2024 Border Battle thoughts

The 2024 Border Battle took place at Benilde-St. Margaret's.  A full day of 8 games on the schedule.  Based on my bold Breakdown prediction, I had the full 8 team Minnesota parlay.  Would it pan out?  Here are the days highlights.

Game 1: #1A Cherry 90 #1 D5 Solon Springs (WI) 71
A few minutes into the game, there's a loose ball into the media table and a hustling player blows up the whole thing.  That sends my 1st Pepsi of the day flying.  CLEAN UP ON AISLE 5!!!  Total disaster that gets replaced by a Coke later.  OOF!  

As to the game itself, Cherry would take an 8 point lead mid first half and then blow that open to 23 later in the half.  20 points at halftime explodes to 31 with 14:15 left.  Solon Springs does make it look respectable as they chop the lead to 13 but this one was all Cherry.  The Tigers had 4 starters in double figures led by Soph Noah Asuma.  Gopher commit Issac Asuma close to a triple double in the win.  Bemidji St commit Isaiah Kastern was the early offense for Solon Springs.  He led the Eagles with 24 points and double figure boards.  Dylan Taggert led the 2nd half run with 4 3s and 18 of his 20 in that half.

Game 2: #1AA Breck 94 Heritage Christian (WI) 64
Another small school blowout in this one as Breck had their way.  7 1st half 3s for the Mustangs as they led by 25 at the break.  Wisconsin commit Daniel Freitag led the way with 22 points and close to a triple double as well.  Soph JP Musoke 18, Miles Newton and each with 3 triples.  I liked the game of Heritage point guard Mike Bowen Jr.  The big point guard led the Patriots with 22 points.

Game 3: Edina 84 vs #5 D2 River Falls 63
The Edina defense was a major factor early in the game as they ran River Falls right to the end of the shot clock on 3 straight trips.  River Falls had a lead midway thru the half but then Josiah Coleman finished the half for Edina on a big run.  Its 16-4 to go from 1 down to up 41-30 at the break.  Edina hits 10 3s in the 2nd half and this one is another blowout.  Coleman with 16 of his 26 during that 1st half spurt for the Hornets.  4 others in double figures with Billy DeMars 4 triples giving him 15.  Forward Eli Johnson 14 to lead the Wildcats.

Game 4: #6AAA Orono 78 La Crosse Central (WI) 54
You know you're old when you see your alma mater playing a kid whose parents were your classmates umpteen many years ago.  The methodical Central offense struggled against the shot clock.  But despite having their top guy, wing Henry Meyer, on the bench for the last 6:24 with 2 fouls, the Red Raiders Riverhawks were still within 5 at the half.  The roof caves in during the second half.  The lead quickly grows to 15 and 20 and coasting from there.  Central did throw a bunch of defenses at Orono.  That included a box and 1 on Nolan Groves when Brady Wooley was out of the game.  Groves led Orono with 16 points but no 3s.  3 others in double figures and 2 others with 9.  Henry Meyer with 19, Peyton Strittmater 21 with 5 3s for Central.

Game 5: #3AAAA Minnetonka 86 #9 D2 Grafton 76
At least I got 1 thing right on this day as this game was competitive as expected.  This was the closest game of the day.  Greyson Uelmen 3 first half fouls and 11 points in the limited minutes.  But Minnetonka would still lead by 7, 41-34 at the half.  Grafton with a quick 11-2 run to tie it up and then they push their lead to 58-51 with 11:36 left.  Northern Michigan commit Michael McNabb dominating during that run.  Juan Guerrero Hernandez (sick) decided to play it like a Michael Jordan flu game as Grafton pushed the lead to 69-57 with 7:50 left.  Timeout Grafton there as Hernandez reached 1000 career points.  Shrug the shoulders kid, everything going in for him.  6 3s and 22 points in the 2nd half on his way to a game high 32.

But Grafton fell apart after that 1000 point marker with only 3 FG the remainder of the game.  Minnetonka goes on a 25-4 run to win it.  Isa El-Amin And 1 on a turnover.  Jordan Cain And 1, Greyson Uelmen pull up and bury that 3 to tie it at 71 with 4:55 left.  Andy Stefonowicz high pick and roll and after passing up a 3 on the previous trip, he'll bury this one from the top of the key for the lead with 1:55 left. Kayden Wells 2 FTs on a critical offensive board with 1:04 left when Grafton needed a stop.  Cain dunks a turnover as an exclamation point.  Cain and Stefonowicz 22 points each to lead Minnetonka.

Game 6: #1AAA Totino-Grace 98 Onalaska 66
Onalaska down 1 starters for this one.  Great start for the Hilltoppers as Jack Smith hits 3 triples for an 11-8 lead that draws a Nick Carroll timeout.  TG would go on a 22-5 run but Onalaska would use the foul line to keep the game close at halftime. 47-39 Eagles with the lead.  Miami commit Isaiah Johnson would start the 2nd half after coming off the bench.  Big impact in the half.  In the post for 2, knock down a 3 and run out for a layup as this one got out of hand. 

Isaiah Johnson 16 of his 23 in the 2nd half to lead Totino.  Dothan Ijadimbola adds 18.  Frosh PG Malachi Hill continues to play well off the Eagles bench.  4 triples and 17 points for him.  South Dakota commit Evan Anderson leads Onalaska with 22 points.  Isaac Skemp 4 triples and 18 points. Jack Smith adds 5 triples and 17 points.

Game 7: #2AAAA Park Center 83 Eau Claire Memorial 58
Park Center playing without Chiang Ring and Jackson Fowlkes in this one.  Ari Gooch started hot attacking the rim and never let up.  He had 10 points in a early 15-0 PC run.  The Pirates would open a 22-8 lead and look to run away but the Old Abes kept the margin at 16, 45-29 at halftime of a foul plagued no flow first half.

A bit of drama in the 2nd half.  Cash Chavis sits at 12:56 with what is said to be his 4th foul, but it looked like the board went from 2 to 4 and the PC book (along with me) had him for 3.  This causes an excessively long discussion and we stay at 4. So the big 3 are out, can Memorial make a run?  No they can't.  Temi Omotoyinbo steps up with a dunk and a layup to keep the Pirates offense going.  Chavis back in with the lead at 19 and 7:56 left is a surprise but doesn't end up being a problem.  Aidan Memene and Gooch with triples and the blowout is on.  Gooch leads Park Center with 29 points, Omotoyinbo with 18, Chavis with a quiet 17.  Julius Clark with 22 to lead Eau Claire Memorial.  Cooper Jesperson adds 15 wtih 3 triples.

Game 8: #9 D1 Homestead 80 Benilde-St. Margaret's 64
A chance for the parlay to make it goes bad here, I should have taken the house offer to cash out.  St. Thomas commit Tim Franks of Homestead playing in front of his future staff.  He didn't disappoint.  He make a living at the charity stripe with 15-20 in this one.  Nice work attacking the lane off of pindowns.  He also added 6 triples so you had to run at him.  39 points for him was the day's best performance.  The game was closer than the final as BSM was within striking distance until the very end.  Franks with a huge 3 with 2:35 as a dagger to go from a 6 point lead to 9.  Jaleel Donley 14 of his 18 in the 1st half to lead Benilde-St. Margaret's.  Abu Keita adds 16.  Jalen Wilson held to 12.  Trevor Polite added 14 for Homestead.

Closing Thoughts
The 8 winning teams made 88 triples, the losers made 55.  Half of those 8 wins showed a major disparity.  As expected we did see a small number of cases where the Wisconsin didn't realize there was a shot clock and it ran out unexpectedly.  This was the largest Border Battle we've played (8 games).  I suppose the 7-1 result shouldn't be totally unexpected as the home state has traditionally dominated.  While last year Wisconsin won the final game to win 4-3, the previous 10 events were blowouts.  You have to go back to 2011 to find a 3-3 tie in St. Cloud.  Minnesota now leads the all-time series 64-42 and 10-7 event wise.   1st win for Minnesota since 2020 at La Crosse Central.

The Czar's All Border Battle team
Josiah Coleman - Edina
Tim Franks - Homestead
Ari Gooch - Park Center
Juan Guerrero Hernandez - Grafton
Isaiah Johnson - Totino-Grace

January 18th, 2024 CzarPI

Its the first regular season CzarPI of the 2023-24 season (see CzarPI Explained Here). It includes games through Wednesday, January 17th, 2024. The value in () after the CzarPI value is the team's strength of schedule ranking within their class.

CzarPI Record: 2081-369 (84.94%)

Class AAAA

1. Wayzata - 61.47 (40) 0-0 vs higher, 13-0 vs lower
2. Park Center - 60.71 (23) 0-1 vs higher, 14-0 vs lower
3. Minnetonka - 60.47 (15) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
4. Hopkins - 58.64 (7) 0-2 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
5. Farmington - 57.99 (50) 0-0 vs higher, 11-2 vs lower
6. Lakeville North - 57.6 (1) 0-3 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
7. Minneapolis Washburn - 57.34 (46) 0-0 vs higher, 12-2 vs lower
8. Shakopee - 57.13 (31) 0-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
9. Waconia - 57.05 (30) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
10. Cretin-Derham Hall - 56.67 (47) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
11. Tartan - 56.52 (49) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
12. Sauk Rapids-Rice - 55.6 (36) 0-1 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
13. Mounds View - 55.18 (48) 0-1 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
14. Osseo - 54.95 (37) 0-3 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
15. Eagan - 53.98 (26) 2-2 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
16. Rogers - 53.33 (59) 0-0 vs higher, 10-3 vs lower
17. Buffalo - 53.06 (14) 1-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
18. Moorhead - 52.91 (10) 1-3 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
19. Lakeville South - 52.82 (17) 2-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
20. Roseville - 52.13 (39) 2-3 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
21. Rochester Century - 52.11 (35) 1-3 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
22. Robbinsdale Armstrong - 51.33 (6) 2-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
23. Owatonna - 50.92 (55) 1-2 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
24. St. Michael-Albertville - 50.46 (27) 2-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
25. Forest Lake - 50.37 (57) 1-2 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
26. Minneapolis Southwest - 50.24 (34) 0-4 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
27. Edina - 49.99 (5) 1-6 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
28. Apple Valley - 49.71 (16) 1-4 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
29. Chanhassen - 49.54 (19) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
30. Coon Rapids - 49.5 (12) 0-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
31. St. Louis Park - 49.24 (11) 2-6 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
32. Cambridge-Isanti - 49.15 (56) 0-5 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
33. Hastings - 49.02 (61) 1-2 vs higher, 5-4 vs lower
34. St. Paul Central - 49.01 (62) 0-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
35. Maple Grove - 48.9 (9) 3-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
36. Eden Prairie - 47.78 (3) 1-9 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
37. Woodbury - 47.36 (54) 3-4 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
38. Rochester John Marshall - 47.3 (60) 1-2 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
39. Champlin Park - 46.9 (8) 1-6 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
40. Rosemount - 46.8 (20) 3-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
41. Park of Cottage Grove - 46.62 (32) 3-5 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
42. Stillwater Area - 46.58 (58) 1-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
43. Anoka - 46.56 (42) 2-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
44. East Ridge - 46.42 (25) 3-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
45. Prior Lake - 46.3 (43) 3-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
46. Chaska - 46.3 (4) 4-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
47. Brainerd - 45.31 (45) 2-6 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
48. Andover - 44.76 (13) 1-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
49. Spring Lake Park - 44.4 (53) 2-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
50. Bemidji - 43.54 (51) 2-7 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
51. Rochester Mayo - 43.34 (24) 1-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
52. Duluth East - 41.65 (44) 2-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
53. Blaine - 38.2 (41) 2-9 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
54. Centennial - 38.04 (33) 2-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
55. Elk River - 38.03 (28) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
56. Sartell-St. Stephen - 37.95 (38) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
57. New Prague - 36.95 (29) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
58. Bloomington Jefferson - 35.97 (52) 1-9 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
59. Burnsville - 34.95 (21) 2-10 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
60. White Bear Lake - 32.7 (18) 1-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
61. Irondale - 32.19 (22) 1-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
62. Eastview - 32.08 (2) 2-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AAA

1. Totino-Grace - 61.28 (2) 0-1 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
2. Mankato East - 61.27 (13) 0-0 vs higher, 13-1 vs lower
3. Detroit Lakes - 58.03 (31) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
4. Stewartville - 57.78 (4) 0-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
5. Byron - 57.09 (35) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
6. Fridley - 57.04 (43) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
7. Mankato West - 55.74 (22) 0-1 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
8. Alexandria - 54.8 (9) 2-2 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
9. Columbia Heights - 54.64 (56) 0-0 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
10. Orono - 53.9 (7) 2-2 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
11. Minneapolis South - 53.83 (38) 0-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
12. Delano - 53.72 (29) 1-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
13. Worthington - 52.82 (40) 1-1 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
14. St. Paul Johnson - 52.6 (62) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
15. St. Cloud Tech - 52.5 (30) 2-2 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
16. Hutchinson - 51.92 (59) 1-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
17. DeLaSalle - 51.37 (28) 1-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
18. Little Falls - 50.75 (64) 0-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
19. Becker - 50.55 (52) 0-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
20. Marshall - 50.12 (8) 3-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
21. Benilde-St. Margaret's - 50.05 (1) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
22. New Ulm - 50.04 (23) 2-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
23. Hermantown - 50.02 (51) 1-2 vs higher, 10-3 vs lower
24. Big Lake - 49.99 (20) 1-4 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
25. Fergus Falls - 49.92 (10) 2-4 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
26. St. Paul Harding - 49.85 (48) 2-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
27. Richfield - 48.72 (25) 2-4 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
28. Mound Westonka - 48.59 (18) 2-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
29. Minneapolis Roosevelt - 48.33 (49) 0-3 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
30. Duluth Denfeld - 48.2 (46) 2-3 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
31. St. Peter - 47.86 (6) 2-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
32. Chisago Lakes Area - 46.46 (61) 1-4 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
33. Northfield - 46.45 (42) 3-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
34. Rock Ridge - 46.32 (47) 1-4 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
35. St. Thomas Academy - 44.97 (60) 1-4 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
36. Two Rivers - 44.65 (58) 1-3 vs higher, 5-5 vs lower
37. North St. Paul - 44.46 (45) 1-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
38. North Branch - 44.43 (39) 2-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
39. Mahtomedi - 44.15 (21) 2-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
40. Faribault - 44.1 (41) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
41. St. Francis - 44.07 (33) 2-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
42. Kasson-Mantorville - 43.86 (26) 2-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
43. Cloquet - 43.77 (27) 4-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
44. Hill-Murray - 43.09 (63) 2-5 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
45. Minneapolis Henry - 41.99 (17) 2-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
46. Robbinsdale Cooper - 41.69 (53) 1-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
47. Rocori - 41.55 (32) 2-6 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
48. Red Wing - 40.57 (55) 2-4 vs higher, 1-3 vs lower
49. Austin - 40.48 (36) 3-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
50. St. Anthony Village - 39.41 (44) 2-7 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
51. South St. Paul - 39.05 (24) 2-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
52. Grand Rapids - 38.77 (3) 2-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
53. Monticello - 36.63 (11) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
54. Minneapolis Edison - 34.78 (15) 2-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
55. Simley - 33.67 (57) 1-10 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
56. St. Cloud Apollo - 32 (34) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
57. St. Paul Highland Park - 30.89 (37) 1-8 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
58. St. Paul Como Park - 30.87 (65) 2-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
59. Willmar - 30.42 (5) 1-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
60. Bloomington Kennedy - 29.78 (50) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
61. Winona - 29.69 (19) 1-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
62. Zimmerman - 29.3 (16) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
63. Holy Angels - 24.49 (54) 2-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
64. Princeton - 0 (12) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
65. Hibbing - 0 (14) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class AA

1. Breck - 64.16 (6) 0-0 vs higher, 13-0 vs lower
2. Albany - 61.12 (5) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
3. Annandale - 59.64 (3) 1-0 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
4. Southwest Christian - 58.86 (28) 0-1 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
5. Eden Valley-Watkins - 57.69 (64) 2-0 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
6. Sauk Centre - 57.07 (39) 0-0 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
7. Crosby-Ironton - 56.76 (106) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
8. Lake City - 56.09 (29) 1-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
9. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta - 56.05 (26) 0-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
10. Jackson County Central - 55.64 (93) 0-0 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
11. Paynesville Area - 55.53 (22) 0-2 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
12. Pelican Rapids - 55.51 (82) 1-0 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
13. Belle Plaine - 55.41 (46) 1-0 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
14. Pequot Lakes - 55.2 (41) 0-2 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
15. Legacy Christian - 54.66 (90) 1-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
16. Park Rapids Area - 54.52 (21) 0-3 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
17. Minnesota Valley Lutheran - 54.5 (75) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
18. Lewiston-Altura - 54.47 (55) 1-1 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
19. Redwood Valley - 54.24 (59) 0-2 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
20. Moose Lake-Willow River - 54.11 (76) 0-2 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
21. Melrose - 54.04 (54) 2-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
22. Cannon Falls - 53.97 (44) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
23. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial - 53.76 (47) 1-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
24. Minneapolis North - 53.6 (32) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
25. Jordan - 53.55 (62) 1-0 vs higher, 8-4 vs lower
26. Blake - 53.46 (35) 1-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
27. Montevideo - 53.27 (18) 2-4 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
28. Osakis - 52.94 (48) 1-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
29. Barnesville - 52.93 (36) 1-3 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
30. Esko - 52.85 (42) 0-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
31. La Crescent-Hokah - 52.72 (81) 1-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
32. Spectrum - 52.52 (96) 1-2 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
33. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton - 52.34 (60) 2-3 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
34. St. Paul Academy - 52.32 (20) 0-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
35. Dassel-Cokato - 52.25 (14) 2-4 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
36. New London-Spicer - 52.02 (9) 1-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
37. St. Agnes - 52 (83) 1-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
38. Holy Family Catholic - 51.97 (7) 0-4 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
39. Pipestone Area - 51.53 (80) 0-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
40. Staples-Motley - 51.48 (43) 0-3 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
41. Caledonia - 51.23 (116) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
42. Maranatha Christian - 50.86 (79) 1-2 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
43. Glencoe-Silver Lake - 49.87 (57) 2-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
44. Duluth Marshall - 49.84 (51) 1-2 vs higher, 5-3 vs lower
45. Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran - 49.79 (100) 0-2 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
46. Pine Island - 49.31 (63) 1-3 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
47. Minnehaha Academy - 49.1 (13) 3-8 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
48. Roseau - 48.74 (122) 0-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
49. Waseca - 48.72 (38) 2-5 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
50. Barnum - 48.52 (105) 1-2 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
51. St. Clair - 48.33 (84) 0-3 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
52. Watertown-Mayer - 48.26 (49) 0-4 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
53. LeSueur-Henderson - 48.04 (108) 0-2 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
54. Mora - 47.88 (70) 1-4 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
55. Wadena-Deer Creek - 47.85 (107) 0-3 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
56. Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - 47.81 (72) 0-5 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
57. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 47.6 (15) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
58. Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted - 47.37 (118) 1-3 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
59. St. Croix Lutheran - 47.27 (114) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
60. Two Harbors - 46.95 (97) 0-3 vs higher, 8-3 vs lower
61. Zumbrota-Mazeppa - 46.72 (61) 0-5 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
62. Greenway - 45.81 (86) 1-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
63. Maple River - 45.25 (27) 3-7 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
64. Blue Earth Area - 44.86 (111) 0-3 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
65. Randolph - 44.56 (109) 0-2 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
66. Hiawatha Collegiate - 44.55 (85) 2-7 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
67. St. Charles - 44.07 (103) 1-6 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
68. Hawley - 43.88 (53) 0-6 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
69. East Grand Forks - 43.87 (10) 2-5 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
70. Rockford - 43.55 (89) 1-6 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
71. Mounds Park Academy - 43.52 (88) 0-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
72. Foley - 43.4 (120) 0-2 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
73. Thief River Falls - 42.65 (4) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
74. Windom Area - 42.63 (52) 1-7 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
75. Norwood-Young America - 42.42 (34) 3-8 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
76. Triton - 42.25 (110) 1-5 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
77. Luverne - 41.87 (2) 2-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
78. Holdingford - 41.7 (17) 1-7 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
79. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - 41.43 (56) 2-5 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
80. Tri-City United - 41.27 (102) 3-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
81. Pillager - 41.21 (23) 1-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
82. Perham - 41.17 (31) 1-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
83. St. Paul Humboldt - 40.91 (117) 0-5 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
84. Metro Schools College Prep - 40.38 (92) 1-4 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
85. Concordia Academy - 40.34 (101) 0-6 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
86. Fairmont - 39.94 (30) 2-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
87. Hinckley-Finlayson - 39.14 (71) 1-8 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
88. Warroad - 39.11 (112) 1-7 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
89. Proctor - 39.04 (58) 1-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
90. Pierz - 38.92 (12) 1-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
91. Nova Classical Academy - 38.67 (115) 0-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
92. Dover-Eyota - 37.77 (45) 1-10 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
93. St. Cloud Cathedral - 36.97 (11) 1-9 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
94. Cristo Rey Jesuit - 36.86 (68) 2-8 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
95. Providence Academy - 36.83 (19) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
96. Math and Science Academy - 36.76 (123) 0-7 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
97. High School for the Recording Arts - 36.43 (87) 0-3 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
98. Crookston - 36.04 (37) 1-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
99. Menahga - 36.01 (95) 2-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
100. Lakes International Language Academy - 35.86 (119) 1-5 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
101. Mesabi East - 35.76 (91) 1-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
102. Sibley East - 34.27 (66) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
103. St. James Area - 34.25 (33) 2-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
104. Litchfield - 33.88 (8) 2-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
105. St. Croix Prep - 33.75 (77) 2-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
106. Aitkin - 33.69 (78) 1-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
107. Rochester Lourdes - 33.5 (67) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
108. Plainview-Elgin-Millville - 33.12 (50) 1-8 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
109. Eagle Ridge Academy - 32.63 (98) 2-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
110. New Richland-H-E-G - 32.06 (73) 1-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
111. Twin Cities Academy/Great River - 31.79 (113) 1-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
112. Royalton - 30.44 (74) 1-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
113. Rush City - 28.76 (99) 1-9 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
114. Brooklyn Center - 27.28 (94) 0-9 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
115. St. Paul Washington - 27.1 (104) 1-12 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
116. Pine City - 26.81 (65) 1-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
117. Albert Lea - 26.62 (69) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
118. Milaca - 26.42 (16) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
119. Kimball Area - 24.57 (24) 1-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
120. International Falls - 23.73 (121) 1-8 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
121. Minnewaska Area - 0 (1) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
122. Chatfield - 0 (25) 0-13 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
123. Medford - 0 (40) 0-4 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower

Class A

1. Cherry - 60.44 (1) 0-1 vs higher, 11-1 vs lower
2. Dawson-Boyd - 58.93 (26) 0-0 vs higher, 13-1 vs lower
3. Fertile-Beltrami - 58.35 (39) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
4. Red Lake County - 58.16 (81) 0-0 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
5. Nevis - 56.95 (48) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
6. West Central Area - 56.7 (6) 1-1 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
7. Spring Grove - 56.4 (64) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
8. Sleepy Eye - 56.19 (98) 0-0 vs higher, 11-1 vs lower
9. Henning - 55.99 (47) 0-1 vs higher, 12-1 vs lower
10. Mountain Iron-Buhl - 55.86 (21) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
11. Ada-Borup-West - 55.85 (74) 0-1 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
12. Blooming Prairie - 55.73 (130) 0-0 vs higher, 12-0 vs lower
13. CHOF - 55.01 (2) 0-0 vs higher, 5-4 vs lower
14. Kingsland - 53.92 (84) 0-1 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
15. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy - 53.6 (86) 0-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
16. Brandon/Evansville - 53.57 (60) 0-1 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
17. Goodridge/Grygla - 53.53 (52) 0-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
18. Sleepy Eye Saint Mary's - 52.75 (31) 0-2 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
19. Heritage Christian - 52.74 (120) 0-1 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
20. MACCRAY - 52.08 (67) 0-3 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
21. Hills-Beaver Creek - 51.92 (136) 0-0 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
22. Southland - 51.66 (110) 1-1 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
23. Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey - 51.53 (155) 0-0 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
24. Southwest MN Christian - 50.84 (13) 1-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
25. Minneota - 50.7 (90) 1-3 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
26. Upsala - 50.3 (104) 1-2 vs higher, 9-1 vs lower
27. Springfield - 50.18 (12) 1-3 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
28. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton - 50.16 (33) 0-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
29. East Central - 49.85 (76) 0-2 vs higher, 11-4 vs lower
30. Northern Freeze - 49.83 (43) 1-2 vs higher, 8-4 vs lower
31. Avail Academy - 49.68 (96) 0-2 vs higher, 9-2 vs lower
32. West Lutheran - 49.67 (71) 0-3 vs higher, 8-2 vs lower
33. North Woods - 49.61 (91) 1-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
34. Red Lake - 49.61 (108) 2-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
35. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa - 49.59 (8) 2-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
36. Rushford-Peterson - 49.38 (92) 1-4 vs higher, 11-0 vs lower
37. Sacred Heart - 49.35 (56) 1-4 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
38. Win-E-Mac - 49.3 (70) 0-3 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
39. Carlton/Wrenshall - 49.26 (99) 1-2 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
40. Chisholm - 48.4 (69) 1-5 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
41. Park Christian - 48.29 (19) 1-4 vs higher, 6-3 vs lower
42. BOLD - 48.14 (38) 1-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
43. Cass Lake-Bena - 47.83 (7) 1-6 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
44. New Life Academy - 47.12 (102) 2-4 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
45. Higher Ground Academy - 46.79 (153) 0-2 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
46. Hill City - 46.6 (117) 0-1 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
47. Cromwell-Wright - 46.55 (95) 1-4 vs higher, 7-2 vs lower
48. Goodhue - 46.52 (89) 1-5 vs higher, 9-0 vs lower
49. United South Central - 46.07 (149) 0-1 vs higher, 9-3 vs lower
50. NCE/U-H - 46.05 (41) 1-4 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
51. New Ulm Cathedral - 45.84 (105) 0-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
52. MN Academy for the Deaf - 45.83 (145) 0-0 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
53. St. Paul City - 45.83 (163) 0-0 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
54. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton - 45.8 (80) 0-4 vs higher, 8-1 vs lower
55. Canby - 45.74 (114) 1-4 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
56. Deer River - 45.71 (87) 2-5 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
57. Fillmore Central - 45.69 (45) 0-5 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
58. Lester Prairie - 45.65 (10) 2-9 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
59. Braham - 45.09 (150) 0-4 vs higher, 10-0 vs lower
60. Red Rock Central - 45.04 (28) 2-6 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
61. Underwood - 45.03 (113) 0-2 vs higher, 7-4 vs lower
62. Bertha-Hewitt - 45.01 (156) 1-2 vs higher, 10-2 vs lower
63. Kittson County Central - 44.78 (42) 1-5 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
64. Murray County Central - 44.75 (15) 2-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
65. United Christian Academy - 44.49 (126) 0-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
66. Liberty Classical Academy - 44.46 (160) 0-2 vs higher, 10-1 vs lower
67. Hancock - 44.41 (107) 0-5 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
68. Wabasha-Kellogg - 44.16 (18) 1-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
69. PACT Charter - 43.96 (23) 1-7 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
70. Central MN Christian - 43.9 (65) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
71. Mabel-Canton - 43 (78) 0-4 vs higher, 5-2 vs lower
72. Northland - 42.96 (122) 0-3 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
73. Browerville-Eagle Valley - 42.96 (77) 1-5 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
74. Cedar Mountain - 42.85 (101) 0-5 vs higher, 7-0 vs lower
75. Mayer Lutheran - 42.82 (59) 1-5 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
76. LeRoy-Ostrander - 42.78 (24) 0-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
77. Ubah Medical Academy - 41.99 (159) 0-1 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
78. Ashby - 41.84 (68) 1-6 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
79. Lyle/Austin Pacelli - 41.6 (40) 1-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
80. Madelia - 41.48 (121) 0-5 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
81. Fosston - 41.47 (127) 0-4 vs higher, 6-2 vs lower
82. Ogilvie - 41.4 (157) 1-3 vs higher, 7-3 vs lower
83. Ely - 41.23 (154) 1-4 vs higher, 6-1 vs lower
84. Mankato Loyola - 41.14 (141) 1-7 vs higher, 7-1 vs lower
85. Kenyon-Wanamingo - 40.14 (147) 3-6 vs higher, 5-1 vs lower
86. Lake Park-Audubon - 39.81 (16) 2-8 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
87. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo - 39.74 (34) 0-8 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
88. Littlefork-Big Falls - 39.57 (158) 1-4 vs higher, 8-0 vs lower
89. Border West - 39.51 (103) 2-5 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
90. Schaeffer Academy - 39.35 (51) 1-6 vs higher, 2-2 vs lower
91. Cleveland - 39.34 (106) 1-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
92. Trinity School - 39.27 (118) 0-6 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
93. Sebeka - 39.14 (116) 1-5 vs higher, 4-2 vs lower
94. Frazee - 39.13 (17) 1-7 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
95. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop - 38.98 (57) 1-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
96. Parkers Prairie - 38.91 (115) 1-6 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
97. Battle Lake - 38.54 (85) 3-7 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
98. Lanesboro - 38.08 (55) 2-6 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
99. Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City - 37.67 (88) 1-6 vs higher, 5-0 vs lower
100. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley - 37.4 (46) 1-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
101. Glenville-Emmons - 37.38 (82) 2-5 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
102. Alden-Conger - 36.73 (152) 1-8 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
103. Houston - 36.28 (97) 2-6 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
104. T/ML/GHEC - 36.04 (73) 2-8 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
105. North Lakes Academy - 35.78 (119) 1-6 vs higher, 3-2 vs lower
106. Edgerton - 35.43 (83) 0-7 vs higher, 4-1 vs lower
107. International School of MN - 35.18 (137) 1-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
108. Hope Academy - 34.68 (75) 1-8 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
109. Lakeview - 34.42 (125) 1-7 vs higher, 3-3 vs lower
110. Exploration - 34.42 (151) 0-4 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
111. Benson - 34.38 (109) 0-7 vs higher, 6-0 vs lower
112. Prairie Seeds Academy - 34.03 (124) 1-5 vs higher, 0-2 vs lower
113. Breckenridge - 33.21 (58) 2-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
114. Parnassus Prep - 33.15 (123) 1-4 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
115. Bagley - 32 (142) 0-6 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
116. Mahnomen/Waubun - 31.46 (11) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
117. Lac qui Parle Valley - 31.29 (66) 1-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
118. Rothsay - 30.85 (44) 1-7 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
119. McGregor - 30.15 (139) 0-7 vs higher, 4-0 vs lower
120. Blackduck - 29.87 (128) 0-7 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
121. Wabasso - 29.75 (29) 1-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
122. Minnesota Transitions Charter - 29.73 (164) 1-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
123. Clearbrook-Gonvick - 29.7 (3) 1-8 vs higher, 0-1 vs lower
124. Swanville - 29.65 (49) 0-9 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
125. Hayfield - 29.17 (94) 1-12 vs higher, 3-1 vs lower
126. Pine River-Backus - 29.16 (54) 0-8 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
127. Chesterton Academy - 28.69 (161) 1-6 vs higher, 1-2 vs lower
128. St. John's Prep - 28.42 (143) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
129. Cook County - 28.1 (138) 0-6 vs higher, 2-1 vs lower
130. Adrian/Ellsworth - 28.05 (148) 0-4 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
131. Westbrook-Walnut Grove - 27.69 (37) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
132. Grand Meadow - 27.61 (14) 1-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
133. Fond du Lac Ojibwe - 27.49 (5) 1-9 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
134. Stephen-Argyle - 27.31 (50) 1-9 vs higher, 3-0 vs lower
135. Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda - 27.09 (22) 1-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
136. Bethlehem Academy - 26.81 (20) 1-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
137. Bigfork - 26.73 (133) 0-6 vs higher, 2-3 vs lower
138. Northome/Kelliher - 24.95 (112) 1-6 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
139. Climax/Fisher - 24.34 (61) 1-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
140. South Ridge - 23.89 (35) 1-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
141. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle - 23.67 (93) 0-10 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
142. Nashwauk-Keewatin - 23.22 (25) 1-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
143. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - 23.2 (30) 0-11 vs higher, 1-1 vs lower
144. Renville County West - 22.63 (131) 0-11 vs higher, 2-0 vs lower
145. Verndale - 19.45 (36) 0-10 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
146. Yellow Medicine East - 19.01 (72) 1-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
147. Community of Peace Academy - 18.62 (144) 1-11 vs higher, 1-0 vs lower
148. Venture Academy - 0 (4) 0-2 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
149. Laporte - 0 (9) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
150. Badger/Greenbush-Middle River - 0 (27) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
151. Rochester STEM Academy - 0 (32) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
152. New York Mills - 0 (53) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
153. Lincoln International - 0 (62) 0-2 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
154. Martin County West - 0 (63) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
155. Nicollet - 0 (79) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
156. Academy for Sciences & Ag - 0 (100) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
157. Ortonville - 0 (111) 0-11 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
158. Hmong Academy - 0 (129) 0-6 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
159. Lake of the Woods - 0 (132) 0-9 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
160. Maple Lake - 0 (134) 0-10 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
161. Floodwood - 0 (135) 0-8 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
162. Mille Lacs - 0 (140) 0-12 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
163. New Century Academy - 0 (145) 0-1 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
164. Immanuel Lutheran - 0 (162) 0-5 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower
165. Community Christian - 0 (165) 0-0 vs higher, 0-0 vs lower  
     

2024 Southside Showcase II Review

Minnehaha hosted the later season edition of the 2023-24 Southside Showcase.  6 games on a frigid day didn't keep things from warming up inside.  Plus walking tacos on the menu.  You know I'm not missing that.  It was worth every penny.  Here's a review

Game 1: Mahtomedi 55 Burnsville 52
Burnsville would hold Mahtomedi at bay in the 1st half thanks to 9 makes from the deep beyond.  Leul Samuel and Soren Leafblad with 3 each in that spurt.  13 point 1st half lead for the Blaze is 10 at the break.  Its still a 48-40 point lead for Burnsville with under 12 minutes left but the Blaze won't make another field goal.  Mahtomedi with their 3 triples in the 2nd half to get back to even.  Then its Ben Carlson clutch for Mahtomedi late.  An offensive rebound for 1 free throw, a drive for 2 more to take the lead and 2 free throws off a Blaze turnover for the final score.  Teams trade turnovers and Burnsville can't get a good look on the final possession to tie.  Carlson leads all scorers with 25 points.  Jeremy Sherlock and Luel Samuel lead Burnsville with 12 each.

Game 2: Roseville 79 St. Paul Highland Park 58
A sleepy start from Roseville gets coach Jamin Cook's attention for a timeout less than 2 minutes in.  Roseville goes on a 28-8 run from there for a 32-14 first half lead.  34-21 Roseville at the break.  Highland Park fights back behind wing Quintice Combs.  A 3 point play and 2 triples to start a big 2nd half.  Then a Roseville double technical ejection ends with 2 of the 12 Combs FTs in the half.  All of a sudden the Roseville lead is down to 40-37 and still over 14 minutes left. The Scots run is 16-2.

But its all Roseville after that.  An 11-0 run pushes the lead back to 14.  Then run away in the last 7 minutes to win big.  Noah George and Kellen Little 18 each to lead 10 Roseville scorers.  Quintice Combs 24 of his 25 points in the 2nd half including 12 of 13 FTs to lead Highland Park.  For Highland Park, there's an old saying that you are what your record is.  In this case, a surprising 1-9.  After seeing them in person for the 1st time this season, I now see that.  This is not the team I had high hopes for when I mentioned them in my 1 month review a couple weeks ago and in my season previews.  Now I don't see a path to the top 4 in the St. Paul City.  Very porous defensively, especially in transition and help.  If you've followed me this season, bad transition defense has been a theme in general.

Game 3: #5AAA Minneapolis South 89 Park 68
Park head coach Mike Weah laid up with a torn achilles. Park kept this one tight in the 1st half with AJ Kennedy knocking down 3 triples.  Jumarion Weh with 2 late 3s to help South open a 6 point halftime lead.  South would pull away in the 2nd half.  Poet Davis with 12 of his 15 points in the half.  James Underwood adds a couple of 3s and Romero Walker picks it up inside.  42-36 at half becomes 65-46 with 9 minutes left.  Weh leads South with 22 points.  Kaeden Callais 15 of his 21 in the 2nd half to lead the Wolfpack.  Anthony Giadyu adds 15.

Game 4: #8AAAA Minneapolis Washburn 73 #3AA Holy Family 41
Holy Family should have just stayed over after playing at Minnehaha the previous night.  Washburn jumps out to a 12-0 lead behind a pair of Kyle Jorgensen 3s and bucket.  Holy Family gets out of their man to man and does see a little success with their usual 1-2-2 trapping the corners.  But Washburn picks that apart too.  On the other end, stellar defense from the Millers and nothing from Holy Family's role guys.  Coach Joe Burger went to just about anybody he could find to try and find a spark and nothing there.  The lead was 20 at half and 40 at running time. Washburn impressive in all aspects moving the ball, tough defense and knocking down shots.  Kyle Jorgensen 25 points and 9 boards on my sheet and he sat the last 10+ minutes.  That was largely stationed on the perimeter as he had 4 3s on the scoresheet.  Kole Hanson 11 to lead Holy Family.

Game 5: Osseo 57 Minneapolis Southwest 56
Southwest would make a couple of runs to take 1 point leads in this one, but Osseo had an answer each time.  A 10-1 run  to end the 1st half after a 23-22 SW lead.  Then Mason Dean with a SW bucket to put them up 53-51 with 4:10 left.  Dean too quick off the dribble as he took advantage of the Osseo bigs in the 2nd half for 7 buckets and 19 points overall.  De'Mari Larkins carried the 1st half offense then quiet until the stretch run.  But after SW took the lead, he was back.  Hanging jumper to tie it and 2 free throws for the lead.  Dean counters to tie it at 55 with 1:45 left.  Larkins another jumper, 1 SW free throw.  SW then gets a stop to get them 1 final chance with 8 seconds left.  Osseo gets the stop to hang on.  Dean leads SW with 19 points.  Liam Farniok 15, Dejaun Jones with 13 and 3 triples off the bench.  Abe Anderson out of the Southwest lineup for the day.  Larkins leads Osseo with 22 points, 16 in the 1st half.

Game 6: Minnehaha 74 St. Cloud Tech 68
Early 3 point play for Tameron Ferguson is a 10-9 Tech lead.  18-5 Minnehaha run with a George Norsman 3 pt play and layup included.  Tech would respond with their own 9-0 run before a Norsmann bucket broke that.  34-32 Minnehaha at the break.  Ferguson a steal for a dunk, a layup and 2 free throws to tie the game at 40.  Norsman 6 buckets in the 2nd half and then he adds 2 clutch 3s for a 10 point Minnehaha lead with 6 minutes left. Ferguson with his only 3 of the night and scores off a turnover to cut the margin to 2 with 1:05 left.  Lorenzo Levy with the dagger 3 with 50 seconds left seals it.  George Norsman leads Minnehaha with 18 of his 25 in the 2nd half.  Lorenzo Levy adds 21.  Tameron Ferguson played the best game I've seen him play over the last 2 years.  35 points on 12-24 shooting on my sheet (1-6 from 3, 10-15 FTs) with a handful of assists and rebounds.  Made his first 7 2 point attempts before finishing 4-11 from 2.  Tech was missing an important piece in shooter Palmer Baynes.  He was out sick.

All Showcase Team
Tameron Ferguson - St. Cloud Tech
Kyle Jorgensen - Minneapolis Washburn
De'Mari Larkins - Osseo
George Norsman - Minnehaha
Mason Dean - Minneapolis Southwest

Honorable Mentions
Kaeden Callais -Park
Ben Carlson - Mahtomedi
Quintice Combs - St. Paul Highland Park
Jumarion Weh - Minneapolis South

Power up the AAA Batteries

I mentioned in my season previews that January 6th would be a fun day of hoops and it did not disappoint.  I took in 5 games from the day including 7 of the top teams in the state in class AAA.  Here's what I saw.

Game  1: #3AAAA Minnetonka 77 #9AAA De La Salle 71
Saturday games on the island never get old.  This game was a shooting gallery early as De La Salle's motion offense got them great looks from 3 that they knocked down.  Freshman Jaeden Udean with 3 of those off the bench.  DLS would open a 13 point lead that would be 10 at the half.  De'Von Irvin hot shooting with 14 points in the half for DLS.  Then a quick start to the 2nd half would see the Islanders push that lead to 16 in the first few minutes.  Minnetonka would storm back with a 23-3 run.  Kayden Wells with a putback and a 3 point play.  Greyson Uelmen buries a 3 and Tonka reclaims the lead 58-54 with 9 minutes left after trailing 51-35.  Intensity went up to another level at this point.  Turnovers costly for De La Salle late.  Andy Stefonowicz turns 1 into an assist.  Isa El-Amin 1-2 FTs off a turnover after he buried a clutch 3.  Jordan Cain was a major mismatch problem especially late after Ray James fouled out at the 4:12 mark.  Greyson Uelmen continues to play very well with 6 more triples and 27 points to lead Minnetonka.  Jordan Cain and Kayden Wells each with 11 in the 2nd half to finish with 16 and 14 points respectively.  Normally they're the ones at a size disadvantage inside, but the script was flipped today.  DeLaSalle had major problems with both of them.  De'Von Irvin 14 of his 16 in the 1st half to lead DeLaSalle.  Jaeden Udean 4 triples 13 points off the bench.  3 other starters in double figures for the Islanders as well.

Game 2: Chanhassen 74 Lakeville South 69
This one was tightly contested the whole way.  Riley Johnson had it going for Chanhassen as he scored the 1st 11 Storm points and 33 overall with 4 3s.  Max Woods with a double double and maybe a triple double if you're really generous on assists.  I had him for 21, 13 and 10 with the stretch to get the assists.  Keaton Ressler with the torch brightly burning for Lakeville South.  7 triples and 27 points to lead the Cougars attack.  Not much help though as only 1 other Cougar in double figures with DaMarcus Burks scoring a quiet 10. Lakeville South did have 1 final chance to tie it at the end with a 3 falling short.

Game 3: #1AAA Totino-Grace 72 Benilde-St. Margaret's 68
This was one of the games of the year on paper coming into the season.  While some may have thought the shine was off this game (cough cough), they were sadly mistaken.  Jayden Daisy had an electric 1st half with 18 points and 4 3s. That helped offset Jalen Wilson having to sit the last 5:17 for BSM with 2 fouls.  Red Knights take a 32-26 lead to halftime.  Tian Chatman had to sit the last 9 minutes with 2 fouls for TG.

TG immediately ties it and take takes the lead on a Tian Chatman 3 point play.  33-32 TG just over a minute in.  Then a 16-2 BSM run as Jaleel Donley and Jalen Wilson bury triples in the run.  48-35 BSM 13:44 as TG calls timeout to talk it over.  Tyler Wagner a bucket and a triple as TG came right back with an 11-1 run to cut the lead to 3 with 11:11 left.  BSM still in control though as Wilson makes bonus FTs with 6:53 left for a 59-50 lead.  He has to sit with his 4th foul at the 6:04 mark.  TG scores 6 straight and Wilson is right back in with 5:10 left. 

Isaiah Johnson came up big down the stretch for TG.  He makes 2 free throws and scores for a 63-61 TG lead with 3:49 left.  13-2 Eagles run.  Wilson 2 buckets sandwiched around 2 Johnson FTs.  68-67 BSM and they'll have it with 1:22 left but not convert.  Will Brands off an offensive rebound with the corner triple for the 70-68 TG lead with 42.1 left.  Wilson gets it inside on the right block vs Johnson but Chatman digs down and strips it away with 22 seconds left.  TG moves it and Johnson finds Brands full court for a layup to seal it.  

BSM made all 8 of their 3s to get the 13 point lead but didn't hit one the rest of the way.  Isaiah Johnson 20 points to lead TG.  Tyler Wagner 16 points with 3 triples. Chace Watley 13 points and not afraid to go in amongst the trees.  Jaleel Donley 23 points with 3 treys.  Jayden Daisy 18 of his 22 in the 1st half.  Jalen Wilson 17 (15 in the 2nd half) despite some foul trouble.  Will Brands very effective off the bench with 9 points including the final 5 of the game.

BSM's offense caught my eye in a positive way.  The offensive set they ran with a handback entry and then options for a lob, post or pick and roll action caught my attention.  Putting Donley, Wilson and Daisy in that action was effective.

Game 4: #5AAA Orono 77 #3AAA Alexandria 68
No Grayson Grove for Alexandria is a huge loss.  The Gopher commit has been out of the Cardinal lineup due to injury.  But you still had a trio of the state's top 2025s on display.  Brady Wooley takes advantage as dominates inside early forcing Alex out of their usually nasty 1-2-2 and into man.  Orono builds an 11 point 1st half lead but its down to 1 at the break.  Nolan Groves with a breakout 2nd half would push the lead to 13 with a 3 before Chase Thompson with a triple and bucket to cut it to 67-63 with 6:07 left.  But Groves wouldn't be denied.  1 bounce jumper on the left baseline, drive for a 3 point play and an offensive board for another hard-way 3 pointer.  That 8-2 spurt pushes the lead back to 10 and Orono is out of danger.  Brady Wooley 19 of his 21 points in the 1st half.  Per Orono stats he added 13 boards and 8 assists.  Many of those assists were to Groves, who would curl off him to the rim after refusing a handoff.  Pretty basketball.  Groves with 22 of his 29 points in the 2nd half.  Chase Thompson tried to do his part for Alexandria leading the Cardinals with 29 points and 4 3s.  But nobody else in double figures for Alexandria.

Game 5: #2AAA Mankato East 64 #7AAA Stewartville 63
Stewartville ran their way to an 8-0 start.  Then a 20-3 Mankato East run put the Cougars up by 9.  Still close at half with it being a 4 point East lead.  15-4 Mankato East run out of halftime game them a 15 point lead with 14:35 left.  Carson Schweim with a triple and then a block that led to a MJ Omot 3.  60-41 East rolling with 6:57 left. But hold the phone, Stewartville goes on a 20-2 run behind Henry Tschetter.  Tschetter a bucket and 4 FTs cut the lead to 3 with 44 seconds left.  The Tigers could play it out (thank you shot clock) but it looks like they chose a particular guy to foul.  That pays off as East misses the front end and Stewartville gets a putback with 8.8 left.  Schweim with 2 critical free throws to push the margin to 3.  Stewartville 3 is not good, putback that was counted at the buzzer ends up being meaningless.  Brogan Madson with another star game for East. He leads the way with 19 points.  Carson Schweim adds 4 triples and 18 points.  Henry Tschetter leads Stewartville with 25 points. Tegan Malone adds 10 for the Tigers.  East now with wins over #3, #5 and #7 in AAAA.  Stewartville with the win over #4 Delano but now losses to #2,#3 and #5 with 2 of those 3 losses by a total of 4 points.  If they make state, those results will loom large for seeding.  They still have 2 league games vs Byron plus Lake City (who they've already beaten by 23 on the road) and Benilde-St. Margaret's on the schedule.

23-24 Month 1: What Have We Learned

Happy New Year everybody!  The 1st month of the 2023-24 season is in the books.  40 games online with another 36 in person (would be 44-32 in person if I had made the Tipoff Classic).  I've seen 101 teams that I previewed with a few more outstate class AAAA schools.  That leaves just 5 class AAAA schools for me to see.  Apologies to Chanhassen, Edina, Prior Lake, Burnsville and Owatonna.  Let's take a look at what's stuck out to me in the 1st month. 

Section 1AAAA
Farmington off to an impressive 8-0 start before losing to Armstrong at Hamline.  A 40 point boat racing of section rival Lakeville South really stuck out.  Granted Lakeville South is still playing without wing Marley Baah-Yeboah which will be a big addition.  But they're still 6-3 and have played only 1 home game.  Lakeville North is what we expected.  Rochester Century is a dangerous squad with star forward Shaun Wysocki.  They showed that by taking Farmington to the buzzer at Farmington on opening night and beating Mankato East.

Section 2AAAA
Minnetonka took Park Center to the wire at CSP over the holiday and that's their only loss.  Andy Stefonowicz has been terrific running the show for them.  Lowest point total so far is 81 points so they can really fill it up as shown by the 103 they put on Lakeville South.  A fun test on the island awaits the Skippers January 6th.  

Eden Prairie is 5-4 with no bad losses there (LS, BSM, Farmington, Orono).  But in my viewing against Orono, their defense was porous and the offense was very stagnant.  4 wins in a row for the Eagles including wins at CDH, at East Ridge and vs Eastview in the East Ridge event is a good sign.

We reserve judgement on Chanhassen since A) I haven't seen them.  B) most of their schedule has been without star PG Max Woods..  But they did take a very good Buffalo squad to the wire at Buffalo.

Section 3AAAA
Big story here is Eastview off to a 1-6 start for new coach Danny Olsen.  Having an entirely new roster around Jon Mekonnen and a tough schedule have shown.  Rosemount has taken advantage of a soft schedule but they did pick up a close win over Eagan.  Eagan with experience and a bunch of length.  Soph Alex Schropfer has stepped into his rotation role nicely.  Max Buslee gives them a 16 PPG sniper.  Hastings got off to a hot start and then the Czar curse hit as they lost 4 of 6 games since I thought they might jump out to a crazy good record.

Section 4AAAA
East Ridge is 3-5 but they're still trying to get a couple rotation pieces back.  Woodbury 6-2 but the schedule has been soft.  Eagan's length and switching really took them out of offense at Hamline.  Tartan 6-2 with a tough loss at St. Louis Park but they did knock off Minneapolis North to win the 3 day Hibbing holiday tournament.  Young guard play for the Titans has made for some struggles.

Section 5AAAA
Park Center everything we expected.  Cash Chavis has enjoyed the bright lights as he's come up big at the end of wins over Lakeville North and Minnetonka.  Roseville off to a nice 4-2 start including a home win over Forest Lake.  Maple Grove 4-5 with a win over Benilde-St. Margaret's over the holiday.  Losing Brady Laliberte saps the Crimson lineup of a critical scoring option.  Champlin Park lost their 1st 5 and has won their next 5.  Wing Preston Thielke is having a breakout year for the Rebels.

Section 6AAAA
Wayzata just keeps it rolling as the top ranked team in AAAA.  Hopkins is 7-2 with the only losses to #1AAA Totino-Grace and #1AA Breck.  Washburn making their case too at 7-1.  Only loss is to Eagan but they have wins at Tartan, vs Eastview and at section foe Armstrong.  Speaking of Armstrong, they were on a 5 game losing streak before knocking off Farmington.  Seth Newbern should be back soon and that's a huge boost to the Falcons lineup.

Section 7AAAA
Forest Lake getting a nice year from Owen Waldoch to top yet another down year in this section.  Anoka knocked off Holy Family and gave a ranked Fridley team a run.  Trey Borchers was out of the Tornadoes lineup over the holiday so hopefully they get him back soon.  Centennial getting Ty Burgoon back was critical and they just knocked off Forest Lake.  Andover missing Chase Pemberton for the season deprives them of an offensive option.  Alex Kopetzki and Cam Begalle push the pace for an entertaining squad.

Section 8AAAA
Rogers at 9-1 to lead the section.  The loss is a 22 point loss to Buffalo though.  Losing Adam Broberg to injury is a major change to their season.  He had a great start.  Buffalo 7-2 but the 2 losses were blowouts to Mankato East and Sauk Rapids-Rice.  Bison 4-18 from 3 in the loss to Mankato East, 3-33 from deep in the loss at Sauk Rapids.  Sauk Rapids size was a major problem in that game.  Frosh forward Isayah Cook is one to keep an eye on for the Storm.  There's no bottom feeder team in this section so don't be shocked if we get another wild and crazy year of seed upsets at tourney time.

Class AAA
Totino-Grace won the 1st matchup with Park Center.  Only loss was a tight loss to Wayzata in the Tipoff classic.  So they've made it clear they're the top team in AAA at the moment.  Mankato East has staked their claim to the #2 spot in AAA with wins over Buffalo, Orono and Alexandria.  De La Salle and Benilde-St. Margaret's both ready to fall out of the AAA poll is a surprise.  BSM is struggling to figure out their offense and they have no depth.  De La Salle has the win over the Red Knights just before the holiday but they're still putting the pieces together.  Orono has also stumbled with a home rivalry loss to Delano and a Granite City loss to Mankato East. They did bounce back with a win over Stewartville.  Junior guard Nolan Groves is having a great season for Orono.

In section 3AAA, how about Minneapolis South jumping in the AAA poll at #7 this week with only 1 loss.  Jumarion Weh has been a nice addition on the wing with 19 a game.  That goes with 3 other holdovers averaging double figures including wing Poet Davis at almost 21 a night.  On Feb 3rd, they get section foe St. Paul Harding who's off to a 6-2 start.  Highland Park is off to a 1-6 start is a major surprise but I still think they can contend in the St. Paul City.  Tommy Hesse's grit and hard play for Two Rivers has been a real pleasure to watch.

In section 4AAA, Columbia Heights and St. Paul Johnson both squads that can make your life totally miserable with defensive pressure.  The Heights 30 point drubbing of St. Cloud Tech jumps off the page there.  We knew Mahtomedi would be down but an 0-7 start is a surprise.  Then they go and hit 19 3s against Austin including 10 from Tyler Swanson to get their only win.

In section 6AAA, the AAA section of death, we already mentioned BSM and Orono.  How about Richfield's CJ Armstrong.  He started the season with back to back 50 point games.  Then 38 in a buzzer beating loss at Orono.  He's still averaging 34.2 a night after 2 slower games in Wisconsin over the break.  On Thursday, the Spartans host Delano.  Delano is 8-2 and has won 5 out of 6 including the win at Orono.  Will Strandemo vs Armstrong is appointment viewing.  Holy Angels off to a 2-7 start with losses to Kennedy, Jefferson and a 3rd straight loss to Brooklyn Center.  But the Stars just beat Highland Park and Simley for new coach Troy Bell.

Class AA
In 4AA, St. Paul Academy with a blowout statement win against St. Agnes in the Harding holiday tourney sticks out.  Minnehaha has lost 4 in a row but all those were against AAAA schools.  Quick quiz, who has the top record in section 4AA?  That's right, the Nova Classical Academy Knights at 5-2.  Reality will set in very quickly now that they've started league play in the Skyline, but who would have thought.  Its a much improved defensive squad.  Math and Science has somehow played half a season already at 6-7.  Need buckets?  Take a look at Shawn Huberty of St. Paul Washington.  He's putting up 33.7 PPG from his guard spot.  Slippery getting to the rim off the bounce.

In 5AA, Breck ran the table at Augsburg including a win over Hopkins.  They are the standout squad in class AA right now.  Minneapolis North just reloads.  They lost a close game to Tartan in the Hibbing tourney final.  Their game on Wednesday at Holy Family looms large for section seeding.  Southwest Christian is lurking at 5-2 as they get ready for Wright County East play.  Blake and Maranatha also off to nice starts.  Liked what I saw from Providence Academy frosh PG Leo Giwa.  Cristo Rey at 0-7 with every loss in blowout fashion is a major surprise.

Class A
New Life is 4-3 and took a couple games on the chin in the Legacy tourney but 6 winnable games coming up to finish 1st rotation of Skyline play before a rematch at Maranatha (remember last year's double 5 min OT and stay there until 10:30 PM fiasco last season?).  Heritage has won 6 in a row including the Pierz holiday title to stand at 6-1.  Big MCAA game for them this week at Spectrum.  Both of these teams have tight home wins over Avail Academy.  Avail lost by 1 at New Life and 3 at Heritage.  Avail started out 1-4, all on the road.  But that 1 win was at Park Christian who beat New Life over the holiday.  Now they've won 4 in a row including a blowout win in their big EMAC showdown vs Math & Science.  The next group in the MCAA looks to see if they can capture that 4th spot.  Will it be PACT who has a win over Avail?  How about 6-3 United Christian?  Or does somebody come out of nowhere and make a run?  Hope Academy 1-8 as they have a young roster starting 2 freshmen and an 8th grader but with senior wing Brian Moss, they are dangerous since 4A is so weak after the top 3.

2023 Big Stage Thoughts

Its the 2023 Big Stage event.  This season its at Park Center.  Chick-Fil-A at the concession stand is a major win.  Big crowd around the rails for the big nightcap.

Game 1: #2AA Holy Family 77 Robbinsdale Armstrong 45
Armstrong coming off a game at Park Center the night before and it showed.  Not having Seth Newbern doesn't help either.  Holy Family ran whatever they wanted and got great looks.  Luke Graff took advantage of that for 23 points and 5 3s.  Kole Hanson got it going in the 2nd half and ended up with 3 triples and 24 points.  They ran a shuffle set to death that got open 3s or easy post ups for Brayden Carlson.  Depth and decision making are the questions that come up for me.  Desmond Ware led Armstrong with 13 points.

Game 2: Minneapolis Washburn 64 #10AAAA Eastview 59
Another brutal 1st half for Eastview as they went 0-8 from 3 and turned it over 13 times.  That allowed Washburn to jump out to a quick 14-4 lead and keep it at 8 at the half.  Then a quick Jon Mekonnen 3rd foul send him to the bench very early in the 2nd half for a long break.  Eastview would go on a 9-0 run and take the lead.  Abdulqadir Abdulqadir with a pair of 3s, a bucket and 1 of 2 free throws off the Eastview bench for a 51-47 Lightning lead with 6:27 left.

Kyle Jorgensen took over the ending for Washburn.  Triple, bucket, triple in a personal 8-0 run to put Washburn back on top within 2 minutes.  He adds 2 free throws and then the skip pass out of the post for a dagger 3 from Blake Bergren with 1:05 left.  Jorgensen seals it with both ends of the bonus after another Abdulqadir 3 cut the margin to 3 with 5.9 left.  Abdulqadir with 17 of his 19 in the 2nd half to lead Eastview.  Jon Mekonnen added 16 points in the matchup of Colorado State commits.  Kyle Jorgensen 22 of his 34 points in the 2nd half to go with 10 rebounds on my sheet.  Clearly the MVP performance of the day.

Game 3: Cretin-Derham Hall 63 Maple Grove 54
Cretin-Derham Hall's defense was the story here.  Their man to man pressure totally took Maple Grove out of anything they wanted to run.  That forced 24 Crimson turnovers that CDH turned into 35 points.  Monteff Dixon solid work inside with 15 points while Joe Mitchell led CDH with 19 points and 3 triples from his guard slot.  Keegan Harney 16 points and 4 3s to lead Maple Grove.

Game 4: #4AAA Orono 92 Eden Prairie 72
Orono dominant in this one but like last week at the Tipoff Classic they almost let a big lead slip.  Eden Prairie cut a 23 point margin to 5 with 4 minutes left before a 8-0 Orono run finally put the game out of reach. Orono outscores EP 42-22 on points in the paint.  Eden Prairie very stagnant and 1 on 1 jump shot oriented in their offense.  Plus they put up very little resistance defensively as Orono shot 35-64 from the floor. That included 11-26 from 3 while EP was 8-32 from deep.  Nolan Groves another impressive showing with 25 points and 3 triples.  Brady Wooley adds 19.  Guard Hamze Yusuf leads Eden Prairie with 19 points.  JJ Sullivan 17 and Max Lorenson 16 for the Eagles.

Game 5: #5AAAA Minnetonka 99 #9AAAA Osseo 78
Tough matchup for anybody but Osseo's size an especially difficult task to try to guard the Skippers.  Osseo had no answers in that chess match.  Minnetonka at 1 point scored on 23 out of 28 trips down the floor.  Skippers shoot a crazy 40 of 67 on the day thanks to 22 of 32 in the second half.  Huge edge of 64-38 on points in the paint for a smaller Minnetonka lineup.  Greyson Uelmen 28 points and 3 triples.  Andy Stefonowicz another nice showing with 21 points.  De'Mari Larkins leads Osseo with 28 points of his own.  Temi Denado adds 16.

Game 6: #8AAAA Hopkins 89 #7AAAA Lakeville South 78
The scrambling Hopkins defense looked like it would run Lakeville South off the floor early as the Royals jumped out to a 22-9 lead.  But the Cougars settled down and moved the ball well to take a 2 point halftime lead.  This was a 4 point game with 5 minutes left but the turnovers reared their ugly head.  Back to back giveaways for 5 points and you can't dig out from that.  22 Lakeville South turnovers for a 22-3 points off turnover edge for Hopkins in this one.  Anthony Smith 31 points and a couple of big second half 3s to keep the Hopkins offense going.  Davie Hart adds 21.  Keaton Ressler 6 triples and 20 points to lead Lakeville South.  Ryan Johnson adds 16.  DaMarcus Burks 12 points and the unenviable task of guarding Jayden Moore who he held to 11 points.

Game 7: #1AAAA Park Center 77 #2AAA Benilde-St. Margaret's 60
Overall a pretty sloppy game as the teams combined for 35 turnovers.  BSM got off to a nice start but after the first 10 minutes, this one was mostly all Pirates.  BSM 1 FG in the last 8 minutes of the 1st half as the PC lead grew to double digits.  Park Center's defense really held down Jalen Wilson who had 12 points with a bad shooting day.  Jaleel Donley with 24 points to lead the Red Knights.  4-23 from deep for Benilde-St. Margaret's which will be an ongoing theme to watch for them.  Great balance from Park Center.  Jackson Fowlkes with 3 triples and 22 points.  Cash Chavis and Chiang Ring each add 19

All Big Stage Team
Luke Graff - Holy Family
Nolan Groves - Orono
Kyle Jorgensen - Minneapolis Washburn
Anthony Smith - Hopkins
Greyson Uelmen - Minnetonka

Notable Underclassmen
Baboucarr Ann - Maple Grove
Drew Coleman - Holy Family
Joe Mitchell - Cretin-Derham Hall
Tre Moore - Hopkins
Joel Saah - Robbinsdale Armstrong
Ty Schlagel - Eden Prairie
Hamze Yusuf - Eden Prairie

Czar Insights

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

Best of the EMAC 2023-24

Prologue
Its the EMAC game of the year as Math & Science with league MVP candidate Josh Balami visit Avail.  Since a group of rhinos is called a crash, I'm now calling the Avail gym The Crash Pad.  Its Avail's home opener after playing their 1st 6 on the road.  The concession stand is open but no ball in the nachos.   Tom Petty's Runnin Down a Dream and Tears for Fears Everybody Wants to Rule the World amongst the hit music selections.

Game Time
Balami attacks for a bucket on the 1st trip of the game and scores 4 of the first 5 Dragons buckets.   Kiro Kamel adds a 3 point play and its 14-12 Math & Science at the 11 minute mark.  Lincoln Bock 2 putbacks and a free throw as Avail turns the tables to take a 23-19 lead with 8:22 left in the half. Justin Kroeze 3 late buckets countered by 2 more Balami hoops.  45-43 Avail at the break.

We're still close at 53-50 Avail after a Zeb Shefa 3 from the left corner.  Then Issac Aune knocks down a pair of triples to start a 14-0 run.  Valor score on 6 straight trips for that run.  The Rhino is in control up 17 with under 12 minutes left.  Zachariah Schaap drives for a bucket with 8:22 left and that puts him at 1000 points for his career.  Its a 17 point game with 3:15 left before a late run allows Avail to hit the century mark.

Post Game
Math & Science gets 39 points from Josh Balami.  He knocked down 4 3s on the night as he tried to will his crew on.  Guard Kiro Kamel with a nice performance of 15 points with a couple of 3s.  He had 13 of those points in the 1st half.  The Dragons fall to 2-5 with the loss and have lost 5 of 6 since the opening night win at Eagle Ridge.  They have the quick turnaround at Nova on Friday.

Avail improves to 3-4 overall.  Their 4 losses are by a combined 13 points.  That includes a 1 point loss at New Life and a 3 point loss at Heritage.  Those are 2 of the favorites in section 4A.  Isaac Aune 15 of his 26 in the second half thanks to 5 3s.  He's a dangerous big wing shooter.  Zachariah Schaap 13 of his 20 in the 2nd half to pass 1000 points for his career.  Justin Kroeze adds 17 with 2 others scoring 9.  The early season schedule has been tough but softens up now to the point where they may be favored in most every game the rest of the regular season.  They get AFSA and LILA at home with a trip to West Lutheran sandwiched between those for their last 3 games before the holiday break.  Avail pounds the offensive glass for a 21-5 edge and 14-2 advantage in 2nd chance points.  They shoot 21-34 in the 2nd half to blow the game open.  Avail is a fun team to watch as they share the ball, make open shots, get rebounds and cut well.

Czar Insights

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

 

2023 Breakdown Tipoff Classic Review

Another great day of games at the 2023 Tipoff Classic.  As is tradition I took in all 8 games played on the main court.  But this season I had to do them on video due to illness.  Here's a review of the great day of hoops I saw.

Game 1: #7AAA Mankato East 85 #9AAAA Buffalo 51
Mankato East very impressive as they jumped on Buffalo early and never let up.  Carson Schweim looks like a hometown steal for Minnesota State.  He scored 24 of his 28 points in the 1st half and knocked down 5 3s.  3 others in double figures for the high powered Cougars offense.  They had a ridiculous 67% EFG%. Defensively they held a good offensive team to 40% EFG.   Jordy Sorenson 3 triples and 14 points to lead Buffalo

Game 2: #4AAA Orono 74 #10AAAA Eastview 68
Rack up another one for class AAA in this one.  Eastview 1-19 from 3 in the 1st half as they fell behind 49-18 at the break.  Jon Mekonnen would score 21 of his 32 in the 2nd half with 4 of his 5 triples.  Kam Mestas in foul trouble all game held to 6 points for the Lightning.  Nolan Groves another showcase game as he poured in 27 points.  Brady Wooley added 13 of his 17 in the 1st half.

Game 3: #1A Cherry 73 #2AA Holy Family 69
Gopher fans got a chance to see recruit Isaac Asuma play and he was solid with 21 points.  Cherry would use a 21-5 first half run to take a 6 point halftime lead.  Holy Family's Brayden Carlson was a major advantage inside with a 17 points double double.  Holy Family pounded the offensive glass but didn't convert those chances.  Add in 3 triples on his way to 21 points from Luke Graff and the Fire were poised for a win. But down 3 with 3:20 left, Cherry would go on a 10-0 run to win it.  Isaac Asuma with a dagger 3 to close it out.  Kole Hanson held to 1 3 in in each half after going off for a school record 47 against Chanhassen earlier in the week.

Game 4: #1AA Breck 71 #3AAA Alexandria 68
The smaller class school keeps the run going with this win.  Alexandria would survive 1st half foul trouble from their stars Grayson Grove (Gopher commit) and Chase Thompson to take a 5 point lead into halftime.  Sophomores Mason and Talan Witt carrying the offense in their absense.  Thompson would lead the Alexandria offense with 4 triples and 23 points.  Daniel Freitag (Wisconsin commit) came off the Breck bench in the 1st half before starting the 2nd half.  3 buckets in the 1st half before he controlled the 2nd half with 18 more points and finding corner shooters vs the Alexandria 1-2-2 zone.  Grayson Grove passed the 1000 career points mark in the game.  It was also the 1st game of the day that would come down to the final possession as Alexandria had a final chance to tie with a 3 but missed (HINT HINT!).

Game 5: #8AAAA Hopkins 73 #7AAAA East Ridge 72
Hopkins would take a 25 point lead in the 1st half and a 17 point lead to the half.  Soph guard Bennett Skinner 10 second half points with 2 bombs as East Ridge would pull all the way back to even.  JJ Semanko would break a 5 minute Hopkins drought by scoring 11 straight Royals points.  East Ridge late rally with a Cedric Tomes hammer 3 and a layup off a turnover. Hopkins then misses a free throw to seal it.  East Ridge out of a timeout tries to go back to the same hammer play for Tomes, but Hopkins recognizes it.  The layup on the slip allows the clock to run out.  JJ Semanko 16 of his 25 in the 2nd half to lead all scorers.  Jayden Moore 18 pts 3 triples for Hopkins and Cedric Tomes 19 points 5 3s for East Ridge in the matchup of the top 2 2026 point guards in the state.  Bennett Skinner and Charlie Theis add 16 each for East Ridge.  East Ridge without a couple of important pieces for this one in Charlie Bern and Grant Miley.

Game 6: #1AAAA Park Center 81 #3AAAA Lakeville North 79
2 turnovers for Lakeville North and 4 trips into the game, Park Center was up 10-0.  That lead would grow to 15 but Lakeville North calmed down and wiped away the margin before halftime.  Xavier Frelix with 3 of his 4 triples early during the Pirates run.  Park Center would push the lead back to 11 before a North rally.  Jack Robison 7 straight in that stretch.  Andrew Quam adds in a 3 before a Robison bomb and its 76-72 Panthers with 2:45 left.  Cash Chavis 2 and the foul and another bucket and we're tied under a minute.  2 Matt Drake free throws with 24 seconds left keep it tied and here we go.  Give the ball to Chavis and get out of the way. He fits the floater at the buzzer for the win.  Another classic between these 2 teams.  Chavis with 23 points to lead Park Center.  Chiang Ring 20, Jackson Fowlkes 16 for the Pirates.  Jack Robison 25 to lead Lakeville North.  Andrew Quam 4 3s plus interior play on his way to 22 points.  Matt Drake adds 17.

Game 7: #2AAAA Wayzata 83 #1AAA Totino-Grace 81
Totino-Grace would open a pair of 7 point leads in this game, 1 in each half.  Isaiah Johnson 3 late buckets for TG.  McAndrew carrying the Wayzata offense.  Last possession and its Wayzata with it.  McAndrew drives, tough shot from the left elbow at the horn to win it.  Another wild finish.  McAndrew with 22 of his 38 in the 2nd half in the win.  Wyatt McBeth 11 for Wayzata.  Wayzata played without wing Christian Wiggins.  Very balanced game for Totino-Grace.  Chace Watley 19 points including interior buckets against smaller guards.  Gotta love guards in the post.  Dothan Ijadimbola, Isaiah Johnson and Tian Chatman all add 17 points.  Johnson and Ijadimbola both look like they could go for 40 on any given night. 

Game 8: #6AAAA Minnetonka 103 #4AAAA Lakeville South 92
Marley Baah-Yeboah not yet back in the Lakeville South lineup.  Minnetonka would jump out to a 42-23 lead in the 1st half.  That lead would be cut to 13 at the break.  Minnetonka with a very thin bench but 4 starters in double figures.  Andy Stefonowicz and Jordan Cain with 27 points each.  Grayson Uelmen adds 20.  Ryan Johnson and Lauson Schmidt with 20 each for Lakeville South.  Forward Hudson Greene 18 points off the Cougars bench with 3 triples. 

What a day of games.  The smaller class school goes 4-1 on day.  McAndrew's buzzer beater prevents the sweep.  The stars showed out, games came down to the end, big rallies so we had just about everything.

All Showcase Court 1st Team
Cash Chavis - Park Center
Daniel Freitag - Breck
Jackson McAndrew - Wayzata
Carson Schweim - Mankato East
Andy Stefonowicz - Minnetonka

All Showcase Court 2nd Team
Isaac Asuma - Cherry
Nolan Groves - Orono
Jack Robison - Lakeville North
JJ Semanko - Hopkins
Chase Thompson - Alexandria

Czar Insights

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

 

A weekend of wings

Now on special at Buffalo Wild Wings, we have all these new flavors!   OK that's not what we're here for.  I took in 4 games on video over the opening weekend and the wing play was a major factor in all of them.  Here are some standout names from those games.

Farmington 80 Rochester Century 78
Another big day for Century's star wing Shaun Wysocki as he had 25 and cleaned the glass in the Friday night loss at Farmington.  Big, athletic, passes well and lefty to boot.  Definitely one of the best remaining unsigned 2024 guys out there.  Reid Weckwerth with 16 points for the Panthers in a nice supporting role.  Wing Ryan Beckwith 17 critical points including a pair of 3s off the Farmington bench   Brandon Hrncir getting to play a more perimeter role for the Tigers this season with his shooting had 4 triples and 29 points in the win.  Farmington with a run out for the winning layup with 4 seconds left after Century missed 2 chances to win it and didn't hold for the final shot in a tie game.  Farmington is a very interesting team with all their size but still the ability to shoot it, move it and execute.  They ran a great set multiple times vs zone after Century went to it because of foul trouble.

Rogers 83 Centennial 64
Rogers off to a nice 2-0 start and after watching their Saturday matinee with Centennial, I definitely have underestimated them.  Adam Broberg has had 2 quality outings for the Royals.  But in this one, the Rogers also got 18 points each from Trey Mix and Christian Wagner off their bench.  Lots of mix and match pieces for a wing laden Rogers squad.  Centennial is coming off a late start due to football and played without Ty Burgoon (football all-star game).  Add in that Rogers already had played once and this one was going to be tough.  Soph forward Tristan Hanson 11 points off the Cougars bench.  Junior wing Jackson Driessen scoreless in the 1st half but heated up for 30 with 5 3s in the 2nd half.

St. Anthony 64 Mahtomedi 36
Kenji Asai 15 points off the wing for St. Anthony in their blowout home section win.  Very entertaining to watch 3 easy layups he got off of slipping screens.  They get 10 3s from 5 different guys in a classic showing of how they'll win games.  Mahtomedi having to replace their entire lineup didn't have anybody in double figures.

Chaska 71 Champlin Park 67
No 1st game jitters in this Saturday afternoon game as both teams already had a game in.  Champlin Park with the quick turnaround after a loss at Maple Grove Friday night.  Junior Jimmy Coddington with 25 points and 3 triples from his wing spot to lead Chaska.  That picked up for forward Trey Lenzen missing a bunch of minutes with foul trouble.  But early on it was Champlin Park junior wing Preston Thielke doing the damage.  He had 17 of his 27 in the 1st half.  He's a clone of teammate Amory Peterson.  Freshman guard Kwa Silikpoh able to get to the rim off the bounce to cause major problems late.

A High Quiz Bowl convention broke out

Prologue
Night 2 of the season takes me to a new opening season tourney at Eagle Ridge Academy in the depths of the Opus office park.  Its a group of high academic schools so its aptly named the Brains and Balls tourney.  Nova Classical Academy, Mounds Park Academy, Eagle Ridge Academy and Math & Science Academy all represented.  Chick-Fil-A at the concession stand so I'm all over that at halftime of the 1st game.

Game 1: Mounds Park Academy 48 Nova Classical Academy 43
Good first half for Nova as they take a 5 point lead to the break.  No answer inside for Silas Revenaugh as he scores 13 of his 19 points in the half.  Adnaan Said heats up with 11 of his 20 in the 2nd half.  Micah Hudock 3 triples in the 2nd half (13 pts for the game) to keep MPA close.  Panthers trail by 4 with 11 minutes left but finish the game on a 14-5 run to win. Nova with 4 of their 22 turnovers late to stop any chance they had.  Nova started 16-31 from the floor but finished 2-15 in those last 11 minutes.

Game 2: Math & Science Academy 56 Eagle Ridge Academy 53
First half of this one was the Josh Balami show for Math & Science.  He scores 22 of the 28 Dragons points in the half.  Eagle Ridge starts off 1-18 from the floor to fall behind by double figures.  But they manage to stay within 5 at the break.  Eagle Ridge would show zone for most of the 2nd half and that did slow Balami down.  Balami spent time mostly playing at the FT line region after starting outside against that.  The Gryphons cut the lead down to 4 but see it blow up to 13 with under 3 minutes left.  Then Balami fouls out with 1:21 left and all havoc breaks lose.  Turnovers on 6 of the next 7 trips for the Dragons.  Eagle Ridge had 5 fouls to give and it was almost a blessing that the fouls forced inbounds plays for turnovers rather than free throws.  The lead is down to 3 with 6.5 seconds left.  Dragons can ice it at the charity stripe but the front end is no good.  Rebound tapped out towards half court and it goes back to Math and Science in the last 5 seconds.  Dragons get the last inbounds pass in and hang on to win.  Josh Balami outstanding with 22 of his 28 points in the 1st half for Math and Science.  He added in 14 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals on my officially unofficial stat sheet.  First reaction for a player like this in the EMAC is that he gets a ton of shots and lights up bad competition.  While its true the competition isn't great, its far easier when watching him to make the case that he's unselfish to a fault.  Very poised and willing to share the ball and be a team player first.  Only 3 missed shots to get those 28 points.  Math and Science commits 20 of their 27 turnovers in the 2nd half including 6 in the last 1:20 with Balami fouled out.

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