Thursday, February 25, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS NATIVE TROY DELVON BELL DID AN INTERVIEW WITH BCDRAFT.NET

Minneapolis native Troy Bell, who is playing basketball in Italy, was interviewed by Bcdraft.net. Troy talked about his playing days at Boston College and what it is like to be playing overseas.

Troy is currently playing in Italy for Vanoli Cremona.

RAY BETTON NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT HOLY ANGELS HIGH SCHOOL IN RICHFIELD MINNESOTA

Ray Betton has been named the head football coach at Holy Angels High School in Richfield Minnesota. Betton was an assistant coach at Holy Angels from 1996 to 2000 and was the associate head coach there in 2004. Holy Angels.

RICHFIELD HOSTED SOUTH ST. PAUL IN BOYS’ BASKETBALL

The Richfield boys’ basketball team hosted the South St. Paul Packers in boys’ basketball. South St. Paul came out and started the game in man-to-man defense.

Richfield was able to jump out to an early 6-0 lead to begin the game. Richfield mostly used a motion offense in the first half. They did a lot of passing and cutting.

South St. Paul had difficulty defending Richfield in the first half. They tried multiple different defenses to no avail in the first half.

Richfield looked to run the floor early on in the game. They were able to score easy points in transition.

Richfield was able to spread the ball around in the first half. No one person was scoring for Richfield.

Midway through the first half South St. Paul was able to go on a little run. Richfield was able to quiet their run.

At half time the score was Richfield 35 and South St. Paul 21.

As the second half got underway Richfield was able to score some quick baskets. South St. Paul came out flat to begin the second half.

South St. Paul was never able to catch up to Richfield throughout the second half. South St. Paul used multiple different defenses to try to offset Richfield, but Richfield was just able to find the basket.

South St. Paul did have their chances when they were able to go on runs in the second half. They were able to cut the lead to 10 at 47-57 with 4:55 left to go in regulation.

That would be as close as South St. Paul would come to Richfield. Richfield came away with the 70-52 victory over South St. Paul.

Lorenzo Evans lead Richfield in scoring with 19 points.

SOUTH ST PAUL TRAVELED TO RICHFIELD FOR A BOYS’ JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL CONTEST

The Richfield boys’ basketball team took on the South St Paul Packers.

Richfield looked to push the ball up the court in the early goings. They were able to blow by the defenders in the early goings.

It was tough for South St Paul to get their shots. Richfield was able to hit their shots from the beginning of the game. South St Paul didn’t get frustrated though they kept playing tough throughout the first half.

Lorenzo Evans for Richfield made some nice passes as he was able to get the ball to his open players and they were able to score inside.

For Richfield Wibi MacDonald did a good job of finding the open shot. He was able to knock down a couple of nice three point shots in the first half.

At half time the score was Richfield 39 and South St Paul 20.

Richfield put on the full court press to begin the second half. They really wanted to apply the pressure early on in the second half.

They were not able to do that though as South St Paul was able to go a run to begin the second half.

Richfield kept on feeding the ball to Wibi MacDonald as he was right on target throughout the game. MacDonald kept on dropping shots.

South St Paul didn’t give up. They kept on battling throughout the second half. But Wibi MacDonald and Richfield were just too much for South St Paul to handle.

Richfield played mostly man to man defense throughout the game. They did press for most of the game and that did create some problems for South St Paul as they were not able to control the ball.

Richfield was able to come away with the 76-59 victory over South St Paul.

Wibi MacDonald finished with 28 points for Richfield.
He was 8-10 from the 3 point line.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

ROBBINSDALE COOPER HOSTED THE FRIDLEY TIGERS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

The Robbinsdale Cooper boys’ basketball team hosted the Fridley Tigers in a North Suburban Conference match up. Cooper came into the game ranked number 4 in the state with a 19-3 record. Fridley came into the game with a 7-12 record.

Cooper looked to push the ball from the beginning of the game. They wanted to push the ball up the court. Cooper really tried to control tempo from the beginning of game.

Cooper played both zone and man-to-man defense in the first half. They were able to slow Fridley down throughout the first part of the first half.

For Cooper Darry Jones really played hard. He dove after loose balls, was all over the court and applied pressure to his opponents on the defensive end.

Cooper pushed the ball in transition whenever they could. They were really successful in the first half in transition.
Fridley was able to make some shots in the offense in the first half. It wasn’t without difficulties. The Cooper pressure was tough.

At halftime Cooper had a 39-24 lead.

As the second half got underway Cooper came out on fire. They were able to go on a run to begin the second half.

Fridley came out flat in the second half. They were not able to make a shot to begin the game. Cooper was able to hit shots throughout the second half.

Cooper was able to go on a run and come away with the 76-42 victory over Robbinsdale Cooper.

I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cities Boys Hoops for his thoughts on the game. Click here.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

GET TO KNOW STEVEN LAVELL BAKER


Steven Lavell Baker was born in Chicago but he moved St. Paul, Minnesota when he was 12. He attended St. Paul Como Park high school. While in high school he played both varsity football and basketball.

He has a large family he has six brothers and one sister.

He has decided to play college basketball. Steven wants to take his basketball career to a higher level. He has always been involved in sports and that is what he wants to do in life.

He played basketball at Southeastern Community College during the 2009-2010 basketball season.

RICHFIELD TOOK ON ST. THOMAS IN BOYS’ BASKETBALL ACTION

Richfield and St. Thomas took on each other in a boys’ basketball contest at Richfield. Both teams wanted to get a fast start out of the gate. Neither team was able to get that fast start out of off the gate.

Richfield was able to put together a run early in the first half. Saint Thomas came out flat to begin the game. They were not able to drop shots in the beginning and they were getting frustrated.

Richfield kept on hitting shots in the first half. Their defense was really tough throughout the first half. They were able to control the ball and St. Thomas’ runs in the first half.

At half time the score was Richfield 27 and St. Academy 15.

As the second half got underway St. Thomas Academy came out on fire. They were making every shot that they were putting up. Richfield came out sluggish and really didn’t hustle in the beginning of the second half.

Richfield picked it up though and they continued to take over the game. They were able to come away with the 64-50 victory over St. Thomas.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

RICHFIELD HOSTED ST. THOMAS ACADEMY IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

In the first game the sophomore team Richfield hosted St. Thomas Academy. Richfield started out the game in a zone defense. They wanted to control the pace of the game from the beginning.

St. Thomas was able to knock down some quick shots to start the game. They built a lead throughout the first half.

Richfield had trouble scoring throughout the first half. St. Thomas Academy was right on. They were able to step up and make shots.

Richfield went on a run with about 3 minutes left in the first half. Wibi MacDonald played hard throughout the first half. He really took the ball to the rack and played really tough on the defensive end.

At halftime the score was St. Thomas Academy 38 and Richfield 31.

Throughout the second half Richfield tried to play catch up and that is what they did. With 10:00 left St. Thomas had a 5-point lead at 55-50.

The score went back and forth throughout the second half. Neither team was going to give this one up.

St. Thomas was able to come away with the 79-75 over Richfield.


Monday, February 15, 2010

STEVE ROSS WATSON NEW WIDE RECEIVER COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

According to Gopher Illustrated Steve Ross Watson will become the new wide receiver coach at the University of Minnesota.

Watson played for the Denver Broncos for nine years and played in 125 games. He played in the 1981 pro bowl.He joined the Broncos coaching staff in 2000 as a defensive assistant. He has their wide receiver coach since 2003.

LOCAL ATHLETES WHO HAVE SIGNED LETTERS OF INTENT

Here is a list according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune of local athletes who have signed their letter of intent to go play sports in college.

FOOTBALL

• Minnesota: Lamonte Edwards, Woodbury; Jimmy Gjere, Irondale; J.D. Pride, Totino-Grace

• Air Force: Dylan Bungum, Triton*

• Augustana: Jordan Harrell, Maple Grove; Karl Inoferio, Holy Angels; Andy Jirik, Holy Angels; J.D. Melhorn, Lakeville South; Dajon Newell, Lakeville North; Ben Skelly, Lakeville North; Dustin Struckman, Le Center

• Bemidji St.: Nate Adams, Litchfield; Kyle Asmus, Cambridge-Isanti; Aaron Bartholomew, Mahtomedi; Brian Bueckers, Albany; Pat Cotter, Anoka; Luke Gerding, Blaine; Evan Olson, Bemidji; Dylan Peterson, Pierz; William Reinke, New Prague

• Columbia: Brad Losee, Eastview*

• Concordia (St. Paul): Corey Blexrud, Burnsville; Matt Buhmann, Elk River; Jordan Halverson, Fridley; Kevin Murphy, Henry Sibley; Jake Stejskal, Maple Lake

• Illinois St.: Isaac Rinehart, St. Thomas Academy

• Michigan Tech: Brian Schmiel, Apple Valley

• Minn.-Crookston: Sam Koetter, St. Cloud Apollo; Shane Rasleyer River

• Minn.-Duluth: Jacob Brueshaver, Hutchinson; Gavin Grady, Hopkins; Yusef Hassan, Burnsville; Greg Hynes, St. Louis Park; Andrew Pattock, Centennial

• MSU, Mankato: Jeff Burns, Centennial; Zachy Burrington, Maple Grove; Darius Clarelano; Kris Fleigle, Mounds View; Kenthen King, Mankato East; Josh Kremer, Sartell; Coby Makela, P-E-M; Brandon Marquardt, Champlin Park; Drew Ostendorff, Lakeville South; Jake Powell, Park; Erik Ruhland, Armstrong; Colby Straka, Mankato West; Taylor Waldorf, Winona Cotter

• MSU, Moorhead: Nickalas Adams, Greenway; Terrell Green, Mpls. Henry; Matt Hanna, Lakeville North; Fred Henry, Mpls. Henry; Lomumba Ismail, Anoka; Jermarie Johnson, Mpls. Henry; Wes Kramer, Northfield; Chris Kroeten, Wayzata; Eboni Lucious-West, Mpls. Henry; Dan Reil, Buffalo; Logan Romines, Forest Lake

• Morgan State: Nick Harris, Eden Prairie

• Navy: Sean Marben, Eastview*

• Nebraska: Tobi Okuyemi, Wayzata

• Northern State: Matt Anderson, Dawson-Boyd; Max Chapman, Blaine; Riley Kampson, Paynesville; Luke Klein, Marshall; Derek Vonnahme, Apple Valley

• North Dakota: Daryl Brown, Wayzata; Spencer Cummings, White Bear Lake; Taylor Grant, Eden Prairie, TE; Ben Henson, Buffalo; Craig Lindegard, Kittson Co. Central, K/P; Darren Peterson, Maple Grove; Adam Shaugabay, Warroad; Shea Walker, Cretin-Derham Hall

• North Dakota State: John Crockett, Totino-Grace; Carlton Littlejohn, Mpls North; Grant Olson, Wayzata, LB; Andy Pfeiffer, Mankato West; Adam Schueller, Fergus Falls; Billy Turner, Mounds View; Zach Vraa, Rosemount.

• Northern Iowa: Max Busher, Rosemount, LB; Mohammed Kromah, Totino-Grace, DT

• Princeton: Danny Freund, RB*

• St. Cloud State: Garrett Bender, Mpls. Washburn; Taylor Berger, Elk River; Kaleb Harris, La Crescent; Jack Houlton, Minnetonka; Jerahvenne Jones, Cloquet; Brad Muckenhirn, Hutchinson; Aaron Pavek, Brainerd; Bo Putrah, Faribault; Wynn Pratt, Andover; Matt Schmiesing, Paynesville; TonySchmitz, Sartell; Mitch Weidman, Brainerd

• South Dakota School of Mines: Adam Krause, New Life Academy; Brady Meister, Montgomery-Lonsdale

• South Dakota St.: Nick Lee, Blue Earth; Jason Schneider, Andover; DiJon Starr, Blaine; Zach Zenner, Eagan

• SW Minnesota State: Josh Genske, Mayer Lutheran; Charlie Kern, Belle Plaine; Zach McNally, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley; Jonathan Olson, Zumbrota-Mazeppa; A.J. Page, Hopkins; Derek Riley, Wabasso; Cole Wilson, Faribault

• Stanford: A.J. Tarpley, Wayzata

• USC: Seantrel Henderson, Cretin-Derham Hall

• University of Mary: Ethan Bakken, Lakeville South; Travis Gavin, Blaine; Logan Hanson, Hopkins; Justin Holmtroit Lakes; Carsten Nelson, Brainerd; Andrew Nyberg, Aitkin; Don Pask, Prior Lake; Matthew Stevenson, Woodbury

• Wisconsin: Beau Allen, Minnetonka

• Winona St.: Brandon Bentley, Stewartville; Anthony Frisby, Columbia Heights; Aaron Johnson, New London-Spicer; Tyler Kubler, Eden Prairie; Larry Mbayu, Roseville; Garrett Schaefer, Triton: Joseph Smith, Mabel-Canton

• Wyoming: Evan WIlliams, DeLaSalle

MEN'S SOCCER

• Houston Baptist: Zach Harwerth, Anoka

• Wisconsin: Paul Yonga, Totino-Grace

• Wis.-Milwaukee: Brandon Wolfe, Rosemount

• WIs.-Parkside: Carlos Contreras, White Bear Lake; Ryan Onwukwe, Totino-Grace

WOMEN'S SOCCER

• Minnesota: Lauren Bauer, Eagan; Alex Koller, Bloomington Jefferson

• Augustana: Maria Cook, Hill-Murray; Courtney Moore, Cambridge-Isanti; Maren Werth, Jefferson

• Bemidji St.: Bronwyn Boyd, Bemidji; Stephanie Challes, Andover; Elizabeth Erickson, Zimmerman; Samantha Lumberg, Woodbury; Maria McLeod, Cretin-Derham Hall; Danielle Steele, Mankato East, Jessica Voeller, Hill-Murray

• Colorado College: Lauren DiGregorio, Burnsville

• Concordia (St. Paul): Chloe Moore, Lakeville North; Rachel Skog, Bloomington Kennedy

• Dayton: Jordin Melchert, Simley

• Drake: Kalena Litch, Wayzata

• Fairfield (Conn.): Jacquelyn Ley, Hill-Murray

• Florida St.: Kassie Kallman, Woodbury

• Georgetown: Mary Kroening, Woodbury

• Iowa State: Caitlin Graboski, Woodbury; Erin Green, White Bear Lake; Maddie Jobe, Benilde-St. Margaret's.

• MSU, Mankato: Tori Meinhardt, Osseo; Courtney Vallarelli, Eagan; Katrina Waltz, Farmington; Brittany Zettel, Minnetonka; Brittany Cygan, Woodbury; Brittany Leeder, Eagan.

• Mo.-Kansas City: Taylor Bare, Anoka

• North Dakota State: Sheri Fitzsimmons, Champlin Park; Stephanie Jacobson, Eagan; Jenna Miller, Champlin Park; Brianna Wersal, Lakeville South

• Northern Michigan: Kaylagh Hollen, Holy Family

• Northwestern: Bo Podkopacz, Wayzata; Julie Sierks, Edina

• SW Minnesota State: Katie Chandler, Eagan

• Winona St: Becky McCoy, Eagan; Kayla Shook, Woodbury

• Wisconsin: Catie Sessions, Woodbury

• Wis.-Green Bay: Ahna Logan, Roseville; Anna Kouba, Centennial

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

• Minnesota: Blayne Dulian, Coon Rapids

WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

• Minnesota: Kim Hovey, Red Wing; Ally McSherry, Totino-Grace; Katie Murgic, Rosemount; Nicole Murphey, Blaine; Chelsea Pettit, Holy Angels

• Sioux Falls: Kirsten Townley, White Bear Lake

*Ivy League schools and the service academies are Division I programs but do not offer athletic scholarships.

Friday, February 5, 2010

MINNETONKA’S JOHN HEADSTROM RESIGNATION IS ACCEPTED

The Minnetonka school board accepted John Headstrom’s resignation. Headstrom was the head boys’ basketball coach and head athletic director for Minnetonka High School.

Headstrom was placed on leave in mid-January due to reasons unknown. The district is now in the process of filling the positions of Athletic Director and head boys’ basketball coach.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL’S SEANTREL HENDERSON SIGNED A FOOTBALL LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Seantrel Henderson from Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. in St Paul Minnesota has signed a national letter of intent to play football at USC. Henderson was considered one of Minnesota’s top football recruits. He decided to wait to signing day to announce his choice.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

GOPHER MEN BASKETBALL TEAM FACE ADVERSITY

I kind of feel bad for this Gopher basketball team with all of the on and off court drama that they had to face this season. I think that these young men and the team itself had been dealt a lot of adversity throughout the whole season. Whether it is the Royce White issue or the Al Nolen with the grades, I think that these players have dealt with it very well. I think that the players have each other’s backs and they support each other. I think it will be interesting to see how the Gophers finish out the season.

Go Gophers.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AL NOLEN JR OUT FOR REST OF SEASON

University of Minnesota men’s basketball player Al King Nolen Jr has been ruled ineligible because of grades and has been denied his appeal by the NCAA. He will have to sit out the rest of this season and get his grades together.

He averaged 6.7 points per game in 18 games.

ROYCE WHITE TO DROP OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

According to multiple news reports Royce Alexander White plans to withdraw from the University of Minnesota. White has been in legal trouble at the University of Minnesota.

White was the 2009 Minnesota Mr. Basketball and was the top overall recruit from Minnesota
.

BENILDE-ST.MARGARET’S TOOK ON FRIDLEY IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

Benilde St. Margaret’s took on a conference foe when they hosted Fridley in a boys’ basketball contest. BSM came into the game with a 12-3 overall record and ranked #3 in class AAAA. Fridley came into the game with a 6-9 record overall.

Both teams started out playing cat and mouse to begin the game. Neither team was afraid to pull the long range jump shots. Both teams struggled shooting three point shots.

BSM started the game playing in a zone defense. They wanted to keep Fridley on their toes and widen out the floor.

Both teams played very solid defense. Neither team was able to go on a run in the first half, at least until the end of the period. That’s when BSM was able to put together a run.

At half time the score was Benilde St. Margaret’s 35 and Fridley 29.

As the second half got underway, BSM continued to pound the ball. Fridley continued to shoot the ball in the second half. They were looking to find their open shots.

Peter Crawford from Benilde St. Margaret’s looked to push the ball up the court when he could. Crawford has verbally committed to play basketball at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Fridley tried to make a comeback late in the half but to no avail. Benilde St. Margaret’s came away with the 70-59 victory over Fridley.


Monday, February 1, 2010

ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OR MANAGER WHO IS GOING TO COMMIT OR SIGN TO PLAY OR MANAGE AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Parents, coaches and fans do you know of someone who is going to be attending college next year to play or manage football? If so please send me an email to stevenmgr@hotmail.com. Please include the player’s full name, first middle and last, where they went to high school and where they have signed. I will be posting the names of all the players and managers on the web site.

MINNESOTA 2009-2010 MR. BASKETBALL CANDIDATES

Minnesota Mr Basketball Candidates

2009-10

Top 25

(Alpha by School Name)

Candidate Height School

Peter Crawford 6-5 Benilde-SM

Chad Calcaterra 6-10 Cloquet

Jake Thomas 6-3 Columbia Heights

Calvin Godfrey 6-8 Cooper

Seantrel Henderson 6-8 Cretin-Derham Hall

Dyami Starks 6-2 Duluth East

Vinard Birch 5-10 Eastview

Brett Ervin 6-5 Eden Prairie

Trevor Gruis 6-8 Ellsworth

Zach Riedeman 6-5 Forest Lake

Mike Rostampour 6-7 Henry Sibley

Jordan Jackson 6-2 Henry Sibley

Yuriy Malashenko 6-5 Jordan

Shaun Condon 6-2 MACCRAY

Taylor Hanson 6-6 Minnehaha Academy

Cole Stefan 6-3 Minnetonka

Aaron Anderson 6-2 Osseo

Kevin Noreen 6-10 Minnesota Transitions

Jordan Hughes 5-10 Mpls. Patrick Henry

Alonzo Traylor 6-7 Mpls. South

Ben Bucholz 6-7 Perham

Marshall Bjorklund 6-6 Sibley East

Scott Nystrom 6-2 St. Cloud Tech

Taylor Filipek 6-6 Willmar

Alec Brown 6-11 Winona