2022 Capitol City Classic Day 2 thoughts

Back to Hamline to take in the full 2nd day of games there in the Capitol City Classic.  A couple of new teams I wanted to cross off my list in person and then a couple of fun night games.

Game #1: White Bear Lake 70 Duluth East 68
No Isaac Nyakundi?  No problem for Duluth East as still have 2 bigs to put in the middle.  Crazy how much size they've had in recent years.  The Greyhounds shoot 15-25 in the 1st half including 11 of 13 from 2.  That gives them a 3 point lead at the break.  In the 2nd half, Jack Janicki shows his most assertive side of the week.  He scores 18 of his 25 in the 2nd half to put the Bears over the top.  Jack Misgen carried the WBL offense in the 1st half with 12 of his 17 points.  Also like what frosh Colin Piper did in the 1st half off of the WBL bench.  Jobe Juenemann with 1 of his 5 triples late to give the Greyhounds 1 last chance that didn't work out.  He finished with 21 points.  Michael Kastelic added 3 triples and 15 points for East.  Rocco Paulson is one of those bigs mentioned for East.  He was solid inside with 10 points on the day.  Both offenses efficient.  Hard to imagine East losing when my shot chart for them is a totally ridiculous solid green.

Game #2: Eagan 68 Mound-Westonka 50
This was the lowest possession game I've done in my year plus of doing Czar Insights.  Only 98 total possessions (50/48 Mound).  But that doesn't mean snoozefest.  Eagan 12-25 from 3 and 26-49 overall with their new Chin Offense.  The high flare 3 is a thing of beauty and while it didn't show today, they slip the post off that screen too.  The lead would be 11 at the half for Eagan. Mound-Westonka came out with 4 straight buckets to start the 2nd half and cut the margin to 42-40 with 15:40 left.  But they only make 2 of their last 16 shots.  That was after a 16-31 shooting start.  They get their last FG with 6:33 left to cut the margin to 52-48.  Eagan closes strong with a 16-2 run to win big.  Oscar Khazon 4 triples and all 16 of his points in the 1st half to lead the Wildcats.  Junior PG Carter Reinbold 12 points is a tough guy that coach Andre Phillips will love having for another year.

Game #3: #7AAAA Farmington 75 Robbinsdale Armstrong 65
These teams trade early runs in a very even first half.  Baiden Bean not on fire from 3 like last night, but hot from midrange with 16 1st half points for Farmington.  Tigers lead 31-29 at the break.  Farmington makes a 2nd half run with Seth Newbern going to the bench with 4 fouls.  Armstrong's own flamethrower Owen Skram with a pair of 3s as the Falcons keep it at a 3 point game when Newbern returns.  But Farmington gets buckets on 5 of the next 6 trips.  Rob Conover 2 drives for hoops and another for a dropoff assist.  Add in a couple Tigers layups beating the press to get the final.  Baiden Bean 16 of his 23 in the 1st half.  Brandon Hrncir 17 of his 19 in the 2nd half for Farmington.  They win points in the paint 42-18 plus 15-5 in 2nd chance points.   Owen Skram 6 triples and 24 points to lead Armstrong.  Seth Newbern adds 16.

Game #4: Minnetonka 77 #5AAA Mahtomedi 68
Minnetonka started 4-19 from the floor in this one.  That was largely because of questionable shot selection.  That allowed Mahtomedi to jump out to a 21-11 lead midway thru the 1st half.  But the Skippers offense is hard to keep down for long and Mahtomedi's defense showed last night that it can have trouble getting stops.  Minnetonka shoots 23-39 the rest of the way.  Ibo El-Amin with a putback to beat the halftime buzzer and then Minnetonka adds the 1st 7 of the 2nd half.  They never give up the lead after that.  Owen Carlson would score 10 of the last 13 Mahtomedi points but Minnetonka was able to close it out.  Ibo El-Amin 16 of his 24 in the 1st half to lead Minnetonka.  3 others in double figures for the Skippers.  Owen Carlson 23 points for Mahtomedi.  Will Underwood adds 17, AJ McCleery with 13.

Czar Insights

For details on exactly what the value in the chart mean, click here for the full explanation of Czar Insights.