic and too much pressure for the win. MTS will play at Heritage in the quarters on Saturday night.
Some love for the little guys as I venture out to the 6 vs 11 game in section 4A with Minnesota Transitions hosting Christian Life. Christian Life went 12-1 to win the EMAC regular season but was knocked off in the EMAC tournament championship game. No concessions for the 3rd straight game is killing the beverage counter. At least I should still hit the 130 game mark for the season.
Song of the Day
Sign Your Name - Terence Trent D'Arby
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (115 games, 99 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Christian Life comes out in a 2-3 zone and that allows the Hawks to slow the tempo. Isaiah Williams coast to coast for 2 and that's ties the game at 4 at the 13:22 mark. Lewis McCaleb was uncanny finding soft spots in the middle of the Hawks zone. He passes and cuts for 2, then cuts to a gap for 2 more, buries a 3 and takes it to the rack for 2 more. Donald Williams adds a 3 point play to end a 7-0 run. 20-12 MTS at the 9:44 mark and Christian Life needs time. Caleb Wochnick carrying the Christian Life offense. He scores 2 free throws and a bucket as the Hawks hang around. 37-28 MTS at the half.
The 2nd half is a huge half from Willie Parrish for MTS. He starts with a jumper and runs for a layup. He adds his 1st bomb of the half and the lead is 10 at the 14:20 mark. Isaiah Williams with a steal for 2 and knocks down an inside out 3. Parrish off a turnover with another dagger from deep. 59-44 MTS with 10:24 left. James Hancock a pair of buckets as MTS extends the lead to 20. Parrish back to back 3s and the lead is 23 with 6 minutes left. Between that and the MTS pressure, this one gets out of hand. MTS wins 94-62.
Post Game
Christian Life gets 19 points from senior point guard Mick Spangrud. Junior forward Caleb Wochnick with 18. Very porous 2-3 zone in the middle and limited adjustments out of it. But not much you were going to do in this one would have helped. They played 7 with the 2 reserves being sophomores.
For MTS, Willie Parrish with 28 points on 7 3s. 25 of those points and 6 of the 3s in the second half when he got it going. Soph Lewis McCaleb finishes with 18. 10 players score for the Wolves. Too athletic and too much pressure for the win. MTS will play at Heritage in the quarters on Saturday night.
Lakers beat the buzzer
Prologue
Off to Prior Lake to see the Lakers host the opening round 4 vs 5 game against Chaska in section 2AAAA. No concessions despite an early arrival as the concession stand wasn't open at the start of warmups. Ah the shame. With top seed Shakopee getting a battle, Kennedy just hanging on and Jefferson upsetting the 2 seed Chanhassen, you have to think something good will happen here and this one didn't disappoint.
Song of the Day
Rock N Roll Part 2 - Gary Glitter
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (114 games, 98 days)
Its a miserable start for Prior Lake. After scoring off the opening tap, the Lakers don't find the basket until the 12:05 mark. Chaska gets an easy bucket off the BLOB using THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE cut and another BLOB layup. Freshman Myles Hanson knocks down a 3 and its 13-7 Chaska at 9:20. Forward Connor Bair with a pair of buckets and a Kevin McKiernan 3 in transition from Jon Sobaski. Peyton Sanders keep Chaska up with 3 of 4 free throws. McKiernan coast to coast for 2 free throws and another bomb. Jason Faul cuts for a layup to tie at 27 before another McKiernan 3. Chaska counters with a long Eric West 3 and Myles Hanson beats the halftime buzzer for 3. 33-30 Chaska at the half.
Hanson again for 3 to start the 2nd half and a Sanders tip and the Chaska lead is 8. Sobaski a pair of steals for layups, Bair on the pick and roll for 2 free throws, Sobaski coast to coast to give Prior Lake the lead. Sobaski adds a fading floater in the lane to conclude the 16-2 Prior Lake run. 46-40 Lakers with 10:25 left. Jacob Hansen then heats up. He hits a pair of 3s that sandwich a 3 from Bair. Sobaski to Bair for a layup and Faul scores to forces a Chaska timeout. 57-50 Prior Lake leading with 6:08 left.
West off the bounce and Hansen pulls up in transition to cut the lead to 4. Sobaski drives before Hansen counters with a back cut and crazy tough floater on the left baseline. McKiernan with his only points of the 2nd half with a 3 point play at 4:19. 63-56 Prior Lake. Hansen still has it going with a 3. Bair scores but countered by a controversial overrule that results in an And 1 for West. It was the 4th time in the game where there was a valid question of whether the player was shooting or not. Hansen follows that with another bomb and its 65 all just inside of 3 minutes left. McKiernan to Bair for a layup countered by Hansen with 2 free throws. Prior Lake holds but takes a bad 3 with 1:05 left, Chaska goes quick and misses a tough shot with 52 ticks left. Prior Lake holds for the last shot. Sobaski takes it and goes with 10 seconds left and his pass is tipped out of bounds with 6.4 left. After a Prior Lake timeout, its Sobaski off the quick hitting screen and roll. Shot no good, Bair no good, 3rd time no good, Faul with the putback as the horn sounds. Did it beat the horn? Referees huddle and YES the basket counts. Prior Lake wins 69-67 at the buzzer.
Post Game
Chaska finishes their season at 16-10 with a solid 9-5 finish in the final season of the Missota Conference. They'll move to the new Metro West Conference next season. Jacob Hansen with 18 of his 27 points in the second half. That included 4 of his 5 3s. Not a good job of finding him by Prior Lake. Eric West, Peyton Sanders and the freshman Myles Hanson all with 12 points. Have to like Hanson's upside as a 6'3" athletic wing. With him, Hanson and Sanders and guard Colby Murphy returning next season, the Hawks do have some nice pieces to build around.
Prior Lake improves to 16-11 overall. Connor Bair with 15 of his 23 in the 2nd half. Kevin McKiernan 11 of his 14 in the 1st half. Not a great game early but Jon Sobaski scores 11 of his 13 in the 2nd half with some critical plays. Coach Rubishko won't be happy with the 10 3s Chaska hit, especially with the quality of those looks. Nice minutes off the bench from soph Jack Kortes but he was their only scorer off the bench. Next up for the Lakers is 1 of 2 quality rivalry games in the 2AAAA semis at Apple Valley Saturday night. Kennedy vs Jefferson in 1 semifinal while Prior Lake gets old rival Shakopee in the other semi.
Off to Prior Lake to see the Lakers host the opening round 4 vs 5 game against Chaska in section 2AAAA. No concessions despite an early arrival as the concession stand wasn't open at the start of warmups. Ah the shame. With top seed Shakopee getting a battle, Kennedy just hanging on and Jefferson upsetting the 2 seed Chanhassen, you have to think something good will happen here and this one didn't disappoint.
Song of the Day
Rock N Roll Part 2 - Gary Glitter
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (114 games, 98 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Its a miserable start for Prior Lake. After scoring off the opening tap, the Lakers don't find the basket until the 12:05 mark. Chaska gets an easy bucket off the BLOB using THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE cut and another BLOB layup. Freshman Myles Hanson knocks down a 3 and its 13-7 Chaska at 9:20. Forward Connor Bair with a pair of buckets and a Kevin McKiernan 3 in transition from Jon Sobaski. Peyton Sanders keep Chaska up with 3 of 4 free throws. McKiernan coast to coast for 2 free throws and another bomb. Jason Faul cuts for a layup to tie at 27 before another McKiernan 3. Chaska counters with a long Eric West 3 and Myles Hanson beats the halftime buzzer for 3. 33-30 Chaska at the half.
Hanson again for 3 to start the 2nd half and a Sanders tip and the Chaska lead is 8. Sobaski a pair of steals for layups, Bair on the pick and roll for 2 free throws, Sobaski coast to coast to give Prior Lake the lead. Sobaski adds a fading floater in the lane to conclude the 16-2 Prior Lake run. 46-40 Lakers with 10:25 left. Jacob Hansen then heats up. He hits a pair of 3s that sandwich a 3 from Bair. Sobaski to Bair for a layup and Faul scores to forces a Chaska timeout. 57-50 Prior Lake leading with 6:08 left.
West off the bounce and Hansen pulls up in transition to cut the lead to 4. Sobaski drives before Hansen counters with a back cut and crazy tough floater on the left baseline. McKiernan with his only points of the 2nd half with a 3 point play at 4:19. 63-56 Prior Lake. Hansen still has it going with a 3. Bair scores but countered by a controversial overrule that results in an And 1 for West. It was the 4th time in the game where there was a valid question of whether the player was shooting or not. Hansen follows that with another bomb and its 65 all just inside of 3 minutes left. McKiernan to Bair for a layup countered by Hansen with 2 free throws. Prior Lake holds but takes a bad 3 with 1:05 left, Chaska goes quick and misses a tough shot with 52 ticks left. Prior Lake holds for the last shot. Sobaski takes it and goes with 10 seconds left and his pass is tipped out of bounds with 6.4 left. After a Prior Lake timeout, its Sobaski off the quick hitting screen and roll. Shot no good, Bair no good, 3rd time no good, Faul with the putback as the horn sounds. Did it beat the horn? Referees huddle and YES the basket counts. Prior Lake wins 69-67 at the buzzer.
Post Game
Chaska finishes their season at 16-10 with a solid 9-5 finish in the final season of the Missota Conference. They'll move to the new Metro West Conference next season. Jacob Hansen with 18 of his 27 points in the second half. That included 4 of his 5 3s. Not a good job of finding him by Prior Lake. Eric West, Peyton Sanders and the freshman Myles Hanson all with 12 points. Have to like Hanson's upside as a 6'3" athletic wing. With him, Hanson and Sanders and guard Colby Murphy returning next season, the Hawks do have some nice pieces to build around.
Prior Lake improves to 16-11 overall. Connor Bair with 15 of his 23 in the 2nd half. Kevin McKiernan 11 of his 14 in the 1st half. Not a great game early but Jon Sobaski scores 11 of his 13 in the 2nd half with some critical plays. Coach Rubishko won't be happy with the 10 3s Chaska hit, especially with the quality of those looks. Nice minutes off the bench from soph Jack Kortes but he was their only scorer off the bench. Next up for the Lakers is 1 of 2 quality rivalry games in the 2AAAA semis at Apple Valley Saturday night. Kennedy vs Jefferson in 1 semifinal while Prior Lake gets old rival Shakopee in the other semi.
Stars shine in road playoff win
Prologue
Its opening night of the playoffs in the metro. I'm off to the 4 vs 5 game in section 6AAA with Washburn hosting Holy Angels. The hot dog not prewrapped tonight, assembly required at the concession stand. 12 ounces of Sprite to go with it. We get the Washburn pep band but not for the pregame. Only for the anthem and during the game. Interesting way to do it.
Song of the Day
We Built This City - Starship
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (113 games, 97 days)
Jeff Jones drives for a pair of free throws and its 5-4 Holy Angels 3 mines in. Then Holy Angels opens up the lead with a 14-2 run. Connor Failor off the bench with a pair of hoops during that run. Taylor BonGiovanni with a pair of buckets during the run as well as he got off to a hot start. A loose ball ends up in the hands of Joey Poehling for 2 to end the run. 19-6 Stars at the 9:35 mark. Kevin Gleason banks in a 3 on a post kickout to break the run with BonGiovanni getting a rest. Charlie Koontz was ice cold early but found his offense in the latter part of the 2nd half. He scores all 9 of his 1st half points the rest of the half. Holy Angels 30-20 at the break.
Wallace Hicks with a huge swat of Jeff Jones to start the half, but its Washburn with the momentum. Evan Shepherd with a 3. Then a 3 point play to start a 7-0 run. 34-30 AHA with 13:54 left and AHA takes their 2nd timeout of the half to try and keep this one from flipping quickly. Washburn misses 3 chances to cut into the lead. Shepherd with another bomb to counter a Koontz bucket and the Millers are within 3. They can't convert another pair of chances to get even closer. Koontz driving for 2 and a pair of post free throws to push the lead back to 7. Shepherd deep and playable again, then Jones coast to coast and he finishes with the scoop. 40-38 Holy Angels hanging on as they take another timeout with 6:54 left.
Its Koontz back to the charity stripe via post up and via and offensive board. He makes 3 straight free throws from that. Then Holy Angels outworks Washburn for a loose rebound and that becomes a bucket that pushes the lead to 46-38 with 4:23 left. Then 2 missed Washburn free throws. But this one still isn't over as Shepherd sets a nice back screen and pops on the inbounds for a corner 3. Jones misses a good look with 1:30 left. Holy Angels makes 8 of 10 free throws from there. Holy Angels moves on with the 54-45 road win.
Post Game
Evan Shepherd with 15 of his 18 points in the 2nd half to lead Washburn. He had 4 3s in the 2nd half. Jeff Jones with a quiet 10 points but no other help for the Millers. Washburn did get some good looks against the length of the Holy Angels 2-3 zone. With 2 disappointing years of underachieving with a talented roster and Reggie Perkins back at Washburn as the AD (won the 2009 state title as Washburn head coach), you have to wonder if the writing is on the wall for Perkins to reclaim his old job. The Millers finish the season 16-10.
Charlie Koontz leads Holy Angels with 22 points. Taylor BonGiovanni was hot early and finished with 13 points. Coach Jesse Foley masterful job managing momentum with his timeouts. Nice strategy to use the length with the 2-3 zone. Though they aren't very agressive with it like say a Columbia Heights is. Wallace Hicks only 2 points but gave the Stars great minutes. He played much bigger than his size getting on the defensive board and opened eyes with the huge swat of Jeff Jones early in the 2nd half. Holy Angels advances to Saturday night's 6AAA semifinal in Chanhassen against #1 seed Holy Family. Holy Family beat the Stars 63-38 in mid-December.
Its opening night of the playoffs in the metro. I'm off to the 4 vs 5 game in section 6AAA with Washburn hosting Holy Angels. The hot dog not prewrapped tonight, assembly required at the concession stand. 12 ounces of Sprite to go with it. We get the Washburn pep band but not for the pregame. Only for the anthem and during the game. Interesting way to do it.
Song of the Day
We Built This City - Starship
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1348 ounces (113 games, 97 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 80 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Jeff Jones drives for a pair of free throws and its 5-4 Holy Angels 3 mines in. Then Holy Angels opens up the lead with a 14-2 run. Connor Failor off the bench with a pair of hoops during that run. Taylor BonGiovanni with a pair of buckets during the run as well as he got off to a hot start. A loose ball ends up in the hands of Joey Poehling for 2 to end the run. 19-6 Stars at the 9:35 mark. Kevin Gleason banks in a 3 on a post kickout to break the run with BonGiovanni getting a rest. Charlie Koontz was ice cold early but found his offense in the latter part of the 2nd half. He scores all 9 of his 1st half points the rest of the half. Holy Angels 30-20 at the break.
Wallace Hicks with a huge swat of Jeff Jones to start the half, but its Washburn with the momentum. Evan Shepherd with a 3. Then a 3 point play to start a 7-0 run. 34-30 AHA with 13:54 left and AHA takes their 2nd timeout of the half to try and keep this one from flipping quickly. Washburn misses 3 chances to cut into the lead. Shepherd with another bomb to counter a Koontz bucket and the Millers are within 3. They can't convert another pair of chances to get even closer. Koontz driving for 2 and a pair of post free throws to push the lead back to 7. Shepherd deep and playable again, then Jones coast to coast and he finishes with the scoop. 40-38 Holy Angels hanging on as they take another timeout with 6:54 left.
Its Koontz back to the charity stripe via post up and via and offensive board. He makes 3 straight free throws from that. Then Holy Angels outworks Washburn for a loose rebound and that becomes a bucket that pushes the lead to 46-38 with 4:23 left. Then 2 missed Washburn free throws. But this one still isn't over as Shepherd sets a nice back screen and pops on the inbounds for a corner 3. Jones misses a good look with 1:30 left. Holy Angels makes 8 of 10 free throws from there. Holy Angels moves on with the 54-45 road win.
Post Game
Evan Shepherd with 15 of his 18 points in the 2nd half to lead Washburn. He had 4 3s in the 2nd half. Jeff Jones with a quiet 10 points but no other help for the Millers. Washburn did get some good looks against the length of the Holy Angels 2-3 zone. With 2 disappointing years of underachieving with a talented roster and Reggie Perkins back at Washburn as the AD (won the 2009 state title as Washburn head coach), you have to wonder if the writing is on the wall for Perkins to reclaim his old job. The Millers finish the season 16-10.
Charlie Koontz leads Holy Angels with 22 points. Taylor BonGiovanni was hot early and finished with 13 points. Coach Jesse Foley masterful job managing momentum with his timeouts. Nice strategy to use the length with the 2-3 zone. Though they aren't very agressive with it like say a Columbia Heights is. Wallace Hicks only 2 points but gave the Stars great minutes. He played much bigger than his size getting on the defensive board and opened eyes with the huge swat of Jeff Jones early in the 2nd half. Holy Angels advances to Saturday night's 6AAA semifinal in Chanhassen against #1 seed Holy Family. Holy Family beat the Stars 63-38 in mid-December.
Totino-Grace claims final North Suburban crown
Prologue
Off to Totino-Grace to see the #5AAA Eagles host #8AAA Columbia Heights. The winner gets the final North Suburban championship. The usual quality walking taco on the menu and no better way to end the regular season than with a can of Pepsi. Spring Lake Park, Minneapolis Henry and De La Salle all watching their section foes tonight. Nice work by the large choir with the national anthem and a nice crowd on hand. We get John Lithgow and the Nutty Professor working both the JV and varsity.
Song of the Day
Fly like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1336 ounces (112 games, 96 days)
Reggie Meyer with 2 quick 3s and and TG adds another bomb for a 9-2 lead at the 16:08 mark. Coach Troy Russell takes timeout to regroup his guys. Meyer keeps it going with a nice curl for a 3 point play and converts and inbounds lob for a 19-7 Eagles lead. Heights then goes to an extended 2-3 zone and that helps bring them back. Jarrett Baptiste with a bucket and Tak Anway converts a turnover to conclude a 10-2 run. 21-17 Totino-Grace as they take time at the 7:12 mark. The rest of the half stays pretty even. Seth Sullwold sits the last 4 minutes with 3 fouls for Totino-Grace. 31-25 Totino-Grace holding the lead at the half.
Totino-Grace with the 7 point lead and then a bad technical from the 3rd offical (not the guys mentioned above). Meyer converts both of those but no points on the possession. Then Meyer out of the high post to Colin Fleming for 3. Add in a Cole Wagner layup and the lead is 14 with 12:22 left. Baptiste gets a long breather. Meyer with a 3 point play in that rest period to push the lead to 13. Baptiste returns with 7:02 left and the Hylanders spurt. Montroy Scott with a pair of 3s, Anway drives for 2 and Colton Williams converts a turnover. 10-0 Heights run and its game on. 56-53 Totino-Grace with 4:31 left.
Heights started to see their zone get carved up but their man was far worse. They go back to man out of the timeout in a bit of a surprise. The teams trade buckets, Heights turns it over and Meyer takes 1 bounce and hits a cold blooded jumper with 3:12 left for a 7 point lead. Williams grabs a missed free throws and makes 2 of his own freebies to cut the lead to 4. Meyer with a great cut and Fleming finds him for a layup with 1:50 left. Totino drives for a layup as Heights was trying to foul and the refs wouldn't blow the whistle. 8 point game. Richard Thomas was a spark off the Heights bench. He buries a jumper and 3 triples in the last 1:10 to keep it interesting. But Totino-Grace goes 8-8 from the foul line in the last minute to seal the victory. Totino-Grace wins 74-71 to clinch the final North Suburban Conference championship.
Post Game
Colton Williams with 21 points to lead Columbia Heights. Soph foward Jarrett Baptiste finishes with 17. Richard Thomas with 16 off the bench, 11 in the last 1:10. The Heights 2-3 zone was effective for a while and they did try to trap short corner out of it. But they also left the backside block open and that was exploited. Heights opens the playoffs on Thursday with a grudge match against Como Park. Heights had won 13 out of 15 games coming into the night.
Reggie Meyer with another outstanding game for the Eagles and I think my prediction of league MVP has to come true. He finishes with 28 points, 13 of those in the 1st 6+ minutes. Seth Sullwold with 12 points despite foul trouble. Colin Fleming with all 11 of his points in the 2nd half. Great night for those 3 seniors. Totino-Grace opens on Thursday with Minneapolis Henry. TG won the regular season meeting by 14 but that was a 4 point game with about 2 minutes left and one of Henry's top players didn't play in one half of that game. Anything can happen 2 thru 7 in 3AAA. Totino-Grace with the momentum of 7 straight wins heading into the playoffs.
Off to Totino-Grace to see the #5AAA Eagles host #8AAA Columbia Heights. The winner gets the final North Suburban championship. The usual quality walking taco on the menu and no better way to end the regular season than with a can of Pepsi. Spring Lake Park, Minneapolis Henry and De La Salle all watching their section foes tonight. Nice work by the large choir with the national anthem and a nice crowd on hand. We get John Lithgow and the Nutty Professor working both the JV and varsity.
Song of the Day
Fly like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1336 ounces (112 games, 96 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 68 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 520 oz Pepsi
Reggie Meyer with 2 quick 3s and and TG adds another bomb for a 9-2 lead at the 16:08 mark. Coach Troy Russell takes timeout to regroup his guys. Meyer keeps it going with a nice curl for a 3 point play and converts and inbounds lob for a 19-7 Eagles lead. Heights then goes to an extended 2-3 zone and that helps bring them back. Jarrett Baptiste with a bucket and Tak Anway converts a turnover to conclude a 10-2 run. 21-17 Totino-Grace as they take time at the 7:12 mark. The rest of the half stays pretty even. Seth Sullwold sits the last 4 minutes with 3 fouls for Totino-Grace. 31-25 Totino-Grace holding the lead at the half.
Totino-Grace with the 7 point lead and then a bad technical from the 3rd offical (not the guys mentioned above). Meyer converts both of those but no points on the possession. Then Meyer out of the high post to Colin Fleming for 3. Add in a Cole Wagner layup and the lead is 14 with 12:22 left. Baptiste gets a long breather. Meyer with a 3 point play in that rest period to push the lead to 13. Baptiste returns with 7:02 left and the Hylanders spurt. Montroy Scott with a pair of 3s, Anway drives for 2 and Colton Williams converts a turnover. 10-0 Heights run and its game on. 56-53 Totino-Grace with 4:31 left.
Heights started to see their zone get carved up but their man was far worse. They go back to man out of the timeout in a bit of a surprise. The teams trade buckets, Heights turns it over and Meyer takes 1 bounce and hits a cold blooded jumper with 3:12 left for a 7 point lead. Williams grabs a missed free throws and makes 2 of his own freebies to cut the lead to 4. Meyer with a great cut and Fleming finds him for a layup with 1:50 left. Totino drives for a layup as Heights was trying to foul and the refs wouldn't blow the whistle. 8 point game. Richard Thomas was a spark off the Heights bench. He buries a jumper and 3 triples in the last 1:10 to keep it interesting. But Totino-Grace goes 8-8 from the foul line in the last minute to seal the victory. Totino-Grace wins 74-71 to clinch the final North Suburban Conference championship.
Post Game
Colton Williams with 21 points to lead Columbia Heights. Soph foward Jarrett Baptiste finishes with 17. Richard Thomas with 16 off the bench, 11 in the last 1:10. The Heights 2-3 zone was effective for a while and they did try to trap short corner out of it. But they also left the backside block open and that was exploited. Heights opens the playoffs on Thursday with a grudge match against Como Park. Heights had won 13 out of 15 games coming into the night.
Reggie Meyer with another outstanding game for the Eagles and I think my prediction of league MVP has to come true. He finishes with 28 points, 13 of those in the 1st 6+ minutes. Seth Sullwold with 12 points despite foul trouble. Colin Fleming with all 11 of his points in the 2nd half. Great night for those 3 seniors. Totino-Grace opens on Thursday with Minneapolis Henry. TG won the regular season meeting by 14 but that was a 4 point game with about 2 minutes left and one of Henry's top players didn't play in one half of that game. Anything can happen 2 thru 7 in 3AAA. Totino-Grace with the momentum of 7 straight wins heading into the playoffs.
2013-14 Playoff Predictions
Its time once again for the always infamous bracket predictions. A chance to throw the outrageous at the wall and see if it sticks and to spew some opinion on particular matchups. So without further delay, here's what see.
Section 4A (high seeds 2/25, 2/27, 3/1, 3/4 High Seeds and at Macalester 3/7)
Pigtails: Nova, CPA and Hope
Round of 16: MCA, Bethany, SW Christian, W Lutheran, Heritage, MTS, Legacy, North
Quarters: MCA, SW Christian, Heritage, North
Semis: MCA, North
Champion: North
For the 1st time ever, I'm actually confident in the pigtail picks (saw 2 of those teams this year). The 8/9 game at CHOF should be very good as Bethany won the 1st meeting at CHOF by 2. I think a case can be made that Bethany should be hosting that game. CHOF young but with more overall pieces than Bethany but Sam Hagen is the top player on the floor in that one. The 7 vs 10 game is a rematch of a game I saw in November with Cristo Rey winning at Legacy and they did it without star frosh Jericho Sims. I still think Legacy is better but an upset alert has been issued. Christian Life may have won the EMAC regular season but the EMAC has struggled against most of the section. North vs Maranatha is an state tourney worthy game.
Section 4AA (high seeds 2/27, 3/1, 3/4 High Seeds and at Macalester 3/7)
Round of 16: St Croix Prep, St. Croix Lutheran, Concordia, New Life, Roosevelt, Trinity (2 byes)
Quarters: Minnehaha, Concordia, New Life, SPA
Semis: Minnehaha, SPA
Champion: Minnehaha
I'll take all of the chalk in this section. SPA would like to have back their 53-47 loss at Minnehaha early in the year where I saw them give up a big lead to a young Redhawks squad. (Czar's Note: I blew that one, SPA did give up a big lead but ended up winning that game by that score). Now that they have a full season in, I expect Minnehaha to be better than that night. New Life Academy is a dangerous sleeper team here.
Section 5AA South (2/27 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/4 TBD, and at SCSU 3/7)
Quarters: HLWW, Providence Academy, Breck, Watertown-Mayer
Semis: HLWW, Watertown-Mayer
Sub Section Champion: HLWW
5AA Champion: North Winner
The idea of the west metro schools not playing locally is a bit strange when we're used to seeing them here. Providence Academy stays disciplined enough to knock off Brooklyn Center again. Breck gets through round 1 and then loses another close one to Watertown-Mayer to end a very disappointing season. HLWW wins the subsection but falls to the winner of the loaded and far stronger north half.
Section 3AAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at Coon Rapids)
Quarters: De La Salle, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Totino-Grace
Semis: De La Salle, Totino-Grace
Champion: De La Salle
Keep an eye on the 3/6 and 4/5 games here. Como Park has knocked off Fridley and Columbia Heights this season and lost by 4 to Totino-Grace. All of those on the road. Spring Lake Park would not surprise me with a win over Fridley despite losing to them twice in the result season. TC Robinson could put the Panthers on his back at least for a game.
Section 4AAA (2/28 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at St. Paul Washington)
Quarters: Johnson, Hill-Murray, Central, St. Thomas Academy
Semis: Johnson, St. Thomas Academy
Champion: St. Thomas Academy
I'll go out on a limb on this one. Johnson hasn't been challenged in weeks and they really don't have much scoring outside of Jalen Mobley and Peirre Conwell despite having 5 guys in double figures. St. Thomas Academy has put it together winning their last 11 on their way to the Classic Suburban title. While Johnson has taken it to the Cadets the last 2 years in section play, I think all the factors lineup for STA to have a great chance to win and I'll make that pick. I'll also take Hill-Murray to avenge 2 tight regular season losses to Simley as I think Dick Ghizoni will have a plan.
Section 6AAA (2/25 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/6 at Chanhassen)
Quarters: Holy Family, Washburn, Waconia, Benilde-St. Margaret's
Semis: Holy Family, Waconia
Champion: Holy Family
Fun section here. Despite a head to head win I thought Waconia and BSM should have flopped the 2 and 3 seeds and I'll pick it that way. I think Waconia avenges that loss and I think Holy Family knocks off Washburn again. Holy Family's big front line just too much for Waconia in the championship but expect a game more like their 3 point meeting in game 1 than the 21 blowout in game 2. High quality final there.
Section 1AAAA (2/26 and 3/1 High Seeds and 3/7 at Mayo Civic Center)
Quarters: Lakeville North, Owatonna, Rochester John Marshall, Farmington
Semis: Lakeville North, Rochester John Marshall
Champion: Lakeville North
Owatonna lost in 2 OT and won the last meeting vs Century, have to like that upset pick. Farmington gets through round 1 but the loss of Zach Speikers is just too much to overcome Rochester John Marshall. Lakeville North will get a test from JM but ultimately move on.
Section 2AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/7 at Apple Valley)
Quarters: Shakopee, Prior Lake, Bloomington Kennedy, Chanhassen
Semis: Shakopee, Chanhassen
Champion: Chanhassen
Coach Willie Braziel went undefeated in section and still got the 3 seed. I know he won't be happy with that. While he has a great case, its also hard to argue with the way Chanhassen has been playing. They won 9 of 10 before losing to Red Wing last week. They just knocked off Shakopee and I don't think that's a fluke as I think they'll do it again. Prior Lake vs Chaska is an outstanding 4 vs 5 game. The biggest Vegas line that you would have a sneaky chance to win on? How about Burnsville vs Shakopee. Shakopee needed overtime to win their annual regular season battle. But Burnsville top guards, #1 scorer Zach Smith (out injured) and Jake Ruffing (limited by bad thumb) are question marks for the game.
Section 3AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/6 at Farmington)
Quarters: Apple Valley, Rosemount, East Ridge, Cretin-Derham Hall
Semis: Apple Valley, East Ridge
Champion: Apple Valley
Best matchup here is the dynamite semifinal between Cretin-Derham Hall and East Ridge. East Ridge just knocked off CDH to win the Suburban East. Ryan Keenan and Ryan Mathis inside changes the complexion of things for East Ridge. They missed the CDH win in January. Then you look at what CDH has done in their big games (losses to DLS, East Ridge, Bettendorf, 2 to Woodbury). East Ridge will be able to slow tempo and win. But a CDH vs Apple Valley final would be one of the more high scoring games of the season and very entertaining.
Section 4AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/5 at East Ridge)
Quarters: Woodbury, Mounds View, Tartan, Stillwater
Semis: Woodbury, Tartan
Champion: Tartan
Stillwater got a great draw here has they won at Roseville in the regular season and they lost the 2 games to Woodbury by a combined 6 points. I can pick them once as Roseville's disappointing season would have proper disappointing ending with a home playoff loss. Tartan's ability to play off the bounce is the difference in knocking off Mounds View. Tartan can also matchup with Woodbury's offense.
Section 5AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/3 or 3/4 then 3/7 at Rogers)
Quarters: Champlin Park, Centennial, Maple Grove, Osseo
Semis: Champlin Park, Osseo
Champion: Champlin Park
Osseo without Ian Theisen will get through the 1st round and then they get a brutally tough semifinal with Maple Grove. Champlin Park with no problems in their first 2 games and I think they are too much for Osseo in the 3rd meeting of the teams.
Section 6AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/5 at Chaska)
Quarters: Hopkins, Armstrong, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka
Semis: Hopkins, Eden Prairie
Champion: Hopkins
I've beaten the Armstrong or Tonka seeding argument to death so I won't go there here. Hopkins is a bad matchup for Armstrong (see Champlin Park) with their length and athletes and they'll ultimately win the section. EP and Tonka with another battle but away from home I think the Tonka shooting isn't there and EP is too good defensively. Only question is can they find enough offense outside of Wallace and Gillard.
Section 7AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at North Branch)
Quarters: St. Francis, Blaine, Andover, Cambridge-Isanti
Semis: St. Francis, Andover
Champion: St. Francis
Here's a stat, Hopkins and Apple Valley have more wins than the bottom 5 teams in this section combined. I'll take St. Francis by default. My sleeper here is Blaine with Jason Travis leading the way and lots of length, they can steal this bad section.
Section 8AAAA (2/25 High Seeds, 3/1 at SCSU, 3/6 Neutral Site)
Quarters: Tech, STMA, Buffalo, Elk River
Semis: Tech, Elk River
Champion: St. Cloud Tech
I'll predict this section since I saw the top 3 seeds. Tech is the best team here and they really shoot it and have a star in Andy Foley. Elk River gets Buffalo again in a classic semifinal. Cody Dorow and Moorhead lost by 1 at home at STMA and now get the road game there. Dorow won't be enough to carry the Spuds on.
Section 4A (high seeds 2/25, 2/27, 3/1, 3/4 High Seeds and at Macalester 3/7)
Pigtails: Nova, CPA and Hope
Round of 16: MCA, Bethany, SW Christian, W Lutheran, Heritage, MTS, Legacy, North
Quarters: MCA, SW Christian, Heritage, North
Semis: MCA, North
Champion: North
For the 1st time ever, I'm actually confident in the pigtail picks (saw 2 of those teams this year). The 8/9 game at CHOF should be very good as Bethany won the 1st meeting at CHOF by 2. I think a case can be made that Bethany should be hosting that game. CHOF young but with more overall pieces than Bethany but Sam Hagen is the top player on the floor in that one. The 7 vs 10 game is a rematch of a game I saw in November with Cristo Rey winning at Legacy and they did it without star frosh Jericho Sims. I still think Legacy is better but an upset alert has been issued. Christian Life may have won the EMAC regular season but the EMAC has struggled against most of the section. North vs Maranatha is an state tourney worthy game.
Section 4AA (high seeds 2/27, 3/1, 3/4 High Seeds and at Macalester 3/7)
Round of 16: St Croix Prep, St. Croix Lutheran, Concordia, New Life, Roosevelt, Trinity (2 byes)
Quarters: Minnehaha, Concordia, New Life, SPA
Semis: Minnehaha, SPA
Champion: Minnehaha
I'll take all of the chalk in this section. SPA would like to have back their 53-47 loss at Minnehaha early in the year where I saw them give up a big lead to a young Redhawks squad. (Czar's Note: I blew that one, SPA did give up a big lead but ended up winning that game by that score). Now that they have a full season in, I expect Minnehaha to be better than that night. New Life Academy is a dangerous sleeper team here.
Section 5AA South (2/27 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/4 TBD, and at SCSU 3/7)
Quarters: HLWW, Providence Academy, Breck, Watertown-Mayer
Semis: HLWW, Watertown-Mayer
Sub Section Champion: HLWW
5AA Champion: North Winner
The idea of the west metro schools not playing locally is a bit strange when we're used to seeing them here. Providence Academy stays disciplined enough to knock off Brooklyn Center again. Breck gets through round 1 and then loses another close one to Watertown-Mayer to end a very disappointing season. HLWW wins the subsection but falls to the winner of the loaded and far stronger north half.
Section 3AAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at Coon Rapids)
Quarters: De La Salle, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Totino-Grace
Semis: De La Salle, Totino-Grace
Champion: De La Salle
Keep an eye on the 3/6 and 4/5 games here. Como Park has knocked off Fridley and Columbia Heights this season and lost by 4 to Totino-Grace. All of those on the road. Spring Lake Park would not surprise me with a win over Fridley despite losing to them twice in the result season. TC Robinson could put the Panthers on his back at least for a game.
Section 4AAA (2/28 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at St. Paul Washington)
Quarters: Johnson, Hill-Murray, Central, St. Thomas Academy
Semis: Johnson, St. Thomas Academy
Champion: St. Thomas Academy
I'll go out on a limb on this one. Johnson hasn't been challenged in weeks and they really don't have much scoring outside of Jalen Mobley and Peirre Conwell despite having 5 guys in double figures. St. Thomas Academy has put it together winning their last 11 on their way to the Classic Suburban title. While Johnson has taken it to the Cadets the last 2 years in section play, I think all the factors lineup for STA to have a great chance to win and I'll make that pick. I'll also take Hill-Murray to avenge 2 tight regular season losses to Simley as I think Dick Ghizoni will have a plan.
Section 6AAA (2/25 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/6 at Chanhassen)
Quarters: Holy Family, Washburn, Waconia, Benilde-St. Margaret's
Semis: Holy Family, Waconia
Champion: Holy Family
Fun section here. Despite a head to head win I thought Waconia and BSM should have flopped the 2 and 3 seeds and I'll pick it that way. I think Waconia avenges that loss and I think Holy Family knocks off Washburn again. Holy Family's big front line just too much for Waconia in the championship but expect a game more like their 3 point meeting in game 1 than the 21 blowout in game 2. High quality final there.
Section 1AAAA (2/26 and 3/1 High Seeds and 3/7 at Mayo Civic Center)
Quarters: Lakeville North, Owatonna, Rochester John Marshall, Farmington
Semis: Lakeville North, Rochester John Marshall
Champion: Lakeville North
Owatonna lost in 2 OT and won the last meeting vs Century, have to like that upset pick. Farmington gets through round 1 but the loss of Zach Speikers is just too much to overcome Rochester John Marshall. Lakeville North will get a test from JM but ultimately move on.
Section 2AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/7 at Apple Valley)
Quarters: Shakopee, Prior Lake, Bloomington Kennedy, Chanhassen
Semis: Shakopee, Chanhassen
Champion: Chanhassen
Coach Willie Braziel went undefeated in section and still got the 3 seed. I know he won't be happy with that. While he has a great case, its also hard to argue with the way Chanhassen has been playing. They won 9 of 10 before losing to Red Wing last week. They just knocked off Shakopee and I don't think that's a fluke as I think they'll do it again. Prior Lake vs Chaska is an outstanding 4 vs 5 game. The biggest Vegas line that you would have a sneaky chance to win on? How about Burnsville vs Shakopee. Shakopee needed overtime to win their annual regular season battle. But Burnsville top guards, #1 scorer Zach Smith (out injured) and Jake Ruffing (limited by bad thumb) are question marks for the game.
Section 3AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/6 at Farmington)
Quarters: Apple Valley, Rosemount, East Ridge, Cretin-Derham Hall
Semis: Apple Valley, East Ridge
Champion: Apple Valley
Best matchup here is the dynamite semifinal between Cretin-Derham Hall and East Ridge. East Ridge just knocked off CDH to win the Suburban East. Ryan Keenan and Ryan Mathis inside changes the complexion of things for East Ridge. They missed the CDH win in January. Then you look at what CDH has done in their big games (losses to DLS, East Ridge, Bettendorf, 2 to Woodbury). East Ridge will be able to slow tempo and win. But a CDH vs Apple Valley final would be one of the more high scoring games of the season and very entertaining.
Section 4AAAA (2/26 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/5 at East Ridge)
Quarters: Woodbury, Mounds View, Tartan, Stillwater
Semis: Woodbury, Tartan
Champion: Tartan
Stillwater got a great draw here has they won at Roseville in the regular season and they lost the 2 games to Woodbury by a combined 6 points. I can pick them once as Roseville's disappointing season would have proper disappointing ending with a home playoff loss. Tartan's ability to play off the bounce is the difference in knocking off Mounds View. Tartan can also matchup with Woodbury's offense.
Section 5AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/3 or 3/4 then 3/7 at Rogers)
Quarters: Champlin Park, Centennial, Maple Grove, Osseo
Semis: Champlin Park, Osseo
Champion: Champlin Park
Osseo without Ian Theisen will get through the 1st round and then they get a brutally tough semifinal with Maple Grove. Champlin Park with no problems in their first 2 games and I think they are too much for Osseo in the 3rd meeting of the teams.
Section 6AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/1 and 3/5 at Chaska)
Quarters: Hopkins, Armstrong, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka
Semis: Hopkins, Eden Prairie
Champion: Hopkins
I've beaten the Armstrong or Tonka seeding argument to death so I won't go there here. Hopkins is a bad matchup for Armstrong (see Champlin Park) with their length and athletes and they'll ultimately win the section. EP and Tonka with another battle but away from home I think the Tonka shooting isn't there and EP is too good defensively. Only question is can they find enough offense outside of Wallace and Gillard.
Section 7AAAA (2/27 High Seeds, 3/4 and 3/7 at North Branch)
Quarters: St. Francis, Blaine, Andover, Cambridge-Isanti
Semis: St. Francis, Andover
Champion: St. Francis
Here's a stat, Hopkins and Apple Valley have more wins than the bottom 5 teams in this section combined. I'll take St. Francis by default. My sleeper here is Blaine with Jason Travis leading the way and lots of length, they can steal this bad section.
Section 8AAAA (2/25 High Seeds, 3/1 at SCSU, 3/6 Neutral Site)
Quarters: Tech, STMA, Buffalo, Elk River
Semis: Tech, Elk River
Champion: St. Cloud Tech
I'll predict this section since I saw the top 3 seeds. Tech is the best team here and they really shoot it and have a star in Andy Foley. Elk River gets Buffalo again in a classic semifinal. Cody Dorow and Moorhead lost by 1 at home at STMA and now get the road game there. Dorow won't be enough to carry the Spuds on.
Johnson takes home another Twin Cities title
Prologue
A busy day on the final Saturday of the regular season. A 12 oz coke at Richfield and a pair of 12 oz cans of Dr. Pepper on the beverage counter. Johnson with the pricey but outstanding walking tacos. The travel around to the days games still hideously bad. My adventure to Richfield took almost 3 hours. Then a great crowd for a highly anticipated Twin Cities game.
Song of the Day
Drive - The Cars
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1324 ounces (111 games, 94 days)
So I was critical of Omar McMillan's handling of Richfield's senior night last year and this year he decides to start a sophomore and a junior. Color me confused after it was important to start all seniors (but not the right ones last year). A very slow 1st half with Sibley running some of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE. Richfield very depleted with no Patrick Dembley so they extend with 2 guards and slow the pace way down. Godfrey Luke with a 3 after a possession of almost 3 minutes. 12-9 Richfield at that point. Sibley in control after that but they never put it away. They take a 19-17 lead to half and the lead hovers from 5-10 most of the rest of the game. Mark Pumper steps up with 10 of his 14 in the second half. Sibley goes 1-8 from the line in a stretch near the end but they hang on for a 45-38 win.
Game 2: Twin Cities Game - North at Johnson
Full house on hand for this one. North gets off to a great start with a pair of Tyler Johnson layups and an Issac Johnson 3 for a 9-1 lead less than 3 minutes in. Johnson takes timeout and regroups. They counter with a 20-6 run of their own to take their first lead. 21-15 Johnson at the 8:26 mark. Tyler Johnson for 3 to bring North back to a 23 all tie. Then Johnson spurts again with a 13-1 run. North closes to trail the Govs 36-31 at the half.
The 2nd half is all about Jalen Mobley and Tyler Johnson. Mobley picks up a loose ball and converts a 3 point play to end a 7-0 run and push the lead to 45-33. Tyler Johnson for 3 and a free throw to end that run but Mobley with the BLOB backside duckin for a 3 point play (we talked about that vs Central) and converts a turnover to keep the lead at 11. Peirre Conwell picks up his 4th foul with 13:54 left and has to sit for Johnson. Mobley then controls with the pass. He finds Eric Elliot for a layup as DDM action with the dish to the post spot very effective for the Govs in this game. Then Mobley to Mitchell McDonald for 2 more. Soph Andre Smith off the bench puts back a miss and Mobley finds him for 3. 61-46 Johnson 11:30 to play.
Tyler Johnson steals a pass, goes behind the back with the dish and then puts back the missed layup. After a strong Mobley drive and finish, Issac Johnson counters with a 3 point play and jumper. He then blocks a shot which Tyler Johnson converts with 7:05 left. That brings the North fans to their feet to make noise. The Johnson lead cut down to 69-62. Tyler Johnson adds 2 free throws and Jamil Jackson buries a 3, Mobley counters those with a pair of buckets as the scoreboard ping pongs back and forth. Then a brutal charge call on Jamil Jackson and its his 5th with 5:39 left. He also gets the frustration T. Somehow Johnson steps up shoots a free throw and misses but Mobley then gets to take 2 more freebies. No idea how that happens. Mobley then finds McDonald for 3 on the possession. 79-67 Johnson with 5:10 left. The outcome not in doubt after that. Johnson wins the Twin Cities Game 91-81. Tyler Johnson with 20 of his 29 points in the 2nd half for North. No stopping him getting to the rim or the foul line. My game MVP Jalen Mobley with 19 of his 24 in the second half but his distribution in the second half was huge. Eric Elliot with 13 points, Mitchell McDonald with 19. For North, Jamil Jackson adds 16, Issac Johnson 13.
A busy day on the final Saturday of the regular season. A 12 oz coke at Richfield and a pair of 12 oz cans of Dr. Pepper on the beverage counter. Johnson with the pricey but outstanding walking tacos. The travel around to the days games still hideously bad. My adventure to Richfield took almost 3 hours. Then a great crowd for a highly anticipated Twin Cities game.
Song of the Day
Drive - The Cars
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1324 ounces (111 games, 94 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 68 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 508 oz Pepsi
So I was critical of Omar McMillan's handling of Richfield's senior night last year and this year he decides to start a sophomore and a junior. Color me confused after it was important to start all seniors (but not the right ones last year). A very slow 1st half with Sibley running some of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE. Richfield very depleted with no Patrick Dembley so they extend with 2 guards and slow the pace way down. Godfrey Luke with a 3 after a possession of almost 3 minutes. 12-9 Richfield at that point. Sibley in control after that but they never put it away. They take a 19-17 lead to half and the lead hovers from 5-10 most of the rest of the game. Mark Pumper steps up with 10 of his 14 in the second half. Sibley goes 1-8 from the line in a stretch near the end but they hang on for a 45-38 win.
Game 2: Twin Cities Game - North at Johnson
Full house on hand for this one. North gets off to a great start with a pair of Tyler Johnson layups and an Issac Johnson 3 for a 9-1 lead less than 3 minutes in. Johnson takes timeout and regroups. They counter with a 20-6 run of their own to take their first lead. 21-15 Johnson at the 8:26 mark. Tyler Johnson for 3 to bring North back to a 23 all tie. Then Johnson spurts again with a 13-1 run. North closes to trail the Govs 36-31 at the half.
The 2nd half is all about Jalen Mobley and Tyler Johnson. Mobley picks up a loose ball and converts a 3 point play to end a 7-0 run and push the lead to 45-33. Tyler Johnson for 3 and a free throw to end that run but Mobley with the BLOB backside duckin for a 3 point play (we talked about that vs Central) and converts a turnover to keep the lead at 11. Peirre Conwell picks up his 4th foul with 13:54 left and has to sit for Johnson. Mobley then controls with the pass. He finds Eric Elliot for a layup as DDM action with the dish to the post spot very effective for the Govs in this game. Then Mobley to Mitchell McDonald for 2 more. Soph Andre Smith off the bench puts back a miss and Mobley finds him for 3. 61-46 Johnson 11:30 to play.
Tyler Johnson steals a pass, goes behind the back with the dish and then puts back the missed layup. After a strong Mobley drive and finish, Issac Johnson counters with a 3 point play and jumper. He then blocks a shot which Tyler Johnson converts with 7:05 left. That brings the North fans to their feet to make noise. The Johnson lead cut down to 69-62. Tyler Johnson adds 2 free throws and Jamil Jackson buries a 3, Mobley counters those with a pair of buckets as the scoreboard ping pongs back and forth. Then a brutal charge call on Jamil Jackson and its his 5th with 5:39 left. He also gets the frustration T. Somehow Johnson steps up shoots a free throw and misses but Mobley then gets to take 2 more freebies. No idea how that happens. Mobley then finds McDonald for 3 on the possession. 79-67 Johnson with 5:10 left. The outcome not in doubt after that. Johnson wins the Twin Cities Game 91-81. Tyler Johnson with 20 of his 29 points in the 2nd half for North. No stopping him getting to the rim or the foul line. My game MVP Jalen Mobley with 19 of his 24 in the second half but his distribution in the second half was huge. Eric Elliot with 13 points, Mitchell McDonald with 19. For North, Jamil Jackson adds 16, Issac Johnson 13.
Cougars hang on to end the regular season.
Prologue
The schedule dwindled some so I change plans to get a look at Burnsville at Lakeville South. 1st look at Burnsville this season and with both teams not favored in 1st round games next week I figured another look at frosh Jack Sorenson would be a good thing. Nice work from the Lakeville South pep band in my limited listening (late arrival and electronics panic). Interesting variation on the "Jump shake your booty" chant from students as they used it on a player's mom. Funny but scary at the same time. Mom didn't oblige but did find the humor in it.
Song of the Day
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1288 ounces (109 games, 93 days)
Pretty even 1st half. Cody Kairis for 2 and buries a 3 at the 12 minute mark. That gives Lakeville South their 1st lead at 15-12. Soph Jason Gumm good minutes off the Burnsville bench in this one. He converts back to back buckets and then after a Lakeville South 3 scores again before getting into foul trouble. 18 all at 10:20. Kairis with a jumper for a 1 point Cougars lead but then a technical on South. Joe Morris makes the 2 technicals but misses the front end of the bonus on the foul. They also convert the possession for a 3 point lead. Morris with the post turnaround, converts a turnover for 2 and to the rank for 2 more as he turns down a ball screen. Burnsville by 5. The turnover bug starts to bite but Burnsville still takes a 39-34 lead to halftime.
Lakeville South comes out with the 1st 6 points of the half as they turn up the pressure. Strange that Burnsville's bigs who really weren't ball handlers were trying to handle the full court defense. Didn't get that at all. A feed for a Kyle Martin layup and a 3 point play from Brenon Larson-Gulsvig and the Cougars lead is up to 7. Sorenson for 3, 2 Martin free throws and Afron Janetkhan for 3 and Kairus off the baseline screen for the 3 point play. The run is 13-2 and the Cougars lead 70-57 with 6:55 left. Gumm back in the game with 4 fouls and he knocks down 3 bombs in a 2 minute stretch. He hits the last 3, Brett Shepley with a slick post move faking middle and finishing with the left hand and Ben Nienow trails the break and buries a 3. That's an 8-0 run for the Blaze and the lead for Lakeville South is down to 76-72 with 3:51 left and they need a timeout to regroup. A pair of free throws cuts the lead to 3 and South will go to the 2 guard X delay game. They make 8-8 from the line in the last 2:33 with 1 turnover to seal the game. Lakeville South wins 85-80.
Post Game
Burnsville finishes the regular season 8-18 overall, 3-15 for 9th place in the South Suburban. Joe Morris leads the way with 19 points. Fellow junior forward Brett Shepley adds 14 as does guard Levi Miller and soph reserve Jason Gumm. Turnovers ultimately the difference as the ball security just wasn't good enough against the extended defense. But keep in mind leading scorer Zach Smith would likely be that guy and he didn't play tonight. They will likely open the playoffs at Shakopee on Wednesday in the 1 vs 8 game in section 2AAAA.
Lakeville South finishes 10-15 overall, 7-11 in the South Suburban. That's good enough for a 3-way tie for 6th in the league standings. Cody Kairis finishes with 22 points to lead the Cougars. Jack Sorenson finishes with 16 points after a rough start of turnovers and missed shots. Kairis 6-6 down the stretch from the charity stripe. Lakeville South likely the 6 seed in 2AAAA. That means a trip to Chanhassen most likely or Kennedy in round 1 on Wednesday.
The schedule dwindled some so I change plans to get a look at Burnsville at Lakeville South. 1st look at Burnsville this season and with both teams not favored in 1st round games next week I figured another look at frosh Jack Sorenson would be a good thing. Nice work from the Lakeville South pep band in my limited listening (late arrival and electronics panic). Interesting variation on the "Jump shake your booty" chant from students as they used it on a player's mom. Funny but scary at the same time. Mom didn't oblige but did find the humor in it.
Song of the Day
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1288 ounces (109 games, 93 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 68 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 508 oz Pepsi
Pretty even 1st half. Cody Kairis for 2 and buries a 3 at the 12 minute mark. That gives Lakeville South their 1st lead at 15-12. Soph Jason Gumm good minutes off the Burnsville bench in this one. He converts back to back buckets and then after a Lakeville South 3 scores again before getting into foul trouble. 18 all at 10:20. Kairis with a jumper for a 1 point Cougars lead but then a technical on South. Joe Morris makes the 2 technicals but misses the front end of the bonus on the foul. They also convert the possession for a 3 point lead. Morris with the post turnaround, converts a turnover for 2 and to the rank for 2 more as he turns down a ball screen. Burnsville by 5. The turnover bug starts to bite but Burnsville still takes a 39-34 lead to halftime.
Lakeville South comes out with the 1st 6 points of the half as they turn up the pressure. Strange that Burnsville's bigs who really weren't ball handlers were trying to handle the full court defense. Didn't get that at all. A feed for a Kyle Martin layup and a 3 point play from Brenon Larson-Gulsvig and the Cougars lead is up to 7. Sorenson for 3, 2 Martin free throws and Afron Janetkhan for 3 and Kairus off the baseline screen for the 3 point play. The run is 13-2 and the Cougars lead 70-57 with 6:55 left. Gumm back in the game with 4 fouls and he knocks down 3 bombs in a 2 minute stretch. He hits the last 3, Brett Shepley with a slick post move faking middle and finishing with the left hand and Ben Nienow trails the break and buries a 3. That's an 8-0 run for the Blaze and the lead for Lakeville South is down to 76-72 with 3:51 left and they need a timeout to regroup. A pair of free throws cuts the lead to 3 and South will go to the 2 guard X delay game. They make 8-8 from the line in the last 2:33 with 1 turnover to seal the game. Lakeville South wins 85-80.
Post Game
Burnsville finishes the regular season 8-18 overall, 3-15 for 9th place in the South Suburban. Joe Morris leads the way with 19 points. Fellow junior forward Brett Shepley adds 14 as does guard Levi Miller and soph reserve Jason Gumm. Turnovers ultimately the difference as the ball security just wasn't good enough against the extended defense. But keep in mind leading scorer Zach Smith would likely be that guy and he didn't play tonight. They will likely open the playoffs at Shakopee on Wednesday in the 1 vs 8 game in section 2AAAA.
Lakeville South finishes 10-15 overall, 7-11 in the South Suburban. That's good enough for a 3-way tie for 6th in the league standings. Cody Kairis finishes with 22 points to lead the Cougars. Jack Sorenson finishes with 16 points after a rough start of turnovers and missed shots. Kairis 6-6 down the stretch from the charity stripe. Lakeville South likely the 6 seed in 2AAAA. That means a trip to Chanhassen most likely or Kennedy in round 1 on Wednesday.
Nolan's hot shooting leads Falcons
Prologue
A nice snow makeup game fills in the Wednesday slot on the schedule. Its Elk River at Armstrong in their second meeting in 8 days. Armstrong won the 1st meeting 80-44. Edina and Hopkins in the building watching Armstrong for section play. Fairly light crowd gets entertained by today's tune.
Song of the Day
DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1288 ounces (108 games, 91 days)
Evan Nolan with his 1st 3 of the night as Armstrong jumps out to a 7-1 lead. Elk River would take their first lead on a 3 from soph guard Matt Keller at the 7:48 mark. That forces an Armstrong timeout. Clay Elrod with a layup and a 3 to counter a BLOB 3 from Nolan. Keller from keep again and a Mitchell Weege floater puts Elk River up 27-26 at the 4:30 mark. All Armstrong to close the half. Soph lefty Melvin Newburn with 2 putbacks, soph Judie Alade takes the inside out pass for 3 and knocks down another jumper. Nolan with 3 more bombs and a Casperson 3 point play. Its a 21-1 Falcons run to end the half. 47-28 Armstrong at the break. Nolan with 7 3s and 21 points.
For as hot as Armstrong was in the last 4:30, they can't find it in the 2nd half. Elrod aggressive with 5 quick points and the lead is down to 12. Devell Miller controlling the inside at 5'11". He sticks back 2 misses, 1 for a 3 point play. Keller to the bucket and Elrod inside for 2 free throws. Its a 17-4 Elk River run to cut the lead to 51-44 with 11:40 left. The 2nd Armstrong FG of the half doesn't come until Alade knocks down a 3 with 8:50 left to keep the lead at 12. Nolan in the post for 2 and a skip pass finds Jerome Dixon for 3 and the lead is back to 66-50. 15-6 Armstrong spurt in 3:35. The Elks won't go away quietly. Weege and Elrod counter with triples, Miller with a sweet pick and roll layup. Sean Burns with a big swat but it goes right to Elrod in the left corner and he buries the triple. Elk River wipes away Armstrong's run with a 15-5 run of their own. 71-65 Falcons 3:25 left. But Elk River would get no closer as Armstrong makes their free throws. Falcons win 85-75.
Post Game
Elk River falls to 15-10 overall, 9-10 in the NW Suburban. They've lost 4 in a row bookended by the 2 Armstrong games and road losses at Maple Grove and Osseo just last night. Tough stretch for the Elks. Clay Elrod wasn't on the glass but he did finish with 26 points. Soph guard Matt Keller with a nice outing of 18 points. Devell Miller 15 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Section 8AAAA is QRF seeded and its shaping up to be a mistake unless it gets within tiebreaker margin. Buffalo lost to both Elk River and St. Cloud Tech during the season, Tech has a better overall and section record but unless something drastic happens Buffalo will get the 1 seed thanks to the lunacy of choosing to have the QRF do the seeding. I have no problem with Buffalo at 2, but I could make a much better case for them at 3 than at 1. Note that section 8 used to do a points system for years before having to choose coaches or QRF. Remember if you points seed, you MUST use QRF, also a thoroughly stupid rule, but that's the MSHSL for you. Should make for an entertaining set of semis at St. Cloud State 1 week from Saturday.
Armstrong is now 20-5 overall, 16-3 in the NW Suburban which clinches 2nd there. Evan Nolan 7 3s all in the 1st half, 27 points. Sean Burns chips in with 15, Ryan Casperson with 12. After a tough 3 game slide, Armstrong has now won 6 in a row. They'll finish at Anoka on Friday. As to seeding in 6AAAA, Armstrong and Minnetonka will be one of the more heated seeding discussions out there. Minnetonka would like to think a win over Eden Prairie on Friday would bump them to the 2 seed. In a just world I don't think that game matters. I think they're the clear 4 seed. They'll argue no worse than 3 because of their big win at Armstrong. But the Skippers aren't close enough in the QRF or CzarPI or have the overall record close enough to make that case. It becomes a big deal because the 3 seed avoids Hopkins in the semis.
A nice snow makeup game fills in the Wednesday slot on the schedule. Its Elk River at Armstrong in their second meeting in 8 days. Armstrong won the 1st meeting 80-44. Edina and Hopkins in the building watching Armstrong for section play. Fairly light crowd gets entertained by today's tune.
Song of the Day
DJ Casper - Cha Cha Slide
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1288 ounces (108 games, 91 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 68 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 232 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 508 oz Pepsi
Evan Nolan with his 1st 3 of the night as Armstrong jumps out to a 7-1 lead. Elk River would take their first lead on a 3 from soph guard Matt Keller at the 7:48 mark. That forces an Armstrong timeout. Clay Elrod with a layup and a 3 to counter a BLOB 3 from Nolan. Keller from keep again and a Mitchell Weege floater puts Elk River up 27-26 at the 4:30 mark. All Armstrong to close the half. Soph lefty Melvin Newburn with 2 putbacks, soph Judie Alade takes the inside out pass for 3 and knocks down another jumper. Nolan with 3 more bombs and a Casperson 3 point play. Its a 21-1 Falcons run to end the half. 47-28 Armstrong at the break. Nolan with 7 3s and 21 points.
For as hot as Armstrong was in the last 4:30, they can't find it in the 2nd half. Elrod aggressive with 5 quick points and the lead is down to 12. Devell Miller controlling the inside at 5'11". He sticks back 2 misses, 1 for a 3 point play. Keller to the bucket and Elrod inside for 2 free throws. Its a 17-4 Elk River run to cut the lead to 51-44 with 11:40 left. The 2nd Armstrong FG of the half doesn't come until Alade knocks down a 3 with 8:50 left to keep the lead at 12. Nolan in the post for 2 and a skip pass finds Jerome Dixon for 3 and the lead is back to 66-50. 15-6 Armstrong spurt in 3:35. The Elks won't go away quietly. Weege and Elrod counter with triples, Miller with a sweet pick and roll layup. Sean Burns with a big swat but it goes right to Elrod in the left corner and he buries the triple. Elk River wipes away Armstrong's run with a 15-5 run of their own. 71-65 Falcons 3:25 left. But Elk River would get no closer as Armstrong makes their free throws. Falcons win 85-75.
Post Game
Elk River falls to 15-10 overall, 9-10 in the NW Suburban. They've lost 4 in a row bookended by the 2 Armstrong games and road losses at Maple Grove and Osseo just last night. Tough stretch for the Elks. Clay Elrod wasn't on the glass but he did finish with 26 points. Soph guard Matt Keller with a nice outing of 18 points. Devell Miller 15 of his 16 in the 2nd half. Section 8AAAA is QRF seeded and its shaping up to be a mistake unless it gets within tiebreaker margin. Buffalo lost to both Elk River and St. Cloud Tech during the season, Tech has a better overall and section record but unless something drastic happens Buffalo will get the 1 seed thanks to the lunacy of choosing to have the QRF do the seeding. I have no problem with Buffalo at 2, but I could make a much better case for them at 3 than at 1. Note that section 8 used to do a points system for years before having to choose coaches or QRF. Remember if you points seed, you MUST use QRF, also a thoroughly stupid rule, but that's the MSHSL for you. Should make for an entertaining set of semis at St. Cloud State 1 week from Saturday.
Armstrong is now 20-5 overall, 16-3 in the NW Suburban which clinches 2nd there. Evan Nolan 7 3s all in the 1st half, 27 points. Sean Burns chips in with 15, Ryan Casperson with 12. After a tough 3 game slide, Armstrong has now won 6 in a row. They'll finish at Anoka on Friday. As to seeding in 6AAAA, Armstrong and Minnetonka will be one of the more heated seeding discussions out there. Minnetonka would like to think a win over Eden Prairie on Friday would bump them to the 2 seed. In a just world I don't think that game matters. I think they're the clear 4 seed. They'll argue no worse than 3 because of their big win at Armstrong. But the Skippers aren't close enough in the QRF or CzarPI or have the overall record close enough to make that case. It becomes a big deal because the 3 seed avoids Hopkins in the semis.
Apple Valley clinches another conference title
Labels:
Tyus Jones
Prologue
Its Super Tuesday with 5 Conference Titles possibly at stake tonight. I venture to #5AAAA Lakeville North for their South Suburban showdown with #1AAAA Apple Valley. Lakeville North could share the crown with a win while Apple Valley would win it outright with a win. We get a bad officiating crew which lived up to its billing. Full house in the stands and all the way around the railings. The large North pep band also up on the rail with the tuba section. Mr Basketball committee chairman Ken Lien getting jiggy with the drum line just before tip. A great selection of 80s from them. We get 1 classic from the band and repeated later on the public address.
Song of the Day
Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns N Roses
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1268 ounces (107 games, 90 days)
JP Macura with a pair of sweet Dirk Nowitzki fades from the left block for a 6-2 Lakeville North lead. Tyus Jones countering with a floater off the ball screen, a free throw and then he finds Robert Tobroxen for 3 to put Apple Valley up 10-8 at the 11:10 mark. Macura with 2 free throws and a putback. Tyus to the rim off the ball screen for 2 and he knocks down a 3. Macura again in the post for 2 free throws. Brock Bertram a 3 point play on the BLOB, then Macura blocked and Dennis Austin scores for a 23-16 Apple Valley lead at the 3:15 mark. Macura gets away with a pushoff and then converts a 3 point play. Tyus to Bertram on the screen and roll but that leads him directly into his 3rd foul just before the half. Tyus with a pair of free throws, JP with a 3 and then a pair of late free throws. 27-25 Apple Valley at the half. JP Macura with 19 of those 25 for Lakeville North. Tyus with 12 points and 3 assists for 7 more to carry the Apple Valley offense.
Bertram quickly picks up his 4th foul on another charge and has to sit. But Apple Valley expands the lead to 7 thanks to a Gary Trent 3 point play. Lakeville North regroups after a timeout. Macura coast to coast for 2 free throws, an assist for a layup and coast to coast again for 2 more. Now Apple Valley needs a timeout. 34-33 Eagles with 10:25 left. A foul called on Macura has the Apple Valley crowd howling about star treatment which is ironic considering all of the calls Tyus has gotten over the years. Connor Flack was the only other offense for Lakeville North in this one. His bucket in the post and then 3 tie the game at 38 with 8:06 left. That was after a sweet pass from Trey Pipkins to Dennis Austin for a layup out of the side screen/roll action.
Coach Goring rolls the dice and brings Bertram back into the game with 7:58 left and a 2 point lead. A sweet Macura assist keeps the lead at 2 before a Dennis Austin post up, Macura missed front end and a 3 point play from Tyus. 47-40 Apple Valley at that point and it appears they may pull away. Carl Engwall stops that with a 3 point play that gets the crowd roaring as its the 5th foul on Bertram. JP with 2 free throws and a Bronson Bruneau jumper after he comes back in with 4 fouls. 47 all with 3:25 to play. Macura misses a good look at a 3. Apple Valley takes timeout and the PA plays Sweet Caroline. Turn the music off and play and we'll sing anyway! OOOH OOOH OOOOOH!. Tyus to Pipkins who can't finish the layup with 2:15 left. Lakeville North runs their deliberate offense and takes it down to 13.7 left when they take timeout. Out of the timeout, Flack catches in the backcourt and just goes. He gets all the way to the rim and can't finish. Out of bounds to Apple Valley with 6.6 to play. Tyus gets and flies down the right wing, his pullup from 17 feet is in and out at the buzzer and we'll play OT.
Tyus starts the overtime with a 3 point play and 1 of 2 from the charity stripe. North can't convert a turnover and Trent makes 2 free throws on the other end. Then after another Lakeville North miss, Austin is fouled on purpose in the post but steps up and makes both. Tyus fouled on a rebound and surprisingly misses both freebies. North for 3. Then Tyus drives and in another surprise tries to dunk and misses that. Macura lays that in and the lead is down to 3. Then another Apple Valley turnover converted by Drew Stewart and the lead is down to 55-54 with 40 seconds left. Tyus makes 1 of 2 with 21.7 left. Macura drives baseline but his pass back out is picked off by Austin and on the breakaway its an intentional foul. Austin makes both and that's all she wrote. Apple Valley wins 59-56 in overtime.
Post Game
Another instance of JP Macura not getting much help. He finishes with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. So he was part of at least 40 of the 56 points. Connor Flack finishes with 15 points. Lakeville North ran a ton of X delay game (2 guards pass/cut, backcut if overplayed, very common delay set) to keep the pace of this one down. Macura struggled to get looks cutting or off the bounce against Robert Tobroxon but had success in the post that the Panthers surprisingly never came back to in the second half. The Panthers shoot 17 of 27 from 2 but only 3 for 20 from 3 (vs 15-30 in the first meeting). Lakeville North falls to 20-5 overall, 15-2 in the South Suburban. They end the regular season on Friday at Prior Lake.
Apple Valley wins the conference title outright and maintains their winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones with not one of the better performances. 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 turnovers with some decisions that were not Tyus like. Dennis Austin 12 points, Brock Bertram 9 points and 10 boards but most of that damage was done early. Lakeville North still got beat on the glass but it was only 37-26 in this one and only 11 2nd chance points. Apple Valley now 24-1, 17-0 in the South Suburban. They finish up at home against Rosemount on Friday.
Both teams will head into the playoffs as the favorites in their respective sections but the roads won't be easy. Farmington gave Lakeville North all they wanted earlier in the year and the Panthers needed a blowout performance from Macura to hang on in OT. Rochester John Marshall is no slouch in that section either. Apple Valley gets East Ridge and Cretin-Derham Hall. Cretin-Derham Hall's high powered offense is always dangerous. East Ridge was a mash unit for most of the conference season and won the Suburban East anyway
Its Super Tuesday with 5 Conference Titles possibly at stake tonight. I venture to #5AAAA Lakeville North for their South Suburban showdown with #1AAAA Apple Valley. Lakeville North could share the crown with a win while Apple Valley would win it outright with a win. We get a bad officiating crew which lived up to its billing. Full house in the stands and all the way around the railings. The large North pep band also up on the rail with the tuba section. Mr Basketball committee chairman Ken Lien getting jiggy with the drum line just before tip. A great selection of 80s from them. We get 1 classic from the band and repeated later on the public address.
Song of the Day
Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns N Roses
Total Beverage Consumption Counter: 1268 ounces (107 games, 90 days)
- 12 oz 7 Up
- 20 oz Barq's Root Beer
- 20 oz Mug Root Beer
- 68 oz Sprite
- 84 oz Dr Pepper
- 160 oz Red Powerade
- 212 oz Red Gatorade
- 184 oz Coke
- 508 oz Pepsi
JP Macura with a pair of sweet Dirk Nowitzki fades from the left block for a 6-2 Lakeville North lead. Tyus Jones countering with a floater off the ball screen, a free throw and then he finds Robert Tobroxen for 3 to put Apple Valley up 10-8 at the 11:10 mark. Macura with 2 free throws and a putback. Tyus to the rim off the ball screen for 2 and he knocks down a 3. Macura again in the post for 2 free throws. Brock Bertram a 3 point play on the BLOB, then Macura blocked and Dennis Austin scores for a 23-16 Apple Valley lead at the 3:15 mark. Macura gets away with a pushoff and then converts a 3 point play. Tyus to Bertram on the screen and roll but that leads him directly into his 3rd foul just before the half. Tyus with a pair of free throws, JP with a 3 and then a pair of late free throws. 27-25 Apple Valley at the half. JP Macura with 19 of those 25 for Lakeville North. Tyus with 12 points and 3 assists for 7 more to carry the Apple Valley offense.
Bertram quickly picks up his 4th foul on another charge and has to sit. But Apple Valley expands the lead to 7 thanks to a Gary Trent 3 point play. Lakeville North regroups after a timeout. Macura coast to coast for 2 free throws, an assist for a layup and coast to coast again for 2 more. Now Apple Valley needs a timeout. 34-33 Eagles with 10:25 left. A foul called on Macura has the Apple Valley crowd howling about star treatment which is ironic considering all of the calls Tyus has gotten over the years. Connor Flack was the only other offense for Lakeville North in this one. His bucket in the post and then 3 tie the game at 38 with 8:06 left. That was after a sweet pass from Trey Pipkins to Dennis Austin for a layup out of the side screen/roll action.
Coach Goring rolls the dice and brings Bertram back into the game with 7:58 left and a 2 point lead. A sweet Macura assist keeps the lead at 2 before a Dennis Austin post up, Macura missed front end and a 3 point play from Tyus. 47-40 Apple Valley at that point and it appears they may pull away. Carl Engwall stops that with a 3 point play that gets the crowd roaring as its the 5th foul on Bertram. JP with 2 free throws and a Bronson Bruneau jumper after he comes back in with 4 fouls. 47 all with 3:25 to play. Macura misses a good look at a 3. Apple Valley takes timeout and the PA plays Sweet Caroline. Turn the music off and play and we'll sing anyway! OOOH OOOH OOOOOH!. Tyus to Pipkins who can't finish the layup with 2:15 left. Lakeville North runs their deliberate offense and takes it down to 13.7 left when they take timeout. Out of the timeout, Flack catches in the backcourt and just goes. He gets all the way to the rim and can't finish. Out of bounds to Apple Valley with 6.6 to play. Tyus gets and flies down the right wing, his pullup from 17 feet is in and out at the buzzer and we'll play OT.
Tyus starts the overtime with a 3 point play and 1 of 2 from the charity stripe. North can't convert a turnover and Trent makes 2 free throws on the other end. Then after another Lakeville North miss, Austin is fouled on purpose in the post but steps up and makes both. Tyus fouled on a rebound and surprisingly misses both freebies. North for 3. Then Tyus drives and in another surprise tries to dunk and misses that. Macura lays that in and the lead is down to 3. Then another Apple Valley turnover converted by Drew Stewart and the lead is down to 55-54 with 40 seconds left. Tyus makes 1 of 2 with 21.7 left. Macura drives baseline but his pass back out is picked off by Austin and on the breakaway its an intentional foul. Austin makes both and that's all she wrote. Apple Valley wins 59-56 in overtime.
Post Game
Another instance of JP Macura not getting much help. He finishes with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. So he was part of at least 40 of the 56 points. Connor Flack finishes with 15 points. Lakeville North ran a ton of X delay game (2 guards pass/cut, backcut if overplayed, very common delay set) to keep the pace of this one down. Macura struggled to get looks cutting or off the bounce against Robert Tobroxon but had success in the post that the Panthers surprisingly never came back to in the second half. The Panthers shoot 17 of 27 from 2 but only 3 for 20 from 3 (vs 15-30 in the first meeting). Lakeville North falls to 20-5 overall, 15-2 in the South Suburban. They end the regular season on Friday at Prior Lake.
Apple Valley wins the conference title outright and maintains their winning streak against Minnesota opponents. Tyus Jones with not one of the better performances. 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 turnovers with some decisions that were not Tyus like. Dennis Austin 12 points, Brock Bertram 9 points and 10 boards but most of that damage was done early. Lakeville North still got beat on the glass but it was only 37-26 in this one and only 11 2nd chance points. Apple Valley now 24-1, 17-0 in the South Suburban. They finish up at home against Rosemount on Friday.
Both teams will head into the playoffs as the favorites in their respective sections but the roads won't be easy. Farmington gave Lakeville North all they wanted earlier in the year and the Panthers needed a blowout performance from Macura to hang on in OT. Rochester John Marshall is no slouch in that section either. Apple Valley gets East Ridge and Cretin-Derham Hall. Cretin-Derham Hall's high powered offense is always dangerous. East Ridge was a mash unit for most of the conference season and won the Suburban East anyway
February 16th, 2014 CzarPI
Labels:
13-14 CzarPI
This is the 6th CzarPI of the 2013-14 season (see CzarPI Explained here).
It includes games through Saturday, February 15th, 2014. The value in () after
the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their
class
Class AAAA
Class AAAA
- Hopkins - 64.13 (2)
- Apple Valley - 62.38 (12)
- Eden Prairie - 59.15 (3)
- Champlin Park - 58.94 (37)
- Lakeville North - 58.83 (10)
- Shakopee - 58.45 (5)
- St. Cloud Tech - 57.64 (46)
- Chanhassen - 56.97 (22)
- Robbinsdale Armstrong - 56.63 (23)
- Cretin-Derham Hall - 56.4 (43)
- Osseo - 56.14 (11)
- Buffalo - 55.67 (41)
- East Ridge - 54.63 (56)
- Minnetonka - 53.94 (6)
- St. Francis - 53.88 (57)
- Woodbury - 53.36 (26)
- Mounds View - 53.1 (59)
- Bloomington Kennedy - 52.7 (7)
- Maple Grove - 52.61 (25)
- Rochester John Marshall - 52.58 (61)
- Rosemount - 52.51 (9)
- Chaska - 52.47 (34)
- Prior Lake - 52.04 (13)
- Farmington - 51.87 (53)
- Tartan - 51.86 (62)
- Elk River - 51.74 (45)
- Park Center - 50.73 (32)
- Bloomington Jefferson - 50.56 (14)
- Edina - 50.35 (15)
- Moorhead - 49.07 (30)
- St. Michael-Albertville - 48.92 (24)
- Lakeville South - 48.64 (1)
- Brainerd - 48.38 (48)
- Henry Sibley - 48.27 (44)
- Eagan - 47.67 (17)
- Centennial - 47.5 (33)
- Andover - 47.34 (20)
- Minneapolis South - 47.3 (54)
- Roseville - 47.2 (29)
- Cambridge-Isanti - 46.64 (64)
- Rochester Century - 46.59 (51)
- Burnsville - 45.16 (4)
- White Bear Lake - 45.11 (27)
- Stillwater Area - 44.83 (21)
- Wayzata - 44.04 (18)
- Mahtomedi - 43.64 (60)
- Minneapolis Southwest - 43.37 (55)
- Owatonna - 42.16 (40)
- Northfield - 42.05 (31)
- Robbinsdale Cooper - 41.2 (16)
- Rogers - 41.1 (58)
- Blaine - 40.82 (50)
- Rochester Mayo - 40 (28)
- Eastview - 38.57 (8)
- North St. Paul - 35.62 (63)
- Forest Lake - 34.59 (42)
- Hastings - 31.45 (38)
- Duluth East - 30.44 (47)
- Bemidji - 30.14 (36)
- Anoka - 26.96 (19)
- Park of Cottage Grove - 24.34 (49)
- Coon Rapids - 18.8 (39)
- St. Louis Park - 17.56 (35)
- Irondale - 17.06 (52)
- Holy Family Catholic - 58.1 (33)
- Austin - 57.91 (21)
- DeLaSalle - 57.36 (8)
- Marshall - 56.61 (16)
- St. Paul Johnson - 55.74 (57)
- Waconia - 55 (5)
- Albany - 54.38 (40)
- Orono - 54.36 (11)
- Thief River Falls - 53.4 (48)
- Big Lake - 53.32 (28)
- Detroit Lakes - 52.87 (36)
- Kasson-Mantorville - 52.86 (35)
- Totino-Grace - 52.64 (59)
- Red Wing - 52.42 (15)
- Willmar - 52.26 (49)
- St. Thomas Academy - 51.94 (55)
- Grand Rapids - 51.76 (29)
- Cloquet - 51.75 (60)
- Sartell-St. Stephen - 51.67 (9)
- Minneapolis Washburn - 51.44 (27)
- Columbia Heights - 50.82 (62)
- St. Paul Central - 50.61 (58)
- Hermantown - 50.22 (18)
- St. Cloud Apollo - 49.66 (23)
- Mankato West - 49.58 (38)
- Delano - 49.3 (45)
- Hill-Murray - 49.13 (51)
- Benilde-St. Margaret's - 48.61 (39)
- Alexandria - 48.51 (42)
- Winona - 48.47 (46)
- Fergus Falls - 48.45 (14)
- Stewartville - 48.26 (43)
- Simley - 46.99 (64)
- Spring Lake Park - 46.85 (19)
- Fridley - 46.36 (63)
- Holy Angels - 46.08 (2)
- Hibbing - 45.92 (32)
- New Prague - 45.21 (1)
- Little Falls - 44.86 (54)
- Zimmerman - 44.78 (22)
- Monticello - 44.66 (47)
- Mankato East - 44.62 (17)
- Blake - 44.15 (26)
- Chisago Lakes Area - 43.82 (31)
- Hutchinson - 43.47 (3)
- St. Paul Como Park - 42.67 (24)
- Becker - 41.98 (50)
- Worthington - 41.16 (6)
- Minneapolis Henry - 40.92 (20)
- St. Paul Highland Park - 40.83 (52)
- North Branch - 40.49 (34)
- Princeton - 39.4 (37)
- Mound-Westonka - 39.33 (4)
- Albert Lea - 37.4 (13)
- New Ulm - 35.08 (12)
- Duluth Denfeld - 34.68 (44)
- Dassel-Cokato - 34.31 (30)
- St. Anthony Village - 33.03 (56)
- St. Paul Harding - 31.59 (53)
- Richfield - 27.97 (10)
- Rocori - 27.68 (7)
- South St. Paul - 27.25 (61)
- Faribault - 25.5 (41)
- Sauk Rapids-Rice - 0 (25)
- Waseca - 58.7 (24)
- Caledonia - 57.3 (46)
- Fairmont - 56.87 (10)
- Crosby-Ironton - 56.11 (61)
- Mayer Lutheran - 55.75 (29)
- St. Cloud Cathedral - 55.63 (25)
- Hayfield - 55.56 (56)
- Annandale - 55.53 (8)
- Barnum - 54.87 (110)
- Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 54.51 (59)
- Esko - 54.38 (101)
- New Life Academy - 53.99 (106)
- Barnesville - 53.91 (79)
- St. James Area - 53.85 (58)
- Perham - 53.64 (33)
- Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 53.61 (60)
- New Richland-H-E-G - 53.44 (67)
- Belle Plaine - 53.41 (23)
- Braham - 53.32 (100)
- Redwood Valley - 52.94 (72)
- Virginia - 52.9 (107)
- Pelican Rapids - 52.76 (31)
- Byron - 52.6 (42)
- Crookston - 52.42 (81)
- Chatfield - 52 (44)
- Jackson County Central - 51.77 (18)
- Sauk Centre - 51.76 (55)
- Cannon Falls - 51.72 (63)
- East Grand Forks - 51.69 (39)
- Minnehaha Academy - 51.03 (12)
- Jordan - 50.87 (6)
- Moose Lake-Willow River - 50.55 (70)
- Melrose - 50.14 (77)
- Rochester Lourdes - 50.13 (28)
- Eden Valley-Watkins - 50.07 (38)
- Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 49.98 (69)
- Watertown-Mayer - 49.76 (48)
- St. Charles - 49.54 (74)
- St. Croix Lutheran - 49.33 (45)
- St. Paul Academy - 49.27 (97)
- New London-Spicer - 49.2 (15)
- Montevideo - 49.18 (20)
- Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 49.17 (119)
- Hawley - 49.01 (13)
- Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 48.9 (76)
- Minneota/Lincoln HI - 48.88 (115)
- Providence Academy - 48.87 (90)
- Brooklyn Center - 48.1 (103)
- Norwood-Young America - 48.06 (62)
- Concordia Academy-Roseville - 48 (91)
- LeSueur-Henderson - 47.62 (71)
- St. Peter - 47.58 (2)
- Martin County West - 47.52 (52)
- Minnewaska Area - 47.3 (35)
- Milaca - 47.19 (116)
- Glencoe-Silver Lake - 46.92 (54)
- Park Rapids Area - 46.92 (96)
- Tri-City United - 46.56 (36)
- Lake City - 46.42 (111)
- Mora - 45.88 (78)
- International Falls - 45.81 (51)
- Hinckley-Finlayson - 45.75 (99)
- Maple River - 45.63 (7)
- Paynesville Area - 45.3 (80)
- Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 45.22 (65)
- Maple Lake - 45.18 (85)
- La Crescent - 45.18 (4)
- Rockford - 45.16 (19)
- BOLD - 45.1 (95)
- Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 44.97 (68)
- Breck - 44.79 (50)
- Staples-Motley - 44.54 (43)
- St. John's Prep - 44.23 (92)
- Breckenridge - 44.22 (30)
- Benson - 44.02 (114)
- Proctor - 43.99 (66)
- Blue Earth Area - 43.9 (1)
- Eveleth-Gilbert - 43.71 (117)
- Aitkin - 43.71 (89)
- Pipestone Area - 43.58 (5)
- Pine City - 43.5 (105)
- Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 43.36 (3)
- Pine Island - 43.06 (86)
- Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 43.05 (21)
- Litchfield - 42.81 (9)
- International School of MN - 42.54 (126)
- Rush City - 42.47 (109)
- Dover-Eyota - 42.28 (32)
- Winona Cotter - 42.12 (73)
- Trinity School - 42.02 (94)
- Sibley East - 41.82 (26)
- Two Harbors - 41.63 (102)
- St. Croix Prep - 41.39 (122)
- Prairie Seeds Academy - 41.1 (124)
- Minneapolis Roosevelt - 40.61 (14)
- Minneapolis Edison - 40.53 (98)
- Windom Area - 40.49 (34)
- Spectrum - 39.92 (125)
- Pillager - 39.89 (93)
- Roseau - 39.84 (108)
- Pequot Lakes - 39.54 (75)
- Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 37.5 (64)
- Frazee - 37.5 (22)
- Foley - 37.38 (37)
- Duluth Marshall - 36.85 (83)
- Great River - 36.82 (130)
- St. Paul Washington - 36.61 (123)
- Mounds Park Academy - 36.23 (127)
- Mesabi East - 34.36 (11)
- Bagley - 34.33 (87)
- St. Agnes - 33.83 (113)
- Osakis - 33.61 (53)
- Pierz - 33.28 (40)
- Lewiston-Altura - 33.25 (17)
- St. Paul Humboldt - 32.71 (104)
- Lac qui Parle Valley - 31.89 (112)
- Holdingford - 31.42 (27)
- Deer River - 30.93 (49)
- Luverne - 30.84 (16)
- Wadena-Deer Creek - 30.25 (57)
- St. Paul Prep - 29.5 (128)
- Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 29.31 (118)
- Yellow Medicine East - 28.29 (88)
- Triton - 28.09 (84)
- FAIR School - 24.32 (121)
- Warroad - 23.68 (82)
- Greenway - 22.34 (120)
- Medford - 22.31 (41)
- Hmong Academy - 20.16 (129)
- Kenyon-Wanamingo - 0 (47)
- Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 59.04 (11)
- Battle Lake - 58.1 (50)
- Rushford-Peterson - 57.17 (39)
- Upsala - 56.03 (45)
- Dawson-Boyd - 55.6 (90)
- Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 55.06 (38)
- Maranatha Christian - 54.97 (52)
- United South Central - 54.42 (31)
- Southwest MN Christian - 54.38 (110)
- Ely - 54.18 (132)
- Red Lake - 54.04 (3)
- Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 53.63 (86)
- Fertile-Beltrami - 53.4 (83)
- Canby - 53.06 (73)
- Browerville - 53.04 (13)
- St. Clair - 53 (71)
- Heritage Christian - 52.89 (37)
- Mountain Lake Area - 52.76 (128)
- Cass Lake-Bena - 52.61 (69)
- Northern Freeze - 52.4 (47)
- Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 52.25 (121)
- South Ridge - 52.02 (108)
- Bigfork - 51.4 (116)
- Fosston - 51.27 (94)
- Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 51.11 (70)
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 50.96 (30)
- Floodwood - 50.37 (85)
- Southwest Christian - 50.32 (22)
- Chisholm - 50.23 (41)
- Park Christian - 50.18 (96)
- Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 50.14 (112)
- Spring Grove - 50.05 (142)
- Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 49.15 (57)
- Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 49.12 (2)
- West Central Area - 49.02 (53)
- Verndale - 48.77 (143)
- Ada-Borup - 48.71 (66)
- Central MN Christian - 48.58 (97)
- Minneapolis North - 47.88 (18)
- Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 47.83 (44)
- Henning - 47.81 (62)
- Mountain Iron-Buhl - 47.48 (77)
- Stephen-Argyle - 47.28 (109)
- Blooming Prairie - 47.06 (43)
- Mankato Loyola - 47.02 (29)
- Ellsworth - 46.92 (131)
- Swanville - 46.73 (65)
- Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 46.73 (81)
- Ortonville - 46.59 (27)
- North Woods - 46.56 (10)
- Goodhue - 46.19 (95)
- Bethlehem Academy - 45.66 (33)
- Ashby - 45.61 (12)
- Menahga - 45.49 (118)
- Northome/Kelliher - 45.26 (103)
- Kimball Area - 44.76 (75)
- Springfield - 44.49 (35)
- Blackduck - 44.49 (87)
- Kittson County Central - 44.44 (58)
- Lanesboro - 44.39 (135)
- Christian Life School - 44.34 (154)
- Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 44.05 (32)
- Goodridge/Grygla - 43.62 (127)
- West Lutheran - 43.5 (19)
- Win-E-Mac - 43.4 (34)
- Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 43.21 (105)
- Nevis - 42.87 (54)
- Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 42.86 (15)
- Mabel-Canton - 42.71 (125)
- Wabasso - 42.54 (126)
- Southwest United - 42.34 (113)
- Minnesota Transitions Charter - 42.34 (133)
- Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 42.22 (48)
- Wrenshall - 42.14 (68)
- Legacy Christian - 41.91 (40)
- Mahnomen - 41.89 (55)
- CHOF - 41.64 (146)
- Fillmore Central - 41.29 (16)
- Cherry - 41.23 (14)
- Bethany Academy - 40.99 (99)
- Granada-Huntley-East Chain - 40.96 (28)
- Isle - 40.95 (136)
- Waubun - 40.9 (119)
- NCE/U-H - 40.66 (84)
- Truman/Martin Luther - 40.55 (93)
- Lake Park-Audubon - 40.11 (100)
- Schaeffer Academy - 40.04 (145)
- MACCRAY - 39.9 (17)
- Sleepy Eye - 39.54 (115)
- Cristo Rey Jesuit - 39.3 (130)
- Grand Meadow - 39.17 (141)
- Onamia - 38.91 (120)
- New Ulm Cathedral - 38.68 (101)
- Nicollet - 38.65 (137)
- Hills-Beaver Creek - 38.53 (111)
- East Central - 38.18 (91)
- Red Lake County - 38.14 (64)
- North Lakes Academy - 37.91 (151)
- Kingsland - 37.91 (1)
- Parkers Prairie - 37.84 (46)
- Liberty Classical Academy - 37.3 (157)
- Wabasha-Kellogg - 37.25 (9)
- New York Mills - 37.16 (107)
- Madelia - 37.11 (72)
- Hope Lutheran - 36.99 (139)
- Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 36.9 (138)
- Cromwell - 36.61 (49)
- Underwood - 36.18 (6)
- Littlefork-Big Falls - 36.16 (92)
- Lakeview Christian - 35.87 (5)
- Bertha-Hewitt - 35.56 (78)
- Hill City - 35.52 (82)
- PACT Charter - 35.41 (74)
- Murray County Central - 35.39 (102)
- Randolph - 35.11 (59)
- Houston - 34.87 (123)
- Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 34.24 (122)
- Southland - 34.22 (8)
- Glenville-Emmons - 34.12 (149)
- MN Academy for the Deaf - 33.71 (158)
- Nashwauk-Keewatin - 33.36 (134)
- Cook County - 33.31 (106)
- Rothsay - 33.14 (21)
- Laporte - 32.54 (26)
- Lakeview - 32.2 (56)
- Northland - 32.19 (124)
- Clearbrook-Gonvick - 31.83 (42)
- Pine River-Backus - 31.54 (4)
- Nova Classical Academy - 31.43 (148)
- Community of Peace Academy - 31.2 (152)
- Brandon/Evansville - 31.09 (20)
- Cleveland - 30.85 (129)
- McGregor - 30.16 (140)
- Climax/Fisher - 30.04 (60)
- Sacred Heart - 29.73 (117)
- Norman County West - 29.54 (114)
- Adrian - 29.14 (89)
- Alden-Conger - 28.64 (147)
- Carlton - 28.5 (25)
- Academy for Sciences & Ag - 28.16 (153)
- Sebeka - 25.49 (80)
- Calvin Christian - 24.29 (155)
- Mesabi Academy - 24.13 (67)
- Hope Academy - 23.79 (156)
- Learning for Leadership - 23.46 (88)
- LeRoy-Ostrander - 22.05 (144)
- St. Cloud Christian - 21.83 (159)
- Silver Bay - 21.66 (51)
- Renville County West - 20.92 (63)
- Royalton - 20.92 (24)
- Hancock - 19.31 (7)
- Edgerton - 17.59 (104)
- Fulda - 17.38 (79)
- Northeast Range - 17.27 (23)
- Red Rock Central - 15.06 (76)
- Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig - 0 (160)
- Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 0 (36)
- Ogilvie - 0 (61)
- Lake of the Woods - 0 (98)
- New Century Academy - 0 (150)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)