Another Bears and Ponies Classic

Prologue
Its another night of video. This time I take in a must see game of Stillwater at White Bear Lake.  This was a classic last year.  Plus you have 2 of the state's best juniors, Max Shikenjanski and Jack Janicki going at it.  The sad part of doing video is missing out on the fantastic Donatelli's pizza and the WBL pep band. The good news is that it saves me a forever trip home.  Best part of the night was The Horn announcers butchering but being able to fix the pronounciation of Shikenjanski.

Song of the Day: In A Gadda Da Vita - Iron Butterfly

Game Time
White Bear Lake going after Shikenjanski early on his touches.  That holds him without a field goal until the 11:40 mark.  That cuts the Bears lead to 12-9.  Jack Misgen with a pair of triples and 10 points before he picks up a 2nd foul.  Shikenjanski carries the Stillwater offense as expected for the rest of the half.  Janicki and Shikenjanski trade 3s in the last 10 seconds of the half.  30-26 White Bear Lake at the break.

Drew Johnson 3 quick 3s for Stillwater as they start to see shots go in.  Shikenjanski flares off the spin action in the Princeton point series for a triple in there too.  Stillwater takes their 1st lead in forever 40-38 with 12:30 left.  Shikenjanski free throw and an assist cancelled out by a tough Janicki 3.  45 all with 8:50 left.  Janicki with a tip in off a turnover.  Misgen another hoop for a 53-49 WBL lead with about 4 minutes left.

Shikenjanski straight away for 3.  Then he'll convert a turnover for 2 more.  54-53 Stillwater back on top with 3:10 left.  Janicki counters with a tough finish.  Shikenjanski with Tanner Thomson for a bucket.  Janicki to a cutting Misgen for 2 and the foul with 1:34 left.  The free throw is no good.  Shikenjanski with the long pass to a sreaking Thomson for 1 of 2 FTs to tie the game with 90 ticks left.

White Bear Lake turnover and who else but Shikenjanski to convert it with 1:05 to play.  59-57 Ponies on top. White Bear Lake misses a 3 but is fouled on the rebound with 33.8 left to keep it.  Janicki fouled and makes the 1st of 2.  Misses the 2nd, Bears get it back and miss a 3.  Stillwater gets the rebound with 14 seconds left.  White Bear Lake has to foul but they aren't in the bonus.  Stillwater uses a timeout for the inbounds but Janicki steals that.  Timeout WBL with 11.9 to play.  Stillwater gives their 1 foul to give with 7.6 left.  WBL inbounds and mishandles it.  Jump ball to Stillwater with 3.6 left.  They miss the front end but no timeouts left for White Bear Lake.  Heave is no good. Stillwater wins 59-58

Post Game
White Bear Lake falls to 3-2 overall, 1-1 in the Suburban East.  Jack Janicki with 16 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Bears.  Jack Misgen 10 of his 16 in the first half. He also had to chase Shikenjanski around most of the night.  Nice night from forward Wyatt Hawks with 10 points. Its a junior laden rotation with only 1 senior so a 2 year process here for new coach Greg Burke.  The Bears have another rivalry game at Mahtomedi on Saturday plus a home game with Anoka next week before the holidays.

Stillwater improves to 2-2 overall, 1-1in the Suburban East.  Max Shikenjanski leads the Ponies with 25 points and 4 triples.  Drew Johnson clutch early in the 2nd half with 3 of his 4 triples.  He finishes with 14 points.  Always fun to watch the Princeton Point Series.  They'll even post Shikenjanski a little bit out of it.  The high flare screen after starting down hill off the spin entry is a bear to defend too.  The Ponies get North St. Paul on Saturday before taking their turn at Mahtomedi on Tuesday.

Czar Insights

For details on exactly what the value in the chart mean, click here for the full explanation of Czar Insights.  In a tight game like this, its the little things that matter.  Stillwater wins the points off of turnovers big despite the actual turnover numbers being close.  Stillwater also more productive putting back the misses they were able to grab.  White Bear Lake had the lead for most of the game and Stillwater never had a lead bigger than 3 but got it done anyway.