Friday, March 17, 2017

MOUNDS VIEW WENT UP AGAINST CHAMPLIN PARK IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL SECTION GAME

Mounds View and Champlin Park squared off in a boys’ basketball game. This game was a semifinal of the Section 5 Class 4A section tournament. The game was played at Maple Grove High School. 

Champlin Park moved the ball down the floor well early. They got everyone involved in the offense. 

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds. 

Champlin Park did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and took their time on the offensive end. 

The game was very physical. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds. 

Champlin Park’s McKinley Wright IV took the ball strong to the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If he didn’t think that he had an open shot, he passed it off to one of his teammates. 

Champlin Park’s Theo John came up with layups and slam dunks on the offensive end. On the defensive end, John could slow the guy down that he was guarding. 

Mounds View called a timeout with 9:41 left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 16, Mounds View 9. 

Mounds View walked the ball down the floor and looked to get their offense going. The defensive pressure that Champlin Park applied made it difficult for Mounds View to come up with an open shot. 

Wight used his quickness to get past the Mounds View defense. He could get his teammates involved in the offense. 

Mounds View called a timeout with 3:21 left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 28, Mounds View 17.

Both offenses stalled late in the first half. The defensive pressure made it difficult for both teams to take open looks at the basket. 


At halftime, the score was Champlin Park 30, Mounds View 17.

As the second half got underway Champlin Park kept on feeding Hunter and Wright the ball. They both came up with huge baskets. 

Mounds View struggled to shoot the ball in the second half. They were not able to make shots that they put up. 

Champlin Park used their quickness to their advantage as they got to the basket and made shots. 

Mounds View called a timeout with 7:29 left in regulation. The score was Champlin Park 48, Mounds View 31.

The game was very physical. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls. There were many jump balls in the second half. 

Champlin Park was much quicker than Mounds View was. Mounds View didn’t give up. They attacked the basket late in the contest and looked for their shots. 

Champlin Park came away with the 69-40 victory over Mounds View. 

The leading scorers for Mounds View were McMillan with 16 points and Stone with 13 points. 

The leading scorers for Champlin Park were Wright with 21 points, Hill with 11 points and Josiah Strong with 7 points.


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

OSSEO WENT UP AGAINST PARK CENTER IN A BOYS’ SECTION SEMIFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

On March 14, Osseo and Park Center squared off in a boys’ basketball game. This game was a semifinal of the Section 5 Class 4A tournament. The game was played at Maple Grove High School. Osseo was the number 3 seed in the section and Park Center was the number 2 seed in the section.

Osseo pushed the ball down the floor and came up with a layup and a 3-point shot by John Bezdicek.

Park Center called a timeout with 17:06 left in the first half. The score was Osseo 5, Park Center 0.

Osseo got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and looked for their shots.

Park Center took a lot of time off the clock also by passing the ball around the 3-point line. 

On the defensive end, Park Center played a zone defense. They didn’t want Osseo to penetrate the middle and get to the lane. 

Osseo came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. They were also able to hit 3-point shots. Osseo used their quickness to get past the Park Center defense. 

Park Center’s Derrick Ogechi scored his team’s first five points. His teammates got him the ball in the paint in which he could made shots. 

After a slow start, offensively for Park Center they came up with layups and jump-shots. They got everyone involved in the offense.

Osseo’s Zach Theisen came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Theisen called for the ball in the paint. That’s where he made most of his baskets. Theisen also stepped up and attempted 3-point shots.

Neither team took a lot of time off the clock on the offensive end mid-way through the first half.

Park Center did a good job of feeding Ogechi the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Ogechi was also able to slow down the guy he was guarding on the defensive end. 

Osseo wasn’t afraid to take deep 3-point shots. Everyone on the floor rebounded when the shot went up. 

Park Center called a timeout with 4:31 left in the first half. The score was Osseo 26, Park Center 19. 

Park Center’s Dainja took the ball hard to the basket. He wasn’t bothered by the Osseo defensive pressure.


The very physical throughout the first half. The officials let both teams play. 

Osseo’s Marice Nelson came up with 3-point baskets late in the first half. Park Center had a difficult time slowing Nelson down from behind the 3-point line. 

At halftime, the score was Osseo 37, Park Center 24. 

As the second half got underway Osseo took a lot of time off the clock by dribbling the ball around out-side of the 3-point line. That made Park Center come out and guard them from behind the 3-point line. 

Park Center struggled shooting early in the second half. Their shots were not falling for them. Park Center continued to get the ball into the hands of Losini Kamara, Derrick Ogechi and Dainja. All of whom looked to score by taking mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Osseo called a timeout with 11:44 left to go in regulation. The score was Osseo 47, Park Center 36.

Theisen continued to come up with layups. He could beat his guy off the dribble and got to the basket for layups. There were multiple guys guarding him. 

Osseo took as much time as they could on the offensive end by dribbling and passing the ball around the 3-point line. 

Park Center came up with steals and layups. Their offense started to click with just under 7:45 left in regulation. Osseo didn’t give up however they kept on attacking the basket and kept on coming up with shots. 

Park Center was active on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, they passed and cut a lot and on the defensive end they could get Osseo frustrated by their pressure. 

Park Center called a timeout with 6:17 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 54, Park Center 48.

Osseo took a lot of time off the clock late in the game. 

Park Center went to a full court man-to-man defense as they wanted to slow the Osseo defense down.

Osseo called a timeout with 2:26 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 58, Park Center 52. 

Osseo called another timeout with 2:16 left in regulation. The score remained 58-52 Osseo. 

Park Center trapped Osseo and could force them to turn the ball over. 

The Park Center offense came up with some huge shots late in the game. 

Osseo called a timeout with 40.2 seconds left in regulation. The score was Osseo 61, Park Center 57.

Park Center looked to take quick shots late in the game. 

Both teams played well throughout the game. Osseo got up big early and Park Center clawed their way back. 

Osseo came away with the 62-61 victory over Park Center. 

The leading scorers for Osseo were Theisen and Nelson each with 18 points and Bezdicek with 13 points. 

The leading scorers for Park Center were Broadway with 17 points, Kamara with 14 points and Dainja with 12 points.


Sunday, March 12, 2017

DELANO WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS DELASALLE IN A BOYS’ SECTION SEMIFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

On March 11, Delano went up against Minneapolis DeLaSalle in a boys’ Class 3A Section 6 boys’ section basketball game. Going into the game Delano had an overall record of 20-7 while DeLaSalle’s overall record was 22-3.

Fans crammed into them DeLaSalle gym to watch the game. Both student sections were full of cheering students.

DeLaSalle pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score layups in transition. 

Delano started the game in a zone defense. They wanted to make DeLaSalle take long shots. 

DeLaSalle got the ball into the hands of Gabe Kalscheur and Sage Booker. Both Kalscheur and Booker made mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Delano’s Calvin Wishart brought the ball down the floor and got his teammates involved in the offense. Even though it took Delano awhile to get into an offensive shooting rhythm they kept on shooting the ball. 

Delano called a timeout with 14:57 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 13, Delano 0. 

Delano called another timeout with 14:48 left in the first half. The score remained DeLaSalle 13, Delano 0.

The defensive pressure that DeLaSalle applied made it difficult for Delano to get a shot off. Delano didn’t get any open looks at the basket. They shot with a hand in their face. 

DeLaSalle did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They talked on both ends of the floor calling out screens and could get through screens. 

DeLaSalle’s Dominic Bledsoe took the ball strong to the basket. He came away with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

There were multiple jump balls in the first half. Both teams went after loose balls and rebounds on both ends of the floor. 

Delano called a timeout with 11:31 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 21, Delano 5.

Delano left DeLaSalle shooters open from behind the 3-point line. The DeLaSalle players were not afraid to shoot shots that they thought that they could make. Delano had a hard time defending players behind the 3-point line. 

Wishart’s teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Delano looked to create steals and looked to score layups off seals. 

Delano’s Derek Techam got into foul trouble and came out with just under 8 minutes to play with his fourth personal foul. 

Wishart came up and drained a big 3-point basket on the offensive end. Then on the next play he raced down the floor and defended well.

The Delano offense started to click late in the first half. Their shots started to drop and they came up with steals on the defensive end. 

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 3:53 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 34, Delano 18. 

Delano’s Dylan Gilmer came up with mid-range jump shots and layups that gave his team energy. 

Booker and Mar both had good court awareness as they knew were their teammates were on the floor. They set screens for each other and made shots. 

At halftime, the sore was DeLaSalle 39, Delano 22. 

As the second half got underway DeLaSalle continued to look to get the ball into the hands of Kalscheur, Mar and Bledsoe on the offensive end.

Delano called a timeout with 16:25 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 43, Delano 25. 

Delano attempted a lot of 3-point shots early in the half. Both teams rebounded the ball well. 

Terry split his defenders and got to the basket and made layups. He used his quickness to his advantage. The defense had a hard time slowing Terry down.

Delano attacked the basket and attacked the DeLaSalle defense. They didn’t back down to the defensive pressure that DeLaSalle applied. 

The pace of the game slowed down midway through the second half. DeLaSalle passed the ball around the 3-point line as they took time off the clock. 

Delano called a timeout with 7:33 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 65, Delano 45. 

Both teams kept attacking the basket late in regulation. DeLaSalle spread the ball around and passed the ball around the 3-point line even though they didn’t go into a stall offense they took time off the clock on each possession let in the game. Both teams played their bench players late in the game as well. 

DeLaSalle came away with the 82-62 victory over Delano. 

I thought that both teams played well throughout the game. DeLaSalle was too powerful for Delano. Delano’s Wishart impressed me with his play. DeLaSalle could get Wishart in foul trouble as he fouled out of the game in the second half. The whole Delano team stepped up with Wishart fouled out and they rallied around each other and kept on attacking the basket. 

The leading scorers for Delano were Wishart with 18 points and Gilmer with 10 points. 

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle Mar with 25 points, Bledsoe with 13 points, Christian Dickson with 12 points, and Kalscheur with 11 points.


HOPE ACADEMY WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 11, it was a section boys’ basketball game where Hope Academy went up against Minneapolis North. 

Hope passed the ball around the 3-point line looking for their shots. They looked to push the ball down the floor and score layups in transition. 

North called a timeout with 16:24 left in the first half. The score was Hope 5, North 2.

North pushed the ball down the floor and looked to get everyone involved in the offense. North’s JaQuan Sanders-Smith took the ball hard to the basket. He came up with mid-ran jump shots and layups. Sanders-Smith slowed down his man that he was guarding. 

Hope struggled shooting the ball in the first half. Even though they struggled they kept on shooting the ball. 

Hope called a timeout with 6:54 left in the first half. The score was North 47, Hope 14.

The Hope offense struggled and the North offense woke up. 

North pushed the ball down the floor and came up with fast break layups off turn overs.

At halftime, the score was North 72, Hope 27.

North continued to push the ball down the floor and score layups in transition.

Hope struggled to shoot the ball in the second half. They kept attacking the basket but were not able to come up with layups or jump shots.

North called a timeout with 11:50 left in regulation. The score was North 87, Hope 40. 

North continued to push the ball down the floor and came up with baskets. 

Hope called a timeout with 5:35 left in regulation. The score was North 100, Hope 45.

North was too quick for Hope. Hope struggled to shoot the ball throughout the game. 

North came away with the 111-50 victory over Hope. 

The leading scorers for Hope were, Nate Elifson, Joey Erickson, and Johnny Erickson all scoring 14 points each. 

The leading scorers for North were Isaac Johnson with 26 points, Wilson with 19 points and Tayler Johnson with 16 points.


RICHFIELD WENT UP AGAINST ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK IN A BOYS’ SECTION BASKETBALL GAME

In the second game of the Class 3A Section 3 boys’ basketball section semifinals Richfield went up against St. Paul Highland Park. 

Richfield started the game in a full court press. They looked to turn Highland Park over and score layups in transition. 

Richfield called a timeout with 10:48 left in the first half. The score was tied at 8.

Highland Park got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and took their time on the offensive end. 

Richfield looked to score mid-range jump shots and layups in transition. Richfield’s Devin Wade-Henderson and Anthony Sanders came up with big shots late in the first half. 

Highland Park attacked the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Highland Park called a timeout with 1:06 left in the first half. The score was Highland Park 29, Richfield 22.

Richfield stepped up and looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half. 

At halftime, the score was Highland Park 29, Richfield 25. 

As the second half got underway both teams pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to make layups in transition.

Highland Park called a timeout with 14:50 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 37, Highland Park 31.

Highland Park went to a zone defense. They wanted to make Richfield shoot 3-point baskets. Richfield could make shots and get past the zone defense. 

Richfield called a timeout with 12:08 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 40, Highland Park 35.

Richfield did a good job of attacking the basket and getting through the Highland Park offense. 

Highland Park’s Dreem Kelly-Jabbar came up with steals and layups that kept his team in the game. 

Highland Park went to a full court press. They looked to and could turn Richfield over. 

There were multiple ties and lead changes with under 8:00 left in regulation. 

Highland Park’s Amitri Collins-Westlund came up with jump shots and layups in the second half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Collins-Westlund wasn’t afraid of contact when he drove to the basket.

Richfield got to the basket and made layups. Maddox and Wade-Henderson came up big on both ends of the floor late in the game. 

The game came down to the wire. Neither team gave up an easy basket.

Highland Park’s Evan Brodtman came up with late steals and layups on the offensive end. 

Richfield called a timeout with 1:16 left in regulation. The score was tied at 59.

Neither team went on a huge run throughout the game. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout. 

Richfield came away with the 63-59 victory over Highland Park.

The leading scorers for Highland Park were Collins-Westlund with 23 points, and Brodtman with 16 points. 

The leading scorers for Richfield were Wade-Henderson with 19 points and Maddox with 12 points. 

I was joined by the
Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Richfield vs. Highland Park boys’ basketball game.

SIMLEY WENT UP AGAINST ST. THOMAS ACADEMY IN A SECTION 3 CLASS 3A SECTION SEMIFINAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 10, Simley and St. Thomas Academy squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Both teams pushed the ball down the floor and scored layups in transition. 

St. Thomas Academy got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and talked on both ends of the floor. 

Simley took a timeout with 11:04 left in the first half. The score was St. Thomas Academy 23, Simley 12. 

Simley struggled to shoot the ball for a period in the first half. 

St. Thomas Academy called a timeout with 6:31 left in the first half. The score was St. Thomas Academy 30, Simley 17. 

St. Thomas Academy pushed the ball down the floor and could score layups in transition. They could get everyone involved in the offense. 

Simley struggled to shoot the ball throughout the first half. 

At halftime, the score was St. Thomas Academy 48, Simley 31. 

As the second half got underway St. Thomas Academy continued to push the ball down the floor and score layups in transition. 

St. Thomas Academy continued to attack the basket and come up with mid-range jump shots and layups. They got the ball into the hands of Jack Thompson, Eddie Perry and Sam Schleper all who could make shots.

Simley called a timeout with 14:03 left in regulation. The score was St. Thomas Academy 54, Simley 37. 

Simley continued to push the ball down the floor as they looked to score layups in transition. St. Thomas Academy came up with layups and mid-range jump shots midway through the second half. 

St. Thomas called a timeout with 4:13 left in regulation. The score was St. Thomas Academy 60, Simley 49. 

Simley struggled shooting the ball throughout the game. Even though they had a tough time shooting the ball they kept on flinging it toward the basket.

St. Thomas Academy came away with the 71-52 victory over Simley.

The leading scorers for Simley were Jake Binley with 15 points, DeAndre Smith with 13 points and Arik Johnson with 8 points. 

The leading scorers for St. Thomas Academy were Jack Thompson with 22 points, Louis Ballion with 12 points and Sam Vascellaro with 10 points.
 

CHESTERTON ACADEMY WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN A SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF GAME

On March 9, Chesterton Academy and Minneapolis North squared off in a first round of the Class A Section 4 boys’ basketball tournament.

Both teams started out slow as neither team scored early. 

North pushed the ball down the floor and looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups. 

North called a timeout with 15:34 left in the first half. The score was North 14, Chesterton Academy 0. 

North could get steals and made layups in transition. 

Chesterton Academy struggled shooting the ball. They were not able to make shots they put up. 

Chesterton Academy scored their first basket with 9:55 left in the first half. The score was 43-2.

Chesterton Academy called a timeout with 7:52 left in the first half. The score was North 54, Chesterton Academy 2. 

North’s Elijah Campbell came up with steals and layups. He was also able to get his teammates the ball where they could score it. 

At halftime, the score was North 98, Chesterton Academy 11.

As the second half got underway Chesterton Academy looked to take deep 3-point shots. Chesterton Academy’s Ben Bratt and Joe Boeser looked to score baskets in transition. 

North continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets.

Chesterton Academy struggled to score throughout the game. 

North ran away with the 141-22 victory over Chesterton Academy. 

The leading scorers for Chesterton Academy were Adam Niskanen with 7 points, and Zach Halpin with 6 points. 


The leading scorers for North were Tayler Johnson with 22 points, and Da'Koi Hines 18 points.


MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST WENT UP AGAINST HOPKINS IN A SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 8, Minneapolis Southwest went up against Hopkins in a Section 6 Class 4A section quarterfinal boys’ basketball game.

Southwest called a timeout with 14:42 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 9, Southwest 2.

Hopkins moved the ball down the floor well and got everyone involved in the offense. They talked to each other on the offensive end and knew where each other were on both ends of the floor. 

Southwest’s Brennan Hawkins was all over the floor. On the offensive end, Hawkins looked to score layups and mid-range jump shots. 

Both teams struggled shooting the ball mid-way through the first half. Hopkins attacked the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. Hopkins did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. 

Southwest called a timeout with 5:07 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 27, Southwest 12.

Southwest struggled to shoot the ball late in the first half. Even though they struggled to shoot the ball in the first half. Southwest continued to shoot it.

At halftime, the score was Hopkins 33, Southwest 19.

As the second half got underway Hopkins looked to get the ball into the hands of Anthony Davis and Joe Headstrom. Both came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Southwest struggled to shoot the ball throughout the second half. Hopkins took advantage of the shooting struggles by Southwest. 

Hopkins got everyone involved in the offense. Southwest struggled shooting the ball throughout the game.

Hopkins came away with the 82-52 victory over Southwest. 

The leading scores for Southwest were Hawkins with 17 points and CK Deeq with 11 points.

The leading scorers for Hopkins were Simon Wright with 18 points, Ishmeal El-Amin with 14 points, and Zeke Nnaji and Joe Headstrom each with 13 points.


ST. PAUL HARDING WENT UP AGAINST RICHFIELD IN A BOYS’ SECTION QUARTERFINAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 7, St. Paul Harding and Richfield squared off in the quarterfinals of the Section 3 Class 3A boys’ basketball game. 

Harding pushed the ball down the floor and scored layups in transition. 

Richfield called a timeout with 15:17 left in the first half. The score was Harding 9, Richfield 0.

Richfield’s Antoino Maddox pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. 

Harding called a timeout with 11:31 left in the first half. The score was Harding 13, Richfield 8. 

Richfield passed the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

Richfield’s Devin Wade-Henderson was all over the floor. On the offensive end, Wade-Henderson took the ball hard to the basket as he looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Neither team went on a huge run in the first half. 

Harding called a timeout with 4:06 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 26, Harding 41. 

Richfield came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half. 

Richfield got hot late in the first half. Richfield kept on getting the ball into the hands of Maddox and Wade-Henderson who both came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

At halftime, the score was Richfield 39, Harding 27.  

As the second half got underway Richfield looked to keep feeding Maddox came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Harding struggled shooting the ball in the second half. Even though that they struggled shooting the ball they kept on attacking the basket. 

Wade-Henderson and Maddox both looked for their shots in the second half. They fed off each other’s energy. 

Harding called a timeout with 7:52 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 62, Harding 42. 

Richfield’s Malik Hunter came off the bench and came up with huge 3-point shots, mid-range jump shots and layups and rebounds. That gave his confidence on the floor. 

Harding continued to struggle to shoot the ball late in the game. 

In a hard-fought game, Richfield came away with the 78-61 victory over Harding. 

The leading scorers for Harding were Nuradean Adam with 17 points, Jovan Christian with 13 points, Brandon Pal with 12 points and Martin Danielson with 10 points.

The leading scorers for Richfield were Maddox with 19 points and Wade-Henderson with 18 points.

ANOKA-RAMSEY WENT UP AGAINST ROCHESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE MINNESOTA COLLEGE ATHLETIC COLLEGE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Anoka-Ramsey and Rochester went up against each other in the Men’s Minnesota College Athletic Conference men’s basketball championship game. 

Anoka-Ramsey pushed the ball down the floor and came up with layups and jump shots. Anoka-Ramsey did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. 

Rochester’s Akeem Smith was all over the court. On the offensive end, Smith brought the ball down the court and could get his teammates. He also made mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Anoka called a timeout with 9:40 left in the first half. The score was Anoka-Ramsey 21, Rochester 21. 

Both teams exchanged baskets for a period in the first half. Anoka-Ramsey attacked the basket and came up with layups. 

Anoka-Ramsey’s Mahad Haji got hot from the 3-point line. His teammates could get him the ball where he could shoot it. 

Anoka Ramsey used their quickness to get past the defenders and made layups. They also got hot from behind the 3-point line. 

At halftime, the score was Anoka-Ramsey 46, Rochester 31. 

As the second half got underway Anoka-Ramsey kept attacking the basket and coming up with shots. 

Rochester struggled to shoot the ball in the second half. They did move the ball well but were not able to come up with baskets.

Anoka-Ramsey didn’t give up offensively. They took a lot of time off the shot clock.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Rochester got the ball into the hands of Smith as he got to the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Anoka-Ramsey came away with the 100-83 victory over Rochester. 

The leading scorer Rochester was Smith with 24 points.

The leading scorers for Anoka-Ramsey were Mamadou Ngom with 19 points and Malik Williams with 18 points.


Saturday, March 11, 2017

VERMILION WENT UP AGAINST CENTRAL LAKES IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

Vermilion and Central Lakes squared off in a men’s basketball game. It was the third-place game of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference state tournament. 

Vermilion pushed the ball down the floor scored baskets in transition. Central Lakes also pushed the ball down the floor and could score layups in transition.

Central Lakes got past the Vermilion defense and came up with layups. They could get everyone involved in the offense.

Central Lakes looked to trap Vermilion as they got the ball across half court. The Vermilion guards got frustrated by the pressure. 

Vermilion called a timeout with 11:20 left in the first half. The score was Central Lakes 23, Vermilion 12. 

Central Lakes set a lot of screens and they set their teammates up on the offensive end of the floor. 

Vermilion struggled shooting the ball throughout the first half. They were not able to hit shots.

At halftime, the score was Central Lakes 43, Vermilion 28. 

As the second half got underway Central Lakes Lamontrell Fuller came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Fuller also could come off screens and got to the basket. 

Even though that Vermilion struggled shooting the ball they kept attacking the basket and looked for their shots. 

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Central Lakes came away with the 78-70 victory over Vermilion. 

The leading scorers for Central Lakes were Fuller and Jenkins both with 17 points. 

The leading scorers for Vermilion were Elijah Johnson with 15 points and Denario Jackson with 13 points.


RAINY RIVER WENT UP AGAINST RIVERLAND IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

On March. 5, Riverland and Rainy River squared off in a men’s basketball game. The game was played at Anoka Ramsey Community College. This game was the Consolation game of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference state tournament. 

Both teams pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition. There were multiple ties and lead changes early. 

Rainy River’s Davarius Wright pushed the ball down the floor and got his teammates involved in the offense. He knew where his teammates were on the floor always. 

Riverland called a timeout with 15:44 left in the first half. The score was Rainy River 16, Riverland 6.

Riverland looked to get the ball inside to Abdibari Abdikadir who made layups. Teammate Junior Stone came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. Stone took the ball to the basket and made layups.

Rainy River called a timeout with 12:00 left in the first half. The score was Rainy River 17, Riverland 16. 

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went up for rebounds on both ends of the floor. There were multiple jump-balls in the first half. 

Stone did a good job of getting to the basket and looking for his shot. If Stone didn’t think that he had a good shot, he would pass it to one of his teammates. On the defensive end, Stone could frustrate the gut he was guarding. 

After a slow start, offensively for Riverland, there shots started falling for them.

Rainy River called a timeout with 8:29 left in the first half. The score was Riverland 26, Rainy River 19. 

Riverland attacked the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. They used their quickness to get past the Rainy River defense.

Rainy River called a timeout with 4:14 left in the first half. The score was Riveralnd 35, Rainy River 26. 

The defensive pressure that Riverland applied to Rainy River made it difficult for Rainy River to get open looks at the basket. 

The game was very physical. The officials let both teams play. 

At halftime, the score was Riverland 41, Rainy River 36.

As the second half got underway Riverland continued to shoot the ball well made layups in transition.

Rainy River called a timeout with 17:21 left in regulation. The score was Riverland 52, Rainy River 38.

Rainy River kept on pushing the ball down the floor and coming up with shots in the second half. 

Riverland called a timeout with 13:09 left in regulation. The score was Riverland 64, Rainy River 54.

Both teams battled throughout the second half. Riverland kept on attacking the basket and came up with layups. 

Riverland kept running their offense and could find ways to get past the Rainy River offense. 

Rainy River kept on getting the ball into the hands of Ira Johnson. Johnson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Riverland came away with the 103-93 victory over Rainy River. 

The leading scorers for Rainy River were Ira Johnson with 34 points and Davarius Wright with 21 points.

The leading scores for Riverland were Jace Klinkner with 28 points and Darius Bell with 20 points.


EDEN PRAIRIE WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS DELASALLE IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 3, Eden Prairie and Minneapolis DeLaSalle squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The game was played at DeLaSalle and the gym was packed with fans to watch the contest.

DeLaSalle looked to set the tempo of the game early. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and got everyone involved in the offense. DeLaSalle pushed the ball down the floor. 

DeLaSalle’s Goanar Mar took the ball strong to the basket as he made mid-range jump shots and layups. Mar also could dunk the ball and that kept his team into the game. As well as energized the crowd. 

Eden Prairie’s Owen Chose drove the ball down the floor and came up with layups. Eden Prairie came up with steals and looked to score off the steals. 

Eden Prairie struggled shooting the ball to start the game. They were patient with the ball on the offensive end but they were not able to make shots. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they shot the ball every time they had the opportunity. 

Mar could slow down the guy he was guarding. DeLaSalle did a good job of talking to each other on both ends of the floor. 

Eden Prairie did do a good job of moving the ball around the 3-point line and their shots started to drop midway through the first half. 

DeLaSalle got everyone involved in the offense Everyone on the floor for DeLaSalle. DeLaSalle’s Tyrell Terry came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. 

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 8:55 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 18, Eden Prairie 11.

DeLaSalle wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep 3-point shot. Everyone on the floor crashed the boards to go after the rebounds. 

DeLaSalle did a good job of finding Gabe Kalscheur. Kalscheur came up with mid-range jump shots and jump shots. The Eden Prairie defense had a difficult time slowing him down. 

Eden Prairie did a lot of passing and cutting on the offensive end. They looked to get the ball into the post. And they could do that. 

Eden Prairie looked to trap the ball when the ball got into the paint. DeLaSalle used their quickness to get past the trap. 

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 34.2 left to go in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 24, Eden Prairie 18. 

Eden Prairie looked to take the last shot of the half. They did that on a layup by Will Pahl.

At halftime, the score was DeLaSalle 24, Eden Prairie 20. 

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 16:30 left in the second half. The score was DeLasalle 27, Eden Prairie 22.

Eden Prairie got the ball into the hands of Kyler Kluge, Drake Dobbs and Will Pahl. They came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Kalscheur came up with some key blocks in the second half. His teammates came up with the ball after he blocked it and raced down the floor and could come up with layups on the offensive end. 

Neither team went on a huge run throughout. Even though Eden Prairie couldn’t hit shots as quickly as DeLaSalle did they still battled and shot the ball in spots where they thought that they could score.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 11:11 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 42, Eden Prairie 30.


Mar kept on coming up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half. The defense had a hard time of slowing him down.

Both teams looked to make fast break layups. The pace of the game quickened late in the contest. 

Terry kept on coming up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Him and Kalscheur kept DeLaSalle in the game. 

Eden Prairie’s Chose, Montero, and Pahl came up with a bulk of the points throughout the game. Eden Prairie spread the ball around.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 3:44 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 56, Eden Prairie 47.

Eden Prairie got hot late in the game. They strung layups together and were able to slow down the DeLaSalle offense.

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 1:21 left in regulation. The score was DeLaSalle 60, Eden Prairie 57.

As the game wound, down both teams continued to attack the basket.

In a good action, packed basketball game that came down to the wire DeLaSalle came away with the 62-57 victory over Eden Prairie. 

The leading scorers for Eden Prairie were Kluge with 14 points, Dobbs with 9 points, and Montero with 7 points. 

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle were Kalscheur with 21 points, Terry with 18 points and Mar with 14 points.


Friday, March 10, 2017

ELK RIVER WENT UP AGAINST MAPLE GROVE IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 1, Elk River went up against Maple Grove in a boys’ basketball game. It was senior night at Maple Grove so all the seniors were introduced. 

It took a while for each team to get into a shooting rhythm. 

Maple Grove looked to get the ball into the ball into the hands of Brad Davison. Davison took the ball hard to the basket and could make mid-range jump shots and layups.             

Maple Grove continued to push the ball down the floor and could get everyone involved in the offense.

Even though the Elk River offence struggled they attacked the basket and looked for their shot. Elk River looed to make layups in transition. 

After a slow start, Elk River strung some baskets together late in the first half. 

At halftime, the score was Maple Grove 29, Elk River 18.

As the second half got underway, both teams continued to attack the basket. Elk River looked to get the ball into the hands of Wyatt Morrell. Morrell came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. The defense had a difficult time slowing him down on the offensive end. 

Maple Grove got the ball into the hands of Davison. Davison came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If he didn’t think that he had an open shot, he would pass it to one of his teammates. 

Elk River called a timeout with 13:38 left in regulation, the score was Maple Grove 35, Elk River 21. 

Elk River kept on attacking the basket as they looked to penetrate the gaps in the Maple Grove defense. 

Elk River called a timeout with 5:51 left in regulation. The score was Maple Grove 44, Elk River 32.

Pickford continued to make shots in the paint and mid-range jump shots. Everyone on Maple Grove touched the ball on the offensive end. 

Maple Grove took a lot of time off the clock late in the game by passing the ball around the 3-point line. 

Maple Grove came away with the 56-38 victory over Elk River. 

The leading scorers for Elk River were Morrell with 11 points and Jack Burger with eight points. 

The leading scorers for Maple Grove were Davison with 15 points, Pickford with 13 points and Hutchison with 9 points. 

I was joined by the
Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Elk River vs. Maple Grove boys’ basketball game.

MINNEAPOLIS NORTH WENT UP AGAINST HOPKINS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 28, Hopkins went up against Minneapolis North in a boys’ basketball game.

North looked to push the tempo of the game early. Hopkins also looked to push the ball down the floor and score layups in transition. 


Hopkins Simon Wright came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. He used his quickness to get past the North defense. 


North called a timeout with 14:26 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 15, North 7. 


North got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line and took their time on the offensive end. They were not afraid to take deep 3-point shots.


North looked to get the ball inside to Odell Wilson IV or Da’Kei Hines. Both came up with layups on the low block. 


Wilson kept on coming up with layups and mid-range jump shots throughout the first half. Teammate Isaac Johnson also came up with steals that lead to jump shots and layups. 


Hopkins guard Blaise Beauchamp came up with layups on the offensive end. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in the paint where he could shoot it.


North called a timeout with 3:39 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 41, North 38. 


North continued to attack the basket late in the first half. 


Wright continued to make deep 3-point shots late in the first half.


At halftime, the score was Hopkins 51, North 48. 


As the second half got underway North continued to push the ball down the floor and scored layups in transition. 


Wilson and Johnson both came up with layups off screens in the second half. That kept North in the game. 


Hopkins looked to take deep 3-point shots as they stayed in the game. 


Hopkins called a timeout with 13:32 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 65, North 56. 


North kept attacking the basket as they got everyone involved in the offense. Johnson also came up with deep 3-point shots that kept his team in the game. 


Hopkins called a timeout with 9:12 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 69, North 66. 


Both teams continued to take deep 3-point shots in the second half. All 10 players crashed the boards and went after rebounds. 


Hopkins called a timeout with 6:59 left in regulation. The score was North 72, Hopkins 71. 


Hopkins passed the ball around the 3-point line looking for their shots. Hopkins took 3-point shots and made them late in the second half. 


North called a timeout with 4:40 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 80, North 77. 


As the time wound down off the clock late in the game both teams continued to come up with shots. 


Wilson came up with layups late in the game as well. 


Both teams played hard throughout the game. Both teams also came to play. Hopkins strung some baskets together late in the game and North couldn’t counter.


North called a timeout with 2:17 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 89, North 81. 


As the clock wound down Hopkins continued to come up with shots. North played hard and together but their shots couldn’t drop late in the game. 


In a hard-fought game, Hopkins came away with the 95-92 victory over North.


The leading scorers for North were Isaac Johnson with 33 points, and Wilson with 30 points.


The leading scorers for Hopkins were Wright with 27 points and Fogel with 17 points. 


I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out histhoughts of the Minneapolis North and Hopkins boys’ basketball game. 

MAPLE GROVE TOOK ON OSSEO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 27, Maple Grove went up against Osseo in a boys’ basketball game. Both schools brought a lot of students to the game. The stands were full but it wasn’t a sellout. 

As the game got underway, both teams looked to set the tempo of the game early. Osseo passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to take time off the clock early. 

Maple Grove looked to get the ball in the hands of guard Brad Davison. Davison took the ball hard to the basket and looked for mid-range jump shots and layups. 

Osseo stepped up and knocked down 3-ponit baskets. They got the ball into the hands of Zach Theisen. Theisen took the ball hard to the basket. He came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Theisen also could make layups coming off screens.

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run. 

Maple Grove also looked to get the ball into the hands of Tyhon Pickford. Pickford did a good job of getting to the basket and made layups and jump shots. 

Osseo’s Jazz Boker came off the bench and provided an offensive presence. He made his mid-range jump shots and layups. Teammate Maurice Nelson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Maple Grove called a timeout with 10:05 left in the first half. The score was Osseo 15, Maple Grove 11. 

Pickford came up layups and jumpers in the key. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. 

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run. 

Both teams dove on the floor and went after loose balls. They also battled for rebounds on both ends of the floor.

At halftime, the score was Maple Grove 31, Osseo 26. 

As the second half got underway Osseo continued to push the ball down the floor and got everyone involved in the offense. 

Davison continued to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. 

Pickford and Davison both came up with huge deep 3-point shots. There teammates knew where they were on the floor always.

 Osseo called a timeout with 11:05 left in regulation, the score was Maple Grove 47, Osseo 39.

Osseo looked to trap Davison as he drove to the basket. Davison could get past the traps and make baskets.

Maple Grove called a timeout with 7:34 left in regulation. The score was Maple Grove 53, Osseo 45. 

Maple Grove used their quickness to get past the Osseo defense. Pickford and Davison both took the ball hard to the basket and came up with shots throughout the game.

Osseo’s Zach Theisen came up with huge mid-range jump shots and layups late in the game. 

The game came down to the wire. Neither team gave up and easy look at the basket. 

Maple Grove called a timeout with 1:15 left in regulation. The score was Maple Grove 61, Osseo 59. 

As the clock wound down Osseo looked to find their shot.

Osseo called a timeout with 42.1 seconds left in regulation. The score was Maple Grove 63, Osseo 59.

As the clock wound down both teams continued to attack the basket. 

Maple Grove called a timeout with 22.5 seconds left in regulation, the score was Maple Grove 65, Osseo 51.

Maple Grove came away with the 65-61 victory over Osseo. 

The leading scorer for Maple Grove was Davison with 27 points. 


The leading scorer for Osseo was Nelson with 16 points.


Sunday, March 5, 2017

EDINA WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 25, Edina and Minneapolis South squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Both teams pushed the ball down the floor and score layups in transition early. 

South got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to take time off the clock.

South made layups in transition. Edina went to a full court man-to-man press and looked to trap the ball the first chance that they could. They wanted to make it difficult for South to make shots.

Edina’s Derek Graf came up with layups and slam dunks in the paint. He called for the ball while his teammates fed him the ball in the paint. Teammate Matt Hofrenning came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. He took the ball to the basket and made layups as well.

Edina called a timeout with 10:19 left in the first half. The score was South 14, Edina 8.

South trapped the ball and that created Edina to turn the ball over. South could score off the turn overs. 


Edina wasn’t afraid to take deep 3-point shots. Even though they didn’t go in everyone rebounded and had the chance to get the ball.

Edina looked to get the ball into the hands of guard Walt McGrory. McGory dove hard to the basket and made layups and mid-range jump shots.

Edina made a lot of cuts and passes on the offensive end. Everyone on the Edina offense touched the ball. Edina also communicated well on both ends of the floor.

Neither team went on a huge run in the first half. Neither team gave up an uncontested shot.

South called a timeout with 3:25 left in the first half. The score was South 24, Edina 22.

Both teams attacked their basket late in the first half. Edina came up with 3-point shots late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Edina 34, South 26.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and attacked the basket.

Edina continued to get the ball into the hands of Anders Nelson and Derek Graf both took the ball to the basket and made their shots.

South struggled shooting the ball to open the second half. Even though they struggled they didn’t get frustrated.

South called a timeout with 15:43 left in regulation. The score was Edina 43, South 29.

South did a good job of passing and cutting looking for the open man. The defensive pressure that Edina applied made it difficult for South to come up with an open look at the basket.

McGrory came off screens and made layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could make it. On the defensive end, he slowed down the guy he was guarding.

South called a timeout with 10:34. The score was Edina 55, South 37.

Edina came up with steals and turned them into steals on the offensive end.

South played hard throughout the game. Even though South struggled shooting the ball they kept on shooting.

Edina came away with the 94-71 victory over South.

The leading scorers for Edina were Nelson with 29 points and Hofrenning with 25 points.

The leading scorers for South were Kevin Holler with 13 points, Curtis Jones and Demetrius Gladney each with 12 points.
I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts on the Edina vs. South boys’ basketball game.