Section play for the 2023 season is now complete. Let's take a look back at the class 4A section final games.
Section 1: #1 Lakeville North 58 #3 Lakeville South 41
The 1st half was an offensive struggle with North leading 19-18 at the half. South with only 1 FG in the 1st 10:30. North's offense would come to life in the 2nd half going 14 of 22 from the floor. They use a 34-16 edge in the paint to win. Nolan Winter too much with 19 points and 18 rebounds. South's offense never gets going as they shoot 15-48 from the floor including 5-23 from 3.
Section 2: #1 Minnetonka 73 #6 Chanhassen 69
Tight first half with Minnetonka leading 25-24 at the break. Low scoring half with Max Woods being held to 2 points. So much for that in the 2nd half. Woods explodes for 30 of his 32 in the second half including the last 19 for Chanhassen. The Storm lead most of a tight second half. But they only get 2 stops in the last 8+ minutes. Alex Jones with a clutch 3 point play to put Tonka up late. Then a couple of costly Storm turnovers. Jordan Cain closes it with 3-4 FTs and a dunk. Woods finishes with 32 points (10-17 FG), 4 rebounds and 5 assists on my sheet. Alex Jones and Jordan Cain with 20 each to lead Minnetonka. Andy Stefonowicz adds 16 in the matchup of 2 of the top 2024 PGs in Minnesota. Minnetonka returns to state for the 1st time since their 2008 championship.
Section 3: #1 Eastview 63 #2 Eagan 36
Eastview with an early 19-2 run to jump out to a 21-5 lead and roll from there. Jon Mekonnen on fire with 18 of his 23 points in the first half. He made 5 3s and added 8 rebounds on my sheet. Dylan Omweno 3 triples in the 2nd half as the lead got to 32. Oscar Khazon 3 triples and 13 points to lead Eagan.
Section 4: #2 White Bear Lake 59 #1 East Ridge 55
This one was very tight all the way through. Jack Janicki with a free throw and 2 buckets in a 5 point run to put the Bears up 7 late. East Ridge had a late chance thanks to 4-12 late free throws from the Bears. But after 2 misses, Wyatt Hawks grabs an offensive board of the last FT miss. He has to be fouled and makes 2 to put the Bears up 4 with 13.7 seconds left. East Ridge out of timeouts so their last bucket runs out the clock. Jack Janicki 23 points and 6 assists on my sheet to lead White Bear Lake. Parker Wellman, Alex Mattes and Charlie Bern each with 14 points to lead East Ridge. Its the 1st trip to state for White Bear Lake since 2000.
Section 5: #1 Park Center 62 #3 Osseo 52
This district rivalry and section finals rematch is always fun. Park Center would open a 17 point lead with 7:33 left. Osseo would rally with a 17-2 run to close the gap to 2 with 1:32 left. Park Center closes with 9 of the last 10 points of the game to hang on. CJ O'Hara with 15 of his 22 in the second half to lead Park Center. He's the guy who steps up when they need a play on either end. Cash Chavis 14 points and 7 assists. De'Mari Larkins carried the Osseo offense with 15 points.
Section 6: #1 Wayzata 71 Hopkins 66
A deep Jayden Moore 3 would put Hopkins up 60-47 with 8 minutes left. Wayzata would rally with a 17-2 run to take the lead. Jackson McAndrew caps that with a BLOB corner 3. Then he adds a critical blocked shot. Hayden Tibbits with a late bucket and 3-4 free throws to help seal it. Tibbits with 17 of his 23 in the second half to lead Wayzata. Vince Hillesheim with 19 to lead Hopkins.
Section 7: #1 Andover 106 #3 Cambridge-Isanti 79
Sammy Musungu have yourself a night! He goes off for 45 points. 21 2s and 3 free throws. He was getting in passing lanes for steals and no answer for him off the dribble. The Andover transition game had it going and when you add in the porous Cambridge defense, Andover was able to pull away in the 2nd half. Ben Kopetzki adds 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on my sheet. John Troolin 29 points with 4 3s to lead Cambridge. Kobe Karels adds 27 points and 3 triples for the Bluejackets.
Section 8: #1 Buffalo 82 #2 Moorhead 65
Not sure I've had more fun than watching a game than seeing the cuts from Grady Guida in this one. He got himself so many easy buckets with great basket cuts. He leads Buffalo with 19 of his 27 in the second half. Nate Dahl adds 17 points and 11 rebounds. Colton Hagen 24 points in a nice outing to lead the Spuds. Adam Jenkins was swarmed all night but still ended up with 18 points and 7 rebounds.
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