Mercy Rule Misery

A triple dip this week of 40 point blowouts followed by cold and an avalanche of snow.  Brief thoughts on those.

Monday: Minnehaha 101 Breck 52
No Chet Holmgren or Jalen Suggs plus Hercy Miller off the bench.  No problem.  The 1st 10+ of this game were close as Breck was within 29-27 at the 7:45 mark of the 1st half.  Minnehaha breaks it open with a 16-3 run. Terry Lockett with a bucket, triple and assist in that run.  The lead is 20 at the break and its blowout city in the 2nd half with a 10-1 run to start the half.  Hercy Miller with 17 points off the bench.  Isaiah Davis productive with 16 points.  Donovan Smith 5 3s for 15.  Minnehaha running him off baseline screens for 3s vs the Breck zone defense.  Andy Ott 3 triples and 11 points to lead Breck.  That's the start of a 4 game week for Minnehaha with the final 2 games at #1AA Caledonia on Friday and #2 D1 Madison LaFollette in the Midwest Players Classic in La Crosse on Saturday.

Tuesday: Washington 89 Como Park 49
Drew White got it going early for Washington with 20 of his 27 points in the 1st half.  That helped the offense with Zaveon Smith sitting with 3 fouls for the last 5 min of the 1st half.  Andreas Green with 5 3s in the game for 17 points.  Como Park doesn't get anyone to double figures.  Soph G Donnell Gibson with 9 points to lead the Cougars.  Washington able to get out and run and be able to create in the half court.  Too easy for the Eagles against the young Cougars.

Wednesday: Metro Schools College Prep 75 Academy for Sciences & Agriculture 31
A quiet schedule night means a trip just out of downtown Minneapolis to Metro Schools College Prep (MSCP) where they took on former TCAC foe AFSA.  MSCP with a bunch of interchangeable wing parts with some athleticism plus a couple useful inside pieces.  AFSA very undermanned as shown by their 1 win record.  A 19-6 run to end the 1st half over the last 7 minutes breaks open a 2 point game.  The 2nd half is transition buckets off turnovers and we get to running time.  No rosters available but all MSCP players ended up in the scoring column.

January 12th, 2020 CzarPI

This is the 2nd CzarPI of the 2019-20 season (see CzarPI Explained Here).  It includes games through Saturday, January 11th, 2020.  The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

1. Eden Prairie - 63.57 (14) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
2. Lakeville South - 59.39 (37) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
3. Cretin-Derham Hall - 58.03 (30) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
4. Eastview - 57.01 (44) 0-1 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
5. Cambridge-Isanti - 56.86 (49) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
6. Robbinsdale Armstrong - 56.75 (53) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
7. Mounds View - 55.94 (60) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
8. Chaska - 55.74 (23) 0-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
9. Spring Lake Park - 55.65 (45) 1-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
10. Maple Grove - 55.23 (47) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
11. Shakopee - 55 (32) 0-2 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
12. Tartan - 54.77 (62) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
13. Hopkins - 54.27 (17) 2-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
14. East Ridge - 53.99 (12) 0-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
15. Duluth East - 53.89 (50) 0-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
16. Prior Lake - 53.79 (8) 2-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
17. Robbinsdale Cooper - 53.4 (20) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
18. Woodbury - 53.14 (10) 0-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
19. Rochester Mayo - 52.98 (16) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
20. Park Center - 52.21 (34) 2-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
21. Irondale - 52.06 (51) 1-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
22. Lakeville North - 51.76 (2) 0-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
23. Moorhead - 51.69 (38) 2-1 vs higher, 5-4 vs lower
24. Champlin Park - 50.73 (9) 3-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
25. Rochester Century - 50.58 (27) 1-4 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
26. Minnetonka - 49.11 (15) 1-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
27. Hastings - 48.77 (57) 2-1 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
28. Rochester John Marshall - 47.87 (24) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
29. Farmington - 47.84 (59) 1-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
30. North St. Paul - 47.71 (4) 2-6 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
31. Buffalo - 46.83 (52) 0-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
32. St. Michael-Albertville - 45.93 (58) 0-3 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
33. Rosemount - 45.76 (35) 1-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
34. Edina - 45.43 (41) 1-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
35. Osseo - 45.13 (18) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
36. Burnsville - 44.29 (3) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
37. Forest Lake - 44.17 (40) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
38. Eagan - 44.13 (36) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
39. Stillwater Area - 44.08 (22) 0-5 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
40. Rogers - 43.52 (39) 2-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
41. White Bear Lake - 43.06 (48) 2-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
42. Bloomington Jefferson - 42.52 (43) 1-5 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
43. Owatonna - 42.07 (26) 1-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
44. Blaine - 41.92 (55) 1-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
45. Roseville - 41.36 (13) 3-7 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
46. Brainerd - 41.12 (31) 2-6 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
47. Minneapolis Southwest - 40.86 (61) 1-6 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
48. Northfield - 40.12 (19) 2-7 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
49. Minneapolis Washburn - 40.03 (56) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
50. Apple Valley - 38.84 (5) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
51. Wayzata - 38.17 (1) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
52. Elk River - 37.92 (21) 2-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
53. New Prague - 36.96 (54) 2-8 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
54. Coon Rapids - 36.69 (6) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
55. Anoka - 36.68 (42) 3-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
56. Andover - 36.63 (25) 2-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
57. Chanhassen - 35.13 (7) 2-10 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
58. St. Louis Park - 33.97 (46) 2-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
59. Park of Cottage Grove - 29.81 (29) 0-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
60. St. Paul Central - 28.57 (11) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
61. Minneapolis South - 28.3 (28) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
62. Centennial - 0 (33) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AAA

1. DeLaSalle - 59.3 (26) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
2. St. Cloud Apollo - 58.97 (27) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
3. Marshall - 58.86 (31) 0-0 vs higher, 12-1 vs lower
4. Mankato East - 58.66 (30) 1-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
5. Delano - 58.2 (17) 1-0 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
6. Princeton - 54.9 (20) 1-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
7. Columbia Heights - 54.44 (36) 0-0 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
8. Austin - 54.19 (60) 0-0 vs higher, 11-1 vs lower
9. St. Croix Lutheran - 54.03 (16) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
10. Grand Rapids - 53.43 (49) 0-2 vs higher, 11-1 vs lower
11. Minnehaha Academy - 53.33 (34) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
12. Waconia - 52.92 (38) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
13. St. Peter - 52.18 (35) 0-3 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
14. Byron - 52.01 (5) 2-4 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
15. Bemidji - 51.53 (13) 1-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
16. Holy Angels - 51.17 (50) 0-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
17. Bloomington Kennedy - 51 (56) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
18. Mound Westonka - 50.47 (15) 1-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
19. Hibbing - 50.26 (42) 1-3 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
20. Alexandria - 50.12 (47) 1-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
21. Rocori - 49.59 (25) 2-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
22. Totino-Grace - 49.45 (28) 2-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
23. Minneapolis Henry - 49.23 (62) 2-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
24. Sartell-St. Stephen - 49.21 (44) 1-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
25. Kasson-Mantorville - 49.04 (45) 2-2 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
26. Winona - 48.54 (10) 1-4 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
27. Hutchinson - 47.85 (54) 1-3 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
28. South St. Paul - 47.56 (63) 1-3 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
29. Hermantown - 47.01 (32) 1-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
30. St. Paul Johnson - 45.9 (24) 2-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
31. Detroit Lakes - 45.58 (33) 1-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
32. Richfield - 45.34 (59) 1-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
33. Becker - 45.13 (48) 1-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
34. Worthington - 45.09 (12) 2-4 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
35. Mankato West - 44.88 (22) 3-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
36. St. Anthony Village - 44.44 (64) 0-1 vs higher, 8-3 vs lower
37. Little Falls - 44.17 (7) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
38. Orono - 43.97 (2) 3-9 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
39. Simley - 43.26 (41) 1-6 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
40. Mahtomedi - 43.14 (58) 3-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
41. Minneapolis Edison - 42.13 (65) 1-1 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
42. North Branch - 42.11 (14) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
43. Benilde-St. Margaret's - 41.28 (3) 2-10 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
44. Zimmerman - 40.5 (37) 2-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
45. St. Paul Highland Park - 39.92 (43) 1-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
46. Big Lake - 39.91 (8) 2-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
47. Sauk Rapids-Rice - 39 (19) 1-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
48. Monticello - 38.78 (39) 2-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
49. Cloquet - 38.21 (1) 1-8 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
50. Albert Lea - 36.98 (57) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
51. Hill-Murray - 36.14 (46) 2-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
52. Red Wing - 35.9 (6) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
53. New Ulm - 35.35 (21) 2-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
54. Fridley - 35.05 (61) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
55. Willmar - 34.92 (40) 2-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
56. St. Paul Harding - 34.18 (51) 2-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
57. St. Francis - 32.78 (55) 1-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
58. Faribault - 29.35 (18) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
59. St. Thomas Academy - 27.01 (4) 1-10 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
60. St. Cloud Tech - 26.55 (9) 1-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
61. Henry Sibley - 26.55 (52) 2-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
62. Duluth Denfeld - 25.56 (11) 1-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
63. Chisago Lakes Area - 24.39 (29) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
64. Minneapolis Roosevelt - 0 (23) 0-14 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
65. St. Paul Como Park - 0 (53) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AA

1. Caledonia - 61.49 (40) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
2. Perham - 61.34 (43) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
3. Stewartville - 59.5 (12) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
4. Osakis - 59.33 (47) 0-0 vs higher, 11-1 vs lower
5. St. Croix Prep - 59.29 (79) 1-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
6. Lake City - 58.4 (42) 0-1 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
7. Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 58.02 (59) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
8. Waseca - 57.33 (8) 1-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
9. Virginia - 56.91 (81) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
10. Albany - 56.8 (15) 1-0 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
11. Litchfield - 56.74 (39) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
12. Rockford - 56.34 (60) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
13. Melrose - 56.24 (16) 2-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
14. Annandale - 56.19 (76) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
15. Eden Valley-Watkins - 56.08 (80) 2-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
16. La Crescent-Hokah - 55.67 (74) 0-0 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
17. East Grand Forks - 55.61 (112) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
18. Redwood Valley - 55.18 (22) 0-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
19. Jackson County Central - 55.16 (65) 1-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
20. Minneapolis North - 55.16 (1) 1-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
21. Barnesville - 54.81 (58) 0-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
22. Goodhue - 54.49 (73) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
23. Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 53.99 (46) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
24. Rochester Lourdes - 53.55 (35) 1-1 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
25. Greenway - 53.41 (25) 0-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
26. Pine City - 52.85 (123) 1-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
27. Minnewaska Area - 52.81 (49) 2-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
28. Concordia Academy - 52.42 (55) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
29. Moose Lake-Willow River - 52.24 (83) 1-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
30. Blake - 52.24 (114) 0-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
31. Pelican Rapids - 51.96 (69) 0-3 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
32. Twin Cities Academy/Great River - 51.9 (124) 0-0 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
33. Fergus Falls - 51.74 (99) 0-0 vs higher, 8-3 vs lower
34. Crosby-Ironton - 51.4 (98) 0-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
35. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 51.28 (68) 1-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
36. Esko - 50.94 (71) 2-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
37. Pequot Lakes - 50.91 (66) 2-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
38. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 50.74 (21) 1-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
39. St. Charles - 50.71 (3) 1-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
40. Cannon Falls - 50.67 (57) 0-4 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
41. Lewiston-Altura - 50.56 (45) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
42. St. Paul Academy - 50.47 (115) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
43. Pierz - 50.45 (103) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
44. Mora - 50.35 (102) 0-1 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
45. Pine Island - 50.17 (41) 4-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
46. Maranatha Christian - 50.13 (2) 0-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
47. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 50.03 (121) 0-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
48. Spectrum - 49.54 (30) 1-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
49. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 49.01 (78) 0-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
50. Blue Earth Area - 48.97 (14) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
51. Watertown-Mayer - 48.83 (94) 1-1 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
52. Benson - 48.46 (91) 1-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
53. Holy Family Catholic - 48.3 (84) 1-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
54. Paynesville Area - 47.45 (95) 2-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
55. Fairmont - 47.42 (50) 0-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
56. Dover-Eyota - 47.11 (26) 2-4 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
57. Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 46.87 (7) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
58. International Falls - 46.38 (110) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
59. Glencoe-Silver Lake - 46.37 (104) 0-4 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
60. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 46.18 (9) 3-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
61. Pipestone Area - 46.1 (28) 1-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
62. St. Cloud Cathedral - 45.64 (24) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
63. St. Paul Humboldt - 45.54 (117) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
64. Thief River Falls - 45.39 (93) 0-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
65. Jordan - 45.23 (107) 1-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
66. Sauk Centre - 45.12 (17) 3-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
67. Proctor - 44.62 (6) 2-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
68. Belle Plaine - 44.14 (106) 0-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
69. Kimball Area - 43.47 (48) 1-3 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
70. Providence Academy - 43.13 (44) 2-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
71. Milaca - 43.1 (52) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
72. Holdingford - 43.07 (51) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
73. Frazee - 42.74 (88) 0-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
74. Aitkin - 42.51 (89) 1-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
75. Triton - 42.5 (63) 1-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
76. Bagley - 42.32 (92) 0-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
77. Luverne - 42.09 (37) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
78. New London-Spicer - 42 (11) 2-8 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
79. Duluth Marshall - 41.99 (119) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
80. Breckenridge - 41.9 (4) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
81. Dassel-Cokato - 41.89 (77) 2-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
82. Maple River - 41.83 (101) 1-5 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
83. Hawley - 41.79 (27) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
84. Hiawatha Collegiate - 41.79 (125) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
85. St. Agnes - 41.65 (105) 1-4 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
86. Menahga - 41.35 (100) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
87. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 40.67 (108) 1-3 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
88. Brooklyn Center - 40.64 (64) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
89. Pillager - 40.43 (53) 1-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
90. Sibley East - 40.23 (70) 1-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
91. Warroad - 40.01 (67) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
92. New Life Academy - 39.83 (36) 1-6 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
93. Cristo Rey Jesuit - 39.6 (33) 2-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
94. St. James Area - 39.22 (62) 1-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
95. Wadena-Deer Creek - 38.99 (96) 1-5 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
96. St. Paul Washington - 38.91 (90) 1-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
97. Rush City - 38.91 (85) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
98. Southwest Christian - 38.39 (116) 2-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
99. Crookston - 38.25 (13) 2-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
100. Kenyon-Wanamingo - 37.85 (75) 2-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
101. LeSueur-Henderson - 37.43 (111) 2-6 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
102. Maple Lake - 36.99 (54) 2-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
103. Mounds Park Academy - 36.69 (109) 0-6 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
104. Royalton - 36.54 (23) 2-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
105. Medford - 36.49 (56) 0-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
106. Metro Schools College Prep - 35 (118) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
107. Eveleth-Gilbert - 32.96 (72) 1-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
108. Nova Classical Academy - 32.36 (120) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
109. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 32.22 (82) 1-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
110. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 32.2 (32) 2-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
111. Mesabi East - 29.88 (97) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
112. Staples-Motley - 29.63 (87) 0-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
113. Chatfield - 29.62 (5) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
114. Roseau - 28.66 (34) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
115. Foley - 28.53 (38) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
116. Windom Area - 26.15 (20) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
117. New Richland-H-E-G - 25.62 (86) 1-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
118. Breck - 24.55 (31) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
119. Two Harbors - 24.34 (18) 0-12 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
120. Math and Science Academy - 23.46 (122) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
121. Park Rapids Area - 21.92 (61) 0-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
122. Montevideo - 0 (10) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
123. Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran - 0 (19) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
124. Norwood-Young America - 0 (29) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
125. Tri-City United - 0 (113) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class A

1. BOLD - 63.42 (8) 0-0 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
2. Fertile-Beltrami - 58.61 (83) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
3. Henning - 58.26 (36) 0-1 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
4. Nevis - 57.92 (56) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
5. Springfield - 57.76 (47) 1-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
6. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 57 (59) 0-1 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
7. West Central Area - 56.69 (63) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
8. Lac qui Parle Valley - 56.51 (37) 0-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
9. New Ulm Cathedral - 56.16 (78) 1-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
10. Ada-Borup - 55.22 (72) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
11. Southwest MN Christian - 54.37 (146) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
12. MACCRAY - 54.35 (99) 1-0 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
13. Martin County West - 54.06 (121) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
14. Blooming Prairie - 54.04 (95) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
15. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 53.66 (9) 0-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
16. NCE/U-H - 53.43 (35) 1-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
17. Legacy Christian - 53.38 (141) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
18. Parkers Prairie - 52.85 (129) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
19. Randolph - 52.79 (19) 0-2 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
20. T/ML/GHEC - 52.79 (107) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
21. Nashwauk-Keewatin - 52.49 (62) 0-1 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
22. Hayfield - 52.36 (53) 1-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
23. North Woods - 51.86 (138) 1-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
24. Central MN Christian - 51.58 (89) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
25. Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey - 51.55 (136) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
26. New York Mills - 51.33 (31) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
27. Cass Lake-Bena - 51.16 (16) 0-3 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
28. Schaeffer Academy - 51.16 (132) 0-2 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
29. Spring Grove - 50.63 (48) 1-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
30. Hancock - 50.48 (2) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
31. Clearbrook-Gonvick - 50.27 (155) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
32. Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 49.96 (135) 2-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
33. Grand Meadow - 49.62 (88) 2-3 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
34. Red Lake County - 49.41 (97) 1-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
35. Kittson County Central - 48.89 (82) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
36. Dawson-Boyd - 48.87 (15) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
37. Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 48.68 (61) 0-3 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
38. Cromwell-Wright - 48.32 (161) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
39. St. Clair - 47.85 (49) 0-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
40. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 47.71 (139) 0-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
41. CHOF - 47.41 (154) 0-0 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
42. Hope Academy - 47.38 (75) 0-2 vs higher, 5-5 vs lower
43. Deer River - 47.37 (73) 1-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
44. Pine River-Backus - 47.25 (74) 0-3 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
45. Lakeview - 46.47 (109) 0-3 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
46. Ely - 46.43 (143) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
47. Red Lake - 46.38 (7) 2-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
48. Rushford-Peterson - 46.18 (5) 3-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
49. East Central - 46.16 (120) 0-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
50. Lakes International Language Academy - 46.03 (149) 0-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
51. Houston - 45.86 (100) 1-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
52. Blackduck - 45.79 (108) 2-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
53. PACT Charter - 45.58 (134) 0-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
54. Ashby - 45.55 (130) 0-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
55. Wabasha-Kellogg - 45.46 (67) 3-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
56. Renville County West - 45.45 (65) 2-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
57. Brandon/Evansville - 45.17 (115) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
58. Nicollet - 45.12 (131) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
59. South Ridge - 45.06 (126) 0-2 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
60. Adrian/Ellsworth - 44.6 (77) 0-2 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
61. Cedar Mountain - 44.16 (42) 0-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
62. Stephen-Argyle - 44.05 (64) 1-6 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
63. Mountain Iron-Buhl - 43.98 (85) 0-4 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
64. Mahnomen/Waubun - 43.5 (119) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
65. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 43.39 (14) 2-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
66. Southland - 43.15 (71) 1-5 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
67. Upsala - 42.88 (153) 0-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
68. Minneota - 42.87 (33) 0-6 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
69. Silver Bay - 42.6 (102) 0-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
70. West Lutheran - 42.48 (104) 0-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
71. Braham - 42.12 (117) 0-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
72. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 42.09 (18) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
73. Hinckley-Finlayson - 42.06 (28) 1-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
74. Cherry - 41.89 (110) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
75. Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 41.8 (111) 1-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
76. Browerville/Eagle Valley - 41.66 (90) 0-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
77. St. John's Prep - 41.55 (122) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
78. Mankato Loyola - 41.41 (25) 2-7 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
79. Barnum - 41.06 (66) 2-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
80. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 40.93 (4) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
81. Northland - 40.79 (151) 2-2 vs higher, 4-3 vs lower
82. Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 40.77 (118) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
83. Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 40.39 (105) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
84. Lake Park-Audubon - 40.24 (11) 1-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
85. Chisholm - 39.68 (103) 1-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
86. Carlton - 39.56 (137) 2-6 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
87. Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda - 39.4 (20) 1-7 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
88. Hills-Beaver Creek - 39.35 (87) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
89. Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 39.1 (98) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
90. Swanville - 39.08 (54) 1-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
91. Park Christian - 38.97 (30) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
92. Avail Academy - 38.96 (158) 1-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
93. United Christian Academy - 38.89 (52) 1-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
94. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 38.79 (70) 0-5 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
95. Onamia - 38.07 (156) 1-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
96. Liberty Classical Academy - 38.04 (86) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
97. Fillmore Central - 37.99 (40) 1-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
98. Lincoln International - 37.96 (79) 0-1 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
99. Sacred Heart - 37.58 (17) 2-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
100. Northern Freeze - 37.46 (91) 1-5 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
101. Ogilvie - 37.43 (148) 0-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
102. Isle - 37.41 (140) 2-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
103. Wabasso - 37.05 (29) 1-7 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
104. Madelia - 36.77 (26) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
105. Community of Peace Academy - 36.48 (80) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
106. Kaleidoscope Charter - 35.66 (159) 0-4 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
107. LeRoy-Ostrander - 35.44 (58) 0-8 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
108. North Lakes Academy - 35.1 (150) 1-5 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
109. Goodridge/Grygla - 34.75 (128) 1-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
110. Sebeka - 34.14 (45) 1-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
111. Win-E-Mac - 33.59 (6) 1-9 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
112. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 33.44 (41) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
113. Lanesboro - 33.28 (113) 1-7 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
114. Eagle Ridge Academy - 33.06 (51) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
115. Kingsland - 32.14 (50) 1-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
116. Murray County Central - 31.72 (101) 1-7 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
117. Cleveland - 31.43 (32) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
118. Heritage Christian - 31.35 (39) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
119. Mayer Lutheran - 31.25 (44) 1-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
120. United South Central - 31.11 (84) 0-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
121. Ortonville - 30.48 (133) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
122. Glenville-Emmons - 29.32 (112) 1-8 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
123. Trinity School - 29.3 (94) 1-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
124. Littlefork-Big Falls - 29.21 (147) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
125. Sleepy Eye - 28.38 (10) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
126. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 28.32 (34) 1-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
127. Northome/Kelliher - 28.17 (22) 0-7 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
128. McGregor - 27.96 (123) 0-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
129. Bigfork - 27.68 (93) 0-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
130. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 27.53 (68) 0-9 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
131. Red Rock Central - 27.12 (27) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
132. Verndale - 26.69 (145) 0-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
133. Climax/Fisher - 24.84 (23) 0-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
134. Mabel-Canton - 24.67 (92) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
135. Floodwood - 24.03 (142) 0-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
136. Bertha-Hewitt - 22.42 (57) 0-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
137. Fosston - 21.94 (46) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
138. Alden-Conger - 21.64 (43) 1-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
139. Cook County - 21.4 (144) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
140. Laporte - 17.23 (81) 0-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
141. Chesterton Academy - 0 (157) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
142. Rothsay - 0 (3) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
143. Underwood - 0 (13) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
144. High School for the Recording Arts - 0 (21) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
145. Canby - 0 (38) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
146. Hill City - 0 (96) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
147. Groves Academy - 0 (114) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
148. Lake of the Woods - 0 (124) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
149. Prairie Seeds Academy - 0 (127) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
150. Wrenshall - 0 (152) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
151. Battle Lake - 0 (1) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
152. Edgerton - 0 (12) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
153. Yellow Medicine East - 0 (24) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
154. Bethlehem Academy - 0 (55) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
155. Minnesota Transitions Charter - 0 (60) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
156. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 0 (69) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
157. Venture Academy - 0 (76) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
158. Hmong Academy - 0 (106) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
159. Academy for Sciences & Ag - 0 (116) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
160. Lakeview Christian - 0 (125) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
161. MN Academy for the Deaf - 0 (160) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
162. Ubah Medical Academy - 0 (162) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Madness on many levels

A fun adventure the last 3 days with a couple of small school games, a couple of Tri-Metro visits and a girls game upset for good measure.

Thursday: United Christian 75 Nova Classical 40
Too much size from United Christian.  No surprise to see the 20 pts from forward Zach Corley.  But it was fellow junior frontcourt mate Jonah Anderson and his 16 pts and activity on the glass that caught my eye.  For the Knights, they have no seniors.  Soph guard Rayan Taha gives them a piece on the perimeter.  He had 15 points.  Junior forward Ben Parsonage also with 15 points for the Knights.

Friday: Columbia Heights 61 St. Croix Lutheran 54
This was a last minute selection for my schedule.  It paid off as coach Jay Wendland dug up some quality research and gifted me some Killebrew Root Beer that I missed out on earlier in the season.  Heights would open up a 10 point lead in the 1st half but St. Croix Lutheran goes 1-3-1 to hold Heights to FG in the last 8:20.  That cuts the lead to 1 at the break.

Like the 1st half, the lead grows to double figures (44-33) but the Crusaders rally with 3 bombs to cut the margin to 2 with 5:20 left.  Hylanders Sophs Muja Burton and Spencer Alvarez working inside to the tune of 4 Burton FTs and Alvarez cleaning the glass.  St. Croix Lutheran with a 5 min scoring drought after they cut the margin to 2 with Heights going zone to cause that.  Zach Longueville 24 points and 6 triples to lead St. Croix Lutheran.  Xavier Garcia 3 triples and 13 points.  PG Jordan Jones another big game for Heights with 25 points to lead all scorers.  Muja Burton and Eljiah Williams each add 12.  Spencer Alvarez only 5 points but he was the main force cleaning the glass.  Plus he could have gotten post touches for points almost at will.  It'll be interesting to see if Heights looks for that more in the home rematch next month.

Saturday:
CHOF 98 Hiawatha 48 (at Mpls Henry)
This was the opener of the Tim Williams event.  Definitely not what we expected.  CHOF opens up a 47-7 lead and forget about it from there.  Jessye Lewis with 23 of his 30 in the 2nd half for Hiawatha.  Isaac Collins with 24 for CHOF.  Preston Alleman has stepped into the 2nd scorer role for the Lions.  He finished with 28 points.  Hiawatha's performance very much like a Sunday morning 8 AM consolation game for a team that just wants to catch the plane home after staying up late.

St. Anthony 88 St. Thomas Academy 75
The St. Anthony girls took on Minnehaha in the prelude to this.  A very entertaining game with the Huskies pulling off the 73-66 double OT upset of #3AA Minnehaha.  For the boys game, we get a special appearance from Lithgow on the whistle.  Tait Nelson absolutely ridiculous in this one for St. Anthony.  St. Thomas pulls to within 4, Nelson hits a triple and scores on a Charles Barkley backdown.  Lead down to 6, Nelson fade in the post, 2 FTs, 2 steals for a pair of buckets, 2 FTs and a kickout assist for 3 to beat the halftime buzzer.  47-31 Huskies at the break.

St. Thomas comes out of the locker room on fire.  Ryan Chamberlain 7 points, John Grismer with the last 5 in a 16-2 Cadets run in just over 2 minutes.  49-47 St. Anthony with 15:53 left.  But Nelson keeps it going with a triple, 2 FTs and a bucket to end a 10-0 Huskies run.  The lead is never under double digits after that.  Nelson continues the theivery in the 2nd half.  He ends up with 44 points and unofficially with anywhere from 12-14 steals, 7-9 rebounds and a handful of assists by my viewing.  That was with Mr Basketball Committee chairman Jim Robinson looking on.  Junior foward Luke Omodt adds 14 points with a couple of 3s.  Max Kachman with 14 as well. Soph Nathan Johnson leads St. Thomas with 18 points off the bench.

A Grand Opening in Style

Prologue
Its a quiet but fortuitous Wednesday on the schedule.  The schedule takes me to the 1st game at Hope Academy's new gym where they have a section 4A battle with Kaleidoscope.  Nice setup with 6 rows of bleachers to fill one side and a nice area for the table and big court.  I love the irony of a sign at the entrance saying "This is not a Hope Academy entrance" but its the door you need to use. Then its up the stairs, around the corner, and then down the hall after the pay window and u-turn for the gym.

Season Ticker:

• Number of Games: 82
• In Person: 60
• Online: 22
• Number of Teams: 116
• 4A: 43
• 3A: 31
• 2A: 19
• 1A: 11
• Non-Minnesota: 8 (6 Wisconsin)
• Girls: 4
• Number of Buildings: 30
• Number of Bands: 1

Beverage Ticker: 483.6 ounces (5530 calories)

• Coke: 92.9 ounces (1100 calories) 
• Dr. Pepper: 32 ounces (390 calories)
• Pepsi: 194.7 ounces (2440 calories)
• 7-Up: 12 ounces (140 calories)
• Sprite: 56 ounces (650 calories) 
• Mug Root Beer: 12 ounces (160 calories)
• A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
• Fruit Punch Gatorade: 72 ounces (480 calories)

Food Ticker:

• Hot Dogs: 11
• Pizza: 6
• Walking Tacos: 1
• Extras
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: 3 (630 calories)
• Lays Potato Chips: 2 (320 calories)

Game Time:
This game was much like the section 4A game that I saw last night.  Caleb Hoilien comes out on absolute fire for Hope Academy.  After an opening 3 he scores the next 14 Hope Academy points in a personal 14-4 run.  He'll add a steal for a dunk and then he blocks 2 shots which leads to a Hope layup.  Then 2 more buckets for good measure.  Another sequence where he pulls for 3, puts back a miss, hits another triple and blocks another shot that leads to a Lions layup.  He finishes the 1st half with 32 points and 3 3s.  Plus he holds Comets star Jacob Donnett to 1 FG in the half.  Donnett struggling to finish over Hoilien's length.  47-28 Hope Academy in control at the half.  20-7 Hope run over the last 6:15 to extend the lead.

Hope throttles back slightly in the 2nd half.  Plus their offense stagnates and becomes hero ball.  Add in some defensive lapses and long with Donnett heating up.  That keeps this one from getting too far out of hand.  Hoilien with a stepback triple makes it 66-42 with under 9 minutes left.  Donnett with 3 buckets to keep it at 20 with 4 minutes left.  Hope sits the starters but after Donnett scores 10 straight they have to come back in.  That lead was down to 13 with a minute left.  Hope hits a late 3 for the final 80-62 margin.

Post Game:
For Kaleidoscope, Jacob Donnett with 22 of his 26 points in the 2nd half.  He got 3 triples to go and found more success inside in that stretch but the game was basically out of reach for most of his damage.  Frosh PG Michael Jude with 3 triples and 11 points.  Soph guard AJ Kargel also with 11 points.  The Comets fall to 6-6 overall.  They visit Chesterton/International School next Monday and then host Lakes International Language Academy next Wednesday.

Hope Academy gets a monster night of 37 points from Caleb Hoilien to lead all scorers.  32 of those points in the 1st half.  He was also on the glass for a bunch of rebounds plus a handful of assists and blocks.  Plus the 1st half defense on Donnett was a difference maker.  Kaleb Dube with 13 points playing out of the finishers spot.  Caleb Irving chips in with 11.  The Lions won't like how they played in the 2nd half but they do get a win.  This is a roster without their expected starting backcourt.  Elijah Wade sitting out with a torn ACL from football season.   Next for the Lions is Lakes International Language Academy at home on Friday.  Then a huge home game next Tuesday in a rematch of last year's section final vs CHOF.

Shades of Red

My week begins with many shades of red.  Its dark red for Patriots, bright red for Scots, red for Panthers and red for Gryphons.  I start with a battle of city teams.  Then its out to the suburbs for an MCAA matchup.  Hot Dog yes, I skipped pizza on Tuesday (good choice maybe).  Quality music as well with a post game Czar karaoke session for game 2.  Sadly it will not be replacing Steven's Dance Party in the weekly lineup.

Monday: Henry 74 Highland Park 62
Henry's defensive pressure was a factor here with 3 quick steals for buckets to set the tone.  Highland Park loses Joey Kottke early due to injury and that doesn't help either.  A 9-1 Henry run midway thru the 2nd half regains the lead and Henry goes on to win from there.  Quamar Gresham with 4 of his 5 threes in the 1st half off the Henry bench.  He finished with 17 points. Mark Campbell and Glentrell Carter both with very productive nights and I had them for 17 each as well for the Patriots.  Nico Peterson in the starting lineup for the Scots and turned in another quality game in the middle.  He goes for 21 points and 9 made free throws.  Carter Owens adds 14 for the Scots.  Highland Park in the middle of a very tough stretch of 7 out of 8 games on the road.  Henry on the other hand in a stretch of 4 out of 5 at home before they host a rematch with rival Minneapolis North.

Tuesday: PACT 71 Eagle Ridge Academy 64
Always good to see former Cristo Rey head coach and now ERA AD Kris Babler.  He even breaks out the shorts and stripes to officiate the C game.  Nothing like life at a small school.  As to the game, Jordan Stone for PACT was flammable.  He scores the 1st 12 points for the Panthers and has 20 in the 1st 7:10 of the game.  That helps PACT build a 15 point halftime lead.  But ERA slows Stone down in the 2nd half.  Josh Falk heats up in the 2nd half to carry the ERA offense.  He knocks down a 3 to pull ERA within 6 with 7:01 left.  Stone is on the bench resting but a minute later he'll come back in.  He scores on an inbounds ISO and adds another bucket in a 6-0 run to stop the bleeding and the Panthers are out of danger.  Jordan Stone finishes with 44 points, 33 in the 1st half.  He hit 6 triples.  Josh Falk with 21 points to lead Eagle Ridge.  PACT now 2-1 in the MCAA, 5-3 overall.  Tough task ahead as the next 2 are at Lester Prairie and at Legacy.  Eagle Ridge falls to 1-8 overall, 0-3 in the MCAA.

Showcasing Minneapolis

What a weekend for basketball locally.  4 Minneapolis teams in 24 hours represented in my travels. From improvement in the city to Tyler Johnson Day to the Clash of Champions it was a great weekend to be in Minneapolis for hoops.  Here are some sights and sounds.

Friday: Southwest 56 New Prague 47
We begin Friday night in the SW corner of the city with the Lakers taking on New Prague.  Offense was a struggle early on for both sides but a breakout of offense takes Southwest to a 21-19 halftime lead.  Southwest expands their lead with a 10-0 run early in the 2nd half.  Parker Johnson's seems some shots finally start to fall on the outside for New Prague.  Thomas Eckstein working on the glass inside.  New Prague within 4 with 6 minutes left.  Hakeem Ford converts a turnover into 2 free throws and adds a dunk.  That along with a couple of buckets from Cam Holter closes it out.  Parker Johnson 21 points despite a cold 1st half.  Thomas Eckstein adds 15.  Hakeem Ford with 14 of his 18 in the second half for Southwest.  Very good night for the sophomore forward.  Cam Holter and Christo Polydorou each add 15.  Southwest much improved and with a lineup starting 3 sophomores.

Saturday Game 1: South 68 Highland Park 62 OT
Due to a short window between this game and game 2 of the day, I didn't get to see all of this one.  Kills me to leave a 1 point game with 3:45 left in regulation.  A very productive day for a couple of Highland Park juniors.  Joe Conzet was very active and every bouncing ball seemed to find him as he finished with 19 points.  Nico Peterson very productive bench minutes in the middle.  He blocked shots and finished plays to the tune of 18 points.  PG Jaylen Blakley 12 points leading the South offense.  He gives the Tigers an option to create off the bounce.  Sam Bradley with 3 triples and 11 points.

Saturday Game 2: #6 D4 Milwaukee Academy of Science 73 #6AA North 64
To Minneapolis North for the late afternoon session.  Its not just alumni day at North.  Its also Tyler Johnson Day in the city with mayor Jacob Frey on hand to present a plaque with the proclamation.  Coach Larry McKenzie also retires Johnson's #10 jersey at halftime.  As to the game, MAS coming in with 2 D1 commits that were the focus.  But it was top 30 junior in Wisconsin Don McHenry that stepped up his game.  A 14-2 MAS first half run gets the Novas a 25-12 lead.  McHenry adds 2 buckets to start the 2nd half to keep the lead at 14.  Bradley commit Darius Hannah with 2 dunks and the lead is 54-37 with under 14 minutes left.

UW-Milwaukee commit Kaleim Taylor sits with his 4th foul at the 11:49 mark and North keeps some momentum going.  Willie Wilson for 3 and 2 buckets and the lead is down to 6 with 6 minutes left.  Taylor back in the game and he'll immediately bury a 3.  Davon Townley 2-4 free throws before another clutch hoop from Taylor.  Wilson counters that and North is still within 4 with 2:19 left.  Hannah with a 3 point play before a Cliff Brown 3.  MAS by 4 with a minute left and they still have the foot floored on the gas pedal.  Taylor to the rack for 2 free throws.  North misses and Taylor buries a 3 after a blocked shot to close it out.  Davon Townley with 20 points to lead North.  Quientrail Jamison-Travis active on the glass with 9 points.  Willie Wilson with all 11 of his points in the 2nd half.  Junior Don McHenry with 20 points for MAS.  Kaleim Taylor with 12 of his 22 points in the last 4:40.

Clash of Champions: Minnehaha 78 Sierra Canyon (CA) 58
Off to Target Center for the highly anticipated appearance of Sierra Canyon.  For the game, Kentucky commit BJ Boston gets off to a great start and Minnehaha looks a little shook.  But Minnehaha goes 2-3 zone and settles in.  Sierra Canyon no real answer for it just like earlier in the week in their loss to Rancho Christian.  The zone takes the high flying athletes totally out of the game.  Chet Holmgren in the middle of the zone was a monster blocking anyone and anything that came with the same area code.  Jalen Suggs and Prince Aligbe outstanding as well on both ends.  The game was tied at half and Minnehaha ran away from there.  BJ Boston finishes with 27 points and 8 rebounds but nobody else was productive for Sierra Canyon.  Jalen Suggs with 23 points/12 boards/6 assists and 6 steals in a big time performance.  Prince Aligbe adds offense in this one with 18 points and 8 rebounds.  Chet Holmgren cold outside shooting but still finishes with 9 points 10 rebounds and 13 blocks.

As to the atmosphere, what can you say.  WOW!  This exceeded any and all expectations anyone could possibly have had.  The attendance was an astounding 17,378 people.  Initial expectations were anywhere around 10,000 which would have been amazing too.  Loud partisan crowd and getting people in and out was smoother than expected by reports I heard.  Target Center is notorious for its bad setup moving people around so this was great.  Absolutely everybody was raving about the evening in all the discussions I had.  Incredible work by Jeff Munneke, Matt Bare, Josh Thurow and all the others behind the scenes to pull this off.

As I said in my Star Tribune comments to Jim Paulsen, I've never seen anything like it for a high school game. The only thing I can remotely compare it to was the scene in Las Vegas for the LaMelo Ball vs Zion Williamson game and I didn't attend that.  There was a high school rematch of that game scheduled but it never happened as LaMelo went overseas before the game was played.  Even going back to the big breakdown events that filled up Hopkins and Minnetonka, those wouldn't have touched this.  I saw DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Love when they came in, didn't touch this.  This 1st Saturday of January was always the traditional Timberwolves Shootout day.  How incredibly fitting was it to have this happen on that day.  What a show and if this leads to more of the same, then I'm all for it and let's get it going.

Garcia's size dominates

Prologue
Its my longest day and arguably longest metro road trip of the season.  Nothing like a 7 AM dentist appointment to start the day.  By the end of the day Apple Valley would feel like they had a root canal.  Red Savoy's pizza on the menu, good change of pace.  KB in the house without the Sunshine Band and not working.  The always entertaining Prior Lake broadcast crew on hand.

Season Ticker:

• Number of Games: 71
• In Person: 53
• Online: 18
• Number of Teams: 101
• 4A: 39
• 3A: 26
• 2A: 19
• 1A: 7
• Non-Minnesota: 6 (4 Wisconsin)
• Girls: 4
• Number of Buildings: 23
• Number of Bands: 1

Beverage Ticker: 378.7 ounces (4450 calories)

• Coke: 60.9 ounces (720 calories) 
• Dr. Pepper: 20 ounces (240 calories)
• Pepsi: 177.8 ounces (2230 calories)
• 7-Up: 12 ounces (140 calories)
• Sprite: 44 ounces (510 calories) 
• Mug Root Beer: 12 ounces (160 calories)
• A&W Root Beer: 12 ounces (170 calories)
• Fruit Punch Gatorade: 40 ounces (280 calories)

Food Ticker:

• Hot Dogs: 11
• Pizza: 4
• Walking Tacos: 1
• Extras
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: 2 (420 calories)
• Lays Potato Chips: 2 (320 calories)

Game Time:
The 1st half is all about Dawson Garcia.  He takes over inside against the smallish Apple Valley lineup's 1-2-2 zone.  He's all over the glass too as he has a double double long before halftime.  A 14-3 run opens up the lead.  Garcia adds 8 late points and its 34-23 Prior Lake at the half.  Garcia with 25 of the points.  The rest of the Prior Lake roster 2-12 from the floor.  Bilhal Kone and Davy Hosea quickness off the bounce keeping Apple Valley within striking range.  Rest of the AV roster 2-10 in the half.

In the 2nd half, the rest of Prior Lake's roster comes to life and that's the difference.  3 players combine for 4 triples in a 4 minute span.  Dylan Bair with 2 of those in the spurt.  That pushes the Prior Lake lead to 49-29.  Bobbie Jackson with 5 of 6 free throws for Apple Valley off their bench.  Productive rim attacks there.  Then it's Kone with a steal and a high flying 1 handed dunk with under 7 minutes left.  Hosea adds a triple and the lead is down to 13 with 6:20 left. 

But Garcia's rest is over.  He spins for 2 and then has the nice feed out of the double team to a cutting Bair for a layup.  Bair adds another layup and triple.  Garcia with 2 freebies and a putback.  9-0 run slams the door and empties the benches.  Prior Lake wins 80-58.

Post Game:
For Apple Valley, Davy Hosea leads the way with 16 points.  Bihlal Kone adds 12 before fouling out.  He was given the task of trying to guard Garcia some of the time.  No win situation there.  Bobbie Jackson with 8 of his 10 points off the bench in the 2nd half.  Definitely noting him for next year's lineup.  Apple Valley 4 of 16 from 3.  The Eagles fall to 4-5 overall, 0-2 in the South Suburban.  They visit Woodbury on Saturday in their final non-conference game of the regular season.  Then a trip to Farmington and a visit from archrival Eastview next week.

Prior Lake dropped out of this week's state poll.  They improve to 4-3 overall, 2-0 in the South Suburban.  3 tough road games await the Lakers in the next week.  They have the back to back turnaround at Chanhassen in a section game.  Then off they go to their rival #6 Shakopee and #10 Lakeville South next week.  Dawson Garcia dominated the paint to the tune of 39 points and 17 rebounds on my officially unofficial stat sheet.  He was able to just go over the top once he got into gaps in the Apple Valley zone.  Didn't have the jumper going but didn't need it on this night.  Dylan Bair comes up big in the 2nd half with 3 triples and 14 of his 18 points.

January 1st, 2020 CzarPI

This is the 1st CzarPI of the 2019-20 season (see CzarPI Explained Here).  It includes games through Tuesday, December 31st, 2019.  The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

Class AAAA

1. Eden Prairie - 63.9 (14) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
2. Lakeville South - 60.58 (42) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
3. Chaska - 58.08 (28) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
4. Eastview - 56.57 (30) 1-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
5. Tartan - 56.54 (55) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
6. Maple Grove - 56.34 (24) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
7. Mounds View - 56.28 (57) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
8. Cretin-Derham Hall - 56.21 (36) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
9. Woodbury - 55.85 (3) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
10. Cambridge-Isanti - 55.81 (41) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
11. Rochester Mayo - 55.29 (37) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
12. Park Center - 54.81 (54) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
13. Hopkins - 54.36 (27) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
14. Moorhead - 54.35 (31) 0-1 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
15. Lakeville North - 53.77 (8) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
16. Robbinsdale Armstrong - 53.37 (53) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
17. Shakopee - 52.93 (23) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
18. Duluth East - 52.91 (40) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
19. East Ridge - 52.85 (5) 1-2 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
20. Prior Lake - 51.82 (6) 1-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
21. Rogers - 51.44 (18) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
22. Spring Lake Park - 51.29 (45) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
23. Champlin Park - 50.64 (7) 2-3 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
24. Farmington - 50.5 (56) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
25. Irondale - 49.67 (60) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
26. Robbinsdale Cooper - 47.25 (34) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
27. Blaine - 45.94 (46) 0-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
28. Rochester Century - 45.66 (20) 0-4 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
29. Roseville - 45.57 (19) 0-3 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
30. Stillwater Area - 45.48 (44) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
31. Rochester John Marshall - 45.39 (22) 1-3 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
32. Forest Lake - 45.31 (33) 1-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
33. Owatonna - 45.23 (26) 0-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
34. Edina - 45.05 (29) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
35. Rosemount - 44.78 (58) 0-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
36. Hastings - 44.34 (50) 1-1 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
37. Osseo - 44.19 (17) 2-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
38. Bloomington Jefferson - 44 (49) 0-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
39. Buffalo - 43.6 (52) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
40. St. Michael-Albertville - 42.19 (61) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
41. North St. Paul - 42.01 (1) 2-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
42. Minneapolis Washburn - 41.81 (51) 1-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
43. Minnetonka - 41.76 (32) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
44. Eagan - 41.72 (47) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
45. Wayzata - 41.31 (2) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
46. Burnsville - 40.81 (4) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
47. Northfield - 40.63 (35) 2-4 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
48. Apple Valley - 39.96 (10) 2-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
49. Coon Rapids - 39.71 (11) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
50. Minneapolis Southwest - 39.25 (62) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
51. Elk River - 36.3 (43) 0-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
52. Park of Cottage Grove - 35.88 (59) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
53. White Bear Lake - 35.61 (48) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
54. Anoka - 35.51 (38) 2-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
55. St. Louis Park - 34.83 (21) 1-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
56. Brainerd - 34.82 (15) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
57. New Prague - 34.43 (39) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
58. St. Paul Central - 31.88 (13) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
59. Andover - 31.38 (16) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
60. Chanhassen - 29.96 (9) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
61. Minneapolis South - 0 (12) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
62. Centennial - 0 (25) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AAA

1. Marshall - 61.54 (28) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
2. St. Cloud Apollo - 61.11 (31) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
3. DeLaSalle - 60.14 (40) 0-0 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
4. Delano - 57.45 (37) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
5. St. Croix Lutheran - 57.07 (9) 1-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
6. Princeton - 55.09 (20) 1-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
7. Austin - 54.98 (45) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
8. Mankato East - 53.66 (43) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
9. St. Peter - 52.83 (34) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
10. Byron - 52.7 (17) 2-2 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
11. Mound Westonka - 52.16 (15) 1-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
12. Grand Rapids - 51.07 (42) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
13. Sartell-St. Stephen - 51.01 (23) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
14. Columbia Heights - 50.66 (55) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
15. Hutchinson - 50.54 (29) 0-3 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
16. Bemidji - 50.35 (14) 1-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
17. Waconia - 50.19 (53) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
18. Alexandria - 50.13 (47) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
19. South St. Paul - 48.86 (64) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
20. Totino-Grace - 48.75 (26) 2-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
21. Kasson-Mantorville - 48.71 (24) 1-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
22. Holy Angels - 48.53 (36) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
23. Little Falls - 48.19 (50) 1-2 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
24. Becker - 47.33 (4) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
25. Richfield - 47.25 (52) 0-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
26. Minneapolis Henry - 46.5 (61) 0-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
27. Detroit Lakes - 45.98 (54) 1-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
28. Mankato West - 45.53 (6) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
29. Worthington - 45.45 (21) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
30. Minnehaha Academy - 45.34 (58) 1-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
31. Simley - 45.25 (51) 0-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
32. Hibbing - 44.67 (49) 1-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
33. Rocori - 43.83 (5) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
34. Winona - 43.76 (3) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
35. St. Paul Johnson - 42.94 (1) 1-3 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
36. Orono - 42.75 (16) 2-5 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
37. Bloomington Kennedy - 42.69 (62) 2-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
38. St. Anthony Village - 42.54 (60) 0-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
39. Red Wing - 41.94 (25) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
40. Minneapolis Edison - 41.85 (63) 0-1 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
41. Sauk Rapids-Rice - 41.49 (33) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
42. Hermantown - 41.32 (38) 2-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
43. Hill-Murray - 41.07 (46) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
44. St. Paul Highland Park - 40.61 (35) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
45. Zimmerman - 40.21 (30) 1-3 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
46. Big Lake - 39.74 (13) 2-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
47. North Branch - 39.54 (41) 2-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
48. Cloquet - 39.47 (12) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
49. Mahtomedi - 38.24 (48) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
50. Benilde-St. Margaret's - 37.65 (10) 1-7 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
51. St. Francis - 37.09 (59) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
52. Albert Lea - 37.01 (65) 1-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
53. St. Paul Harding - 36.95 (32) 2-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
54. Fridley - 35.48 (56) 2-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
55. Faribault - 34.91 (7) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
56. Monticello - 34.72 (27) 2-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
57. Willmar - 32.87 (22) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
58. Chisago Lakes Area - 27.16 (39) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
59. Henry Sibley - 22.82 (57) 1-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
60. New Ulm - 0 (8) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
61. St. Cloud Tech - 0 (2) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
62. Minneapolis Roosevelt - 0 (11) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
63. St. Thomas Academy - 0 (18) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
64. Duluth Denfeld - 0 (19) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
65. St. Paul Como Park - 0 (44) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AA

1. Caledonia - 61.29 (51) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
2. Perham - 60.32 (63) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
3. Osakis - 60.22 (28) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
4. Waseca - 60 (5) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
5. Eden Valley-Watkins - 59.58 (22) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
6. St. Croix Prep - 58.66 (77) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
7. Melrose - 58.64 (12) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
8. Albany - 58.61 (38) 1-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
9. Lake City - 58.33 (40) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
10. Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 58.16 (84) 0-0 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
11. Goodhue - 57.93 (29) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
12. Annandale - 56.97 (97) 0-0 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
13. Rockford - 56.91 (67) 0-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
14. Stewartville - 56.83 (17) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
15. Virginia - 55.69 (64) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
16. Rochester Lourdes - 55.54 (43) 0-0 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
17. Cannon Falls - 55.41 (65) 0-1 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
18. Blake - 55.37 (78) 0-0 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
19. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 55.15 (113) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
20. Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 55.12 (44) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
21. Pequot Lakes - 55.01 (25) 0-1 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
22. Lewiston-Altura - 54.93 (15) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
23. East Grand Forks - 54.52 (117) 0-0 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
24. Minnewaska Area - 54.34 (90) 1-0 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
25. Redwood Valley - 54 (26) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
26. Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 53.64 (74) 0-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
27. Minneapolis North - 53.5 (8) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
28. Pierz - 53.1 (30) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
29. Mora - 52.46 (35) 0-0 vs higher, 4-4 vs lower
30. Litchfield - 52.44 (68) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
31. Pine Island - 52.37 (10) 1-3 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
32. Fergus Falls - 52.35 (94) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
33. Jackson County Central - 52.27 (60) 1-1 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
34. Concordia Academy - 52.26 (41) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
35. Holy Family Catholic - 52.1 (70) 0-0 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
36. La Crescent-Hokah - 52.05 (93) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
37. Crosby-Ironton - 52.02 (101) 1-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
38. Benson - 51.93 (18) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
39. Twin Cities Academy/Great River - 51.87 (123) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
40. Barnesville - 51.6 (105) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
41. Thief River Falls - 50.47 (99) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
42. Pine City - 50.44 (122) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
43. Esko - 50.41 (111) 1-1 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
44. Pelican Rapids - 50.15 (23) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
45. Dover-Eyota - 50.04 (86) 2-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
46. Greenway - 49.8 (80) 1-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
47. Maranatha Christian - 49.71 (4) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
48. Pipestone Area - 49.47 (56) 1-2 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
49. Fairmont - 49.25 (76) 0-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
50. Moose Lake-Willow River - 49.21 (103) 1-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
51. Blue Earth Area - 48.51 (24) 1-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
52. St. Paul Humboldt - 48.44 (96) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
53. St. Charles - 48.43 (2) 2-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
54. Kimball Area - 47.89 (100) 0-0 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
55. Breckenridge - 46.74 (1) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
56. Proctor - 46.46 (3) 1-3 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
57. Spectrum - 45.99 (72) 1-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
58. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 45.92 (33) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
59. Paynesville Area - 45.84 (69) 0-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
60. Belle Plaine - 45.65 (79) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
61. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 45.64 (54) 0-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
62. Bagley - 45.31 (31) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
63. Watertown-Mayer - 45.27 (112) 1-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
64. Milaca - 45.01 (55) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
65. International Falls - 44.92 (82) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
66. Dassel-Cokato - 44.56 (108) 1-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
67. St. Paul Academy - 44.08 (114) 0-1 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
68. Luverne - 43.74 (21) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
69. St. Agnes - 43.73 (89) 1-2 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
70. St. Cloud Cathedral - 43.54 (73) 1-2 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
71. St. James Area - 43.53 (47) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
72. Glencoe-Silver Lake - 43.45 (88) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
73. Crookston - 43.41 (50) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
74. Sauk Centre - 43.21 (32) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
75. New London-Spicer - 43.08 (53) 2-4 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
76. Holdingford - 43.04 (66) 0-2 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
77. Maple River - 42.92 (106) 1-5 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
78. New Life Academy - 42.58 (71) 1-3 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
79. Rush City - 41.9 (121) 0-2 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
80. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 41.64 (115) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
81. Aitkin - 41.62 (83) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
82. St. Paul Washington - 41.29 (62) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
83. Kenyon-Wanamingo - 40.82 (13) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
84. Mounds Park Academy - 40.78 (95) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
85. Brooklyn Center - 40.68 (61) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
86. Medford - 40.13 (75) 0-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
87. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 40.11 (37) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
88. Duluth Marshall - 39.52 (116) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
89. Hiawatha Collegiate - 39.08 (125) 1-1 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
90. Frazee - 39.04 (119) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
91. LeSueur-Henderson - 38.7 (98) 1-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
92. Royalton - 38.55 (49) 0-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
93. Cristo Rey Jesuit - 38.54 (81) 1-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
94. Wadena-Deer Creek - 38.18 (107) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
95. Jordan - 37.94 (91) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
96. Nova Classical Academy - 37.45 (124) 0-3 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
97. Menahga - 37.19 (58) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
98. Pillager - 37.02 (57) 0-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
99. Warroad - 36.81 (104) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
100. Maple Lake - 36.18 (6) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
101. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 36.12 (27) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
102. Providence Academy - 36.05 (34) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
103. Foley - 35.19 (46) 1-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
104. Hawley - 34.58 (42) 1-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
105. Metro Schools College Prep - 34.5 (109) 1-3 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
106. Chatfield - 34.12 (19) 1-5 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
107. Staples-Motley - 34.03 (110) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
108. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 33.7 (102) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
109. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 31.89 (85) 1-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
110. Breck - 28.82 (16) 1-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
111. Southwest Christian - 28.75 (87) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
112. New Richland-H-E-G - 28.7 (11) 1-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
113. Math and Science Academy - 28.09 (118) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
114. Triton - 26.16 (48) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
115. Two Harbors - 0 (9) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
116. Mesabi East - 0 (20) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
117. Windom Area - 0 (52) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
118. Park Rapids Area - 0 (59) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
119. Sibley East - 0 (92) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
120. Eveleth-Gilbert - 0 (7) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
121. Roseau - 0 (14) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
122. Norwood-Young America - 0 (36) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
123. Montevideo - 0 (39) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
124. Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran - 0 (45) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
125. Tri-City United - 0 (120) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class A

1. BOLD - 60.65 (51) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
2. Fertile-Beltrami - 60.02 (58) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
3. Ada-Borup - 57.11 (103) 0-0 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
4. Martin County West - 56.55 (61) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
5. Hancock - 56.52 (20) 0-0 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
6. West Central Area - 56.37 (47) 1-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
7. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 56.2 (27) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
8. Spring Grove - 55.98 (28) 0-0 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
9. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 55.75 (69) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
10. New Ulm Cathedral - 55.5 (129) 0-0 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
11. Nevis - 55.44 (90) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
12. Springfield - 55.07 (55) 0-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
13. Southwest MN Christian - 54.93 (136) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
14. North Woods - 54.93 (79) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
15. New York Mills - 54.78 (89) 0-0 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
16. Legacy Christian - 54.41 (139) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
17. T/ML/GHEC - 54.05 (117) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
18. NCE/U-H - 53.76 (50) 0-2 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
19. Clearbrook-Gonvick - 53.39 (149) 0-0 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
20. Henning - 53.23 (93) 1-1 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
21. Blooming Prairie - 53.23 (152) 0-0 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
22. Schaeffer Academy - 53.02 (113) 1-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
23. MACCRAY - 52.68 (87) 0-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
24. Grand Meadow - 52.15 (86) 1-0 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
25. Randolph - 51.37 (46) 2-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
26. Red Lake County - 51.11 (30) 1-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
27. Lakeview - 51.06 (106) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
28. Lac qui Parle Valley - 50.94 (124) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
29. Deer River - 50.68 (34) 1-0 vs higher, 3-4 vs lower
30. Ely - 50.4 (142) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
31. Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey - 49.29 (120) 0-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
32. Hayfield - 48.55 (81) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
33. Nashwauk-Keewatin - 48.11 (125) 2-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
34. Wabasha-Kellogg - 47.95 (8) 1-3 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
35. Lincoln International - 47.72 (160) 0-0 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
36. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 47.6 (159) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
37. PACT Charter - 47.41 (126) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
38. Nicollet - 46.95 (72) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
39. Lakes International Language Academy - 46.89 (130) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
40. Cass Lake-Bena - 46.61 (15) 1-3 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
41. Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 46.6 (75) 1-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
42. Central MN Christian - 46.45 (95) 0-2 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
43. St. Clair - 46.44 (14) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
44. Parkers Prairie - 46.09 (155) 1-1 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
45. Adrian/Ellsworth - 45.83 (59) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
46. East Central - 45.37 (96) 0-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
47. Mankato Loyola - 45.3 (32) 1-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
48. Carlton - 45.26 (134) 0-1 vs higher, 4-3 vs lower
49. Minneota - 45.25 (38) 0-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
50. Mahnomen/Waubun - 45.16 (138) 1-1 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
51. Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 44.79 (144) 1-2 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
52. Renville County West - 44.77 (77) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
53. Houston - 44.67 (114) 1-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
54. Kittson County Central - 44.6 (52) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
55. CHOF - 44.29 (157) 0-1 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
56. Dawson-Boyd - 43.66 (67) 1-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
57. Avail Academy - 43.5 (147) 0-2 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
58. Rushford-Peterson - 43.5 (13) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
59. Cromwell-Wright - 43.06 (162) 1-0 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
60. Red Lake - 42.94 (56) 1-4 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
61. Pine River-Backus - 42.88 (110) 0-3 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
62. Silver Bay - 42.49 (107) 1-1 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
63. St. John's Prep - 42.48 (98) 0-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
64. Southland - 42.4 (108) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
65. Lake Park-Audubon - 42.39 (54) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
66. Mountain Iron-Buhl - 42.31 (133) 0-3 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
67. Wheaton/Herman-Norcross - 42.14 (143) 0-1 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
68. Park Christian - 42.06 (5) 1-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
69. Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity - 41.9 (132) 0-3 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
70. Brandon/Evansville - 41.88 (154) 1-2 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
71. Northland - 41.54 (145) 1-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
72. North Lakes Academy - 41.26 (148) 0-2 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
73. Hope Academy - 41.01 (71) 1-4 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
74. West Lutheran - 40.81 (66) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
75. Cherry - 40.74 (42) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
76. Liberty Classical Academy - 40.62 (35) 0-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
77. Northern Freeze - 40.57 (64) 0-2 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
78. Upsala - 40.37 (140) 1-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
79. United Christian Academy - 40.35 (17) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
80. Barnum - 40.21 (10) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
81. Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 39.95 (70) 0-4 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
82. Stephen-Argyle - 39.93 (88) 0-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
83. Chisholm - 39.92 (101) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
84. Onamia - 39.9 (150) 1-1 vs higher, 1-4 vs lower
85. Fillmore Central - 39.76 (80) 1-3 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
86. Cedar Mountain - 39.35 (4) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
87. Braham - 39.09 (116) 2-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
88. Sacred Heart - 39.09 (26) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
89. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 39.08 (37) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
90. South Ridge - 38.88 (119) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
91. Hills-Beaver Creek - 38.6 (33) 0-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
92. Isle - 38.33 (137) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
93. Swanville - 38.08 (109) 1-3 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
94. Goodridge/Grygla - 37.45 (127) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
95. Hinckley-Finlayson - 37.3 (82) 2-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
96. Blackduck - 36.93 (146) 1-2 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
97. Wabasso - 36.9 (12) 0-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
98. Eagle Ridge Academy - 36.16 (48) 1-6 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
99. Kaleidoscope Charter - 35.86 (156) 0-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
100. Kingsland - 35.62 (84) 1-5 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
101. LeRoy-Ostrander - 35.51 (57) 1-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
102. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 35.27 (73) 1-3 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
103. Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda - 34.98 (60) 0-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
104. Lanesboro - 34.85 (99) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
105. Cleveland - 34.66 (83) 1-4 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
106. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 34.38 (24) 1-5 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
107. Mayer Lutheran - 34.1 (18) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
108. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 34.03 (23) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
109. Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 34 (49) 1-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
110. Ogilvie - 33.81 (123) 0-4 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
111. Ashby - 33.67 (135) 1-3 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
112. Sebeka - 33.03 (22) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
113. Trinity School - 32.89 (128) 1-5 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
114. Browerville/Eagle Valley - 32.74 (62) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
115. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 32.06 (65) 0-5 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
116. Madelia - 30.28 (78) 0-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
117. United South Central - 28.58 (91) 1-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
118. Glenville-Emmons - 28.43 (102) 1-7 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
119. Community of Peace Academy - 28.09 (115) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
120. Heritage Christian - 27.99 (44) 1-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
121. Climax/Fisher - 27.79 (25) 0-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
122. Sleepy Eye - 27.2 (41) 0-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
123. Red Rock Central - 27.2 (53) 0-6 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
124. Mabel-Canton - 26.15 (63) 0-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
125. Littlefork-Big Falls - 26.12 (111) 0-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
126. Alden-Conger - 25.86 (76) 1-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
127. Bigfork - 0 (97) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
128. Chesterton Academy - 0 (151) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
129. High School for the Recording Arts - 0 (7) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
130. Canby - 0 (9) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
131. Underwood - 0 (11) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
132. Ortonville - 0 (21) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
133. Fosston - 0 (39) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
134. Hill City - 0 (45) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
135. Murray County Central - 0 (100) 0-7 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
136. McGregor - 0 (112) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
137. Lake of the Woods - 0 (118) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
138. Verndale - 0 (122) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
139. Wrenshall - 0 (131) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
140. Prairie Seeds Academy - 0 (141) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
141. Groves Academy - 0 (158) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
142. Battle Lake - 0 (1) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
143. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 0 (2) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
144. Northome/Kelliher - 0 (3) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
145. Rothsay - 0 (6) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
146. Yellow Medicine East - 0 (16) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
147. Edgerton - 0 (19) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
148. Win-E-Mac - 0 (29) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
149. Bertha-Hewitt - 0 (31) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
150. Laporte - 0 (36) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
151. Bethlehem Academy - 0 (40) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
152. Minnesota Transitions Charter - 0 (43) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
153. Cook County - 0 (68) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
154. Venture Academy - 0 (74) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
155. Lakeview Christian - 0 (85) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
156. Floodwood - 0 (92) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
157. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 0 (94) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
158. Academy for Sciences & Ag - 0 (104) 0-3 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
159. Hmong Academy - 0 (105) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
160. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley - 0 (121) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
161. MN Academy for the Deaf - 0 (153) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
162. Ubah Medical Academy - 0 (161) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

2019 Augsburg Championships

I end my holiday travels with a snowy trip to Augsburg for the finals of their 3 day holiday tourney.  Here are some of the highlights.

Game 1: Southwest 66 Roosevelt 55
Thanks to Southwest beating Central on opening day we get the 1st of 2 extra meetings between teams on the day.  This one is a Minneapolis City Conference battle.  Christo Polydorou 2 early 3s including a trip to the bank to start the day.  The Lakers never trail in this one.  A 13-0 2nd half run pushes their lead to 20 and no problems from there.  Christo Polydorou with 18 to lead the Lakers.  Marcus Mattox adds 13.  Montgomery Booth with 12 of his game high 22 in the 2nd half to help Roosevelt keep it manageable.  Nelson Ladd adds 13.

Game 2: South St. Paul 82 St. Paul Central 76
Both of these squads featuring a ton of youngsters.  Back and forth game before South St. Paul goes on a 14-3 run midway thru the 2nd half.  65-52 Packers with 7:39 left.  Central rallies behind Kaden Doram and Caron Crowe.  Doram with a bucket, 2 free throws and then a tip dunk in their run.  Crowe's pressure defense a major factor in that as well. 73-70 SSP just under 2 minutes left.  But South St. Paul makes their free throws from there and hangs on.  Alonzo Dodd with a high level game of 22 points and creating for others off the bounce in the SSP dribble drive.  Marquis Gleb adds 16 and Max Wilson 13.  Kaden Doram with 20 points to lead Central.  Caron Crowe with 18, Gavin Gothard 15 and Billy Preston adds 13 off the bench.

Game 3: #7AAAA Hopkins 70 #6AA Minneapolis North 62
North took it to Hopkins early in this championship game.  De'Meiko Anderson for 3 and adds a bucket.  Willie Wilson with a bucket and a deep 3.  Anderson adds another bomb and Mario Sanders with a 3 point play.  34-25 North with just over 5 minutes to go in the 1st half.  North in a box and 1 on Kerwin Walton out of their 2nd timeout of the 1st half.  Then an early timeout in the 2nd half to prevent a jump ball (a very overused play).  That comes back to bite North as their offense just can't make a shot.  Hopkins goes on a 10-0 run to end the 1st half and then only 1 putback for North in the 1st 8 minutes of the 2nd half.  North finally takes their 4th timeout at the 10:06 mark.  44-36 Hopkins at that point after a 19-2 run.  You have to think they would have tried to stop the bleeding sooner had they had 1 of those early timeouts still available.

Willie Wilson breaks the run with a 3 point play then a big momentum sequence.  North misses 5 of 6 free throws.  Andrew Chisley scores, then blocks Davon Townley on 1 end and scores with the 4th foul on Townley on the other.  Hopkins picks up a T on a foul but North only makes 2 of 4 FTs and turns it over on the possession.  Hopkins counters with triples from Jalen Treml and Xavier White and the lead is 55-41 Hopkins with 6:25 left.  North goes 18 minutes with just 2 field goals but after 2 Townley free throws and a putback, they're somehow still within 55-45 with 5:11 left.  North's pressure does force a couple of turnovers to keep the final interesting.  But Kerwin Walton makes 6-6 FTs down the stretch and Hopkins wins.  Kerwin Walton 24 points but I thought North did a good job defending him.  Plus they largely held everyone else down (no one else in double figures for Hopkins).  Davon Townley even got the individual task of defending Walton.  Willie Wilson leads North with 19 points.  Davon Townley adds 12.  North missed 8 second half chances at the charity stripe.  The teams meet again at North on Monday, Feb 24th.

All-Tournament Team
Hopkins- Kerwin Walton (MVP) 
Hopkins - Cornell Richardson 
Mpls North - Willie Wilson 
Mpls North - Davin Townley 
South St Paul - Alonzo Dodd 
Mpls Southwest - Christo Polydorou

2019 UST Classic Day 2

For Day 2 of my 2019 holiday viewing I made the damp but thankfully not icy trek to the University of St. Thomas.  No tournament format here just 2 games for each of the 8 teams.

Game 1: #7AAA Waconia 73 Holy Angels 57
Holy Angels with an early 10-0 run thanks to a couple of Matt Banovetz 3s.  Waconia right back in it with a 16-4 run of their own for a 20-16 lead at the 8:17 mark.  Forward Spencer Swanson with a couple of putbacks in that run.  Banovetz then draws the 2nd foul on Waconia star PJ Hayes for 2 free throws.  Then a really smart play in the backcourt to get his body into Hayes for the 3rd.  He'll make both ends of the bonus plus the technical on the Waconia bench.  Nate Kesti with a triple to complete the 7 point possession.  14-0 AHA run over 4 minutes for a 30-20 lead.  But Waconia responds with an 11-2 run to close the half without Hayes.  Connor Schwob 4 free throws in the run.  Banovetz picks up 2 charges during the spurt and he'll also end up with 3 fouls in the half.  32-31 AHA at the break.

Banovetz a putback and triple in a 9-0 run for a 41-33 AHA lead.  45-40 AHA when Banovetz picks up his 4th with 12:48 left.  2 minutes later Emmett Johnson has his 4th foul as well.  AHA goes a stretch of 10:40 with only 1 field goal, much of that with the stars sitting.  Schwob with a big 3 with just under 7 minutes to push the Waconia lead to 10 and force AHA to bring the stars back in.  But there's no danger, Waconia cruises from there.  Spencer Swanson 21 points with very effective inside work.  PJ Hayes held to 15.  Connor Schwob 12 and Connor Behrens adds 10 off the bench.  Matt Banovetz 18 points.  Junior wing Bryce Boyd adds 10 for Holy Angels.

Game 2: Eagan 50 Benilde-St. Margaret's 48
Nick Peterson with the 1st 7 points for BSM.  Derric Standifer gives them a couple of 3s off the bench as well.  28-21 BSM at the break.  Sammuel Davis with back to back 3s to pull Eagan within 2 but Peterson goes glass for 2 and buries a 3 in a 7-0 run to keep BSM up 40-31 with 10:25 left.  Eagan defense clamps down and Kurt Ohlhues heats up.  Ohlhues with a transition 3 off a turnover and Matthew Verbeke adds 2 hoops in a 12-0 run to give Eagan their 1st lead with under 8 minutes left.  Ohlhues and Dan Ijadimbola trade triples.  Standifer adds a free throw to tie it a 46 with 4:19 left.  BSM patient offense down the stretch.  A mess of a pass bounces right back to Zai Smith and he'll finish that with 40 seconds left for a 2 point lead.  Davis on the other end with a bomb and its Eagan by 1 with 31 seconds left.  BSM turns it over out of a timeout and Eagan adds 1 final free throw.  BSM can't get a good look at the end.  Kurt Ohlhues with 13 of his 19 in the 2nd half to bring the Wildcats back.  Sammuel Davis 4 3s, 3 of them in the 2nd half and the go-ahead one late, for 12 points.  Nick Peterson with 21 points carrying the BSM offense again.  Derric Standifer 8 of his 9 off the bench in the 1st half.  Peterson had 12 of the 20 2nd half Red Knights points.

Game 3: Wayzata 91 St. Thomas Academy 47
The young St. Thomas Academy roster would try to hang around but a 14-2 run over the last 4 minutes of the 1st half would blow the game open and the Trojans cruise from there.  Blowout city.  Cam Heide with 14 of his 20 in the 1st half.  Carter Bjerke adds 13.  3 other bench guys also reach double figures for Wayzata.  Frosh guard Michael Kirchner leads the Cadets with 16 points.  Frosh guard Jack Chamberlain adds 3 triples in the 1st half and 11 total points.  Coach Bryan Schnettler not entirely pleased with his team's defense in the 1st half as he used a couple of timeouts after STA buckets.

Game 4: #2AAAA Cretin-Derham Hall 64 #4AAA Totino-Grace 54
This game makes me think back to the old days of the 3 day Catholic Spirit tournament at UST. A very fitting way to end the event.  Offense was really hard to come by for Totino-Grace in this one. It took TG almost 11 minutes to get their 2nd FG and the 1st was a putback.  Tre Holloman goes FT line jumper off their under-utilized pick and roll.  J'Vonne Hadley with a 3 point play off a turnover.  Curtis Jones nice cut for a hoop.  23-7 CDH as we go under 5:30 left in the half.  TG claws their way back with a Taison Chatman 3 point play and triple to cut the margin to 10.  He'll add another jumper to end the half after a Hadley 3.  That keeps the margin at 10 going to halftime.

CDH comes out of the break with a 11-0 run.  Amari Carter runs the floor for layup.  Hadley from deep and a dunk to go with a couple of Jack Tauer buckets. 46-25 CDH in control with 11 minutes left.  CDH coasts from there and TG tries to make it interesting.  CJ O'Hara 4 FTs plus a bucket and another And 1 from Joe Alt.  58-49 CDH with 3:31 left after a 12-2 Eagles run.  But the margin doesn't get any closer than that.  J'Vonne Hadley with 23 points and 3 triples to lead all scorers.  Tre Holloman with 12 and Curtis Jones with 11 for CDH.  Freshmen CJ O'Hara and Taison Chatman lead TG with 13 points each.  O'Hara 9 of his points from the charity stripe.  Chatman with a couple of 3s.  Joe Alt another effective outing inside for the Eagles with 11 points.

2019 Tartan Tourney Day 1

Its the annual trek to the eastern edge of the kingdom for the Tartan Holiday Tournament.  As in recent years, we get the 8 teams in 2 groups of 4 format.  Here's what I saw

Game 1: Farmington 63 Fridley 44
This was a close game for the 1st 11 minutes.  Then Isaac Burns picked up his 2nd foul for Fridley.  He sat and combined with Farmington's 1-1-3 zone, Fridley only scored 1 basket for the last 7 minutes of the half.  That allowed Farmington to extend a 1 point lead to 16 at the half.  Fridley would extend their defense early in the 2nd half and get 9 quick points from Burns to cut the margin to 6 with under 13 minutes left.  Farmington stops the bleeding with Isaac Ask scoring 4 buckets in an 11-0 run.  This time it's the man to man defense that holds Fridley without a FG for over 8 minutes.  The lead grows to over 20 and benches empty just under the 5 minute mark.  Isaac Ask leads Farmington with 15 points.  Soph forward Kyle Hrncir very productive with 12 points off the bench.  Farmington also fun to see push the ball out in transition which hurt Fridley.  Isaac Burns leads Fridley with 11 of his 13 in the 2nd half.  Micah Niewald adds 3 triples for 9.

Game 2: Superior (WI) 67 Park 66
Only 1 senior on the floor to start the game between the 2 teams.  Superior's shooting would see them build a 36-25 halftime lead with 7 3s.  Park rallies with a bucket, putback and 2 triples from soph guard Jack Blumberg to cut the lead to 2 with under 12 minutes left.  Superior with a couple more 3s and a 7-0 run to keep the lead.  Ethan Townsend 5 in a row, Jayden Lane for 2 and a kick to Evan Bearth for 3.  Park regains the lead 58-57 with 4 minutes left.  Great ball movement with Bearth sending drift pass to him in the corner to the wing and top and he gets it back for another big triple.  64 all with 1:25 left.  The teams trade misses and post Pharell Payne puts back a miss with 11.3 left for a 2 point Park lead.  Out of a timeout, its a baseline drive and drift pass to Johnny Rhodes.  He buries the corner 3 with 1.8 left for the win. Joey Barker 18 points to lead Superior.  They knock down 12 treys.  Ethan Townsend 17 to lead Park.  Pharell Payne 12 inside, Jack Blumberg 12 outside and 11 from Jayden Lane.  Payne is a forward to keep an eye on.  The 6'6" soph played freshman ball last year and has come a long way.  Still fairly raw but there's plenty of upside for Park to be excited about to go with their perimeter crew.

Game 3: Simley 65 White Bear Lake 48
I also saw Simley last Friday against Hill-Murray and in both games Simley's defense was the story.  Last Friday it was Simley's 1-2-2 zone that held the Pioneers down.  Against White Bear Lake, they pulled RJ Jioklow out of it and went box and 1 on frosh Jack Janicki.  That totally took White Bear Lake out of any offensive flow.  Simley ends the 1st half on an 8-0 run to lead by 10.  Then a 16-1 run early in the 2nd half blows the game open as the Bears go 6 minutes between field goals.  Breyton Buysman leads Simley with 19 points.  RJ Jioklow with 14.  Frosh Jack Janicki with 14 and Kenye Raheem with 11 for White Bear Lake.

Game 4: #9AAAA Tartan 59 Henry Sibley 41
The tone was set right away as Tartan got 2 quick steals for buckets in a 10-0 run in the 1st 1:35 of the game.  Joe Kearney flammable with all 22 (possibly 24) of his points in the 1st half with 4 3s.  23 point game at the break.  Curtis Favors with a monster dunk after the red sea of Sibley defense parted and the lead got to 31 with 9:22 left.  But Sibley dug in from there to not see the running time marker.  Joe Kearney 24 points to lead all scorers.  Langston Binns adds 11.  Dewayne Thompson 10 points, soph Edward Michaels with 11 for Sibley.  Center MJ Davis also with 10 for Sibley.  Davis the only senior on the young Sibley roster.

Fulfulling Fridley Fun

To friendly Fridley where the schedule and a nice conversation with Heat boss Willie Vang leads me to an evening doubleheader.  We get the hot dog and Mug Root Beer (no Killebrew Root Beer even though it was listed was unfortunate, love Killebrew) at Fridley for their non-conference game with Stillwater.  That's the usual 6 PM early start at Fridley so that means we have time afterwards to cross Rice Creek to the classic EMAC venue at Avail.  Avail welcoming Hiawatha for a showdown of EMAC contenders there.  This also means we see all 4 classes in 1 night.  To be fair to the concession stand, I do pick up 210 Calories from Reese's at halftime.  I even get an apology for the rhino not showing up again.  Love me a good fan with that kind of attention to detail.  No basketball in the nachos so no payout for those with that prop bet (entertainment purposes only kids, don't gamble!)

Game 1: Stillwater 61 Fridley 55
Max Richardson 7 points for Stillwater as the Ponies jump out to a 15-3 lead just over 5 minutes into the game.  Micah Niewald with 3 consecutive triples and Fridley is right back in the game.  Christian Crockett giving Fridley good minutes off the bench by pushing the ball and with deft passing.  Stillwater decides to let him shoot and he knocks down a couple of threes just for good measure.  Ben Smalley with 10 first half points of his own to keep Stillwater ahead. They lead by 3 at the break.

Fridley gets Yoal Ruei and Isaac Burns into the lineup early in the 2nd half after they sat out the 1st half.  Smalley with a jumper and then Sam Shikenjanski with the nice feed out of the post to a cutting Smalley for 2 more.  50-36 Stillwater with just under 10 minutes left.  Burns heats up for Fridley with 9 points in about 3 and a half minutes.  But the margin is still 55-40 Stillwater with 5:28 left.  The Ponies go 4 corners and its a disaster.  Fridley cuts the lead to 4 with 1:45 left and they'll miss 3 different chances to cut the margin further.  Stillwater goes 6-6 from charity stripe in the last 28 seconds to close it out.  The Ponies win despite no field goals in the last 8:25.  Ben Smalley 16 pts, Max Richardson 15 to lead Stillwater.  Frosh PG Max Shikenjanski (like brother Nate, not like dad or brother Sam) very solid 12 points as well.  Micah Niewald 11 of his 14 points in the 1st half for Fridley.  Isaac Burns with all 13 of his points in the last 9:15.   Christian Crockett 10 of his 12 in the 1st half in a productive night off the Tigers bench.

Game 2: Avail 87 Hiawatha 85
Avail jumps out to a 19-5 lead with Josiah Loge and Josiah Schaap leading the offense.  Hiawatha not making anything early.  But their stars Jessye Lewis and Jaheim Houts do get it going to bring the Wolves back.  Houts knocks down a couple of 3s and Lewis taking advantage of no help defense all night.  That pulls Hiawatha within 5 at the half.

Avail decides to have Joey Ritzema faceguard Houts for the 2nd half but interestingly enough no strategy on Lewis who had 18 points in the 1st half.  Hiawatha with numerous runs in the 2nd half but Avail had an answer for everyone of them to not give up the lead.  Lewis puts back 2 of his own misses and Houts puts back another to cut the lead to 3 but Loge answers with a 3 point play to keep the lead at 6 with 7:58 left.  Houts with a bucket off a nicely called backscreen followed by a Lewis bucket to cut it to 2 with 4:45 left.  Houts goes end to end (1 way to beat a faceguard just go get the board and take it from there) and the lead is down to 1 with 3:15 left. Loge with a nice cut for a bucket on the next possession.  Mitchell Pfeiffer with 2 layups and the lead is 5 with 1:30 left.

After a Hiawatha miss and Avail missed front end, Houts scores underneath off a BLOB on a strong move.  Under a minute left, Avail up 3.  Schaap with the oh no why shoot that 3, great shot with 30 seconds left.  Hiawatha immediately hits one of their own.  Avail makes 1 free throw, then a backscreen for Lewis on a SLOB for a quick and easy bucket with 7 seconds left.  Joey Ritzema makes 2 free throws to seal it.  A foul at the buzzer for 2-3 FTs is meaningless.  Jessye Lewis leads Hiawatha with 36 points on my sheet.  Jaheim Houts with 25 from his forward spot.  Mitchell Pfeiffer leads Avail with 23 points and he hit big 2nd half shots.  Josiah Schaap with 19.  Josiah Loge and Joey Ritzema each add 18.  Ritzema is a player that I've really enjoyed watching the last 2 games.  Does all the dirty work and makes plays.  That's an important home win for Avail as they keep pace with Hiawatha and Twin Cities Academy/Great River in the EMAC race.

Green is the season's color

A couple of small school games lead my week into the holiday season.  Its a EMAC swap as they get the rare Tuesday time slot on my schedule.  That's because I wanted to see Rockford and 7-footer Calvin Sisk in their Monday trip to Concordia.  Excellent Nathan's quarter pound hot dog.  Must be something about Skyline schools near Dale St.

Then the EMAC gets its time on Tuesday for Avail Academy visiting United Christian Academy.  UCA is the former Bethany Academy who has now merged with Christian Life of Farmington.  Weird not seeing the old MCAA banners on the wall including the long outdated Holy Trinity banner.  UCA colors have changed to purple and black but they still have the bright blue and yellow all over the gym and haven't repainted the floor.  No rhino mascot in attendance for Avail.  That's always a cool mascot to see.

Monday: Rockford 84 Concordia 50
No Aaron TerHaar for the Beacons in this one.  His shooting would have made a world of difference as Concordia had no real answer for the Rockford flat 3-2 zone.  After trying some early zone offense that didn't generate anything Concordia just ran their motion which was a little better off but not much.  Sloppy offense turning it over and they couldn't make shots.  Rockford too big inside with Carter Kulavik and Calvin Sisk.  Todd Traen and Ryan Boysen knock down 9 3s between them to provide the balance.  Rockets fly away to an easy win.  Essay Hagos gets his 23 for Concordia but only got a little help from Gary Legvold with 10 points.  Ryan Boysen 5 3s and 19 points to lead Rockford.  Todd Traen and Luke Pepin 12 each and Calvin Sisk with all 11 of his in the 2nd half.  Carter Kulavik a bigger impact than his 7 points.  Rockford will be very dangerous in section 5AA.  They have experience, size, toughness and shooting which should allow them to be a challenger for the trip to state.

Tuesday: United Christian Academy 79 Avail Academy 65
This one was an early boys/girls doubleheader with the boys going first so I'll skip the girls to write this.  United Christian would jump out to a 12-2 lead and never look back.  Zach Corley controlling the paint for UCA.  Taylor Prip provides 13 1st half points off the bench and its UCA by 23 at the break.  Joey Ritzema would try to lead an Avail rally in the 2nd half.  He scores a couple of buckets in a 10-2 Valor run, FEAR THE RHINO!  That cuts the margin to 63-49 with over 7 minutes left.  An open 3 that would have cut the margin further goes just long.  Jacob Kyllo with 2 hoops in an 8-0 run that pushes the lead back to 20 to 3:25 left and its over from there.  Zach Corley leads all scorers with 20 points from his starting center spot for UCA.  Avail's lack of size had no match for him.  Chase Bixel with a very nice outing from his guard spot as he adds on 16 points.  Taylor Prip with all 13 of his bench points in the 1st half.  Joey Ritzema with 14 of his 18 points in the 2nd half to keep the game somewhat interesting.  Josiah Schaap with 15 and 3 triples.  Mitchell Pfeifer with 12.  Avail with no seniors on the roster.