Twin Cities Boys Hoops

More adventures in the TCAC

Prologue
Its another night in the TCAC. Thanks to the quiet metro schedule, I make the trip to the trail filled Opus 2 neighborhood and The School of Rhetoric at Eagle Ridge Academy. Eagle Ridge Academy is the co-op school with former EMAC powerhouse International School of Minnesota. Eagle Ridge hosting in their nice new looking gym rather than playing on the rubber floor at ISM. Its a division game vs Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. So a new building and a new experience watching MSAD. Nice looking concession stand but light fare. Popcorn was present but not my kind of thing. Red Gatorade keeps the ticker moving. The JV game was cancelled so the refs worked an intrasquad ISM JV scrimmage. The game was moved cross-court because of a leak on 1 side of the main floor. In a huge moment of irony, a leak springs over the 2nd court and the JV game is called. Pull the bleachers back out and we're back to the main court setup which magically is OK now.

Song of the Day: Paul Simon - Slip Slidin Away

Number of Teams I've Seen: 114 (38 courts). 14 out of state, 9 girls

Beverage Ticker: 667.6 ounces (7265 Calories)
58 days, 79 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 232.9 ounces (2910 calories)
Coke: 124 ounces (1480 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 24 ounces (300 calories)
Sprite: 52 ounces (620 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 28.9 ounces (410 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 181.8 ounces (1285 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 9
Pizza Ticker: 7
Walking Taco Ticker: 6

Game Time:
MSAD can't generate any offense early. A couple of Preston Dahlen buckets put ISM up 6-1 at the 13:30 mark. MSAD with a timeout during that stretch and I don't know sign language but I can safely say it was not a happy timeout. Then 6 in a row from MSAD as PG Dawson Moder converts a pair of turnovers into easy hoops and another turnover is another layup. Micah Hjelle for 3, a technical free throw and a hoop to put ISM up 18-11. Preston Dahlen converting another MSAD turnover. Moder 2 more hoops and Hjelle with another in the half. 24-18 ISM at the break.

Preston Dahlen 2 free throws, a bucket and an ISM steal for 2. 33-22 Huskies (or Gryphons if you go with the in-house mascot) with 12:55 to play. But their offense is sputtering. Javis Johnson with a putback and runs for a layup. Juan Salgado converts 2 turnovers into hoops. ISM Coach Shun Tillman gets a soft technical during the run and doesn't use a timeout either. The MSAD spurt is 14-0 and they lead 36-33 with 8:30 to go. Preston Dahlen with a steal for 2 as ISM gets the lead right back. Salgado 2 more buckets and its Moder going the distance with 3:40 left. 46-43 MSAD leads. They're doing all this with all-EMAC player Kyrell Cummings on the bench. Hjelle comes right back with a bomb to tie it. Then a set play leads to Preston Dahlen in the post and he runs for a layup to put ISM back in the lead. The rest is free throws as ISM goes on a 12-0 run to end the game. ISM/ERA wins 55-46.

Post Game
Dawson Moder leads MSAD with 15 points. Juan Salgado with 12. Kyrell Cummings 8 points but only 1 field goal. Very interesting to watch the sign language communication from their bench. For those of us used to seeing 2 coaches stalk the sideline all night, this game was a rarity. Shun Tillman sat and said almost nothing (except for the T) all night. Coach Lee Jones all over the place but everything is silent sign language. Not to mention mostly silent fans for 1 side. MSAD with the tough back to back at Hope tomorrow.

Preston Dahlen with 22 points as the best player on the floor in this one. Micah Hjelle chips in with 17. Both players return next year as a couple nice pieces to build around. This win was much tougher than the 65-21 over the Trojans back in December. ISM goes to St. Paul Prep/HSRA on Friday. Then another brutal trip to Prairie Seeds Academy on Tuesday.

Birds of a feather flock together

Prologue
I continue to check off teams that I haven't seen yet with a trip to see Chaska at St. Louis Park. Its a Minnesota Fury reunion night with multiple players from each team being members of the Fury over the summer. Pregame McDonalds was a huge disappointment. A can of A&W Root Beer at the game makes up for it though. Squealing kids everywhere with it being 3rd and 5th grade travel night. Alex Conover in the house from Prep Hoops so we can do another Czarcast after the game. But he steps up his game by correctly naming this tune during a timeout.

Song of the Day: Rush - Spirit of Radio

Tickers will be updated and included in a future post.

Game Time:
Its a depleted St. Louis Park lineup with no Mykal Howard (wrist), Aidan Doherty or Erik Anderson. So only 6 of their regular rotation available. Myles Hanson very active on the glass. His putback for a 3 point play puts Chaska up 6 at the 7:36 mark. Cire Mayfield and Joey Whitlock with hoops and St. Louis Park is within 5 at the 3:15 mark. Chaska scores 11 of the last 14 of the half thanks to a Hanson post hoop and putback, Andrew Kallman with a triple in that run as well. 34-21 Chaska at the break.

Chaska expands that lead after the 1st hoop of the half by St. Louis Park. Kallman layup and a 3 around a Hanson spin for 2.. 41-24 Chaska with 14 minutes left. St. Louis Park would rally with 6 in a row to cut the margin to 11. Mayfield and Jack Lynch scoring in that spurt. Chaska can't score but the Orioles miss 2 free throws and 3 more chances to cut it to single digits. Chaska finally gets back to back buckets and the lead is back to 15 just past the midpoint of the 2nd half.

Kallman with a short jumper and converts a turnover. Then Hanson chases down the break on a turnover and swats it away (possible goaltend). Soph Cole Nicholson scores it on the other end and the lead is 54-38 with just over 6 minutes left. Big swing there. Lynch runs the floor for a 3 point play and a layup and we're back to the magic 11 point mark. After a Kallman 3, Chaska takes 1 bad shot and then a turnover. Mayfield and Whitlock turn those into triples. Richard Green with a hoop and the run is 13-4. Chaska lead down to 58-51 with 2:35 left. Chaska closes it out from there with a Hanson hoop and a nice backcut for a dunk. Chaska wins 71-57.

Post Game
Cire Mayfield with an outstanding game for St. Louis Park. 19 points, a bunch of rebounds and generating offense off the bounce for some assists. He also knocked down 3 bombs. He has enough bounce that he plays much bigger than his listed 5'10" height. Joey Whitlock with 11 after some early struggles. Richard Green with 10. St. Louis Park falls to 5-7 overall, 0-1 in the Metro West. The Orioles are at Richfield on Friday.

Chaska improves to 8-4 overall, 2-0 in the Metro West. All 4 of those losses to teams that have been ranked in class AAAA. Myles Hanson leads the way with 21 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks on the Czar's officially unofficial stat sheet. He struggled with his outside shooting but still was 7-14 from the floor. Andrew Kallman with 12 of his 17 points in the 2nd half. He knocked down 3 triples. Soph Cole Nicholson with 12 points including 6 free throws. Chaska wins the free throw battle by going 19-29 from the charity stripe vs 7-14 for St. Louis Park. For a team that runs lots of dribble drive that won't make St. Louis Park happy. Chaska has a big league game at home against Bloomington Jefferson on Friday before trips to Benilde-St. Margaret's and archrival Chanhassen next week.

Thoughts from 2017 MLK Classic Night Games

To Minneapolis Henry for the annual MLK Classic. Big afternoon for Jericho Sims vs Blake but I make my appearance just in time for the late 2 games.

Game 4: #1AA Minnehaha vs Waconia
Jalen Suggs banks in a 3 in the 1st 4 seconds of the game which was an omen. Neither team gets an edge in the half. Minnehaha playing too much 1 on 1, Waconia jacking a bunch of rushed 3s. Nobody gains a 1st half edge as Minnehaha leads 29-27 at the break. Suggs gets it going in the 2nd half and pulls away. He scores 20 in the 2nd half, 15 in the game opening 19-5 2nd half run. Waconia gets in a slight run at the end but it matter. Minnehaha wins 71-57. Jalen Suggs leads all scorers with 34 points, 20 in the 2nd half. Nick Fulford leads Waconia with 16 points.

Game 5: #10AAAA Edina vs #4AAA Orono
Orono's shooting heats up in the 1st half as they go on a 10-2 run to lead 27-19 inside the 7 minute mark of the half. Edina counters with 7 in a row before another Orono run, this one 11-2. Colton Codute gets the drift corner 3 with 2 more bombs from fellow shooter Thomas Lecy. That helps Orono to a 38-28 lead. A pair of Walt McGrory hoops help Edina cut the margin to 42-36 at the half. Max Bjorklund continuing his strong play with a free throw and a jumper off a counter to a post up play run for Jarvis Thomas earlier. But the Hornets swarm and the sting is on. Anders Nelson 2 hoops before Thomas picks up his 4th foul with 12:31 left. Walt McGrory for 2 and then Nelson and McGrory for 3. Jack Middleton with a 3 to finish a 14-3 run and its Edina back on top 59-57 with 8:25 to play.

Walt McGrory for 3 and then Jack Middleton tips in a miss off a turnover. Edina in the lead 69-66 with 3:14 left as Orono takes time. But Nelson buries a clutch 3 and McGrory with a tough deuce. That puts Edina up 8 and they'll make their free throws. Edina wins a fun one 80-71. Walt McGrory 22 points, Anders Nelson 18 for the winners. Max Bjorklund with 18 for Orono, Thomas Lecy 4 3s for 12, Colton Codute 11.

Play of the Day
Orono started the game with a 1-4 dribble entry to the wing looking for the wing to cut low and zipper off Thomas to the top. Instead of throwing to the top, Thomas ducks in on it for a post touch. That was worth a couple of buckets early. Then to start the 2nd half it was Bjorklund as the wing making the cut. But instead of the zipper cut, Bjorklund pops back to the short corner for a wide open jumper with the defender cheating over the top of the post for the zipper movement. Something I've also seen BYU do and that you could do as a counter for a baseline runner.

2017 Super 60 Showcase Thoughts

A sad day as I didn't make it back to The Old Kingdom for the Midwest Players Classic. But the local schedule kept me busy with a full day of 2 courts at Hopkins for the Super 60 Showcase. Pizza and a hot dog on the menu with a couple of bottles of Coke for refreshment. Many officials getting in double (or triple) duty on the day. Here are some of the sights and sounds.

Game 1: St. Paul Central vs Rosemount
Rosemount would have early foul trouble with PG Myka Edmond getting 2 in the 1st 2 minutes. Then both Loehr towers would get their 2nd early in the half. But Central couldn't take advantage of that and Rosemount will still take a 1 point lead to the break. A big 2nd half of 20 points from Luke Siwek would help the Irish pull away. An 18-2 run midway through the 2nd half breaks the game open. Rosemount wins 70-56. Luke Siwek with 20 of his 21 in the 2nd half. Alec Loehr leads all scorers with 25 points including 15 free throws. Soph Daveonte Davis leads Central with 24 points.

Game 2: Southwest Christian vs #5A Cass Lake-Bena
Cass Lake-Bena with 3 early 3s in a 9-1 run to jump out in front. The SW Christian matchup zone befuddling the Panthers offense. Spencer Weiss would lead an 11-2 Stars run in the 2nd half to open up a 9 point lead. Cass Lake-Bena would cut that to 3 but get no closer. SW Christian wins 71-64. Spencer Weiss with a career high 22 points, 14 of those in the 2nd half. Next up for the Stars is a big MCAA clash at Heritage on Tuesday.

Game 3: #2A Red Lake vs #7A Hillcrest Lutheran
A possible state preview between teams from sections 6 and 8. Red Lake with lots of size and length. They were able to use that size to rebound and then throw long outlets for buckets. Jamie Cook and Rob McClain make enough plays in the halfcourt. Not quite enough Red Lake wins 72-61. 4 Warriors in double figures with Jamie Cook leading with 18. Hillcrest gets 20 from Tommy Thompson and 17 from Kyler Newman. Thompson with some big 3s in the 2nd half to keep the Comets close.

Interlude: Now its time to switch over to the main court for the rest of the day. We pick it up with the overtime period between Waconia and Columbia Heights. Waconia getting a Nick Fulford putback at the buzzer to force overtime after Heights had a double figure lead. Wendell Matthews steps up to the line with 4.1 left in the OT and makes both trailing by 1. Then some clock issues at the end of OT before Waconia gets a last chance. That's no good and Columbia Heights hangs on to win 76-75 in OT.

Game 4: Grand Rapids vs Brooklyn Center
Slow start for Brooklyn Center as they can't buy a shot. But Grand Rapids can't generate much offense either and they lead 12-9 at the 9:40 mark. Brooklyn Center controls the rest of the half as they go on a 21-8 run before the Thunderbirds score the final bucket of the half. 30-20 Centaurs at the break. Guard Jake Skelly would keep the Thunderbirds close and then center Brock Schrom would take over inside. Nate Seelye is the only other Grand Rapids player to provide offense but its all enough. Skelly finds a loose ball and scores with 35 seconds left to take the lead. Then he hits 4-4 FTs to seal it. Grand Rapids comes back to win 69-64. Skelly and Schrom both go for over 20. Lu'Cye Patterson with some nice distribution from the point spot for Brooklyn Center as the Centaurs get 4 starters in double figures.

Game 5: Minnetonka vs Buffalo
Buffalo would slow the pace with a 2-1-2 dribble drive motion look in the 1st half. That was successful along with slipping screens on BLOBs. The Tonka offense couldn't generate anything until late in the half. Buffalo up 32-26 at the break. But Buffalo's offense disappears in the 2nd half. They score 2 FGs in the 1st 15 minutes of the half. Tonka would start the half on a 16-2 run, some 3/4 1-2-2 pressure contributing to that. Then offensive putbacks keep the lead intact. Minnetonka wins 57-46. Quiet day for Bert Hedstrom but Minnetonka still has him and 3 other starters in double figures.

Game 6: #2AAAA Maple Grove at #2AAAA Hopkins
A high paced first half. Joe Hedstrom inside playing as well as I've seen him play in high school. Blaise Beauchamp and Anthony Davis attacking for points for Hopkins as well. Tywhon Pickford being himself for Maple Grove. Ish El-Amin with a drive off a high ball screen for a dunk. 58-54 Hopkins with 11 minutes left. But then the story of this game takes over. Its all Brad Davison. He drives into Hedstrom for a FT (Hedstrom leaves with a bloody lip). Then an assist to Jack Hutchinson for a layup and Davison converts a turnover. Quick Hopkins timeout. Then its Davison with the 3 point play, another hoop and the no conscience pullup 3 in transition. Add 2 more free throws (Hedstrom returns after Hopkins is outscored 15-5 since he left) and then a triple. 72-63 Maple Grove with just over 6 minutes left. Davison scores the last 15 and 16 total in the 18-5 run with an assist on the other hoop. Maple Grove goes on to win 81-70. Brad Davison with another Mr Basketball level performance of 41 points, 12 rebounds and a handful of assists. Tywhon Pickford adds 22. Hopkins gets 4 in double figures including a 16 point likely double double from Joe Hedstrom. Rough stretch here for Hopkins being blown out by Wayzata and losing this one. No Zeke Nnaji due to injury. But their shot selection is tough on offense and defensively they aren't able to get stops. Not a good combination.

Too much Hope for the Falcons

Prologue
Its another Friday night in the city as I travel to south Minneapolis for the TCAC top division game between Hope Academy and St. Paul Prep/High School for Recording Arts. Knowing the concessions are light, I tried to counter that with lunch. Bad choice. But I did keep the beverage ticker happy with a can of Pepsi. Thought there would be a bigger crowd for this one in the cozy atmosphere. The 3 official crew gets both the JV and the varsity game.

Song of the Day: Kaleb Mitchell - Get it

Number of Teams I've Seen: 101 (35 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 598.7 ounces (6495 Calories)
53 days, 68 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 232.9 ounces (2910 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 24 ounces (300 calories)
Sprite: 52 ounces (620 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 8
Pizza Ticker: 6
Walking Taco Ticker: 6

Game Time:
As expect the pace in this one is quick. The stars performing early too. Aaron Gill dunks an offensive rebound, takes a defensive rebound coast to coast and dunks for a 3 point play. Johnny Erickson for Hope with 8 points to counter that. 19-18 Hope at 12:40. Then 12 of the next 15 to Hope with 3 more Erickson hoops. 31-21 Hope inside the 7 minute mark. Fouls starting to mount for SPP/HSRA and they only have 7 guys. The Falcons counter with 10 pf the last 15 of the half in the final 4 minutes. 45-39 Hope leads that the half. Aaron Gill with a ridiculous 19 rebounds in the half on my sheet.

Its an ugly start to the 2nd half with both teams giving up 5 times on early possessions. It feels like SPP/HSRA is down big but they are hanging around. Erickson with a putback and 2 on a BLOB. Gill counters with a putback and the Hope lead is only 3 with 13 minutes left. SPP/HSRA then has 2 guys foul out and they're down to 5 guys left for the final 12 minutes. They have others in foul trouble too so it appears they may end up short-handed. Hope goes on a 12-2 run with a pair of hoops from Derince Melton in good minutes. 65-52 Hope pulling away with 10:15 left. Then its Johnny Erickson coast to coast, Melton with a layup and Joey Erickson running out for a layup. 77-61 Hope with 6:16 left and SPP/HSRA's gas tank is running on fumes. Nate Elifson with 2 bombs and the lead stretches to 19 inside of 4 minutes left. Hope goes on to win 95-78

Post Game
Aaron Gill with a huge night for St. Paul Prep/HSRA as he goes for 27 points and 27 rebounds on my sheet. Jacob Rembert adds 21 inside. Malcolm Golden with 17. Best offense was throw it up and let Gill go get it. Turnovers a huge problem for the Falcons as they coughed it up 28 times by my count. St. Paul Prep falls to 3-3, 0-3 in the top TCAC division. They host Fond Du Lac Ojibwe, Liberty Classical and International School next week.

Hope improves to 9-2 overall, 3-1 in the top division of the TCAC. Johnny Erickson 32 points and 11 rebounds and a bunch of assists to lead the Lions (possible triple double). Nate Elifson with 22, Joey Erickson with 20. They did a nice job moving the ball once SPP/HSRA had to go zone in the 2nd half due to the fouls. Johnny Erickson very aggressive in the early going attacking the paint and setting the pace. Nice activity from Joey Erickson as well. They are at Canby tomorrow. Then a big home game with Prairie Seeds Academy on Tuesday.

Raiders win an overtime thriller

Prologue
After an off day and another day of the real world rearing its ugly head, I'm back in the gym for an old football rivalry. Its Eden Prairie vs Cretin-Derham Hall at the CDH football, University of St. Thomas. That's Steve Fritz Court at Schoenecker Arena at The University of St. Thomas. Got all that? Good. Its varsity only so no concessions on this frigid evening.

Song of the Day: Billy Joel - Its Still Rock and Roll to Me

Number of Teams I've Seen: 100 (34 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 586.7 ounces (6345 Calories)
52 days, 67 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 24 ounces (300 calories)
Sprite: 52 ounces (620 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 8
Pizza Ticker: 6
Walking Taco Ticker: 6

Game Time:
We're even early on with Daniel Oturu working inside for CDH and Owen Chose and Kyler Kluge hitting 3s for Eden Prairie. 10 all at the 12:45 mark. The its Ryan Larson with a triple and jumper off the pick and roll as CDH goes on a 9-0 run. 19-10 Raiders just inside the 10 minute mark. Eden Prairie's 1st FG was a 2, but its all triples at this point. Chose and Drake Dobbs for 3. Chose sits with his 2nd foul and the CDH lead is 25-16 at the 8:18 mark. Then Kluge with another 3, CDH goes 1-3-1 and its Kluge again from deep. 2 3s on 2 possessions of 1-3-1 defense. Chose is back in and hits 2 more bombs. 29 all at the 9:20 mark. Dobbs ends the run at 12-2 with a hoop to put EP on top 31-29. Larson drives and scores and adds 2 free throws on a steal as CDH goes 6-0 to end the half. 35-29 CDH at the break. Eden Prairie with their first and last field goals from 2 and the 8 inbetween from 3.

Oturu dunks and Jake Prince scores inside. Kluge counters that with 2 more 3s. 42-41 CDH with 14:48 left. Oturu on the high low feed and its 47-41 CDH with 12:45 left. Eden Prairie responds with Antonio Montero going for 3 and a bucket and a 3 point play from frosh Connor Christensen. Its a 14-2 Eagles run and they lead 55-49 with 7:23 left. After we wait until the 7:55 mark of the half for the 1st foul, we then get a foul fest. Oturu with a putback and a free throw to cut the lead in half. But Chose responds with an inbound jumper and a triple off side pick and roll. 62-55 EP with 3:10 left.

CDH scores and EP turns it over on the next 2 possessions. Larson drives for a 3 point play on the 1st and its his steal for a hoop on the 2nd. 62 all with 2 minutes left. Eden Prairie holds and takes timeout with 45.4 left. Out of the timeout, its a set play elbow handoff for Chose and Oturu switches out to stop it cold. After another EP timeout, its the same play but Oturu denies the initial entry. Chose ends up with it and is fouled on a 3 with 5.9 left. Wow. He makes all 3. Eden Prairie fouls on the inbounds. Larson makes the 1st and CDH takes timeout to set up a free throw miss. After some tomfoolery in getting all set on the lane, Larson perfectly misses it off the right side and Jake Prince comes from outside the 3 point line on that side to grab it and put it back. Great draw up with Oturu drawing all the attention on that side and executed to perfection. 65 all to OT.

In the OT, its Oturu scoring twice inside around a Chose 3. Larson takes a turnover and scores with 1:50 left to push the CDH lead to 4. After an Eden Prairie miss, its soph Jaeden King with the dagger 3 with under 90 seconds left. The rest is free throws. Cretin-Derham Hall goes on to win 82-74.

Post Game
Owen Chose leads Eden Prairie with 30 points and 6 triples. He came up with clutch points all night. Kyler Kluge with 17 points with 5 more triples punishing the defense when it backed off. The Eagles make 13 3s on the night but its not enough. Eden Prairie falls to 7-5 overall, 0-1 in the Lake conference. The schedule remains brutal as they host Minnetonka tomorrow and then New Prague on Tuesday before road trips to Hopkins and Edina.

Daniel Oturu with a huge night of 27 points and 20 rebounds to lead Cretin-Derham Hall. He was way to much to handle inside. He also made plays attacking the rim from the foul line. Ryan Larson adds 24 from the point guard spot. He came up with some big steals late. Down 7 with 3 minutes left and they looked done. The lapse on zone defense, the crazy foul at the end and the King 3 to seal it on OT are the moments of bad decision making that make a coach cringe. Cretin-Derham Hall improves to 7-4 overall, 4-0 in the Suburban East. They are at White Bear Lake tomorrow before a week off to prepare for the league leader showdown with Woodbury next Friday.

Stars corral the Aggies

Prologue
To Holy Angels to see the Stars take on St. Agnes in a cross-division game in the Tri-Metro. St. Agnes coach Chris Hopkins sporting the restaurant quality bow tie for games this month. Take that Ken Rosenthal even if you are my height. Extra big all beef hot dog is a major plus but it was on a regular bun which lowers the grade.

Song of the Day: Rachel Platten - Fight Song

Number of Teams I've Seen: 99 (33 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 586.7 ounces (6345 Calories)
49 days, 66 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 24 ounces (300 calories)
Sprite: 52 ounces (620 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 8
Pizza Ticker: 6
Walking Taco Ticker: 6

Game Time:
Strong start for St. Agnes with a Darius Lopez triple and hoop. Gary Smith also with 2 hoops before he sits with 2 fouls. 9-3 Aggies at 13:33. Its 15-10 St. Agnes just after the midpoint of the 1st half. Holy Angels forward Sam Boehne picks it up to spark an 18-2 run. 2 offensive boards for 2 free throws, a jump hook from the right block and coast to coast for 2 more as he scores the 1st 6 of the run. He adds another bucket and a triple in the run as Holy Angels takes a 28-17 lead with 2:40 left. But St. Agnes rallies with the last 8 points of the half thanks to 5 from Gary Smith before his 3rd foul. 28-25 Holy Angels at the break.

Sam Boehne drives and scores on the 1st possession of the 2nd half and that puts him over 1000 career points for Holy Angels. Boehne and Smith trade 2 more hoops as Holy Angels stays on top 44-37 with 9:30 to play. Brandon Plasch with a putback and a free throw and St. Agnes has the lead down to 44-41 with 7 left. Then Darius Lopez has to sit with his 4th foul. Boehne with 2 free throws and a kick out of the post for a clutch 3. Ryan Mazurek hits a big 3 with 4:50 left right after Lopez returned. The lead is back to 52-43 and St. Agnes doesn't threaten again. Holy Angels wins 58-47.

Post Game
St. Agnes falls to 5-5 overall, 0-2 in the Tri-Metro, with the loss. Gary Smith with 13 of his 24 in the 2nd half as he tried to carry the Aggies offense. But he was on the bench down the stretch. 6 other Aggies in the scorebook but the highest was Darius Lopez with 7. Too many bad possessions late. They'll host Fridley and Heritage Academy (not to be confused with Heritage Christian) in back to back games Friday and Saturday.

Holy Angels improves to 2-8 with the win. They are 1-0 in the Tri-Metro. Sam Boehne with 13 of his 23 in the 1st half before passing 1000 career points in the 2nd half. No answer for him on the right block. 8 other Stars on the scoresheet but none reach double figures. Abraham Sanchez and Max Gerstner with 2 3s each for 8 points. Stars shoot only 13-30 at the charity stripe including 4-14 in the 2nd half. But St. Agnes couldn't take advantage of the misses down the stretch. The Stars are at St. Anthony on Friday before hosting the rivalry game with Richfield on Saturday. Then its a brutal stretch of the schedule with Columbia Heights, at De La Salle and at Brooklyn Center to follow that.

2016-17 CzarPI January 7, 2017

Labels: 16-17 CzarPI

This is the 1st CzarPI of the 2016-17 season (see CzarPI Explained Here). It includes games through Saturday, January 7th, 2017. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

Champlin Park - 63.74 (15) 0-0 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Maple Grove - 61.78 (9) 0-0 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Wayzata - 61.53 (35) 0-0 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Park Center - 61.23 (5) 1-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Lakeville North - 59.64 (22) 0-0 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Apple Valley - 59.4 (4) 2-2 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
St. Cloud Tech - 59 (42) 0-0 vs better, 10-1 vs worse
Robbinsdale Cooper - 57.62 (6) 1-0 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
New Prague - 56.8 (60) 0-0 vs better, 11-0 vs worse
Hopkins - 56.34 (39) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Rochester John Marshall - 56.23 (8) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Edina - 55.63 (12) 1-1 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Tartan - 55.49 (63) 0-0 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Robbinsdale Armstrong - 54.66 (3) 1-3 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Prior Lake - 53.99 (44) 0-0 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Osseo - 53.22 (51) 1-2 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Rosemount - 52.37 (26) 0-3 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Coon Rapids - 52.36 (50) 1-1 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
Cretin-Derham Hall - 51.83 (7) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Woodbury - 51.68 (23) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Bloomington Jefferson - 51.5 (53) 0-2 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Blaine - 51.08 (43) 1-1 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Eden Prairie - 51.02 (21) 2-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
East Ridge - 50.61 (46) 0-3 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Chaska - 50.42 (31) 1-3 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Forest Lake - 50.12 (34) 1-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
St. Louis Park - 48.71 (30) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Minnetonka - 48.68 (11) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Rogers - 48.43 (55) 0-3 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Park of Cottage Grove - 47.18 (61) 0-1 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
St. Francis - 46.99 (52) 1-3 vs better, 4-3 vs worse
Duluth East - 46.95 (40) 1-4 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
Lakeville South - 46.7 (2) 1-6 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
North St. Paul - 46.54 (62) 0-2 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Centennial - 46.22 (41) 2-3 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
Elk River - 45.17 (58) 0-2 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Eastview - 44.79 (37) 1-5 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Andover - 44.43 (38) 2-5 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Hastings - 44.4 (45) 1-4 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Eagan - 44.16 (36) 2-6 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Irondale - 44.04 (25) 3-5 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Spring Lake Park - 43.73 (32) 2-3 vs better, 0-3 vs worse
St. Michael-Albertville - 42.02 (13) 1-3 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
Stillwater Area - 41.75 (19) 2-7 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Brainerd - 41.5 (56) 1-5 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Minneapolis Washburn - 41.42 (59) 1-4 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Minneapolis Southwest - 41.09 (48) 3-5 vs better, 1-2 vs worse
Owatonna - 40.98 (64) 1-3 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Farmington - 39.78 (57) 1-3 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Mounds View - 38.78 (33) 2-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Anoka - 36.42 (29) 1-5 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Moorhead - 35.47 (14) 1-7 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Chanhassen - 35.11 (18) 1-6 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Shakopee - 34.95 (1) 1-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Burnsville - 34.59 (10) 1-7 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Minneapolis South - 34.1 (49) 1-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
White Bear Lake - 34.09 (16) 1-8 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Henry Sibley - 31.75 (17) 1-8 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Roseville - 31.46 (28) 1-9 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
St. Paul Central - 30.23 (27) 1-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Cambridge-Isanti - 21.87 (54) 1-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Rochester Mayo - 21.14 (47) 1-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Buffalo - 20.85 (20) 1-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Rochester Century - 0 (24) 0-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse

Class AAA

Marshall - 62.47 (24) 0-0 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
DeLaSalle - 59.66 (6) 0-1 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Orono - 57.21 (50) 0-1 vs better, 11-0 vs worse
Austin - 57.19 (57) 1-0 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Waseca - 56.61 (58) 0-0 vs better, 11-0 vs worse
Delano - 56.43 (45) 0-1 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Faribault - 56.24 (51) 0-0 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
St. Thomas Academy - 55.74 (55) 0-0 vs better, 9-1 vs worse
Totino-Grace - 55.46 (44) 1-1 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Fergus Falls - 55.29 (37) 1-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Big Lake - 54.79 (38) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Alexandria - 54.77 (17) 1-1 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Bemidji - 53.9 (59) 0-0 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Willmar - 53.31 (16) 0-2 vs better, 6-2 vs worse
Columbia Heights - 53.07 (31) 0-3 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Grand Rapids - 52.44 (53) 0-1 vs better, 7-2 vs worse
Mahtomedi - 51.92 (62) 0-1 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Thief River Falls - 51.73 (21) 1-2 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
St. Anthony Village - 51.07 (61) 0-1 vs better, 10-0 vs worse
St. Paul Highland Park - 51.04 (60) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Becker - 49.89 (36) 1-2 vs better, 5-3 vs worse
Mankato West - 49.13 (14) 1-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Northfield - 48.76 (27) 1-3 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Richfield - 48.59 (4) 0-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Worthington - 48.12 (26) 1-4 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Sauk Rapids-Rice - 47.83 (43) 1-4 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Zimmerman - 47.72 (48) 0-4 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Minneapolis Henry - 47.68 (34) 0-3 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Byron - 47.65 (40) 1-3 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Fridley - 46.76 (56) 0-3 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
St. Paul Johnson - 45.72 (20) 1-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Waconia - 45.65 (41) 2-2 vs better, 1-2 vs worse
St. Cloud Apollo - 45.54 (33) 2-5 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Duluth Denfeld - 45.45 (28) 2-3 vs better, 2-3 vs worse
Mankato East - 45.34 (35) 1-4 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
North Branch - 45.2 (7) 2-4 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Simley - 44.74 (18) 1-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Hermantown - 44.71 (5) 3-6 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Benilde-St. Margaret's - 44.51 (8) 2-6 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Detroit Lakes - 44.07 (15) 1-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Little Falls - 43.94 (19) 2-5 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Bloomington Kennedy - 41.87 (54) 0-4 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Hibbing - 41.41 (46) 1-3 vs better, 2-3 vs worse
Sartell-St. Stephen - 40.94 (30) 2-4 vs better, 1-3 vs worse
Mound Westonka - 40.29 (42) 1-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
St. Paul Como Park - 40.23 (2) 2-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
St. Paul Harding - 39.69 (63) 1-4 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
Chisago Lakes Area - 39.41 (13) 3-6 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Rocori - 38.99 (25) 2-7 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Kasson-Mantorville - 38.26 (32) 1-5 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Blake - 37.78 (49) 1-7 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Holy Angels - 37.45 (12) 1-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Winona - 35.89 (3) 1-6 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Stewartville - 34.99 (23) 1-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
New Ulm - 34.96 (47) 1-6 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Dassel-Cokato - 34.29 (10) 2-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Monticello - 31.73 (22) 1-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Princeton - 30.5 (29) 1-7 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Cloquet - 30.3 (52) 2-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Red Wing - 29.97 (39) 1-7 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Hill-Murray - 29.19 (9) 1-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
South St. Paul - 26.75 (11) 1-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Hutchinson - 0 (1) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Albert Lea - 0 (64) 0-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse

Class AA

Caledonia - 61.65 (2) 0-0 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Melrose - 60.87 (46) 0-0 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
St. Cloud Cathedral - 60.52 (21) 0-1 vs better, 10-0 vs worse
Annandale - 59.7 (70) 0-0 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Virginia - 58.62 (86) 0-0 vs better, 11-0 vs worse
Lake City - 58.44 (41) 0-0 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Minnehaha Academy - 58.09 (4) 0-1 vs better, 6-2 vs worse
St. Charles - 56.97 (20) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Glencoe-Silver Lake - 56.18 (44) 0-0 vs better, 9-3 vs worse
New Richland-H-E-G - 55.79 (118) 0-0 vs better, 11-0 vs worse
Crosby-Ironton - 55.75 (119) 0-0 vs better, 10-0 vs worse
Breckenridge - 55.43 (51) 0-0 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Jordan - 54.82 (99) 0-1 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Maple River - 54.81 (31) 0-1 vs better, 8-2 vs worse
Eden Valley-Watkins - 54.13 (125) 0-0 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Jackson County Central - 54.09 (58) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Perham - 54.04 (105) 1-1 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Esko - 53.38 (106) 0-1 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 53.23 (11) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 53.02 (78) 0-1 vs better, 9-1 vs worse
Belle Plaine - 52.99 (18) 1-3 vs better, 6-2 vs worse
New Life Academy - 52.81 (116) 0-1 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Greenway - 52.39 (85) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Norwood-Young America - 52.34 (107) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Watertown-Mayer - 51.88 (122) 1-1 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Osakis - 51.84 (95) 0-0 vs better, 6-2 vs worse
Hinckley-Finlayson - 51.66 (128) 0-0 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 51.47 (15) 0-2 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Milaca - 51.4 (64) 0-1 vs better, 7-2 vs worse
Redwood Valley - 51.36 (29) 1-3 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Pine Island - 50.98 (82) 0-2 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Sibley East - 50.17 (120) 1-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Sauk Centre - 49.22 (97) 1-2 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
St. Croix Prep - 49.17 (90) 1-1 vs better, 4-3 vs worse
Roseau - 48.95 (112) 0-1 vs better, 7-2 vs worse
St. Agnes - 48.81 (38) 0-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Brooklyn Center - 48.79 (30) 0-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Minnewaska Area - 48.73 (98) 1-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
St. Peter - 48.62 (34) 1-3 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Pillager - 48.54 (124) 0-0 vs better, 6-4 vs worse
Rochester Lourdes - 48.35 (69) 0-2 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Holdingford - 48.18 (32) 0-3 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Montevideo - 48.04 (12) 1-3 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
Tri-City United - 48.04 (8) 2-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Southwest Christian - 47.94 (72) 0-2 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Pine City - 47.34 (117) 0-2 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Minneota - 47.33 (62) 0-2 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Holy Family Catholic - 47.09 (48) 1-4 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
St. Paul Prep - 47.08 (42) 0-2 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Lewiston-Altura - 46.93 (19) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Math and Science Academy - 46.5 (77) 0-2 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
Fairmont - 46.36 (71) 0-4 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Lakeview - 46.32 (111) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
St. Paul Academy - 46.25 (104) 1-2 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Hayfield - 45.91 (55) 1-5 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
St. Croix Lutheran - 45.56 (1) 3-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Pipestone Area - 45.35 (33) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
International Falls - 45.28 (13) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Pequot Lakes - 45.01 (91) 0-3 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Spectrum - 44.99 (88) 1-3 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Crookston - 44.82 (53) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
New London-Spicer - 44.72 (114) 0-4 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Proctor - 44.56 (25) 2-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Trinity School - 44.2 (45) 0-4 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
Wadena-Deer Creek - 43.63 (127) 0-1 vs better, 5-4 vs worse
Windom Area - 42.85 (50) 1-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 42.7 (87) 1-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Foley - 42.69 (101) 2-4 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
St. Paul Washington - 42.45 (80) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Braham - 42.31 (103) 0-2 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
Rockford - 42.23 (131) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 42.22 (129) 1-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Eveleth-Gilbert - 42.05 (27) 1-5 vs better, 3-3 vs worse
Triton - 41.85 (61) 0-5 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Blue Earth Area - 41.44 (74) 1-4 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
Two Harbors - 41.43 (121) 1-3 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
East Grand Forks - 41.41 (76) 0-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Breck - 41.33 (17) 1-5 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Maple Lake - 41.27 (54) 1-3 vs better, 3-2 vs worse
Litchfield - 41.24 (63) 2-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Hawley - 40.95 (6) 1-4 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 40.51 (93) 1-4 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Mesabi East - 40.43 (65) 2-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Chatfield - 40.41 (14) 1-6 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
St. Paul Humboldt - 40.36 (100) 2-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Minneapolis Roosevelt - 40.26 (56) 2-4 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Staples-Motley - 40.19 (75) 1-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Winona Cotter - 40.17 (40) 2-5 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 40.06 (113) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
St. James Area - 39.85 (60) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Moose Lake-Willow River - 39.65 (39) 1-6 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Warroad - 39.32 (115) 0-5 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Park Rapids Area - 39.29 (24) 2-9 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Royalton - 38.79 (94) 1-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Barnum - 38.47 (3) 1-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Providence Academy - 38.41 (5) 1-6 vs better, 0-2 vs worse
Duluth Marshall - 38.24 (52) 1-5 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Charter Stars - 37.24 (108) 1-6 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
St. John's Prep - 36.62 (37) 0-3 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Heritage Academy - 36.57 (123) 0-5 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Concordia Academy - 36.15 (109) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Mounds Park Academy - 35.93 (96) 1-5 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 35.5 (66) 0-3 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
Pelican Rapids - 35.19 (81) 1-6 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Aitkin - 35.11 (36) 0-7 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Benson - 34.78 (49) 1-6 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Academy for Sciences & Ag - 33.4 (130) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Rush City - 33.36 (132) 0-3 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Dover-Eyota - 33.13 (7) 1-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 33.11 (83) 1-7 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Luverne - 32.71 (10) 1-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Mora - 32.69 (68) 1-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Cannon Falls - 32.47 (28) 1-7 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
La Crescent - 32.22 (102) 1-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 31.54 (67) 1-8 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 30.91 (89) 0-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
International School of MN - 30.74 (126) 1-3 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Albany - 30.46 (35) 1-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Hmong Academy - 29.66 (133) 0-1 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 29.02 (16) 2-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Minneapolis Edison - 28.71 (73) 1-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Martin County West - 27.61 (92) 1-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Bagley - 26.45 (110) 1-6 vs better, 0-2 vs worse
LeSueur-Henderson - 25.04 (22) 1-9 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Barnesville - 0 (43) 0-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Yellow Medicine East - 0 (57) 0-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Kenyon-Wanamingo - 0 (9) 0-10 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
FAIR School - 0 (23) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Medford - 0 (26) 0-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Pierz - 0 (47) 0-11 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
PACT Charter - 0 (59) 0-10 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Frazee - 0 (79) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Paynesville Area - 0 (84) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse

Class A

Minneapolis North - 59.9 (14) 0-0 vs better, 9-1 vs worse
Red Lake - 59.76 (15) 0-1 vs better, 10-0 vs worse
Red Rock Central - 59.5 (61) 0-0 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 58.83 (71) 0-0 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Goodhue - 58.16 (86) 0-0 vs better, 12-0 vs worse
Carlton - 57.06 (48) 0-0 vs better, 10-1 vs worse
Ada-Borup - 56.75 (103) 0-0 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Springfield - 55.9 (80) 0-0 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Parkers Prairie - 55.71 (62) 0-1 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Heritage Christian - 55.7 (50) 0-0 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Lake Park-Audubon - 55.41 (28) 0-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Cedar Mountain/Comfrey - 55.29 (74) 0-1 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Southwest MN Christian - 55.25 (55) 0-0 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
North Woods - 54.79 (137) 0-0 vs better, 10-0 vs worse
Nevis - 54.23 (93) 0-0 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Northern Freeze - 54.04 (111) 0-0 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Rushford-Peterson - 53.59 (9) 0-2 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Mountain Lake Area - 53.58 (22) 1-2 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Ortonville - 53.38 (145) 0-0 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Spring Grove - 53.2 (81) 0-1 vs better, 8-1 vs worse
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 52.67 (52) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Prairie Seeds Academy - 52.52 (140) 1-0 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Central MN Christian - 52.42 (133) 0-1 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Cass Lake-Bena - 52.12 (32) 1-3 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
McGregor - 51.41 (129) 1-1 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Legacy Christian - 51.1 (123) 1-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Nova Classical Academy - 50.99 (122) 0-0 vs better, 4-3 vs worse
Stephen-Argyle - 50.64 (69) 0-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Ely - 50.62 (83) 0-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 50.35 (99) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Canby - 50.16 (117) 0-1 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
NCE/U-H - 50.01 (120) 0-1 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Adrian - 49.97 (106) 2-1 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Browerville/Eagle Valley - 49.87 (82) 0-2 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Sebeka - 49.82 (47) 1-2 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
Battle Lake - 49.78 (115) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Mountain Iron-Buhl - 49.23 (88) 0-2 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Cleveland - 48.89 (157) 0-0 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 48.84 (102) 0-2 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Deer River - 48.55 (17) 1-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Win-E-Mac - 48.39 (132) 1-1 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Bethany Academy - 48.2 (153) 0-0 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Wabasha-Kellogg - 48 (60) 0-1 vs better, 3-3 vs worse
Hills-Beaver Creek - 47.99 (143) 0-1 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Kimball Area - 47.98 (53) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Southland - 47.97 (12) 0-2 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Verndale - 47.74 (73) 1-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
Lakeview Christian - 47.5 (135) 0-1 vs better, 6-3 vs worse
Schaeffer Academy - 47.42 (151) 0-2 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
Fosston - 47.25 (51) 1-3 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Hope Academy - 47.12 (152) 0-1 vs better, 7-1 vs worse
Hancock - 47.09 (101) 0-2 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Pine River-Backus - 47.06 (20) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Kingsland - 46.67 (107) 1-3 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
West Lutheran - 46.65 (75) 0-2 vs better, 5-2 vs worse
West Central Area - 45.86 (100) 0-2 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Bigfork - 45.81 (141) 0-2 vs better, 9-0 vs worse
St. Clair - 45.71 (63) 0-4 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Community of Peace Academy - 45.37 (130) 3-1 vs better, 2-3 vs worse
Brandon/Evansville - 45.29 (49) 1-3 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 45.17 (139) 0-2 vs better, 7-0 vs worse
Randolph - 44.85 (38) 0-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Kittson County Central - 44.53 (78) 0-2 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Wrenshall - 44.51 (110) 0-3 vs better, 8-0 vs worse
Bethlehem Academy - 44.5 (72) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Mayer Lutheran - 44.47 (5) 1-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
BOLD - 44.29 (56) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Goodridge/Grygla - 44.2 (119) 1-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
New York Mills - 44.07 (149) 0-2 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Park Christian - 44.01 (4) 1-5 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Dawson-Boyd - 43.97 (91) 1-3 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Cristo Rey Jesuit - 43.94 (6) 1-5 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Waubun - 43.59 (18) 0-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Lanesboro - 43.2 (155) 0-1 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Learning for Leadership - 43.05 (150) 0-1 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Calvin Christian - 42.86 (154) 1-3 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Murray County Central - 42.49 (10) 0-3 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Fillmore Central - 42.28 (127) 0-3 vs better, 5-1 vs worse
Chisholm - 42.14 (7) 1-6 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
Menahga - 42.06 (57) 2-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Grand Meadow - 41.79 (31) 0-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Mankato Loyola - 41.32 (43) 0-4 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
CHOF - 41.23 (97) 1-4 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Rothsay - 40.64 (108) 1-4 vs better, 3-1 vs worse
MACCRAY - 40.5 (33) 1-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 40.43 (79) 0-6 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Sacred Heart - 40.22 (114) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
T/ML/GHEC - 39.94 (126) 0-4 vs better, 6-1 vs worse
Bertha-Hewitt - 39.46 (29) 1-5 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Maranatha Christian - 39.22 (144) 1-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Fulda - 38.92 (95) 1-4 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Sleepy Eye - 38.84 (87) 0-5 vs better, 5-0 vs worse
Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 38.51 (156) 0-2 vs better, 4-1 vs worse
Silver Bay - 38.49 (134) 0-2 vs better, 4-2 vs worse
South Ridge - 38.25 (58) 0-5 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Northeast Range - 38.15 (94) 0-6 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Northome/Kelliher - 37.97 (113) 0-3 vs better, 4-0 vs worse
Liberty Classical Academy - 37.95 (146) 0-4 vs better, 6-0 vs worse
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 37.93 (90) 1-4 vs better, 1-2 vs worse
Mabel-Canton - 37.46 (44) 1-7 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Blooming Prairie - 37.33 (104) 1-4 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Cromwell-Wright - 37.01 (36) 1-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Lac qui Parle Valley - 36.13 (45) 1-6 vs better, 2-2 vs worse
Henning - 35.25 (92) 1-6 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Underwood - 35.15 (42) 2-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Lake of the Woods - 35.07 (65) 1-7 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 34.89 (89) 1-6 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Alden-Conger - 34.86 (148) 1-3 vs better, 0-4 vs worse
Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 34.29 (109) 1-5 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
New Ulm Cathedral - 33.67 (39) 1-8 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
East Central - 32.75 (116) 1-3 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 31.82 (70) 0-3 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Blackduck - 29.95 (26) 0-9 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Houston - 29.91 (124) 0-5 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Hill City - 29.66 (30) 0-6 vs better, 1-1 vs worse
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 29.45 (76) 1-7 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Floodwood - 29.04 (2) 0-9 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
United South Central - 28.28 (118) 1-8 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Glenville-Emmons - 28.15 (85) 1-6 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Norman County West - 27.83 (13) 0-4 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Hope Lutheran - 27.83 (84) 1-8 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Cook County - 27.78 (77) 1-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Fertile-Beltrami - 27.34 (27) 0-7 vs better, 2-1 vs worse
Isle - 26.71 (147) 0-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Northland - 26.66 (41) 1-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 26.48 (68) 0-5 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
LeRoy-Ostrander - 26.25 (54) 2-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Nicollet - 26.13 (138) 1-6 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Nashwauk-Keewatin - 25.94 (19) 0-8 vs better, 3-0 vs worse
Mahnomen - 25.94 (98) 1-5 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
Upsala - 25.94 (25) 0-8 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Swanville - 25.07 (35) 1-5 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Climax/Fisher - 24.74 (105) 1-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Edgerton - 24.62 (34) 0-5 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Clearbrook-Gonvick - 24.36 (128) 1-7 vs better, 0-1 vs worse
North Lakes Academy - 24 (125) 0-6 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Heron Lake-Okabena - 23.36 (8) 1-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Red Lake County - 23.24 (121) 1-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Christian Life Academy - 23.21 (67) 0-7 vs better, 1-0 vs worse
Renville County West - 22.36 (21) 0-10 vs better, 2-0 vs worse
Madelia - 22.15 (66) 1-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Laporte - 0 (40) 0-5 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Onamia - 0 (96) 0-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Cherry - 0 (131) 0-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Ashby - 0 (136) 0-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Groves Academy - 0 (142) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 0 (1) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Wabasso - 0 (3) 0-9 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 0 (11) 0-5 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Ellsworth - 0 (16) 0-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Ogilvie - 0 (23) 0-8 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Metro Schools College Prep - 0 (24) 0-1 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Lincoln International - 0 (37) 0-2 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
MN Academy for the Deaf - 0 (46) 0-4 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Littlefork-Big Falls - 0 (59) 0-6 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 0 (64) 0-7 vs better, 0-0 vs worse
Chesterton Academy - 0 (112) 0-4 vs better, 0-0 vs worse

Another St. Paul Saturday

Prologue
Its a rare Saturday prior to February where there's no event going on. So that means puzzle the schedule together and see how many games can be done. That means 3 in St. Paul on this day. A quality walking taco (though a little heavy on sour cream) at Highland Park. Then the always outstanding hot dog plus Saul (raspy but still on his game) at Cretin-Derham Hall. Then a quality 4AA night cap at St. Croix Lutheran.

Game 1: Minneapolis Roosevelt at St. Paul Highland Park
Star forward Devon Hannah in a walking boot and no head coach Rob Mestas for Roosevelt. Roosevelt's Jordan Johnston takes matters into his own hands. He knocks down 5 3s in the 1st 9 minutes for a 18-14 Roosevelt lead. Highland Park finally stops him in the half and goes on a 15-2 run of their own to take a 37-30 halftime lead. Roosevelt started the 2nd half on an 8-0 run to regain the lead. Johnston with another pair of bombs plus a Leo Buchwald 3 for a 47-43 lead with 9:40 left. But Roosevelt goes cold after that. Amitri Collins-Westlund with the last 5 points in a 15-2 run. Johnston's 9th 3 breaks the drought but its too late. Highland Park wins 65-56. Jordan Johnston 9 3s for 27 points. Amitri Collins-Westlund 15 points and Dreem Kelly-Jabbar with 16 for Highland Park.

Game 2: East Ridge at Cretin-Derham Hall
A rare Saturday conference matinee. CDH would jump out to a 10-2 lead. East Ridge would claw their way back thanks to Courtney Brown Jr. Both teams going zone and CDH would hold for over 2 minutes vs the East Ridge zone with a 10 point lead in the 1st half. East Ridge would score the last 5 of the half to be within 28-23 at the break. The CDH lead would expand to 15 5 minutes into the half. But good activity inside from frosh Ben Carlson for East Ridge. He scores 6 in a row to cut the margin to 10 inside of 10 left. He adds a dunk and a free throw and the lead is down to 5 with 2:39 left. 4 point game late when Brown sees a triple go in and out. Cretin-Derham Hall wins 66-61. Daniel Oturu with 17 points to lead 4 Raiders in double figures. Soph Jaeden King 14 with 4 3s. Courtney Brown Jr 18 to lead East Ridge. Frosh Ben Carlson chips in with 13 of his 15 in the 2nd half. Once again Cretin's zone defense leaving much to be desired. They weren't active and didn't rebound out of their 1-2-2. Not to mention, they are too talented in this game to not play man.

Game 3: New Life Academy at St. Croix Lutheran
Early foul trouble for St. Croix Lutheran sees Jamaris Johnson and Jack Kuckhahn both pick up 2 fouls. 14-12 St. Croix Lutheran at 8:10 after a Deven Friese 3 but the Crusaders only make 1 more FG in the half. Kyle Kaemingk heats up for New Life with a 3 and a bucket. Its an 11-2 Eagles run to end the half and lead 27-18. The lead gets to 12 before an 8-0 SCL run. Kuckhahn and Johnson carrying the Crusaders offense. Meanwhile Kaemingk still hot as he drifts weakside for 3 and the lead is back to 10 . Johnson 5 in a row and then Kuckhahn with 5 more in a row for a 10-0 run. Kaemingk scores and its Kuckhahn again, this time for 3 and St. Croix Lutheran is back on top 51-50 with 3 minutes left. New Life counters with a 3 and gets a stop. Sr. Croix with only 2 team fouls has to give 4 and they do. They also get the turnover they need and its Kuckhahn getting a crazy continuation call for a 3 point play with 21.9 left. New Life makes 2 freebies and the Crusaders have 1 last chance. Their 3 is no good and 2 free throws seal it. New Life hangs on to win 59-54. Jack Kuckhahn with all 16 of his points in the 2nd half to lead St. Croix Lutheran. Jamaris Johnson with 13 of his 15 in the 2nd half. Kyle Kaemingk continues to impress as he leads New Life with 23 points and 5 3s. After losing most of their lineup from last year St. Croix Lutheran starts 4 juniors and has 2 more off the bench. The record of 4-7 is deceptive as they looked better than that.

North wins another city battle

Prologue
Its the 1st big showdown in the Minneapolis City as Henry visits North. Both teams coming into the night undefeated in the conference. Its a sellout crowd on hand and the spirit is high. Due to the tight crowd I make the mistake of not having one of the walking tacos.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 95 (29 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 542.7 ounces (5815 Calories)
46 days, 62 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Sprite: 20 ounces (240 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 7
Pizza Ticker: 6
Walking Taco Ticker: 5

Game Time:
North's Issac Johnson with his 2nd 3 of the night and its from NBA range. Lamar Wood on the offensive glass for Henry. 20-12 North at 11:17. Wood dunks a dishoff, Savion Scott hits a 3 to beat a trap and puts back a miss. Its Wood again on the offensive glass. 27-21 North midway through the 1st half. Scott with a nice give and go off a post feed for a free throw. Issac Johnson with 4 free throws and the lead extends to 44-29 late in the half. Scott with a 3, 2 and a free throw as Henry tries to rally. But they miss 2 of 3 free throws and Isaac Johnson scores the last 4 of the half. 50-37 Polars at the break.

Da'Kei Hines with a putback, Odell Wilson on the bounce goes behind the back and scores. JaQuan Sanders-Smith pulls up for a jumper. 60-42 North just over 3 minutes into the half. But the Patriots immediately cut that margin down to 7. Scott with 5 and Wood with 4 in that run. Just 2 minutes late its 60-53 Polars with Henry having the momentum. North counters with a 3 and an Isaac Johnson BLOB hoop. Nasir El-Amin productive off the bench as he adds a 3 point play. That doubles the lead back to 14, 72-58 North with 10:25 left. Isaac Johnson 2 free throws and a Tyler Johnson bank and North is back in control 81-62. Savion Scott makes a couple more 3s as Henry cuts the lead to 10 but the finish is never in doubt. North wins 92-80.

Post Game
Henry falls to 5-1 in the Minneapolis City, 7-4 overall. Savion Scott carries the Patriots offense to the tune of 40 points. He knocked in 7 bombs. Lamar Wood was a factor on the offensive glass with 23 points. But the rest of the roster really struggled to find offense. Henry now has 5 straight games at home over the next 2+ weeks. South visits next Tuesday.

Minneapolis North gets 27 from Isaac Johnson. The Polars end up with 5 in double figures. JaQuan Sanders-Smith with 18, Tayler Johnson with 16. Odell Wilson with 14. Nasir El-Amin with a very productive 13 off the Polars bench. North's winning streak is now at 10 games after the opening game loss to Apple Valley. 3 conference games coming up and then some very interesting non-conference games at Heritage Christian, home vs Caledonia and at Central MN Christian in early February.

A January Section Miracle

Prologue
To the top of the hill to see Columbia Heights host #7AAA Mahtomedi. This one is a battle of teams in surprisingly deep section 4AAA. Sausage pizza and the always difficult to find Mug Root Beer on the concessions menu tonight. Mug Root Beer with the highest calorie count of any beverage so far (260 in 20 ounces). Which means its perfect of course.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 95 (28 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 542.7 ounces (5815 Calories)
45 days, 61 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Sprite: 20 ounces (240 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Mug Root Beer: 20 ounces (260 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 7
Pizza Ticker: 6
Walking Taco Ticker: 5

Game Time:
Columbia Heights can't take care of it early as 3 turnovers lead to 3 Zephyrs buckets and a quick timeout from Willie Braziel. Parker Fox with a hoop, dunk and a pretty assist as he goes nutmeg on the bounce pass. 16-7 Mahtomedi at 11:02 and the Hylanders need another timeout. Will Tuttle with the back door layup and another hoop to push the lead to 12. Heights counters with 11 straight. Deaundra Roberson with a turnaround, Christian Kelly puts back a miss, a block leads to a Jarvis Wright triple and Kadeem with a putback after a turnover. 22-21 Mahtomedi at 3:03 and they need time. They respond with the last 9 points of the half. Fox with a hoop and putback in that run plus the Zephyrs make 2 sets of 1 and 1 free throws. 8-1 fouls in favor of Mahtomedi in the half and Coach Braziel not pleased. 31-21 Mahtomedi at the break.

Mahtomedi can't take care of it to start the 2nd half. Quentin Hardrict with a NBA 3 and a double clutch jumper. Roberson scores and Wendall Matthews puts back a miss and adds a free throw. The run is 13-2 and Heights takes their 1st lead 34-33 with 12:57 left. Tuttle makes 2 free throws as Mahtomedi scores the next 6. Roberson with a layup and putback for Heights. 41 all with 7:15 left. Mahtomedi scores the next 5 but Heights gets another Hardrict bomb and a sweet and smart Roberson give and go on the SLOB. 46 all with 5:15 left.

Shayne Frost makes 1 of 2 free throws and buries a critical 3. Heights turns it over and Fox dunks. 53-46 Mahtomedi in control with 3:20 left. Roberson counters with 2 free throws, Mahtomedi misses a layup and Hardrict makes both ends of the bonus. 53-50 Mahtomedi with 2:34 left. They take timeout and come out in a 1-3-1 trap. Mahtomedi turns it over and its Kelly for 3 with 1:45 left to tie. How fitting for him after being snake bitten in the Park Center game. Mahtomedi takes time to set up a play with 1:32 left. But Fox gets stripped with just over a minute left. Columbia Heights gets it to the front court and takes time with 54.2 left.

Heights goes 5 out and moves the ball until about 12 seconds remain. They make a play at the top and the ball ends up in the right corner. The play is all messed up and Mahtomedi goes for the opportunity trap. Heights swings it out of the trap and around the horn to the left wing to Roberson. He immediately goes hard to the rim. As he rises up from about 8 feet, he loses the ball high up in the air. It goes 15-20 feet high and falls through the net as the buzzer sounds. Columbia Heights wins 55-53 in most improbable fashion. They go on a 9-0 run in the last 3:10.

Post Game
Mahtomedi suffers their 1st loss of the season to fall to 8-1 overall, 1-0 in the Metro East. Parker Fox with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists to lead the Zephyrs. Will Tuttle with 8 points. This loss has big section implications as it now means Mahtomedi will be no higher than 3 (barring a Totino-Grace collapse). But the QRF could save them despite the head to head loss (the #1 reason why I despise doing seeding via computer only). The game vs St. Anthony on February 21st will likely determine that 3 seed in 4AAA. That's the only non-conference game left. They jump headfirst into league play next week at South St. Paul and hosting Henry Sibley.

Quentin Hardrict leads Columbia Heights with 17 points and 3 triples. Deaundra Roberson with 13 of his 15 points in the 2nd half including the accidental game winner. Heights on ball pressure really bothered Mahtomedi and did allow the Hylanders to get out for easy hoops. But clutch plays down the stretch too which has to feel good after the Park Center loss. As for Heights section prospects, hard to see them any lower than 2 in 4AAA assuming they take care of business. Columbia Heights now 7-2. This very difficult 9 day stretch of the schedule continues at Cooper tomorrow. Then its home games with Brooklyn Center (previously ranked in AA) and #1AAA De La Salle next week.

Island Bird Watching

Prologue
Off to the island to see top ranked De La Salle take on Osseo in a high-profile non-conference matchup. With a quiet night on the schedule, plenty of coaches scouting. The Mr Basketball guys yucking it up with the JMOA and Lithgow too. No concessions thanks to early Chipotle for dinner and I don't like fighting the lines. But the crowd while almost full wasn't the arrive by JV tip, lineup on the walls type of crowd that the island can be known for.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 95 (27 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 522.7 ounces (5555 Calories)
44 days, 60 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Sprite: 20 ounces (240 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 7
Pizza Ticker: 5
Walking Taco Ticker: 5

Game Time:
We're even early on after a sloppy start. The Bezdicek twins with layups countered by a hoop and free throw from Christian Dickson. 11 all at 10:47. Goanar Mar picks up his 2nd just after that and has to sit. Osseo runs off 6 of the next 8 before Gabe Kalscheur also gets his 2nd at 7:12. So both De La Salle stars have 2. Kalscheur sits and it brings Mar back in. Will Irvin off the Islanders bench for 3 plus a Dickson 3. That's countered by Mar Mar Hughes with a 3 and lefty layup. John Bezdicek knocks down 2 bombs. 33-23 Osseo at 3:43, 13-5 Orioles run. De La Salle right back with Irvin banging home another 3. Then a pair of Osseo turnovers for an Irvin layup and Dickson 3 point play. 37-35 Osseo at 1:01. They score 8 of the last 10 as Zach Theisen beats the buzzer for 3. 45-37 Osseo at the break.

Emmette Paige with great 2nd half minutes for Osseo. He spins for 2, knocks down a 3 and makes both ends of the bonus. 60-51 Osseo with 10:16 left and DLS looks to be on the ropes. Goanar Mar responds after only 1 FT in the book in the 1st half. 2 free throws and a dunk, then 1 triple followed by an up and down racehorse sequence that ends in another 3 for him. 10-0 Goanar Mar run puts DLS ahead for the 1st time, 61-60 with 8:16 left. That last 3 also puts him over 1000 career points. Mar then counters a Matt Bezdicek 4 point play with 3-3 free throws after he was fouled on a 3 (John Bezdicek's 4th foul). Then a nice assist to Kalscheur for a layup. So 13 in a row + the assist in those 15 points. 68-66 Osseo 6:04 left.

Mar then swipes an offensive board of a free throw and scores. Paige coast to coast. Mar in the post for a soft 5th on John Bezdicek with 3:08 left. The 3 point play ties the game at 72. Matt Bezdicek with 2 free throws countered by a Dominic Bledsoe layup. Osseo gets it back with 1:30 left, 74 all. They'll hold but its a charge on Hughes with 43.8 left. De La Salle doesn't take time and its Kalscheur to the rack with 13.6 left for the lead. Osseo decides to push and not take a timeout. They gets in a mess and still playl. Theisen's 3 at the buzzer is no good. De La Salle wins 76-74.

Post Game
Osseo sees their 5 game winning streak snapped as they fall to 7-2 overall, 1-1 in the NW Suburban. They get 5 guys in double figures. John Bezdicek leads with 3 triples and 17 points, 15 in the 1st half. Matt Bezdicek and Mar Mar Hughes with 11 each. Good bench minutes from Maurice Nelson and Emmette Paige who scored 9 and 11 points respectively. De La Salle's pressure bothered Osseo from getting into any kind of offense, especially early on. They are at Spring Lake Park on Friday. Then a big week next week as they host Armstrong (many of their guys plus HC Greg Miller were watching tonight) and #1AAAA Champlin Park.

Goanar Mar carries the Islanders to victory. He scores 20 of his 21 in the 2nd half, most of those in the big run to get back to even after being 9 down. He had a couple of 3s in the run but also did work inside taking advantage of his size. Christian Dickson with 15 of his 19 to carry the Islander offense in the 1st half when Kalscheur and Mar only combined for 4 points. Will Irvin added a spark in the 1st half with 8 of his 9 points. Gabe Kalscheur 7 of his 10 in the 2nd half including the game winner. De La Salle is also 7-2 overall, 2-0 in the Tri-Metro. They host St. Anthony and visit Columbia Heights next week. Then Brooklyn Center the following week. All of those teams were in the house scouting tonight.

Starting the new year in section style

Prologue
So after a long weekend with The Crown Prince, its back to the gym to start the new year. Its a good start too as I take in a quality section 6AAA matchup between #2AAA Delano and Benilde-St. Margaret's. The Haben Center with a small crowd for this one. Baby Hollywood headlining tonight's officiating crew. No concessions for me so the counter is sad.

Number of Teams I've Seen: 94 (26 courts). 14 out of state, 8 girls

Beverage Ticker: 522.7 ounces (5555 Calories)
43 days, 59 games, 2 scrimmages added on

Pepsi: 220.9 ounces (2760 calories)
Coke: 84 ounces (1000 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Sprite: 20 ounces (240 calories)
A&W Root Beer : 16.9 ounces (240 calories)
Red Gatorade/Powerade: 168.9 ounces (1165 calories)

Hot Dog Ticker: 7
Pizza Ticker: 5
Walking Taco Ticker: 5

Game Time:
Its Benilde-St. Margaret's out to a 7-0 lead thanks to a long 2 and an inside-out 3 from super soph Jamison Battle. Delano rallies behind junior PG Cal Wishart. He has a 3 point play followed by a pair of left wing triples. Then he adds a pair of freebies for an 11-9 Delano lead just 4 minutes in. After a Red Knights hoop to break that 11-2 spurt, Delano runs off 22 of the next 28. Wishart starts the run with a steal and behind the back assist for a layup, then back to back buckets. He'll finish the run with a 3 and bucket. He'll add his 4th 3 to push him to 24 points for the half. 41-23 Delano at the break.

Junior wing Gabe Alada starts the 2nd half for Benilde-St. Margaret's and his job is to be the 1st guy to faceguard Wishart. BSM runs off the 1st 9 points of the half in just over 2 minutes to cut the lead in half. Alada with a pair of layups in that spurt as he contributes on both ends. A scramble leads to a Battle triple and the lead is down to 7. Wishart with 2 steals for 2 free throws and his only bucket of the 2nd half. That bucket is sandwiched inbetween a pair of nice post moves from Carter Uphus off the BSM bunch. Uphus then swats a shot and BSM makes the jumper on the other end to keep the margin at 7, 54-47 with 10:25 left. After a Delano hoop, its Alada with a score and assist, Battle makes a free throw and hot shooting Derek Drees buries his 3rd 3 of the half to end a 13-3 run. Delano's 18 point halftime lead is down to 2, 57-55, with just under 8 minutes to play.

Wishart would live at the line in the 2nd half. 3 of 4 FTs from him push the lead to 6, then a nice set off the side ball screen to throw ahead and then find Nick Cayler for a finish inside. 67-59 Delano with 4:10 left. BSM doesn't get closer than 6 after that. Wishart goes over the 1000 career points mark with late free throws. Delano wins 76-68.

Post Game
Great balance from the Benilde-St. Margaret's lineup as they end up with 5 scorers in double figures. Derek Drees 14, Jamison Battle 13. Will Whitmore and junior bench guys Gabe Alada and Carter Uphus with 10 each. The Red Knights got a big boost from those 2 bench guys. The halftime adjustment holds Wishart to 1 2nd half field goal after 8 (4 3s) in the 1st half. The Red Knights fall to 5-5 overall and have lost 4 of their last 5. But those 4 losses are all to teams ranked in the top 5. Its another stiff test in the section on Thursday as they visit #4AAA Orono.

For Delano, Cal Wishart leads the way with 38 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals on 9-21 FG shooting. 24 of those points were in the 1st half. Nick Cayler with 10 points inside for the Tigers. Too much Wishart as there was no answer for him off the dribble. In the 1st half he made shots and in the 2nd half it was 12-16 free throws. Shot selection is something to keep an eye on for this group. They took some quick and ill-advised shots in the 2nd half which allowed Benilde-St. Margaret's to make their run. Delano improves to 8-1 on the season. They are at Richfield on Friday.

2016 Rochester Day 1 Holiday Tourney Thoughts

Day 3 of my 2016 holiday travels takes me to day 1 of the 29th annual Rochester Rotary Holiday Classic. 10 metro teams making the trip south and I had the chance to take in 6 of them. Outstanding walking taco at the concession stand. Just wish concessions stands would learn to crush the chips. Key overlooked element. 2 bottles of Pepsi keep the beverage counter rolling. Halftime entertainment for 2 early games, belly dancers. Yes that's not a joke. The 1st set had swords and were balancing them on their heads. That's entertainment!

Game 1: St. Thomas Academy vs White Bear Lake
St. Thomas replaces their whole starting lineup less than 2 minutes into the game. That bench mob scores the 1st 14 points for the Cadets. Sam Vascellaro was the main guy in that crew. He scores 4 free throws and a bucket in a 13-0 first half run. That blows the game open to 30-12 at the 4:14 mark. That lead grows to 40-20 at the half. I miss the 2nd half to see all of Game 2 across the hall. St. Thomas Academy wins 82-65. Sam Vascellaro with 16 in the 1st half for the Cadets. Josh Griefenhagen with 7 off the White Bear Lake in the first half.

Game 2: Mahtomedi vs Burnsville
Mahtomedi totally out of sorts in the 1st half of this one. Matt Baisch with 3 bombs in the half for Burnsville, his 2nd one opens up a 24-18 Blaze lead. Parker Fox with a drive and a putback as Mahtomedi rallies. Evan Reyes and Trey Newman off the bench for 3 as the Zephrys struggle with fouls. Baisch makes a late 3 for a 33-30 Burnsville lead at the break. Mahtomedi comes out on a 11-4 run to start the 2nd half. Reyes with a couple of more critical 3s to keep the Mahtomedi lead at 4. Fox rises for a follow dunk to put Mahtomedi up 8 inside 7 left. Burnsville rallies to within 4 but a late Mahtomedi run puts it out of reach. Mahtomedi wins 71-59. Parker Fox 23 points to lead Mahtomedi. Evan Reyes with a great game of 4 3s and 14 points off the Zephyrs bench. Jackson Martens 12 points, 10 in the 2nd half for Burnsville. Matt Baisch with 4 3s and 16 points to lead the Blaze.

Game 3: #10AAAA Rosemount vs Lake City
A battle of 6-0 undefeated teams in this one. Lake City with 3 guards at 5'10" or under going against the Loehr twin towers of Rosemount. 2 quick 3s propel Lake City to a 8-2 lead. Then the twins get going and its a 15-2 Irish run to take the lead. Lake City goes almost 12 minutes with just 1 field goal. Its sandwiched between 2 Marc Kjos bombs and Lake City is still within 3. Rosemount scores the next 10 before a Lake City buzzer beater. 32-21 Rosemount at the break with the Loehr twins scoring 17.

Lake City comes out for the 2nd half on fire. Frosh Nate Heise with an NBA 3, turnover for a Mitch Marien triple, frosh Reid Gastner from deep plus a spin move for 2 more, Marien drives for the lead and Kjos adds a 3 point play. Plus a technical on Rosemount to boot. Lake City misses the technicals but gets a Heise hoop on the possession. That finally forces a Rosemount timeout. The Tigers run is 22-4 and they take a 43-36 lead with 12:15 left. Heise another 3 and Gastner runs for a layup and the lead is double digits with 6 minutes left. Lake City makes 13-14 free throws in the last 1:51 and they hang on to win 70-64. Luke Loehr with 27 to lead Rosemount. Lake City has 4 of their 5 starters with 13 points or more and they combine for 8 3s. 7 guys in the young lineup are back next year for a group that will be very dangerous.

Lake City was the tougher team in this one and definitely deserved to win. But its hard to look at Rosemount game plan. Not a single high/low possession. Their 2 big guys floating outside and not pounding the ball inside enough. Leaving shooters to help when the tiny Tigers guard would drive at the bigs. It just screamed of lack of preparation and/or lack of caring. Have to think this is a game that the Irish would want back and consider a bad loss.

Game 4: Minneapolis Washburn vs Rochester Mayo
Sadly the belly dancers had gone home by this point. Isaac Lotz corner 3 vs the Mayo 2-3 zone, nice set play that worked on a pair of occasions. (Note: Washburn program numbers were sketchy so I think it was Lotz from memory). Albert Demmings with 9 points in the half as Washburn would lead 25-19 at the half. They run away in the 2nd half. Brandon Charles with a couple of mean dunks as the lead blew up to 21 midway through the 2nd half. The Millers would get sloppy and see the lead cut to 11. But again, there's no danger. Washburn wins 62-48. Isaac Lotz with 4 3s and 14 points for Washburn. Peter Lundquist with 17 inside for Mayo.

2016 Bethel Tourney Day 2 Thoughts

Day 2 of my 2016 Holiday Tournament adventures takes me to the middle day of events at Bethel. Its the finals of the 1st bracket with openers in the 2nd bracket. 2 cans of Coke for refreshment. Hot Dog for the food count. Lots of bun with it. Czar gets a music request for Stand By Me granted by the kind Bethel players at the scorer's table.

Bracket 1
3rd Place: Roseville vs St. Paul Central
This was a rematch of last Thursday's meeting in Roseville where Central won 57-52. The start of the game is very ugly. Roseville throws in a prayer for their 1st hoop and a putback for their 2nd. 7-4 Central at the 6:55 mark of the 1st. Then Central falls apart and gives up a 34-5 run across halftime. Central with only 2 field goals in about 17 minutes during that run. But a T on coach Scott Howell may have gotten his players attention. They turn up a 1-2-2 halfcourt and 3/4 court trap. They go on a 11-2 run over 3 minutes left. That cuts a 24 point margin to 38-23 with over 8 minutes left. Central with an end game flurry cut the final margin. Roseville wins 50-44 in a final that doesn't reflect how 1 team or the other dominated play. Soph Jovan Hunter leads all scorers with 18 for Roseville. Shawn Blanchard 15, soph Daveonte Davis 14 for Central.

1st Place: Bloomington Jefferson vs Minnetonka
In typical Jefferson fashion, the pace of this one is slow. Matt Haas and Tyler Riemersma effective inside for their squads. Neither team able to gain any huge advantage. 27-24 Tonka at the break. Joe Hird would take over the Jefferson offense in the 2nd half. His driving hoop pulls the Jags within 41-40 with 4:33 left. Tonka would score the next 6 thanks to Isaiah Carver-Bagley driving and dunking, Haas with a layup and Carver-Bagley with 2 free throws. Tonka in control up 47-40 with 1:33 left. Jags rally back thanks to 2 Tonka turnovers and a pair of Hird bombs. Tonka doesn't get a shot on the final possession and we'll play OT tied at 47. Hird would make 1 of 2 free throws for a 2 point lead with 35.9 left in the OT. Burt Hedstrom made 4 straight free throws in the OT. He stepped to the line with 4.3 left and a chance to tie. He made the 1st but missed the 2nd. In the ensuing scramble for the rebound, the clock runs out. Jefferson wins 53-52 in OT. Joe Hird all 20 of his points after halftime. He scored 20 of the 26 Jags points after the half. Tyler Riemersma with 12. Isaiah Carver-Bagley 16 points to lead Minnetonka. Burt Hedstrom and Matt Haas 14 each for the Skippers.

Bracket 2
Game 1: St. Louis Park vs Eagan
Jaren Tschetter off the Eagan bench for 13 points in the first half. Aidan Doherty with 7 off the St. Louis Park bench. 35-32 Eagan with the lead at half. St. Louis Park's attacking style picks up in the 2nd half. Doherty with a couple of hoops in a 14-4 St. Louis Park run early in the 2nd half to take a 50-42 lead inside of 11 minutes left. Eagan would be within 6 with 5 minutes left but Cire Mayfield with back to back hoops and then counters a pair of Eagan free throws. That keeps the lead at 10 inside of 3 minutes left. St. Louis Park wins 73-60. Jaren Tschetter leads all scorers with 20 points for Eagan. Aidan Doherty and Richard Green both off the bench with 13 points to lead St. Louis Park.

Game 2: Mounds View vs St. Francis
This was a defensive struggle. Brian Stone with a steal and score at the 12:35 mark as Mounds View jumps out to a 7-2 lead. But the Mustangs would not make another field goal in the half, just 8 free throws. St. Francis gets good minutes from guard Genuine Matthews to take a 20-15 halftime lead. Mounds View finds their offense in the 2nd half and they go on a 20-3 run after the 1st bucket of the half. They make 4 3s in the run from 4 players, 3 of them in a row as they go from 7 down to 35-25 up with 9 minutes left. The Swing Offense and 1-3-1 defense slow the pace to a crawl. Frosh Wyatt Schroeder with 3 straight hoops late to make it interesting. Nate Varberg makes 1 of 2 with 0.8 left to seal it. Mounds View wins an ugly one 43-39. Nick McMillan with 14 points to lead Mounds View. Ryan Svihel with 12 points to lead St. Francis.

2016 Tartan Holiday Tourney Day 1

Day 1 of my 2016 tournament adventures takes me to Tartan for their annual holiday classic. Its a couple of cans of Pepsi for liquid nourishment. Plus a quality walking taco despite no lettuce as it had been frozen Hate it when that happens, but its an ingredient that isn't mission critical. I survive the absolutely treacherous ice-covered parking lot to see these 4 games.

Game 1: Forest Lake vs Cristo Rey
Jericho Sims active on the offensive glass with 3 early tip ins. 13-10 Forest Lake at the 12:20 mark. Then no Pumas field goals for almost 7 minutes as Forest Lake goes on a 16-0 run. Mitch Jerde 7 points in that run. The lead stretches to 42-19 at halftime. Sims with a couple of early dunks and adds some stats late. But the outcome is never in doubt. Forest Lake wins 76-51. Jericho Sims 34 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks on 12-21 shooting and 10-13 FTs to lead Cristo Rey. Rest of the team with only 7 field goals. Jake Larson with 22 points to lead Forest Lake. Jack Breitbach with a nice game of 12 points for the Rangers as well.

Game 2: St. Paul Como Park vs Spring Lake Park
No Jason Jett for Como Park and no Zach Ojile for Spring Lake Park. That's top guys out for each team. CJ Chandler with 3 bombs in the 1st half vs the Spring Lake Park 2-3 zone. Kyrin Woodard making plays out of the high post as well. Lefty guard Kameron Davis carrying the Spring Lake Park offense. 35-30 Spring Lake Park at the half. Davis with a hoop at the 10:30 mark for a 48-45 Panthers lead. Then an 11-0 Como Park run to put the Cougars ahead. Spring Lake Park would attempt to rally behind a Davis 3, freshman Gabe Myren with a steal for a 3 point play and a Davis 3 point play. Back to even at 63 with 2:27 left. Chandler with 2 free throws, the teams make a mess of a handful of possessions. Then Spring Lake Park misses 2 FTs to tie inside a minute left. 3 of 4 free throws around a Panthers turnover seal it. Como Park wins 68-63. Kyrin Woodard 24 points, CJ Chandler with 5 3s on his way to 18 points. Kameron Davis with 26 to lead Spring Lake Park.

Game 3: Rogers vs Carmel Catholic (IL)
Rogers would knock down 8 first half 3s on their way to a 43-23 halftime lead. The lead would get down to 16 in the 2nd half, but no closer than that. Rogers wins 82-57. Nick Camarote with 5 3s on his way to 20 points. Forward Jordan Belka also with 20 points. Point guard Trevor Brenning with 11 points in a nice showing off the Royals bench. Brian Julien leads Carmel Catholic with 22.

Game 4: Chisago Lakes at Tartan
Tartan would start hot with Jordan Horn knocking down a pair of 3s and scoring inside via the Swing Offense. That's new to the Tartan arsenal this year. 23-13 Titans just past the midway mark of the 1st half. Terrell James flares for 3 and Noah Whalen buries his 3rd bomb of the half. 31-15 Tartan at 6:20. Soph Will Tinjum with a late pair of hoops and a 3. But Jordan Thompson sends Tartan to the break with a 3. 40-26 Titans. Whalen with a quick bomb for a 17 point lead. But they don't blow this one open. Chisago Lakes counters with an 8-0 run to put the margin back to single digits. Kingston Myles sat the 1st half but his 3 with just over 10 left pushes the league back to 14. Then its James with his 2nd dunk of this half on a baseline drive and he rises up big time for the slam to keep the lead there inside of 8 left. Eric Thompson would knock down a couple of late 3s as the lead slips under 10 1 last time. Tartan wins 61-50. Trevin Nelson and Will Tinjum with 14 each for Chisago Lakes. Noah Whalen 4 3s and 14 points to lead Tartan. Jordan Horn with 3 3s and 11 points all in the 1st half.

No Christmas Buzzer Beaters

Its an early start at Harding so I catch 1 game there, then the last 2 back at Hamline. Plenty of Pepsi to go around. Too bad the JMOA assigned a Hollywood crew for the late game. How does that happen?

Game 1: Henry Sibley at St. Paul Harding
Harding would go on a pair of early runs to take a 27-20 lead. Sibley would counter with a 19-4 run across halftime. Reishaun Satar with a pair of hard-way 3 point plays in that run. 39-31 Sibley early in the 2nd half. De'Million Randle with a 3 point play in a 9-1 Knights run. That puts Harding up 51-49 with 8:27 to play. Back and forth after that. Chris English with a free throw, Sibley misses 2 FTs and turns it over before English converts a layup. PG Jovan Christian adds a layup for a 66-60 Harding lead. Jack Korte with a 3 point play and a drive for 2 more around a Harding FT. Harding then turns it over for Satar to convert and we're tied with a minute left. Harding holds and turns it over with 30 seconds left (Christian may have been tripped). Antonio Vibar puts back a miss with 13 seconds left. Harding turns it over with 1.69 left. Sibley wins 69-67. Congrats to John Carrier on his 1st win at Sibley and his 1st Varsity Head Coaching win in 7 years and 17 days. Here's what that 1st one was like. Jovan Christian 18 points for Harding. Reishaun Satar leads Sibley with 25. Jack Korte with 13 of his 19 in the 2nd half.

Game 2: Wayzata vs Breck
I would arrive about midway through the 1st half of this one. That was just in time to see Breck go on a run and pull within 20-18 at the 5:28 mark. Coach Bryan Schnettler not at all happy with his crew. They respond with a 14-2 run out of that timeout. Gavin Baumgartner with a nasty posterizing dunk as part of 8 points and an assist in the run. Drew Galinson for 3 and then another hoop as Wayzata scores 8 of the first 10 points of the 2nd half. Interesting to see the Trojans play some 1-3-1 here. Didn't really matter what they played at that point. Wayzata wins 78-57. Gavin Baumgartner with 15 of his 20 in the 1st half. Drew Galinson with 15 including 3 triples. David Roddy 12 to lead Breck. Baumgartner is one of those outside Mr Basketball award candidates. He has solid though not spectacular numbers for a strong lineup plus he's got the defensive stopper task each night.

Game 3: North St. Paul vs Cristo Rey Jesuit
Shaka Smart (Texas Head Coach) in the house to watch recruit Jericho Sims. South Dakota also looking on. Lets just skip over the 1st 6 minutes of this one (only 2 FTs). Cristo Rey playing some 2-3 zone. North gets 3s from Jake Steckler, Michael Geving and Jaquas Towns 13-0 NSP leading at the 8:10 mark. Jericho Sims getting limited touches in the battle vs Goodnews Kpegeol and others. He dunks an inbounds pass and takes a steal coast to coast for another dunk. Kpegeol for 3 and a Steckler hoop put the Polars up 20-6 at the 5:40 mark. But Cristo Rey holds them without a field goal for the rest of the half. Franklin Doyle 2 free throws and a hoop. Sims adds 5 free throws and a late post bucket. That cuts the NSP lead to 23-20 at the break.

NSP scores the 1st 8 of the 2nd half thanks to an array of Pumas turnovers. Cristo Rey gets those 8 points right back thanks to a Karlton Gregory putback and a steal for a dunk. Gregory then finishes a sweet pocket pass from frosh PG James Sommer and Sims finds him cutting for another bucket. Cristo Rey will not go away down 36-32 with 9:35 left. Kpegeol for 3, a turnover results in another layup, set play for Kpegeol to backdoor Sims is a 3 point play. 45-34 NSP with 7:25 left and it looks like that may be the critical run. But the Pumas are not done. Sommer converts a turnover. Doyle with 2 free throws after a Kpegeol T for hanging on the rim after missing a dunk on the same backdoor set as before. Doyle adds a 3 on the possession and the Polars lead is down to 4 with over 5 minutes left. Game on.

Gregory 2 freebies after the Polars missed a front end. The Pumas get a stop and Sims tips in a miss with 3:40 left and we're all tied up at 45. Its an 11-0 run for Cristo Rey. The teams trade free throws. Then its Kpegeol with the tough post fade over Sims with 2:30 left. 1st NSP FG in 5 minutes. Back to back Cristo Rey turnovers around a Polars turnover. NSP holds, Cristo Rey doesn't foul. Kpegeol drives and is fouled with 31.3 left. He makes 1 of 2 for a 3 point NSP lead. The Pumas quickly go inside to Sims and he converts with 17.5 left. Last timeout for the Pumas. Steckler makes 1 of 2 and the Pumas have a chance. They get the ball to the frontcourt but step on the sideline with 10.8 left. Kpegeol misses 2 with 9.3 left and here we go. Sims pushes and gets harassed in the front court. He gives it up with 2 seconds left. He gets it back after the buzzer. Cristo Rey doesn't get a shot off. North St. Paul survives 51-49. Goodnews Kpegeol with 21 points to lead North St. Paul. 2-6 FTs for the Polars in the last 31.3. Jericho Sims with 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks on 6-10 FGs. But all his FGs were inside. All of his jump shots were way off on this night. Cristo Rey had plenty of chances that they could have converted throughout the game. But they kept playing and good things happened. North will be unhappy that they didn't put this game out of reach when they had the chance.

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