Twin Cities Boys Hoops

Tigers almost bitten late

Prologue
To Minneapolis Washburn for a city showdown between the host Millers and Minneapolis South. Both teams with a chance to get some momentum in a rough year. We get the piping hot all beef hot dog and Mug Root Beer instead of a Coke product. The Rev is also on hand with the whistle. In honor of Mark Rosen's final day, our music pick is the 1st number song of Rosen's 1st year at WCCO, 1969.

Song of the Day: I heard it thru the grapevine - Marvin Gaye

Number of Teams I've Seen: 98 (68 games, 43 days, 32 buildings, 10 online)

Beverage Ticker: 459.6 ounces (5030 calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Coke: 28.9 ounces (340 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 125.8 ounces (880 calories)
Pepsi: 184 ounces (2300 calories)
Sprite: 72.9 ounces (860 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 14
Pizza: 3
Walking Tacos: 3
Extras

French Onion Sun Chips (210 calories)
2 Lays Chips (320 calories)
Kit Kat (210 calories)
4 Snickers (1000 calories)

Game Time:
Its a slow offensive start to the game with only 1 bucket for each team in the 1st 6 minutes. Sir'vell Miller with a couple buckets for Washburn for a 17-15 Millers lead just outside the 5 minute mark. But South scores the last 10 of the half. A couple of turnovers in there contribute to the run. PG Jaylen Blakley with 6 points in the run. Marcus Acha with 2 of his productive 1st half buckets during the run. 25-17 South with the lead at halftime.

Washburn with the 1st 5 of the 2nd half to jump right back in the game. They cut the margin all the way to 27-26. But South pushes the margin back to double figures with a 13-3 run. Josiah Lossow taking a pair of charges on the break to keep Washburn at bay. Blakley attacks and scores to push the lead to 46-34 with under 3 minutes to play.

But don't pack up and leave yet. South crumbles down the stretch. Jamar Nelson for 3 and a careless lob turnover adds bonus free throws. Another quick take out of the 4 corners is 1 free throw for South. Washburn counters with 2 Josh Rogers free throws off an offensive board (which was their best offense all night). Margin is down to 6 and there's still 1:53 left.

South blocked inside with lots of not called contact takes another point away. Then a pushoff by Blakley and that's his 5th with 1:12 left. Danger time. Rogers adds another putback with 55.6 left and all of a sudden its a 1 possession game. South can't get it in and Washburn has chance #1 to tie. They'll miss an open 3 but South walks with the rebound. Chance #2 to tie sees a Miller 3 spin around and out with 33 seconds left. South then misses 2 free throws with the 2nd being an air ball. On chance #3, Washburn misses a forced 3 and its an intentional foul with 19.4 left on the miss. But rinse and repeat at the line with 2 misses and 2nd being an airball. South still has possession and they do get the ball in. Frosh Lukas Johnson makes 3 of 4 free throws for South to finally seal the deal. South wins 50-46.

Post Game
Washburn falls to 2-10 overall and 0-3 in the Minneapolis City. The furious rally from 12 down with under 3 left falls just short. Jamar Nelson leads the Millers with 12 points. Post David Worman with all hard work on his way to 11 points. Washburn very young leaning on 5 sophs and also playing a couple of juniors. Remember that sophomore class won the Twin Cities Freshman game last year. Washburn visits Patrick Henry next Tuesday for their next game.

South improves to 3-7 overall, 1-2 in the Minneapolis City. This is back to back wins and both on the road this week. They get the bright and early 10 AM game against #3A Cass Lake-Bena on Saturday at Henry in the Super Showcase. Frosh Lukas Johnson with 11 of his 13 in the 2nd half to once again lead South in scoring. That included the 3 critical free throws at the end. Joey Erickson active inside for 10 points. PG Jaylen Blakley with 10 points. Forward Marcus Acha very productive with 12 points off the bench.

Wading through the schedule

So as we approach the midpoint of the season, I'm now looking for games with teams I haven't seen or won't see soon. Hence no Minnehaha at Eden Prairie or North at De La Salle as I'll see 3 of those 4 next week in The Old Kingdom at my hometown event. So with that in mind its a blustery trip to Blake to weave my way around the construction and see the Bears take on #9AA Providence. But before that it's another Monday in the TCAC with 2 teams on my schedule. That's International School (who'll I see again tomorrow on the east side) at Community of Peace.

Monday: Community of Peace 74 International School of MN 68
Community of Peace winless coming into the night. But a 12-0 run for the Tigers would open up a 15 point 1st half lead. ISM would cut the margin to 6 a couple of times but they couldn't get over the hill. A late comeback cut short by a missed free throw, giving up an offensive putback, missing an open 3 and then turning it over for 2 on the other end. CPA didn't put this one away like they could have but they held on. Fun matchup on the wings with CPA's GeanCarlos Pujols going for 31 points. 19 of those in the 2nd half. ISM had their star on the wing go big too with Preston Dahlen scoring 20 of his 31 in the 2nd half. CPA with some nice youth that will serve them well in the next couple of years. ISM also using some young guys that will benefit from the experience.

Tuesday: #9AA Providence 64 Blake 49
Nice to talk with Blake AD and former coach Nick Rathmann. Never mind the talk about THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE. This one was largely played at Providence's slower tempo. Particularly in the 1st half with a halftime score of 25-20. Blake got off to an 8-1 lead thanks to a couple of quick 3s. But Mark Richelsen in on the next 14 Providence points to put the Lions on top. Richelsen with 17 in the 1st half and he keeps it going to start the 2nd half. Dylan Servais chips in with all 13 of his points in the 2nd half. After a Richelsen assist for a 3 the Lions lead by 17. But Blake keeps it interesting with a quick 10-1 run thanks to a couple of turnovers. That cuts the lead to 8 with just under 5 minutes left. Evan Marsh with a layup and a kickout 3 to bookend a 10-0 Providence run that puts the game away. Rob Grace picking up the Blake offense with 13 of his 15 points in the 2nd half. Richelsen finishes with 28. Gabe Ganz with 9 of his 12 in the 1st half. Providence 18-30 from the charity stripe, 11-19 for Blake.

18-19 CzarPI, January 6, 2019

Labels: 18-19 CzarPI

This is the 1st CzarPI of the 2018-19 season (see CzarPI Explained Here). It includes games through Saturday, January 5th, 2019. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

Park Center - 64.25 (9) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Prior Lake - 62.71 (1) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Hopkins - 61.27 (17) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
East Ridge - 59.14 (6) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Shakopee - 58.97 (18) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Eden Prairie - 57.81 (2) 1-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
White Bear Lake - 57.52 (49) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Wayzata - 57.43 (10) 0-1 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
Minnetonka - 57.12 (30) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Maple Grove - 56.4 (15) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Lakeville North - 56.06 (16) 1-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
St. Michael-Albertville - 55.51 (41) 1-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Cambridge-Isanti - 55.32 (19) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Champlin Park - 55.27 (29) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Moorhead - 54.94 (45) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Tartan - 54.91 (51) 0-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
Edina - 54.43 (3) 2-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Cretin-Derham Hall - 54.41 (20) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Blaine - 54.34 (58) 1-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Eastview - 54.08 (12) 0-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Coon Rapids - 53.61 (25) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Chanhassen - 53.39 (5) 1-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Rochester Mayo - 53.23 (33) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
St. Paul Central - 52.97 (40) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Chaska - 52.65 (11) 3-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
North St. Paul - 52.64 (7) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Duluth East - 52.32 (48) 0-3 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Buffalo - 51.77 (39) 1-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Osseo - 51.71 (4) 1-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Robbinsdale Armstrong - 51.57 (53) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Spring Lake Park - 49.92 (50) 2-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Centennial - 49.44 (8) 1-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
New Prague - 48.98 (46) 1-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Rochester John Marshall - 48.88 (22) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Rochester Century - 47.61 (43) 2-3 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Irondale - 47.47 (59) 0-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
Farmington - 47.26 (35) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
St. Cloud Tech - 46.88 (54) 3-4 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
Burnsville - 46.5 (27) 2-4 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
Anoka - 44.91 (61) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Apple Valley - 44.71 (52) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Roseville - 43.74 (28) 1-6 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Andover - 43.08 (34) 1-3 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
St. Louis Park - 42.98 (13) 2-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Elk River - 42.75 (31) 2-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Hastings - 42.51 (55) 1-3 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
Lakeville South - 42.11 (42) 2-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Stillwater Area - 41.93 (63) 0-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Owatonna - 41.64 (47) 2-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Eagan - 41.16 (57) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Bloomington Jefferson - 41.15 (38) 2-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Mounds View - 40.9 (23) 2-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Brainerd - 40.37 (56) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Park of Cottage Grove - 39.95 (60) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Forest Lake - 39.06 (21) 2-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Woodbury - 38.48 (44) 1-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
St. Francis - 36.73 (37) 2-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Rogers - 35.16 (24) 2-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Rosemount - 32.27 (62) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Minneapolis Washburn - 32.19 (26) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Minneapolis Southwest - 31.2 (32) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Minneapolis South - 26.33 (14) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Henry Sibley - 0 (36) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AAA

Waseca - 62.26 (15) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
Marshall - 60.33 (10) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
DeLaSalle - 59.49 (13) 0-0 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Waconia - 56.9 (4) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Totino-Grace - 56.12 (17) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Hermantown - 55.52 (37) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Sartell-St. Stephen - 55.01 (51) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Northfield - 54.93 (36) 1-0 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
St. Paul Johnson - 54.43 (3) 2-2 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Mahtomedi - 54.37 (22) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Mankato East - 54.29 (45) 1-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Holy Angels - 54.2 (53) 1-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Princeton - 53.78 (62) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Robbinsdale Cooper - 53.69 (1) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Bemidji - 53.62 (63) 1-0 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Austin - 52.99 (46) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Fergus Falls - 51.76 (6) 1-3 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
St. Cloud Apollo - 51.23 (5) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
St. Thomas Academy - 50.17 (21) 1-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Bloomington Kennedy - 49.9 (9) 0-2 vs higher, 4-4 vs lower
Willmar - 49.61 (43) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Hibbing - 49.43 (38) 1-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
St. Paul Harding - 49.18 (58) 0-0 vs higher, 4-4 vs lower
Delano - 48.79 (32) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Minneapolis Roosevelt - 48.76 (49) 1-2 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
Duluth Denfeld - 48.41 (24) 2-2 vs higher, 2-4 vs lower
Columbia Heights - 48.16 (8) 0-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Worthington - 47.46 (35) 1-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Cloquet - 47.3 (11) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Detroit Lakes - 47.14 (34) 1-2 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Alexandria - 46.91 (42) 2-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Mound Westonka - 46.9 (39) 0-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Minneapolis Henry - 44.85 (47) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Grand Rapids - 44.83 (26) 3-4 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
Richfield - 44.81 (48) 0-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Simley - 44.7 (55) 1-3 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
St. Anthony Village - 43.58 (61) 2-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Becker - 43.26 (19) 1-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Orono - 42.32 (2) 2-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Hutchinson - 41.4 (59) 1-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Monticello - 41.32 (54) 2-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Big Lake - 41.2 (41) 2-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
South St. Paul - 40.43 (57) 2-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Chisago Lakes Area - 40.14 (56) 1-3 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
Fridley - 39.93 (16) 1-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Benilde-St. Margaret's - 39.38 (7) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Little Falls - 38.85 (14) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Mankato West - 38.82 (25) 2-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
St. Paul Como Park - 38.77 (27) 1-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Winona - 38.42 (52) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
New Ulm - 37.63 (28) 2-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
St. Paul Highland Park - 37.54 (31) 2-6 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
Rocori - 37.34 (20) 2-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Zimmerman - 37.08 (12) 2-7 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
North Branch - 36.29 (40) 2-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Sauk Rapids-Rice - 35.46 (18) 2-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
St. Croix Lutheran - 34.35 (50) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Hill-Murray - 33.31 (23) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Faribault - 33.01 (44) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Dassel-Cokato - 30.65 (60) 1-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Kasson-Mantorville - 29.46 (29) 1-9 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Red Wing - 21.13 (33) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Albert Lea - 0 (30) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AA

Pequot Lakes - 60.24 (32) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Osakis - 60.21 (61) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Holy Family Catholic - 59.36 (30) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
Perham - 59 (35) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Maranatha Christian - 58.2 (49) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Spectrum - 58.06 (67) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
Greenway - 56.67 (88) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Lake City - 56.21 (64) 0-0 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
Breck - 56.1 (54) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Jackson County Central - 55.99 (17) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
St. Croix Prep - 55.38 (66) 0-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
Esko - 55.34 (24) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
La Crescent-Hokah - 55.22 (70) 0-0 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
Virginia - 55.15 (59) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
St. Cloud Cathedral - 55.03 (55) 0-0 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
St. James Area - 54.99 (86) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
New London-Spicer - 54.92 (62) 0-0 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
Minnehaha Academy - 54.89 (14) 2-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Jordan - 54.53 (39) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Redwood Valley - 54.4 (3) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Albany - 54.29 (41) 1-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Litchfield - 54.18 (75) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Crosby-Ironton - 53.79 (95) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Roseau - 53.55 (104) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Minnewaska Area - 53.4 (76) 2-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Providence Academy - 53.07 (31) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Hawley - 52.79 (116) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
East Grand Forks - 52.61 (45) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Dover-Eyota - 52.4 (57) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Melrose - 52.36 (19) 2-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Caledonia - 52.16 (56) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
St. Charles - 51.69 (84) 1-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Eden Valley-Watkins - 51.42 (1) 1-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 51.31 (80) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Minneapolis North - 51.12 (113) 0-1 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Moose Lake-Willow River - 51.03 (85) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 50.38 (103) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Pine Island - 50.19 (50) 1-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
St. Peter - 50.18 (99) 1-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Foley - 49.91 (47) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Stewartville - 49.88 (22) 2-3 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Luverne - 49.79 (53) 0-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Duluth Marshall - 49.75 (89) 1-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Pillager - 49.23 (16) 0-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Trinity School - 48.85 (115) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Pierz - 48.76 (21) 0-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Brooklyn Center - 48.68 (6) 1-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Royalton - 48.34 (122) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
St. Paul Academy - 48.28 (120) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Kimball Area - 48.25 (52) 1-3 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Watertown-Mayer - 48.22 (43) 1-2 vs higher, 4-3 vs lower
Mora - 48.07 (101) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 48.02 (72) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Mesabi East - 47.92 (94) 1-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Proctor - 47.9 (40) 3-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Rockford - 47.38 (78) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
International Falls - 47.19 (73) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Bagley - 46.94 (71) 1-1 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 46.89 (5) 1-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Cannon Falls - 46.74 (63) 0-5 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Blue Earth Area - 46.62 (97) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Cristo Rey Jesuit - 46.5 (58) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Pipestone Area - 46.21 (36) 2-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
High School for the Recording Arts - 45.55 (117) 1-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Belle Plaine - 45.2 (87) 2-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Milaca - 45.19 (110) 0-1 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
Rochester Lourdes - 44.81 (34) 2-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 44.62 (7) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Rush City - 44.62 (106) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Pine City - 44.6 (123) 1-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Blake - 44.55 (82) 2-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Annandale - 44.23 (20) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Glencoe-Silver Lake - 43.83 (93) 2-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Chatfield - 43.73 (25) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Fairmont - 43.44 (37) 1-4 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
Paynesville Area - 43.35 (69) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 42.69 (42) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Maple Lake - 42.47 (96) 2-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Breckenridge - 42.17 (98) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Thief River Falls - 42.12 (23) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Maple River - 41.86 (65) 1-4 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
Concordia Academy - 41.49 (18) 1-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Lewiston-Altura - 41.46 (46) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Crookston - 40.93 (51) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
St. Paul Humboldt - 40.68 (112) 0-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Martin County West - 40.1 (26) 1-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Barnesville - 39.73 (124) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 39.37 (105) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
New Life Academy - 39.09 (109) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Minneapolis Edison - 38.58 (125) 1-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
New Richland-H-E-G - 38.48 (13) 2-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
International School of MN/Eagle Ridge - 38.07 (77) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Two Harbors - 38.07 (11) 1-5 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Holdingford - 36.96 (28) 1-4 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
Warroad - 36.85 (119) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Park Rapids Area - 36.56 (114) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Triton - 35.83 (91) 1-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Aitkin - 35.71 (10) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Barnum - 35.69 (60) 2-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Benson - 34.2 (9) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
St. Paul Washington - 34.14 (100) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 33.92 (108) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Byron - 33.58 (74) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
PACT Charter - 32.96 (90) 2-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
St. Agnes - 32.61 (102) 2-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Sauk Centre - 32.39 (38) 2-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Windom Area - 30.95 (27) 1-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Kenyon-Wanamingo - 30.17 (15) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 28.41 (2) 1-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Staples-Motley - 27.78 (111) 1-5 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Nova Classical Academy - 27.72 (83) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Tri-City United - 27.42 (107) 1-7 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
Wadena-Deer Creek - 27.23 (29) 2-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
LeSueur-Henderson - 26.99 (12) 0-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Norwood-Young America - 25.68 (92) 2-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Southwest Christian - 22.9 (33) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Sibley East - 0 (48) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran - 0 (79) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Academy for Sciences & Ag - 0 (121) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Eveleth-Gilbert - 0 (4) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Medford - 0 (8) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Montevideo - 0 (44) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 0 (68) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Twin Cities Academy/Great River - 0 (81) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Math and Science Academy - 0 (118) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class A

Cass Lake-Bena - 61.23 (30) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
Henning - 60.92 (33) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Minneota - 58.23 (75) 0-0 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
North Woods - 58.22 (26) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Spring Grove - 58.15 (79) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Springfield - 57.85 (21) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
BOLD - 57.78 (89) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
Randolph - 55.74 (62) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Hayfield - 55.58 (58) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey - 55.08 (70) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Hancock - 54.79 (98) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Ada-Borup - 53.99 (145) 0-0 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Ortonville - 53.67 (120) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Mahnomen/Waubun - 53.04 (78) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
New Ulm Cathedral - 52.99 (112) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
Chisholm - 52.58 (55) 0-0 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
Murray County Central - 52.19 (34) 0-1 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
Lac qui Parle Valley - 51.69 (74) 0-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
Rushford-Peterson - 51.55 (17) 1-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 51.47 (44) 1-1 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Southwest MN Christian - 51.27 (116) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Blooming Prairie - 51.2 (134) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
Ashby - 50.59 (45) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Lakeview Christian - 50.52 (90) 1-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
West Lutheran - 50.5 (56) 0-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
Win-E-Mac - 50.49 (20) 0-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Grand Meadow - 50.49 (111) 1-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 50.3 (157) 1-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
Cedar Mountain - 49.37 (63) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Kingsland - 49.35 (57) 1-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Pine River-Backus - 49.31 (126) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Cromwell-Wright - 49.25 (139) 0-0 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
Clearbrook-Gonvick - 48.85 (159) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
West Central Area - 48.77 (51) 1-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Dawson-Boyd - 48.73 (49) 2-1 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 48.63 (39) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Fertile-Beltrami - 48.47 (123) 1-0 vs higher, 5-4 vs lower
Canby - 48.44 (10) 2-3 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 48.15 (59) 1-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Avail Academy - 48.08 (130) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Renville County West - 47.98 (11) 1-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
United South Central - 47.55 (96) 0-1 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
Mayer Lutheran - 47.28 (104) 2-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Ely - 46.95 (135) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Minnesota Transitions Charter - 46.73 (146) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
Deer River - 46.58 (52) 1-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
NCE/U-H - 46.41 (25) 2-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 46.35 (81) 2-1 vs higher, 4-3 vs lower
Floodwood - 46.27 (133) 0-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
Nevis - 46.22 (92) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Parkers Prairie - 46.02 (41) 0-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
New York Mills - 45.74 (84) 1-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Chesterton Academy - 45.69 (151) 0-0 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Liberty Classical Academy - 45.26 (152) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Sacred Heart - 45.02 (77) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 44.97 (100) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 44.94 (161) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
Brandon/Evansville - 44.78 (72) 0-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 44.49 (102) 1-2 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 44.32 (94) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Red Lake - 44.06 (65) 1-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Hinckley-Finlayson - 43.89 (117) 1-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 43.78 (162) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
Fosston - 43.76 (48) 1-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 43.69 (16) 0-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
Cook County - 43.63 (127) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Legacy Christian - 43.51 (13) 1-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
McGregor - 43 (131) 1-2 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
Kittson County Central - 42.87 (60) 1-2 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
T/ML/GHEC - 42.8 (95) 1-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Bigfork - 42.78 (93) 1-4 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
LeRoy-Ostrander - 42.66 (144) 0-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
Browerville/Eagle Valley - 42.52 (61) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Stephen-Argyle - 42.06 (22) 2-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Bethlehem Academy - 41.76 (46) 2-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Hope Academy - 41.74 (87) 0-4 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
Nicollet - 41.69 (50) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
CHOF - 41.61 (142) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Red Lake County - 41.55 (35) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Central MN Christian - 41.48 (14) 2-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Hills-Beaver Creek - 41.43 (137) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
Upsala - 41.09 (149) 1-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Battle Lake - 41.03 (5) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Christian Life Academy - 40.47 (106) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Mounds Park Academy - 40.19 (108) 0-2 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
Northern Freeze - 39.81 (80) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Hiawatha Collegiate - 39.13 (156) 0-2 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Park Christian - 38.53 (1) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Madelia - 38.22 (85) 1-4 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
Menahga - 37.98 (67) 0-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
Mountain Iron-Buhl - 37.91 (129) 0-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Braham - 37.86 (122) 1-6 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Schaeffer Academy - 37.75 (153) 1-3 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
Lakeview - 37.73 (3) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Verndale - 37.62 (160) 1-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
Mabel-Canton - 37.49 (91) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Bethany Academy - 37.48 (150) 0-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Red Rock Central - 37.12 (32) 1-4 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
North Lakes Academy - 37.01 (140) 0-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Nashwauk-Keewatin - 36.9 (119) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Goodhue - 36.86 (124) 0-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
Isle - 36.18 (143) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
Sleepy Eye - 35.78 (43) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Wrenshall - 35.32 (53) 1-3 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
Groves Academy - 35.2 (155) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Adrian - 35 (86) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Swanville - 34.74 (88) 1-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Southland - 34.65 (64) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Pelican Rapids - 34.64 (6) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Heritage Christian - 34.6 (115) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Onamia - 34.55 (76) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Wabasha-Kellogg - 34.28 (42) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Climax/Fisher - 34.23 (97) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Northome/Kelliher - 34.03 (9) 1-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Yellow Medicine East - 33.71 (2) 0-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Mankato Loyola - 33.62 (28) 0-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Bertha-Hewitt - 33.42 (118) 1-4 vs higher, 0-3 vs lower
Silver Bay - 33.11 (71) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 32.85 (107) 1-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
MACCRAY - 32.59 (73) 1-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
Heron Lake-Okabena - 32.07 (121) 1-5 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
Lake Park-Audubon - 31.72 (8) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 31.72 (83) 0-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
Northland - 31.29 (147) 0-6 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
Metro Schools College Prep - 30.9 (163) 0-2 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
St. Clair - 30.81 (54) 1-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Edgerton - 29.81 (12) 0-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Lakes International Language Academy - 29.68 (138) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Hmong Academy - 29.68 (136) 0-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Goodridge/Grygla - 29.55 (103) 1-8 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 29.48 (105) 0-4 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
Carlton - 28.95 (148) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Hill City - 28.76 (66) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Fulda - 28.26 (23) 1-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Houston - 28.23 (27) 0-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 28.09 (7) 0-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Cleveland - 27.9 (15) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 27.18 (109) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 24.53 (19) 1-7 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
Ellsworth - 24.2 (68) 1-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Blackduck - 24.19 (99) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Frazee - 23.07 (29) 0-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Wabasso - 22.64 (36) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Lanesboro - 22.63 (114) 0-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
Underwood - 21.86 (31) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
Sebeka - 21.22 (47) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Littlefork-Big Falls - 0 (154) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Kaleidoscope Charter - 0 (158) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
South Ridge - 0 (69) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Alden-Conger - 0 (82) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
East Central - 0 (113) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Rothsay - 0 (4) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
St. John's Prep - 0 (18) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 0 (24) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Laporte - 0 (37) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Glenville-Emmons - 0 (38) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Community of Peace Academy - 0 (40) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Lincoln International - 0 (101) 0-2 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
MN Academy for the Deaf - 0 (110) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Ogilvie - 0 (125) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Fillmore Central - 0 (128) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Lake of the Woods - 0 (132) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
Cherry - 0 (141) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Game of Zones

Its a quiet 1st Saturday of the new year. That takes me to St. Paul for East Side/Frogtown doubleheader. The early session was a matchup of AAA teams on the fringes of the state top 10 (if you believe that list). The late session was a 4AA matchup.

Game 1: #17AAA Northfield 84 #13AAA St. Paul Johnson 54
I got the walking taco before the salsa was set out and no sour cream. Not a terrible lunch (I did have Pepsi after all) but not up to the usually outstanding standard that has been set there. Brian Sandifer trading in his camo for stripes as he officiated the JV game. As to the varsity game, Northfield using an archrival version of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE effectively. Between that and their extended 1-2-2 zone, they controlled the game for the most part. A 10 point halftime lead blew up in the 2nd half as Johnson couldn't find ways to score (only 22 2nd half points). Soph guards Kit Schetnan (19 pts) and Karsten Clay (12 pts off the bench) lead the way and headline a nice group of soph guards for the future. All of this with Mason Zick missing a lot of 2nd half time due to foul trouble. The Raiders have to get thru Austin in section 1AAA but I like their guard play and they have a big front line that was active today. Those guards largely took care of the ball and can hit shots. The bigs hit the glass and were a factor on top of the zone . Zick is the only real option to deal with big athletic wings though and Austin has a ton of those.

Game 2: St. Paul Academy 54 St. Agnes 34
The 1/4 lb hot dog never a bad option so that means dinner for me. St. Agnes shorthanded without a couple of starters so they'll trot out a 1-3-1 zone. St. Paul Academy counters with their own 1-2-2 zone. Story here is simple. SPA knocks down 8 3s in the 1st 14 minutes vs the zone and blows the game wide open. The Aggies have to go man after that. St. Agnes moved the ball well early vs the 1-2-2 zone but didn't have points to show for it. Then the cracks in the zone sealed up. Bruising SPA forward Ryan Moore missed most of the 1st half but he comes back with 15 minutes left and adds 10 second half points to keep the game out of reach. He finishes with 13 points. Andrew Johnson with 3 3s and 11 of his 13 in the 1st half also for SPA. Ben Gansler 12 points for St. Agnes.

Running the mascot gauntlet

2 nights with 3 different types of mascots. We start with human with weapon (Knights) vs dangerous animal (Lions) and follow it up with another dangerous animal (Sabers) vs a force of nature (Blaze). Let's play out the mascot bracket.

Thursday: St. Paul Harding 66 CHOF 65
The rules of the mascot bracket say human with weapon beats animal so in this case it holds true. Jovan Christian with 3 early free throws but he'll sit the last 27:28 of the game due to a technical foul. Eric Strandlund carrying the CHOF offense early and then McCaleb Alleman picked it up from there. Wing Simeon Sharp picking up the Harding offense to keep them within 37-29 at the break.

In the 2nd half Harding takes off on a 16-2 run to take a 50-43 lead with 11:08 left. Center Alex Addai for Harding with 3 big inside hoops and more offense from Sharp. Alleman on the bench with 4 fouls and it looks like CHOF is in trouble. But coach James Scheeler goes 2-3 zone and rolls the dice to bring Alleman back in. That move pays off as he is all of the offense in the 2nd half. But he gets help from Strandlund who converts back to back turnovers to put CHOF back up 51-50 with 7 minutes left. Harding converts a pair of turnovers in a late 8-2 spurt to go up 65-58 with just over a minute left. The Knights hang on from there. McCaleb Alleman finishes with 29 to lead CHOF. Erik Strandlund 11 of his 17 in the 1st half. Simeon Sharp with 15 of his 27 in the 2nd half to lead Harding.

Friday: Shakopee 88 Burnsville 67
The bracket rule here is natural disaster over just about everything so no luck in the mascot bracket for this game. Charlie Katona and Daniel Rosenbur back and forth early as Shakopee leads 21-19 at the 8:30 mark. Then it gets out of hand as Shakopee goes on a 23-2 run over the next 5+ minutes. Everybody chipping in including a 3 from freshman Nick Katona who's getting spot rotation minutes for the Sabers. 46-27 Shakopee at the break.

Marcus Shepley gets the DNP in the 1st half but starts the 2nd half and gives the Burnsville offense a much needed boost. He buries a 3 and runs out for a couple more to keep the margin at 15 with 13:10 left. Shepley cuts for 2 and Hayden Johnson buries a 3 and the lead is down to 66-52. Shakopee with 1 of their 3 MoKiller timeouts on the night after a Katona putback stops that bleeding. Shepley with bonus FTs, another Johnson triple and 3 Burnsville free throws and all of a sudden the lead is down to 10 with just under 4 minutes left. Burnsville having some success with their scrambling traps. But Charlie Katona buries a 3 with 3:25 left after coming back in with 4 fouls and that's the end of that. Shakopee scores 15 of the next 17 points to beat the traps to seal the deal. Charlie Katona leads all scorers with 31 and passes the 1000 career points mark. Will Cordes adds 13 for the Sabers. Daniel Rosenbur with 20 to lead Burnsville. Marcus Shepley with 17 in just the 1 half of action as he was able to get loose in transition for some buckets.

The Wolfpack bites back

Prologue
A quiet opening night of the new year takes me to Henry Sibley for a section 3AAAA showdown between the Warriors and Park of Cottage Grove. After some extra exercise to get in the building, I miss the JV outing. Then still half frozen I miss the walking taco on the menu, NOOOOO! But I do get the extra Lays chips calories out of the hot dog meal deal. I'm not a big hip hop guy but old school stuff can get my attention. Some Run DMC - Its Tricky rocked the air waves along with this classic.

Song of the Day: Humpty Dance - Digital Underground

Number of Teams I've Seen: 84 (58 games, 35 days, 24 buildings, 8 online)

Beverage Ticker: 365.8 ounces (3950 calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Coke: 12 ounces (140 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 108.9 ounces (760 calories)
Pepsi: 172 ounces (2150 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 10
Pizza: 2
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

French Onion Sun Chips (210 calories)
2 Lays Chips (320 calories)
Kit Kat (210 calories)
3 Snickers (750 calories)

Game Time:
Even game early on before Jayden Lane drives for 2 and then adds a 3 point play on a turnover. Those buckets end a 10-0 Park run for a 19-10 Wolfpack lead at 9:51. But out of a timeout, Sibley calms down and moves the ball very well vs the Park 1-2-2 zone. Dayton Massie from the left corner off the extra pass for 3 and repeat that on the other side. Then its inside out for lefty Brandon Loucks to bury a 3. Soph Cameron Latvis off the bench with 3 buckets as well during the 17-4 Sibley run. That happens in just 3:45 and Sibley back on top 27-23. Domenik Block sitting with 2 fouls for the last 7 minutes of the half. Massie from deep again off an extra pass and a couple Malik Spearman buckets in the last 90 seconds. That keeps Sibley ahead 35-30 at the half.

Park comes out of the zone and goes all man for the 2nd half as coach Weah saw enough ball movement and 6 Sibley 3s to get out of that zone. Its Lane driving for 2 and burying a 3 and Park quickly scores the 1st 6 of the half to regain the lead. Loucks for 3 countered by a Lane triple after an offensive board. 44-43 Sibley clinging to the lead with 12:37 left. Center Jeremiah Smith off the pick and roll for 2 and then adds 2 other strong inside moves for Park. 53-48 Park with 5:53 left after an 8-0 run thanks largely to Smith.

Sibley recovers after a technical on Smith on the last hoop. Eli Lone Tree for 3 and Malik Spearman scoring with under 4 minutes left and Sibley regains the lead 56-55 after a 7-0 run. Park misses a free throw, Sibley missed 2 free throws. But its Massie with another 3 off an extra pass and Sibley goes up 3 with 2:20 to go. Lane makes 1 free throw, Park gets the board but can't convert. Spearman with a great backcut out of the high post with 1:45 left and the Sibley lead is 4.

Block makes 2 free throws and then a Sibley over and back violation vs pressure in the front court. Park converts as they go flare screen iso for Charlie Gorres and he hits the pullup 10 footer with about 46 seconds left. Lone Tree bumped on the sideline and he makes both ends of the 1 and 1 with 20.94 seconds left (love the hundredths of a second on the clock). Sibley by 2 as Park comes the other way. Spearman with a great block with 15 seconds left but just holds the ball and is tied up. The possession arrow goes to Park with 12 seconds left. After 1 inbound pass is knocked away, Park gets it in and gets nothing. Gorres has it on the right wing against Spearman as time winds down. He pivots and buries an off balance 3 at the buzzer. Park wins 64-63.

Post Game
Heartbreak hotel for Henry Sibley as they fall to 0-10 overall, 0-1 in the Metro East. Eli Lone Tree with 13 points. Dayton Massie 4 extra pass 3s for 12 points and Malik Spearman also with 12. Brandon Loucks adds 3 triples on his way to 10 points. Sibley hosts league rival St. Thomas Academy on Friday. Then 3 winnable games over the next 2 weeks. They visit Simley and Hill-Murray next week before a full week off to prepare for a home game with South St. Paul.

Park improves to 3-6 overall, 0-1 in the Suburban East. More importantly it gives them a section win since they've already lost to Eastview and Hastings out of 3AAAA. Jayden Lane leads the Wolfpack with 16 points. Jeremiah Smith adds 13 inside. Domenik Block with 12 points, half of those at the charity stripe. Charlie Gorres held to 7 but had 5 in the last 46 seconds to win it. Park continues Suburban East play on Friday against district rival Woodbury.

The 2018 Holiday Spirit

So 3 events in 24 hours means lots of running around and travel. But its that time of year and its all worth it. Here are some quick hitters from my 3 visits.

East Ridge Tourney (Friday)
In the 1st game of the night New Prague defeated Rosemount 57-47. Too much Tyler Kemp and Hunter Nielsen for the rebuilding Irish. Luke Loehr gave them a 2nd half spark. In the 2nd game, a nice head to head battle between Steven Crowl (Eastview) and Ben Carlson (East Ridge). Those 2 largely equally each other out. An off night for Courtney Brown but another outstanding effort from Kendall Brown leading all scorers with 25 points. Tate Machecek effective vs Courtney Brown with 19 points. I continue to really enjoy watching wing Ryan Thissen for Eastview. Really good shooter and cuts really well off the ball. That including cutting off Crowl in the post for feeds. He scored 11 of 13 Eastview points as the Lightning would try to make it interesting late. 4 missed free throws were a killer when down by 6. East Ridge wins 74-67

TCO Holiday Classic at Augsburg (Saturday)
I could have used the vending machines but my ethics forced me to buy Coke at the concession stand. Somehow I survived. In game 1, Southwest no real problem taking out Burnsville 64-51. 25-43 FTs for the Lakers compared to 12-22 for Burnsville was a huge edge. Daniel Rosenbur with 18 points as the only real offense for Burnsville. 3 in double figures for Southwest.

Game 2 was a St. Paul City matchup between Johnson and Como Park. Como Park goes the 1st 14 minutes with only 2 field goals. Josh Ward would carry the Como Park offense with 23 points. But ultimately the Johnson pressure wore the Cougars out on the way to a 79-59 win. Jordan Mobley leads the Govs with 21 points. 8th grader Dewayne Givens with a bunch late to finish with 18.

Then the big rematch between #3AAAA Hopkins and #1AA Minnehaha. Hopkins would jump out to a 13-2 lead in less than 5 minutes. But Minnehaha controlled most of the rest of the half. Another big half from Chet Holmgren swatting shots and scoring plus Jalen Suggs driving the offense. Kerwin Walton with 8 late points in the half to keep Minnehaha from running away after a 13-2 run gave the Redhawks the lead. 38-33 Minnehaha at the break

A nice surprise visitor for the 2nd half as Kevin Noreen made his way up to my perch. Zeke Nnaji once again with a big 2nd half. His 3 point play in the post and hustle play to assist a Walton hoop give Hopkins a 5 point lead with 9:20 left. Minnehaha gives up a layup on a BLOB after questioning a call and then a tech after a dunk. Hopkins makes the freebies and buries a 3 on the possession to keep the lead at 8. Nnaji in the post for 2 free throws and then runs the floor for a dunk and the lead is 10 with 4:18 left. Nnaji then adds a transition poster dunk on Holmgren with 1:58 left as the exclamation point. Hopkins wins 97-85. Zeke Nnaji goes for 29 points and 11 board on my sheet. Kerwin Walton clutch with 25 points and 5 3s. Rayquon Valentin late free throws and 3 triples for 16 points and Jalen Dearring 17 with 3 bombs. Jalen Suggs with a couple late bombs to get to 39 points in another big outing. Chet Holmgren outstanding again with 23 points, 10 boards and 8 blocks on my sheet. But most of that damage was done in the 1st half.

UST Holiday Classic
Then it was the late night session at the U of St. Thomas for Eagan vs Cretin-Derham Hall. Eagan's 3 point shooting would try to keep them close in the 1st half. Kurt Ohlhues for 3 and the foul would have the Wildcats within 2 at the 5:12 mark. But they wouldn't score the rest of the half as CDH finished on a 12-0 run to push the margin to 14 at the break. Finn O'Malley hot to start the 2nd half for Eagan as they quickly cut the lead to 8. After the lead got back to 12, a couple more Eagan 3s to keep the margin at 9 with 6:20 left. But a 12-2 run shuts the door and the benches clear with 3:24 left. CDH wins 66-48. Finn O'Malley with 14 of his 17 for Eagan in the 2nd half. CDH wing Amari Carter continues to impress and definitely reminds me of Sy Chatman a year ago (though Carter is smaller and not the shot blocker Chatman was). He attacks and runs his way to 25 points to lead all scorers and had a 3 thrown in there. Jaeden King was cold in the 1st half but finished with 16 points..

2018 Tartan Tourney Day 1 Notes

Its the most wonderful time of the year with holiday tournaments and crazy weather going on all over the state. I start my annual tour of the metro with a day at the annual Tartan Tournament. This was an 8 team 3 day event in prior years and then fell apart last year. Now its back with 8 teams but in 2 4 team brackets for just 2 days. Great music all day from Michael Jackson's Billie Jean to AC/DC Back in Back with some KT Tunstall Suddenly I See thrown in too.

Silver Bracket

Spring Lake Park 70 Farmington 61
Spring Lake Park would hang around in the 1st half thanks to 10-18 free throws as they once had a 12-4 advantage in fouls. Farmington would extend a 3 point halftime lead to 7 thanks to an 8-2 run early in the 2nd half. After a Spring Lake Park timeout, the Panthers rally with an 18-4 run of their own. That starts with Blake Remme from deep via the day's only possession of THE WORLD'S WORST OFFENSE. Remme adds another bucket in the run plus a critical 3 from Jacob Say. Soph Trey Johnston with a putback for a 3 point play in the run as well. That run turns the game into a 7 point SLP lead with 5:25 left. Farmington would miss a couple hurried looks late in a 3 point game. A couple of layups against the press finish the deal. Blake Remme leads all scorers with 18 points. Also for Spring Lake Park, Daydor Phillips 15 points and Gabe Myren 13 points. Jameson Shrum leads Farmington with 16 points. Miles Mendes adds 14.

Tartan 74 Park of Cottage Grove 55
Former Tartan player Mike Weah returns to Tartan with his Park squad. Their strategy of playing 1-2-2 zone was a solid idea. Tartan attacked it wtih Antwan Kimmons off high ball screens. But Joseph Kearney with 3 bombs in the 1st half breaks down that zone a bit and Tartan takes a 15 point halftime lead. Tartan sloppy play and they got beat up on the offensive glass in the 2nd half. Park would cut the margin to 10. But 2 Kimmons hoops, a Dorian Singer 3 and one of many Park turnovers for a M'akil Weems dunk pushes the lead back to 19 and there's no danger. Domenick Block 21 points for Park. UMD commit Charlie Gorres held to 5 points on 2 FG. Antawn Kimmons 21 points for Tartan. Joseph Kearney 14 points and 3 3s. Dorian Singer also with 3 triples.

Blue Bracket

White Bear Lake 74 Fridley 50
Sam Schwartz still out and on crutches for undefeated White Bear Lake. Despite early fouls Fridley would hang around only being down 5 at the break. But Isaac Tessier goes off for 18 points in the 2nd half and its blowout city. Tessier leads all scorers with 28 points. Quiet day for Jeremy Beckler with 11 points and 14 rebounds on my sheet. No more than a handful of looks for him inside where he had a major advantage. Frosh Hassan Kamara leads Fridley with 11 points.

Superior, WI 71 Chisago Lakes 53
This one got ugly after about the 1st 6 minutes. Superior converted turnovers into points and took a 17 point lead to halftime. The Spartans cruised from there to an easy win. 6 1st half triples for Superior didn't hurt the cause either. Will Tinjum 12 points for Chisago Lakes. Xavier Patterson leads 3 Spartans in double figures with 22 points. Tartan will take on Superior on the final Saturday of the regular season in Feburary.

Jaguars sprint falls short

Prologue
Original plan on this quiet Saturday was to take in the afternoon at Minneapolis North's Above the Rim Classic. But since I've already seen 3 of the 4 Minnesota teams there and this was a chance to see 2 new AAAA teams (bringing me to 32 for the season), I figured I'd venture south to Bloomington Jefferson instead for their game with Duluth East. Nothing like making a point of hitting the JV game, only to find out that its the B game instead. Kit Kat on the menu with Red Gatorade as the concession stand opened late.

Song of the Day: You ain't nothing but a hound dog - Elvis Presley

Number of Teams I've Seen: 70 (45 games, 24 days, 19 buildings, 6 online)

Beverage Ticker: 309.8 ounces (3370 calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 88.9 ounces (620 calories)
Pepsi: 148 ounces (1850 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 7
Pizza: 2
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

French Onion Sun Chips (210 calories)
Lays Chips (160 calories)
Kit Kat (210 calories)
3 Snickers (750 calories)

Game Time:
Solid start for Duluth East's big 6'8" sophomore center Noah Paulson. He scores in the post and with a putback to extend the Greyhounds lead to 16-11 at 8:14. Lanky lefty Manny Montgomery getting to his left hand off the bounce for 7 early points to drive the Jaguars offense. Then a hectic sequence with East soph Mattie Thompson scoring 2 hoops and the scorers table missing a Spencer Kendall hoop in the middle. East book had that bucket and removed it so they couldn't rectify the mistake at half. East run is 12-2 over 4:30 as the lead grows to 11. After a Jefferson 3 point play, East misses 2 front ends but still scores the last 7 of the half for a 31-18 (actually 20) halftime lead.

Coach Jeff Evens not happy with his starters so he takes a timeout and yanks all 5 of them just 70 seconds into the 2nd half. We don't see a starter for Jefferson again until the 11:19 mark. Jags down 37-24 at that point with the bench being dead even over that almost 5:41 stretch. Thompson takes the extra pass and buries a 3 followed by a Niikan Buffalo cut for 2 at the 8 minute mark. 49-31 Duluth East in control. Problem is that it might have been cruise control.

Evan Lind 2 post free throws, an Isaiah Watts triple and Jacob Bechtold with a putback in a 9-0 run while East misses all 3 front end opportunities of the half. 49-40 inside 4:30 to play. Bechtold for 3 and Montgomery with a drive for a bucket plus 2 free throws on an offensive board. But East still up 7 under 2 minutes left.

East misses 2 freebies and Watts buries a 3 to cut the margin to 4 with 1:40 left. Montgomery scores after an East missed freebie and its a 1 possession game under 90 seconds left. East will go 5 out and run clock. Jefferson chooses not to foul or trap until a foul with 18 seconds left. 1 free throw is good to make it a 4 point game. Jefferson comes down and can't get anything on offense so there's a timeout with 8.7 seconds left. Looked like some confusion on whether coach Evens wanted the timeout or not. Its important because its the last Jags timeout. That means that a Watts 3 just before the buzzer is pointless because Jefferson can't take that timeout to stop the clock. Duluth East hangs on 56-55 despite going the last 8 minutes without a field goal. 7-12 FTs in that time was all the Hounds scoring in that stretch.

Post Game
Isaiah Watts leads Jefferson with 16 points and 4 3s. That included 3 late triples in the rally from 18 down. Junior forward Manny Montgomery adds 14 points off the Jags bench. Also good bench minutes with 9 points for junior forward Evan Lind. Not the standard precision execution that I've seen from other Jefferson teams that would just pick you apart. Jags fall to 3-3 with the loss. They'll play Robbinsdale Armstrong and Centennial next week at Bethel.

Duluth East improves to 5-2 with the win. Nice day for the youngsters used by coach Rhett McDonald. Frosh guard Will Van Scoy leads the way with 18 points including 5 late free throws to seal the game. Soph post Noah Paulson with all 9 points early. Fellow soph Mattie Thompson also adds 9 points off the bench. Isiah Hendrickson in double figures with 10. I've mentioned it before but worth noting again how fun it is to see the enthusiasm from the East bench guys. Every team would love to have that. They still have 5 games left against the top of section 7AAAA. Its a very wide open section so anything is still possible there.

Tigers pounce on the Hylanders

Prologue
Its another trip up Central Ave but not quite as far this time as #2AAA Princeton visits Columbia Heights. Heights is a Pepsi shop so that's always a good idea. Plus the pizza isn't bad but the grease intake might be a bit much even by my standards. Princeton also with the short sleeve hoodie warmups that I just cannot comprehend. Hopefully the Princeton taping turned out as their Hudl iPad took 2 quick nosedives off the tripod at the start of the game. St. John's, Hamline and possibly Augsburg looking on.

Song of the Day: Rod Stewart - Motown Song

Number of Teams I've Seen: 68 (44 games, 23 days, 18 buildings, 6 online)

Beverage Ticker: 289.8 ounces (3230 Calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 68.9 ounces (480 calories)
Pepsi: 148 ounces (1850 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 7
Pizza: 2
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
French Onion Sun Chips (210 Calories)
3 Snickers (750 calories)

Game Time:
A great start for Heights as Amir Davis hits from deep and goes to the nice pivot and jumper in the lane for a 7-0 Hylanders lead less than 2 and a half into the game. Calvin Peterson with 2 bombs as Princeton comes right back with a 10-2 run of their own. Davis breaks that with another triple and he has 10 of the 1st 12. Kaich Ogul with his 3rd bunny for the Hylanders just inside the 9 minute mark. Davis adds 2 free throws at 5:47 to tie the game at 18.

But its all Tigers the rest of the half. Peterson another 3 ball along with one from frosh Haydn Stay. Post Jon Stimmler adds 2 buckets and 2 free throws as part of that 15-2 run. Jarvis Wright ends the half with 2 free throws. 33-22 Princeton at the break. Columbia Heights with only 1 field goal in almost the last 9 minutes of the half. That took the game from tied to down 11.

Columbia Heights changes it up with a couple of their top freshmen starting the 2nd half. Princeton comes out on a 10-0 run. Sloppy turnovers the explanation for that run. Total run for the Tigers is 25-4 over almost 13 minutes crossing halftime and only 1 Heights FG. One of those freshmen, Spencer Alvarez leads a run back with 2 hoops and a nice assist to a cutter. The quick 9-2 spurt cuts the lead to 14 before a Princeton bucket and MoKiller timeout. 49-33 Tigers with 10:19 left.

Princeton responds out of the time out as they tack on 8 of the next 10 for a 10-2 run to push the lead back over 20. Ogul converts a pretty pick and roll to cut the lead to 18 with 6 minutes left. But Stimmler scores 2 straight buckets to kill the momentum and start a 14-2 run that blows the game wide open. Princeton wins 80-49.

Post Game
For Columbia Heights, senior guard Amir Davis leads the way with 18 points. But only 1 FG after the spurt in the 1st 5 minutes. Kaich Ogul active inside as a cleanup man. He finishes with 12 points. Quiet night for Jarvis Wright with only the 2 free throws to end the 1st half. Heights offense almost looked in slow motion with half speed cuts. Add in no dribble reverse option when they were running their 4 man shuffle and trying to be patient was still difficult. Plus a bunch of really sloppy turnovers and that will kill you against a really good team. Heights falls to 2-3 overall. They'll play next week in the Rochester Rotary tournament before opening Tri-Metro play on Jan 7th against old Metro Alliance foe Brooklyn Center.

Second ranked Princeton remains undefeated at 6-0 with the closest margin being 14 points. Jon Stimmler with 18 points inside for the Tigers. Calvin Peterson knocks down 4 3s on his way to 14 points. 6 players score 8 or more points. Good movement on offense and they have enough shooters to knock down shots in addition to having a guy like Stimmler to throw it to inside. The Tigers will play next week in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud.

Buzzing Eagles too much for Elks

Prologue
After 3 nights of small schools, its time to get back to the big boys. So I take in a NW Suburban cross-division game between Elk River and Totino-Grace. Gotta love the meal deal math. Gatorade $2, Hot Dog $1.50. But if you get the meal deal its only $3 and you get chips with it. Granted the chips were French Onion Sun Chips but they do have more calories so that helps I guess. Minnehaha AD Josh Thurow on the whistle tonight. With him stepping down as girls coach, he's wearing only 2 hats now.

Song of the Day: Raspberry Beret - Prince

Number of Teams I've Seen: 65 (41 games, 22 days, 17 buildings, 4 online)

Beverage Ticker: 269.8 ounces (2980 Calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 68.9 ounces (480 calories)
Pepsi: 128 ounces (1600 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 7
Pizza: 1
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
French Onion Sun Chips (210 Calories)
3 Snickers (750 calories)

Game Time:
The 1st half was a story of runs. Totino-Grace scores 1 FG in the 1st 8:25. That allows Elk River to jump out to an 18-5 lead. Devon Roberts all 5 of his 1st half points during that spurt. Ditto that for Connor Wyse off the Elks bench. Then its Elk River who goes cold as they go over 7 minutes without a field goal after their run. PG DJ Akpati with a nice spark off the bench with 5 straight Eagles points. Chase Livingston also off the bench with quality minutes for TG. He buries a 3 for a 20-19 Eagles lead and MoKiller timeout at the 4:16 mark. Dylan Fruth with a triple and an end of half hoop around a pair of steals for buckets by the TG bench mob. 29-28 Elk River at the break.

Totino-Grace starts out the 2nd half strong with a 9-2 run. Roberts keeping Elk River's offense afloat with the 1st 10 Elks points of the half. His 2nd 3 of the half from the left corner ties the game at 39 with 13:40 left. Then a mini-spurt from the Elks thanks to 2 Isaac Hultburg bunnies and a Brock Burdine 3. 46-44 Elk River with just over 9 minutes left.

Totino-Grace goes on the game clinching run. Eric Krieger with a big 2nd half of his own and his 2nd 3 puts the Eagles back on top. He'll finish the 10-0 spurt with a drive and lefty finish. Livingston adds his own drive for 2 and a triple. Devin Burger with a 3 and he'll finish the total 17-5 run with his own drive. 61-49 Totino-Grace leading under 4 minutes. Krieger tacks on late offense but the outcome is never in doubt after that. Totino-Grace wins 70-59.

Post Game
For Elk River, Devon Roberts with 10 of his 15 points in the 2nd half. Dylan Fruth adds 13 points with 3 makes from deep. Connor Wyse with 10 off the bench. Like what I saw from frosh post Brandon Melchior in limited minutes as well. Elk River falls to 1-4 with the loss. This was their closest game of the year so far. They have the quick turnaround for their rivalry game at home with Rogers. Then over the holidays they'll make the trek to Brainerd for a single game. A couple of important section games there.

Eric Krieger leads Totino-Grace with 24 points, 8 of them late to ice the game away. Really good minutes from the bench duo of sophomore guards DJ Akpati and Chase Livingston. They score 11 and 10 points respectively. They were also able to get up into the Elk River guards and make running offense difficult. When Totino-Grace was able to pressure in their man to man it changed the game. Totino-Grace improves to 3-2 with the win after a couple of blowout losses. They host Breck on Saturday afternoon. Then they'll play Lakeville South and Big Lake in the Granite City over the holidays.

Living the TCAC Life

The schedule is full of TCAC games this week so let's keep it simple with all 3 in 1 post. Limited food options all week. Sadly no ball out of bounds and into the nachos at Avail

Monday: Avail Academy 79 Shattuck-St. Mary's 61
For those not paying attention to previews (shame on you), Avail Academy is the former Calvin Christian. This one appeared to be a matchup of 2 of the top teams in the 2nd division of the TCAC. But don't tell the scoreboard that. Avail blows this one open with an early 13-0 run and then tacks on a 17-2 run in the middle of the 1st half. That pushes the game to 26 at the half. It stays even the rest of the way. Hans Dykstra (my preseason pick for D2 MVP) finishes with 16 points and 18 boards in the middle for Avail. Avail moves the ball well and they have Dykstra going all over setting screens like a mad man. No reason to think they won't uphold my prediction of them winning the division. Shattuck had a miserable 1st half but they've got a couple of athletes on the wing that will be tough to handle in league play.

Tuesday: Maranatha 62 Cristo Rey 46
These future Skyline members get to see each other a year early. Cristo Rey slowed the pace with a 2-3 zone and that was a success. But early turnovers by the Pumas allowed Maranatha to jump out to an 11-2 lead. James Sommer sat with 2 quick fouls but returned to stabilize the lineup. He had to carry the offense in the 2nd half.as CRJ just couldn't generate anything. It takes over 10 minutes to get the 1st CRJ FG of the 2nd half. But by that time the margin is 13 and the zone is no longer an option. Justin Mason with 4 3s in the game and 19 points for MCA. Christian Davis with a couple highlight dunks off the bench late. Very ugly game with no flow and a ton of fouls.

Wednesday: Hope Academy 80 Hiawatha Collegiate 56
The schedule comes up with Hope for a 3rd time. This time its a trip to Hiawatha's brand new building in SE Minneapolis. Nice setup but I had to laugh at all the signs that said to use door 1 and then everything at door 1 was locked. Another big outing for Hope from Caleb Hoilien with 31 points, 12 boards, 6 assists and 5 blocks on my sheet. Freshman guard Elijah Wade with his own layup drill for 28 points. Sam Ojebode once again very active on the glass from his PF spot. Hope was up 30 at the half but didn't put the game way as the lead got under 20. 8th Grade point guard Jessye Lewis with 5 3s and 23 points to lead Hiawatha. Fellow 8th grader Jaheim Nuah on the wing is a name I'll be keeping an eye on for the long term.

2018 Southside Showcase Notes

The 3rd annual Southside Showcase moved to Roseville and expanded to 2 courts for this edition. Overall a fun day with some notable talent and fun games to take up the day. The box scores are often quite different than what I had on my sheet so I'll quote the official one.

Game 1: #6AAA Robbinsdale Cooper 72 St. Paul Central 69
After a tight 1st half, Cooper would take control of this one early in the 2nd. Cam Vaughn's offense comes alive and Daveonte Davis sits at 15:30 with his 4th foul thanks to Don Cheadle missing a flop by Vaughn in the post. That's all part of a 17-0 Hawks run. Only 1 Central FG in 6 minutes and they find themselves down 62-44 with 11:25 left after a Jalen Miller hoop. But the tables turn quickly as Central counters with a 19-1 run. Davis is on the bench for almost all of it but he comes back in with 4:30 left and promptly hits a 3 to tie the game at 63 late. Bo Powell Jr with a late 3 point play for the lead for Cooper. Luke McElroy has a 3 go around and out at the buzzer. Dion Ford and Daveonte Davis carry the Central offense with 19 points each. Ford was very active and when he gets to his left hand he's tough to deal with. Cam Vaughn with 20, Jalen Miller with 18 to lead Cooper. Once again liked the interior work of Damarri Bankhead for Cooper.

Game 2: #4AAAA Hopkins 77 Madison La Follette 63
The story here is simply too much Zeke Nnaji. He goes for 35 and double digit rebounds. Whenever Hopkins made a point of finding him in the post it was buckets. La Follette with no size to deal with him. Between Nnaji and Dane Zimmer, it was all Hopkins on the defensive glass. But the Lancers guard play was solid and Hopkins was really sloppy turning the ball over. Ben Probst with 4 3s and 20 points to lead La Follette. Donneil Gray sat out 7 minutes of the 1st half after a nasty spill but he still finished with 17 points. Troy Reeves added 3 triples and 17 points of his own. Gritty performance from La Follette as they easily could have gotten blown out. Andy Stafford and Kerwin Walton each chip in with 13 points for Hopkins.

Game 3: #5 D1 Madison East 59 Blaine 45
East improves to 9-0 with the win. A 15-0 1st half run took care of things. Blaine was pressured into a ton of turnovers and that was the difference. Liked what I saw from junior Anthony Washington and once he adds a jump shot, he's got real upside. He finished with 20 points. Patrick Perrault with 15 points to lead Blaine. Blaine played without top forward Jason Kaul.

Game 4: Spring Lake Park 66 #15AAAA Eastview 63
Spring Lake Park jumped out to a 16-3 lead thanks to 3 easy buckets off of turnovers. Steven Crowl had 1st half foul trouble but in the 2nd half he led the comeback. Eastview with an 18-4 run across the half to get right back in the game. But it was Ryan Thissen would kept Eastview afloat as he's become the go to perimeter guy for the Lightning. After a late missed front end, Eastview would get 1 last chance. They draw up a great SLOB and get a wide open layup but miss it. Steven Crowl and Ryan Thissen with 16 points each for Eastview. Spring Lake Park gets 4 in double figures. Gabe Myren and Blake Remme with 14 each to lead the Panthers.

Game 5: Burnsville 69 Benilde-St. Margaret's 59
Burnsville would have a 10 point 1st half lead but that was cut to 6 at the half. The lead would grow to 11 but BSM would rally to tie at 43with just over 11 minutes left. Burnsville would counter that immediately with a 12-0 run of their own and BSM would never be closer than 6 after that. Hayden Johnson leads Burnsville with 17 points. Julian Hutchinson adds 12. Soph Derric Standifer with good minutes off the BSM bench at the point guard spot. He leads the Red Knights with 15 points. Dylan Drees with 14 and 2 other Red Knights also in double figures.

Game 6: #20AAA Columbia Heights 76 Minneapolis Patrick Henry 66
Columbia Heights would use a 14-3 run to end the 1st half and open a 15 point halftime margin. Glentrell Carter would try to lead the Patriots back as they would cut the lead to 6 midway thru the 2nd half. Carter would keep it going as the margin was cut the 3 with just over 4 minutes left. Heights closes the door with 3 of 4 FTs from frosh Muja Burton and 5 critical points from Jarvis Wright. A table snafu allows a Henry player to play almost 2 minutes with 5 fouls before he has to leave when he commits foul number 6. Jarvis Wright 22, Muja Burton 15, Jordan Jones 14 for Columbia Heights. Mark Cambell 14, Glentrell Carter 12 to lead Henry.

Touring the city and finding a rivalry

I end up with a full hoops week in the city. Back to back nights in the Minneapolis City conference ends it with trips to both ends of town. I skipped concessions both nights as they are hit and miss at Minneapolis Henry. But of course I still smuggled in Pepsi. Southwest did have pizza on Thursday but I did pregame BBQ instead. Though with the late nights for both, the waistline might suffer. Southwest in December is also my Christmas lights tour and that never disappoints.

Thursday: Armstrong 55 Southwest 40
An Armstrong run of 11-2 in the 1st half with a couple of Devyn Frye buckets would push Armstrong to a 12 point halftime lead. Then a quick 7-0 for the Falcons right after halftime to push the lead to 36-18. But the blowout wasn't on. Christo Polydorou with 2 triples and Casey Peterson adds another for an 11-0 Lakers run. That cuts the margin to 7 with just over 11 minutes left but Southwest gets no closer. Frye slams the door with a pair of triples and another hoop down the stretch. That's part of a late 12-3 run. Devyn Frye with 15 points to lead Armstrong. Adam Biewen chips in with 10 for the Falcons. Christo Polydorou 3 triples and 16 points to lead the Lakers. Southwest also lost at home to Edison tonight to fall to 0-5, ouch. Edison 2-0 in the city as they beat Washburn this week too. Break up the Tommies! Back to back section wins for Armstrong to draw even at 2-2.

Friday: Minneapolis North 99 Minneapolis Henry 60
Gotta love the drumlines on hand and going back and forth on the court at halftime. That went long but highly enjoyable. The game itself was incredibly sloppy, especially on the Henry side. Transition defense optional too. 3 point game midway thru the 1st half. Then North broke it open to 14 at the half. 2nd half more of the same and run away from there. A couple of frustration technicals as part of that as the score got out of hand. Great balance for North as they had their entire 7 man rotation in double figures. The backcourt of Eli Campbell and Nasir El-Amin with 14 each to lead the Polars. Glentrell Carter 15 to lead Henry. Jamar Gardner and Yusuf Abdullah 11 each off the Patriots bench. Henry 8-20 FTs compared to 28-40 from the stripe for North. Henry 3-3 with the quick turnaround in the late game vs Columbia Heights in the Southside Showcase in a game I'll see. North is off until Washburn next Thursday when they start 3 games in 3 days. They have a good one coming up a week from Saturday (the 21st) vs ranked Chicago Orr.

A Royal block party

Prologue
Its one of the monster regular non-conference games on the schedule as #2AAAA Hopkins visits #1AA Minnehaha. Not even 2 weeks into the season and the 3rd time to see these 2 teams play. Not like me to do that, especially in December, but the games are too good to avoid. Standard Gatorade and Hot Dog on the menu. Good crowd but not the wild crowd that one might have expected. But being there always reminds of the coach Johnson recommendation for wild rice soup one afternoon. Nice to be back at Bergstrom Court though I ended up going the long away around the building and thru the snow to find the new entrance which is the old secret passage I used. So maybe I was fooled by the rocks they've got.

Song of the Day: Jenny From the Block - Jennifer Lopez

Number of Teams I've Seen: 39 (25 games, 13 days, 10 buildings, 2 online)

Beverage Ticker: 193.8 ounces (2140 Calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 48.9 ounces (340 calories)
Pepsi: 72 ounces (900 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 5
Pizza: 1
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
2 Snickers (500 calories)

Game Time:
Andy Stafford productive early for Hopkins. The Royals use a 10-0 run to take a 20-12 lead at 9:06 with a couple of Stafford hoops. Minnehaha right back with their own 11-0 run and they're back in the lead 23-20 at 6:17. Jalen Suggs once again living at the foul line. But his night was different as his shots weren't falling. Kerwin Walton with a 3 to beat the halftime buzzer. That gives Hopkins a 35-32 lead at the break.

Walton and Stafford with triples. Dane Zimmer and Walton add buckets and Stafford converts a turnover for a 47-35 Hopkins lead with 13:25 left. Minnehaha rallies with 4 Suggs free throws and a converted turnover along with a Chet Holmgren jumper. But Suggs has to sit with 9:49 left with his 4th foul. Walton buries a 3 and Hopkins is up 10 and Minnehaha looks in trouble. Holmgren with a tip dunk and he's swatting everything on the other end. Zeke Nnaji sits with his 4th at 6:55 while Suggs is already back in. Donovan Smith adds a 3. Suggs up high to Holmgren for the dunk. Then its Suggs for 3 and coast to coast for 2 free throws. 56-55 Hopkins hanging on to the lead with 3:40 left after the 12-3 Minnehaha run.

Zimmer and Nnaji with buckets to push the lead back to 5. They look to hold with that lead but Holmgren with yet another block to give Minnehaha a chance. Suggs misses a front end but recovers with a steal for 2 free throws and its a 1 possession game with 1:09 left. But Suggs misses a couple late 3s and Hopkins makes enough free throws to seal it. Hopkins wins 66-59.

Post Game
Jalen Suggs finishes with another huge night at the line with 15 of 18 FTs and 25 points. I had him 4-16 from the floor on my sheet. I also had him for 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Chet Holmgren gigantic night with 18 points, 9 blocks on my sheet and others had 10 rebounds for him. He gave Nnaji and Zimmer fits at the rim all night. Saying breakout game is too much since he's already known but doing this against the high level front line of Hopkins was eye opening. The rest of the roster with only 16 points. Will teams start playing off the big 3? Minnehaha falls to 3-1 overall. They'll host St. Louis Park on Friday and then be done until the Augsburg Holiday Tournament. That championship game is mapped out to be a likely rematch of this game.

Kerwin Walton leads Hopkins with 21 points. He knocks down 4 3s and seals the game late with 3 of 4 FTs. Andy Stafford with 17 points in another solid supporting effort. Zeke Nnaji with 13 points and 10 boards on my sheet. But Holmgren's length helped hold him to 6-16 FGs as well. Overall they took care of the ball and limited the transition opportunities for Minnehaha. When you can run your stuff and not turn it over, Minnehaha will break down defensively. Hopkins will host #3AAA Robbinsdale Cooper on Thursday before playing Madison LaFollette in the Southside Showcase on Saturday afternoon at Roseville.

The Lions share of the buzzer

Prologue
An unexpected second visit to Hope Academy to see them take on Legacy Christian. My original trip of AFSA at Chesterton was a wreck, show up and nothing there, oooof. But at least we still get some TCAC representation. A&W Root Beer tonight and another Snickers to squash my travel issues. That means we've already hit the 2000 calories mark for beverages.

Song of the Day: All The Ways - Meghan Trainor

Number of Teams I've Seen: 39 (24 games, 12 days, 9 buildings, 2 online)

Beverage Ticker: 173.8 ounces (2000 Calories)

A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 28.9 ounces (200 calories)
Pepsi: 72 ounces (900 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 4
Pizza: 1
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
2 Snickers (500 calories)

Game Time:
Legacy jumps out to a 9-0 lead. Hope coach Kelby Brothen not happy and he takes 2 quick timeouts. That jump starts Hope with Caleb Hoilien scoring the next 12 points of the game to put Hope on top. The rest of the half is back and forth. Jordan Sperl with a late 3 (looked easily on the line) to send Legacy to the half with a 26-24 lead.

Hoilien with the 1st 8 of the half for Hope but Legacy extends the lead to 43-32 with just over 12 minutes left. Carter Franze with 2 free throws and converts a turnover in that spurt. Justin Demars with a putback and jumper to keep the Legacy lead at 12 with 10:40 left. But Hope would fight their way back. Hoilien with 2 bombs around a coast to coast bucket from frosh guard Elijah Wade. Wade with a 3 point play and its Hoilien from the deep beyond again. 57-56 Hope regains the lead inside 4:30 to play. That's an 11-2 run in just 2 minutes.

Wade adds bonus free throws and Hope with 2 more freebies at the 2:09 mark for a 4 pt lead. Total run is 16-2 in 4:18 for a 61-56 lead. Legacy rallies with 2 Trenton Harrison free throws and a Harley Kendall freebie off a turnover. Hope had a timeout called to avoid that turnover and the officials didn't see it. Wade makes 1 of 2 with 35 seconds left. Legacy goes quick and Demars scores inside with 20 seconds left to cut the lead to 1. Hope inbounds and gets it across the timeline to Hoilien. He gets trapped and throws it to the backcourt for an Over and Back violation with 10 seconds left. out of the Legacy timeout, PG Carson Sharp goes left baseline and Nash like under the rim. He kicks out to the right slot to a wide open Primeau Hill who buries the 3 at the buzzer. Legacy steals one late 64-62. They trailed by 5 with under 2 min left.

Post Game
Caleb Hoilien another big night for Hope Academy. He hits 6 3s and finishes with 33 points. 19 of those points with 5 3s in the 2nd half. Frosh guard Elijah Wade with 11 of his 14 in the 2nd half. Both players are sleepers to watch. Hope as usual living by the 3 point shot with a total of 11 of them tonight. This loss will hurt though as they missed a free throw and committed 2 turnovers in the last 45 seconds. The Lions fall to 1-4 overall. Cleveland comes calling tomorrow. 2 years ago these teams played a classic with Hope winning at the buzzer. Teams are having success faceguarding Hoilien so they'll need to find a solution for that. They really don't move much or set screens which makes the tactic more effective.

Legacy improves to 3-1 with the win for new coach Nate Bellefeuille. They also have the quick turnaround with St. Paul Academy making the trip north tomorrow. Then a tough league trip to St. Croix Prep on Friday. Great balance for Legacy with Jordan Sperl, Justin Demars and Harley Kendall all scoring 13 points. Loved how they moved the ball and played their game. They aren't overly talented, quick or big but they're unselfish and don't make crazy mistakes. They made a nice adjustment in each half to put a bigger defender on Hoilien when he took advantage of a smaller guard in the post.

2018 Tipoff Classic Notes

What a day at the 2018 Boys Tipoff Classic. Its always the biggest day of the season and this year didn't disappoint. Now granted there wasn't the gigantic big game appeal of past years so you didn't have the total zoo atmosphere we've seen in other years. But don't let that fool you, there was plenty to see in the 16 games. I took in bits and pieces of the east court and the full day on the main court. The number of outstanding individual performances really stuck out to me. Here's a recap of the day.

The Star Performances

Tartan - Antwan Kimmons 45 pts
Minnetonka - Cam Steele 43 pts (19 rbs)
Rochester John Marshall - Matt Hurt 42 pts
De La Salle - Jamison Battle 40 pts (11 rbs)
St. Thomas Academy - Jack Thompson 37 pts
Edina - Jack Middleton 34 pts
Minnehaha - Jalen Suggs 34 pts
Eastview - Steven Crowl 30 pts
St. Thomas Academy - Noah Chamberlain 27 pts
Champlin Park - Bennett Otto 26 pts
North Woods - Cade Goggleye 25 pts
Prior Lake - Dawson Garcia 25 pts (15 rbs)
Hopkins - Zeke Nnaji 25 pts (11 rbs)
Lakeville North - Tyler Wahl 24 pts (12 rbs)
Cretin-Derham Hall - Amari Carter 23 pts
Breck - David Roddy 22 pts (11 rbs)

Quick Notes from the East Court

Brooklyn Center played without Maxsamus Wilson in their loss
Big day for Cam Steele for Minnetonka but Mayo getting blown out by giving up 52 in the 2nd half was a surprise.
Roosevelt was without Deszi Sims in the loss.
Resume win for Perham over Caledonia in AA. This one was tight the whole way and would be really fun to see a rematch at state.
Solid win for Edina over Tartan with Jack Middleton coming up large to offset a monster day from Antawn Kimmons.
The late game between Minneapolis North and Eastview was an overtime thriller that Eastview pulled out. Funny that the during that ending, the Minnehaha game was warming up. The main court turned to watch the ending while the 2nd court turned to watch Minnehaha warmups. North with no good answer for Steven Crowl in that game.

Main Court Notes
Game 1: #16AAA St. Thomas Academy 78 #3AAA Robbinsdale Cooper 77
Jack Thompson and Noah Chamberlain on fire in this one for St. Thomas Academy. They combined for all but 4 of the Cadets 1st half points. Cooper would trail by 16 with 9:30 remaining but make a big comeback. The Hawks quickness should have been a major advantage but somehow they gave up a enough easy layups to fill the vaults at Fort Knox. The dynamic Jalen duo for Cooper (Miller and Justice) held to 9 points each. The post play of Damarri Bankhead was a nice highlight for Cooper in the 2nd half.

Game 2: #10AA Breck 57 #4AA Lake City 52
Lake City with 42 of their 52 points from the 3 point line (14 3s). Nothing in the paint for the Tigers. David Roddy was passive in the 1st half but took his play inside in the 2nd half where there was no answer for him. Lake City's shooting would rally them from 12 down. They had 1 last chance at the end but couldn't get a look at a 3 to tie. Roddy sealed it with 2 free throws with 2.1 left.

Game 3: #1AAA De La Salle 70 #7AAAA Wayzata 49
De La Salle played without star PG Tyrell Terry who's out with an injured arm until sometime late in the season. No problem for the Islanders though. Jamison Battle goes absolutely nuts for 27 of his 40 points in the 1st half. Terrific movement without the ball and a quick release. Didn't help Wayzata that they couldn't but a shot either. They hit only 3 triples and the 1st was until almost midway thru the 2nd half. Wayzata would use a mid 2nd half run of 15-2 to cut a 26 point margin in half. But Battle would slam the door with 7 straight points.

Game 4: #8AAAA Cretin-Derham Hall 81 #10AAAA Rochester John Marshall 64
Matt Hurt 42 points in this one but he doesn't have much help around him. But I do like how they move him around in their 2-3 high offense to try to get different looks. Curtis Jones with 7 3s for his 21 points in the game including 4 of them early as CDH jumped out to a 21-4 lead. JM was able to hang around in the 1st half when PG Tre Holloman sat the last 13:35 with 2 fouls. Amari Carter had 23 points. The junior is reminding me of how Sy Chatman broke out last year. Very similar usage and he's been very productive so far.

Game 5: #2AAAA Hopkins 78 #3AAAA Lakeville North 72
Hopkins with a 16-2 run late in the 2nd half to put this one out of reach. Zeke Nnaji with a big 2nd half to lead the Royals. Tyler Wahl largely cancelled him out. Tommy Jensen and Kerwin Walton each with 5 3s and 17 points to cancel each other out. Andy Stafford with 16 points and nice offense to offset the 4 3s for Jack Rusch off the Lakeville North bench. North tried to double Nnaji in the post but he handled that fairly well getting the ball out without turning it over.

Game 6: #6AAAA Prior Lake 70 #1AAAA East Ridge 62
Another day, another day of too much Dawson Garcia inside. I had him for 25 and 15 just about all of them inside. I'd still like to see his shot develop. Robert Jones with another double double of 13 and 13. Much better shot selection for him this week. Kendall Brown and Courtney Brown each with 20 points to lead East Ridge. Kendall Brown with steals early to generate his offense. Courtney Brown struggled with his shooting at 6 of 21 on my sheet. Ben Carlson no field goals but 10 rebounds on my sheet. So with 2 of the big 3 struggling East Ridge was still able to stay close the entire way.

Game 7: #5AAAA Park Center 49 #4AAAA Eden Prairie 46
Offense was hard to come by in this one. Park Center had 1 FG in the last 9:25 of the 1st half. Eden Prairie had 1 FG in the last 7 min of the 1st half. A 9-0 EP run during the half would push them to a 27-21 lead at the half. The lead would still be there late. Dain Dainja with a dunk off strong post position. Then Park Center stops EP on a 1 minute possession and Emmanuel Tamba takes the turnover for a layup to tie the game at 44 with 3:20 left. Big momentum swing there. We come down to the end tied. Park Center advances the ball and takes time with 9.6 left. Eden Prairie comes out in a zone but blows the coverage. That leads David Ijadimbola wide open at the top of the key for the straight away 3 with 2 seconds left for the win. Eden Prairie threw the ball in and hit a 3 from halfcourt but it was after the buzzer. Detavious Frierson with 10 early points including 2 3s and 16 total to lead Park Center. Drake Dobbs 21 to lead Eden Prairie.

Game 8: #1AA Minnehaha 79 #16AAAA Champlin Park 68
Minnehaha would pull away with a 14-2 run in the 2nd half. Once again the story was Jalen Suggs playing very well. He finishes with 34 points and 16 of them from the charity stripe. He drew a ton of handcheck calls With Lithgow on hand evaluating refs at courtside its no shock that the game was tightly called. Chet Holmgren with 18 points, Prince Aligbe 17 as well for Minnehaha. Bennett Otto was very good for Champlin Park too along with Jacob Johnson. Johnson is a sleeper worth keeping an eye on.

Green with envy

Prologue
Its off to Concordia Academy for their all green showdown in section 4AA with New Life Academy. Dr. Pepper and a 1/4 pound Nathan's Hot Dog on the menu. Concordia coach Eric Schutte dapper as usual but shockingly outdressed by a member of his own staff wearing a bowtie. I'm told an emergency staff meeting will be called to address this serious breach of protocol. Speaking of clothing protocol, when did warmups with short-sleeves and hoods become popular? Not a fan. Kevin Hart one of the officials on the call for the game. All of this accompanied by holiday music during throughout the night. We get the Boston Pops, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and even some Gloria Estefan for that theme. But you can never go wrong with a traditional classic.

Song of the Day: Carol of the Bells - Manheim Steamroller

Number of Teams I've Seen: 30 (15 games, 9 days, 8 buildings, 2 online)

Beverage Ticker: 125.8 ounces (1380 Calories)

Dr. Pepper: 12 ounces (150 calories)
Fruit Punch Gatorade: 28.9 ounces (200 calories)
Pepsi: 36 ounces (450 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 3
Pizza: 1
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
Snickers (250 calories)

Game Time:
Luke Raymond with a nice start inside for Concordia with 7 of the 1st 9. Then Concordia turns on the Diamond press. That opens the margin up to 26-9 at the 8:20 mark. Then foul trouble sets in and New Life is able to stabilize for the rest of the half. 40-27 Beacons at the break. Michael Reader the beneficiary of many of the fouls as he shot 14 FTs tonight. He makes 2 and Cooper St. Cyr buries a 3 and New Life is within 10 with about 13:30 to go. But the Eagles go the next 7+ minutes without a field goal. Concordia pounces with a set play for a Barnabas Preble layup, a nice simple BLOB for a Luke Raymond layup vs the zone and back to back Aaron TerHaar triples. Preble adds a triple and TerHaar again from deep. The run is 18-2 and blows the game wide open. Concordia goes on to win 72-51.

Post Game
New Life falls to 1-1 with the loss. They have the Big 10 like early conference opener vs Heritage on Tuesday. Cooper St Cyr 3 triples and 12 points to lead the Eagles. Forward Michael Reader attacking inside for 9-14 free throws and a field goal for his 11 points. Like last year, New Life had trouble handling the press and it cost them in the 1st half. They lose a couple of guards but have a nice group coming back next year to start Skyline play.

Concordia improves to 2-1 with the win. They host PACT and visit old Tri-Metro foe St. Paul Academy in a section game next week. Forward Barnabas Preble leads the Beacons with 21 points. Forward Luke Raymond controlling the blocks with 14 of his 18 in the 1st half despite some foul trouble. Guard Aaron TerHaar hit 4 of his 5 3s in the 2nd half on the way to 17 points. Fouls were a 1st half issue and likely took them out of the press in the 2nd half. Despite some sloppy turnovers, I like their discipline looking for great shots over good shots. Fun to see a very unselfish group. TerHaar is one of the better shooters that people don't talk about. Raymond is as good in the post as anybody in their league. The Beacons will definitely be there in the Tri-Metro East and a tough out in sections.

Packers put away the Lions

Prologue
Its the 2nd Thursday of the season and another night in the city with South St. Paul visiting Hope Academy. No concessions and another night where a JV team scores 2 points in the 1st half. Off. Czar have a Snickers, you know how you are in a blowout. A small bottle of fruit punch Gatorade to go with it. Its the final opening night at Hope's gym. They open a new gym next season.

Song of the Day: Leader of the Pack - Shangri-Las

Number of Teams I've Seen: 28 (14 games, 8 days, 7 buildings, 2 online)

Beverage Ticker: 113.8 ounces (1230 Calories)

Fruit Punch Gatorade: 28.9 ounces (200 calories)
Pepsi: 36 ounces (450 calories)
Sprite: 48.9 ounces (580 calories)

Food Ticker:

Hot Dogs: 2
Pizza: 1
Walking Tacos: 2
Extras

Lays Chips (160 calories)
Snickers (250 calories)

Game Time:
As to the game itself, not much to talk about here. South St. Paul out to a 17 point lead midway thru the 1st half. Its 43-23 at the half. The lead pushes to around 30 before the Packers win 74-47. Both rosters very young with both teams only having 1 senior each. Hope with only 1 junior on the roster as well. South St. Paul with only 1 junior in their rotation too. Loved the activity of forward Marquise Gleb for South St. Paul. His 100% motor got him a ton of rebounds inside. Elijah Wade is a nice freshman guard with quickness off the bounce for Hope Academy. Between him and big shooting guard Caleb Hoilien, that is a nice duo to build around for league play.

Post Game
Hope Academy falls to 1-3 with the loss. They continue a stretch of 8 straight home games into mid-January with Legacy Christian on Monday. Elijah Wade with 19 points to lead the Lions. Caleb Hoilien with 15. Lots of 3s is expected from Hope Academy but 4-38 according to the online box score makes for a very long evening. Makes putting the ball on the deck for 15-27 look even better but its a young group who will learn that.

South St. Paul improves to 2-0 with the win. They have the quick turnaround at Mounds Park Academy on Friday. Then section games with Kennedy and Richfield before the tough league opener vs Mahtomedi in the final week before the holidays. Marquise Gleb 18 points and had to have double digit boards to go with it. Tim Smith 4 bombs on his way to 14 points. Freshman guard Alonzo Dodd with 12. The Packers definitely better than the complete doormat years. They may be young but they have some quickness and more talent in players like Dodd than they've had in the past.

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