Sunday, March 25, 2018

ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONG WENT UP AGAINST HOPKINS IN A SECTION SEMIFINAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 9, Robbinsdale Armstrong and Hopkins went up together in the Section 6 Class 4A semifinal boys’ basketball game.

Armstrong pushed the ball down the floor and swung the ball around the 3-point line, on the offensive end.

Hopkins also pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

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

Armstrong called a timeout with 10:31 left in the first half. The score was Armstrong 17, Hopkins 16.

Armstrong went into a zone defense as they wanted to make Hopkins take deep 3-point shots.

Armstrong got everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around to each other on the offensive end and they were also very talkative on both ends of the floor.

Hopkins guard Zeke Nnaji was all over the floor. On the offensive end he wasn’t afraid to take the ball hard to the basket as he came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. On the defensive end he was able to slow down the guy he was guarding.

At halftime, the score was Hopkins 29, Armstrong 25.

As the second half got underway Armstrong came out on fire as they stepped up and knocked down deep 3-point shots.

Hopkins called a timeout with 14:29 left in regulation. The score was Armstrong 32, Hopkins 29.

Armstrong’s Jake Breitbach came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Armstrong called a timeout with 11:52 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 39, Armstrong 36.

Hopkins Blaise Beauchamp came up with steals and turned them into layups on the offensive end.

Hopkins stepped up their defensive pressure and Armstrong struggled to shoot the ball for a period in the second half.

Armstrong called a timeout with 8:12 left to go in regulation. The score was Hopkins 48, Armstrong 38.

Armstrong looked tied in the second half. They ere not able to get to the ball or come up with plays late in regulation.

Hopkins got their shot to drop late in the second half. Both teams played well throughout the game. Hopkins came away with the 66-51 victory over Armstrong.

The leading scorer for Armstrong was Jake Breitbach with 15 points.

The leading scorers for Hopkins were Headstrom with 16 points, Beauchamp with 13 points and Nnaji with 12 points.

I was joined by Sam Bernard Williams of Big Sam’s Podcast. Williams thought, “Armstrong ran out of gas midway through the second half. You must play a complete came to beat a team like Hopkins. Armstrong couldn’t hit a 3-point shot.” 

 

ST. PAUL HUMBOLDT WENT UP AGAINST CHARTER STARS IN A BOYS’ SECTION BASKETBALL GAME

On March 8, St Paul Humboldt and Charter Stars played each other in a boys’ basketball game at Mounds Park Academy. It was the Section 4 Class 2A first round game.

Charter Stars moved the ball well down the floor. They were able to get to the basket and get layups.

Humboldt also moved the ball well down the floor. As they got everyone involved in the offense.

Humboldt called a timeout with 10:58 left in the first half. The score was Humboldt 9 Charter Stars 7.


Charter Stars struggled to move the ball down the floor and make shots late in the first half.

Humboldt came up with steals and layups on the defensive end.

The Charter Stars offense went quite midway through the first half. They struggled shooting the ball.

At halftime, the score was Humboldt 23, Charter Stars 15.

As the second half got underway Humboldt pushed the ball down the floor and got Derron Riley into the offense. Riley came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If Riley didn’t think that he could make a shot, he would pass it off to one of his teammates.

Humboldt looked to keep pushing the ball down the floor and make mid-range jump shots and layups. Humboldt’s Desmond Lugo make deep 3-point shots. He wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep shot.

Both teams dove on the floor for loose balls.

Humboldt moved the ball down the floor well. They got everyone involved in the offense. Humboldt did a good job of slowing down Charter Stars on both ends of the floor.

Both teams played hard throughout the game, but the Charter Stars were not able to come up with baskets.

Humboldt looked to take time off the clock late in the game by swinging the ball around the 3-point line.

Charter Stars tried to hold on for as long as they but in the end, Humboldt came away with the 57-41 victory over Charter Stars.

The leading scorer for Charter Stars was Carter with 16 points.

The leading scorer for Humboldt was Davionte Davis with 16 points.


ST. PAUL HUMBOLDT WENT UP AGAINST CHARTER STARS IN A BOYS’ SECTION BASKETBALL GAME

On March 8, St Paul Humboldt and Charter Stars played each other in a boys’ basketball game at Mounds Park Academy. It was the Section 4 Class 2A first round game.

Charter Stars moved the ball well down the floor. They were able to get to the basket and get layups.

Humboldt also moved the ball well down the floor. As they got everyone involved in the offense.

Humboldt called a timeout with 10:58 left in the first half. The score was Humboldt 9 Charter Stars 7.


Charter Stars struggled to move the ball down the floor and make shots late in the first half.

Humboldt came up with steals and layups on the defensive end.

The Charter Stars offense went quite midway through the first half. They struggled shooting the ball.

At halftime, the score was Humboldt 23, Charter Stars 15.

As the second half got underway Humboldt pushed the ball down the floor and got Derron Riley into the offense. Riley came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If Riley didn’t think that he could make a shot, he would pass it off to one of his teammates.

Humboldt looked to keep pushing the ball down the floor and make mid-range jump shots and layups. Humboldt’s Desmond Lugo make deep 3-point shots. He wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep shot.

Both teams dove on the floor for loose balls.

Humboldt moved the ball down the floor well. They got everyone involved in the offense. Humboldt did a good job of slowing down Charter Stars on both ends of the floor.

Both teams played hard throughout the game, but the Charter Stars were not able to come up with baskets.

Humboldt looked to take time off the clock late in the game by swinging the ball around the 3-point line.

Charter Stars tried to hold on for as long as they but in the end, Humboldt came away with the 57-41 victory over Charter Stars.

The leading scorer for Charter Stars was Carter with 16 points.


The leading scorer for Humboldt was Davionte Davis with 16 points.
 

IRONDALE WENT UP AGAINST OSSEO IN A SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 7, Irondale and Osseo squared off in a Section 5 Class 4A boys’ basketball game. It took awhile for each team to get into an offensive shooting rhythm.

Irondale’s Aden Price was all over the floor, on the offensive end came off screens and was able to get to the basket. Price was able to make mid-range jump shots and layups. On the defensive end Prince slowed down the guy he was guarding.

Osseo looked to turn Irondale over and score layups in transition off the steals.

Irondale called a timeout with 12:26 left in the first half. The score was Osseo 10, Irondale 7.

Irondale kept on feeding Price. Price delivered as he came up with shots throughout the first half.

Osseo’s Emmette Page and Zach Theisen both came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half.

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the first half.

Osseo moved the ball well as they passed the ball around the 3-point line paying catch.

Osseo called a timeout with 6:09 left in the first half. The score was tied at 19.

Osseo’s Deonte Ferguson came up with rebounds and made layups. He took the ball strong to the basket.

Price also stepped outside of the 3-point line and knocked down 3-point shots.

The score remained close late in the first half.

At halftime the score was tied at 32.

As the second half got underway Osseo continued to push the ball down the floor and swing the ball around the 3-point line. Osseo forward Chike Okonokwo came up with layups in transition. He was also able to make mid-range jump shots.

Osseo’s Zach Theisen came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. He was also able to step up and knock down deep 3-point shots.

Irondale called a timeout with 15:11 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 42, Irondale 35.

Irondale struggled shooting in the second half. Even though they struggled to shoot the ball they kept on looking for their shots.

Page came up with fast break layups in the second half.

Irondale continued to struggle shooting the ball mid-way through the second half. Osseo turned up their offensive production as they came up with baskets.

Osseo called a timeout with 8:03 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 63, Irondale 45.

Osseo was able to contain Price on the offensive end.

Osseo turned up the defensive pressure in the second half. Osseo was also able to slow down Price in the second half. Price scored his first points of the second half with just under 5:00 to go.

Osseo pulled away in the second half.

Osseo came away with the 74-60 victory over Irondale.
 

Friday, March 9, 2018

SOUTH ST. PAUL WENT AGAINST ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS IN A SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 6, South St. Paul and Academy of Holy Angels went up against each other in a boys’ basketball Section 3 Class 3A boys’ basketball game.

The score went back and forth early. There were multiple ties and lead changes.

Holy Angels swung the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

Holy Angels guard Max Gerstner came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. He came off cuts and his teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

South St. Paul guard Ryan Dodd brought the ball down the floor on the offensive end. He was able to get his teammates involved in the offense.

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

South St. Paul swung the ball around the 3-point line. Holy Angels did a good job of talking to each other on both ends of the floor.

South St. Paul’s Dohntae Vance got to the rim and 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.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 8:41 left in the first half. The score was South St. Paul 16, Holy Angels 11.

South St. Paul looked to take time off the clock in the first half by dribbling around the defenders.

South St. Paul looked to get the ball out of the net on the defensive end and race down the floor and score layups in transition.

Neither team went on a run in the first half.

South St. Paul called a timeout with 1:57 left in the first half. The score was tied at 23.

Holy Angels on to end the first half.

At halftime, the score was Holy Angels 32, South St. Paul 23.

As the second half got underway Holy Angels Matt Banovetz, Ryan Mazurek and Jacob Werle all were able to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Also, teammate Tommy Sheldstad came up with layups to keep Holy Angels in the game.

South St. Paul called a timeout with 14:19 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 40, St. St. Paul 28.

Holy Angels Werle came off screens and made layups. His teammates knew where he was on the floor when they passed it to him.

South St. Paul kept attacking the basket and coming up with layups. Vance and Taylor both called for the ball when they were on the floor.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 11:48 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 44, South St. Paul 38.

Holy Angels used the three-quarters press as they looked to make it difficult for South St. Paul to bring the ball down the floor.

Mazurek came up with 3-point baskets. On the defensive end, Mazurek was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 8:06 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 55, South St. Paul 48.

The South St. Paul offense went stagnate in the second half. The defensive pressure was too much for South St. Paul.

South St. Paul called a timeout with 5:52 left in regulation. The sore was, Holy Angels 64, South St. Paul 48.

The Holy Angels offense came to life in the second half. Holy Angels dribbled the ball out the last 2 minutes of the game.

Holy Angels came away with the 79-57 victory over South St. Paul.

The leading scorers for South St. Paul were Dodd, Taylor and Vance all with 14 points.

The leading scorers for Holy Angels were Mazurek with 20 points and Banovetz with 15 points.

 

MINNESOTA WEST WENT UP AGAINST ANOKA-RAMSEY IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

On March 4, Minnesota West and Anoka-Ramsey Community College squared off in a Men’s basketball game. It was the championship of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Men’s basketball state tournament.

It took both teams to get into a shooting rhythm early. Minnesota West swung the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

Both teams traded baskets in the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Both teams were able to shoot the deep 3-point shots and make them.

Minnesota West called a timeout with 12:14 left in the first half. The score was Anoka-Ramsey 22, Minnesota West 15.

Both teams raced up and down the floor as they were looking to score layups in transition.

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the second half.

Anoka-Ramsey called a timeout with 6:13 left in the first half. The score was Anoka-Ramsey 31, Minnesota West 27.

As the first half came to an end both teams continued to launch deep 3-point shots.

At halftime, the score was tied at 38.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to attack the basket and take 3-point shots.

Anoka-Ramsey called a timeout with 18:03 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota West 46, Anoka-Ramsey 38.

Minnesota West was able to slow Anoka-Ramsey down on the offensive end by putting pressure on the guards.

Anoka-Ramsey called a timeout with 14:43 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota West 54, Anoka-Ramsey 40.

Anoka’s Kevin Schramm was all over the floor on the offensive end Schramm came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. On the defensive end, he was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding.

Anoka-Ramsey ran out of gas midway through the second half. They were not able to make baskets.

Anoka called a timeout with 8:24 left in regulation. The score was Minnesota West 65, Anoka-Ramsey 46.

Minnesota West continued to get to the basket and came up with shots late in the game. Anoka-Ramsey couldn’t make shots in the second half.

Minnesota West came away with the 89-62 victory over Anoka-Ramsey.

The leading scorers for Anoka-Ramsey were Kevin Schramm with 22 points, and Justin Castro and Chris Morgan each with 13 points.

The leading scorer for Minnesota West was Alex Brown with 20 points.
 


Tuesday, March 6, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 1, Washburn and Roosevelt squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Roosevelt looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition.

Roosevelt looked to get the ball into the hands of guard Deszi Sims. Sims knew where his teammates were on the floor and were able to get them involved in the offense.

Roosevelt started out slow on the offensive end. They had a difficult time scoring early.

Roosevelt called a timeout with 14:59 left in the first half. The score was Washburn 7, Roosevelt 2.

Roosevelt played man-to-man on the defensive end. They looked to trap Washburn when they brought the ball down the floor.

Washburn wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep three-point shot. Everybody would crash the boards on the 3-point shots.

Washburn’s Charles Cook-Gordon came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates knew where he was on the floor and they were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Washburn called a timeout with 8:20 left in the first half. The score was Washburn 23, Roosevelt 15.

Sims kept on coming up with shots late in the first half. He took the ball hard to the basket in traffic coming up with his shot.

Roosevelt called a timeout with 6:40 left in the first half. The score was Washburn 23, Roosevelt 19.

Roosevelt’s Abdikani Abdi came up with nice passes to his teammates for assists. If Abdi thought he had a good chance of making a shot he would shoot it.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. There were ties and lead changes, but neither team went on a big 10-plus point run.

Sims shot started dropping late in the game and that gave Roosevelt confidence late in the half.

Sims tied the game at 34 with 2:00 with a jump shot from the middle of the lane.

Both teams continued to race up and down the floor coming up with layups.

Roosevelt called a timeout with 54.5 left in the first half. The score was Roosevelt 37, Washburn 36.

Roosevelt passed the ball and dribbled the ball around the 3-point line to end the first half. Sims came up with the last shot of the half.

The score at halftime was Roosevelt 39, Washburn 36.

As the second half got underway Roosevelt continued to push the ball down the floor and looked to score layups in transition.

Washburn’s Charles Johnson was all over the floor going after loose balls, talking on both ends of the floor and coming up with hustle plays, along with baskets.

Washburn went to a zone defense. Roosevelt passed the ball around the 3-point line while Washburn shifted in the zone.

Cook-Gordon continued to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half.

Washburn was able to slow down Roosevelt on the offensive end. Roosevelt went cold shooting in the second half. Washburn took advantage of that and attacked the basket and came up with shots.

Washburn called a timeout with 11:08 left in regulation. The score was Washburn 47, Roosevelt 43.

Roosevelt’s Dyvell Dixson was another player who got to the basket made mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates really got him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

There were many ties and lead changes midway through the second half.

Roosevelt went to a trapping man-to-man defense which made it difficult for Washburn to come up with open shots.

Washburn went cold on the offensive end with just under 6:30 left in regulation. Roosevelt came up with shots.

Roosevelt pushed the ball down the floor and scored layups in transition. Roosevelt was able to find Sims down the stretch. Roosevelt got the lead late in the game.

Washburn ran out of gas late.

Washburn called a timeout with 2:23 left in regulation. The score was Roosevelt 65, Washburn 60.

Washburn pushed the ball down the floor late and took deep 3-point baskets.

Roosevelt called a timeout with 1:42 left in regulation. The score was Roosevelt 67, Washburn 60.

Washburn looked for Johnson coming off screens got to the basket.

Both teams played well throughout the game. Neither team gave up. Both teams were able to slow the other team down on the offensive end.

I thought that Roosevelt’s Sims played very well. He is a solid player that can get to the basket. He had a solid jump shot as well can create his own shot coming off the dribble. Sims also can get to the basket and make layups in traffic. Sims also came up with rebounds.

Roosevelt came away with the 72-65 victory over Washburn.

The leading scorers for Washburn Johnson with 21 points and Cook-Gordon with 17.

The leading scorer for Roosevelt was Sims with 42 points.

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


BLAINE WENT UP AGAINST OSSEO IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 27, Blaine and Osseo squared off against each other in a boys’ basketball game. As the game got underway it took awhile for each team go get going offensively.

Osseo’s Emmette Page was all over the floor. On the offensive end, Page got to the basket and looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Blaine pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to get everyone involved in the offense. Blaine’s Bryon Bynum Jr. and Tony Strand came up with early jump shots.

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively. Neither team went on a run early.

Osseo’s Richard Mulbah took the ball hard to the basket and came up with layups. If Mulbah didn’t think that he had a good shot, he would pass it to his teammates.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls. There were multiple jump balls in the first half.

Osseo’s Terrance Waits came off screens and got to the basket and came up with layups.

Blaine used multiple defenses in the first half. They wanted to confuse Osseo when Osseo was on offense.

Osseo used their quickness to get to the basket and make layups and jump shots.

Osseo called a timeout with 5:37 left in the first half. The score was Blaine 20, Osseo 17.

As the first half came to an end Blaine continued to come up with layups and jump shots.

Blaine called a timeout with 3:00 left in the first half. The score was Blaine 29, Osseo 28.

Both teams kept attacking the basket late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Blaine 33, Osseo 32.

As the second half got underway Osseo looked to set the tempo. They pushed the ball down the floor and swung the ball around the 3-point line.

There were multiple ties and lead changes in the second half.

Blaine’s Ray Mitchell came up with deep 3-point shots. He also came up with layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could score.

Osseo called a timeout with 11:09 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 45, Blaine 42.

Blaine continued to get the ball into the hands of Jason Kaul and Mitchell and Tony Strand.

Blaine called a timeout with 9:24 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 52, Blaine 47.

The game remained close late in the game. Neither team gave up uncontested shots.

Mitchell continued to come up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

Osseo called a timeout with 2:00 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 65, Blaine 61.

Osseo came up with baskets down the stretch.

Osseo came away with the 75-66 victory over Blaine.

I was joined by The
Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Blaine vs. Osseo boys’ basketball game.
 

HOPE ACADEMY AND CHARTER STARS WENT UP AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 26, Hope Academy and Charter Stars went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. It took awhile for each team to get into an offensive shooting rhythm.

Hope Academy struggled shooting the ball early. They couldn’t make a shot in the opening minutes.

Charter Stars got everyone involved in the offense. Charter Stars guard Ezekiel Olakunle came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Teammate Brett McNeal took the ball strong to the basket as he came up with layups.

Hope Academy used their quickness to get to the basket. They talked to each other on the offensive end. Hope Academy’s Akuan Lane got past the defense and came layups in traffic.

Hope Academy called a timeout with 8:48 left in the first half. The score was Charter Stars 26, Hope Academy 11.

Charter Stars went to a full-court press in the first half. They put pressure on Hope Academy and made it difficult for them to bring the ball down the floor.

Hope Academy’s Caleb Hoilien came up with jump shots from the elbow. He was also able to get his teammates involved in the offense.

Charter Stars called a timeout with 5:51 left in the first half. The score was Charter Stars 32, Hope Academy 18.

Charter Stars looked to get the ball inside to the post players, Akpevwe Avwunuma came up with layups on the low block.

Hope called a timeout with 4:23 left in the first half. The score was Charter Stars 36, Hope Academy 20.

As the first half wound down both teams continued to attack the basket and looked to make layups.

Hope Academy struggled at times in the first half but was not able to come up with shots.

At halftime, the score was Charter Stars 40, Hope Academy 32.

As the second half got underway Hope Academy came out looking to push the ball down the floor looking for their shots.

Charter Stars Taye Carter and Olakunle both continued to come up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

Charter Stars started out the second half cold. They were not able to make shots in the early goings.

Charter Stars called a timeout with 15:28 left in regulation. The score was Charter Stars 43, Hope Academy 40.

Hollien came up with deep 3-point shots in the second half.

The score went back and forth in the second half. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls on both ends of the floor. Charter Stars stepped up their defensive pressure. They made it difficult for Hope Academy to come up with open looks at the basket.

Hope Academy’s Roger Martinez put defensive pressure on the guy he was guarding. He was able to cause him to turn the ball over.

Charter Stars looked to trap on the defensive end as they looked to come up with steals.

Hope Academy’s Samuel Ojebode came up with layups as he took the ball strong to the basket. Ojebode called for the ball in the lane.

Hope Academy called a timeout with 8:07 left in regulation. Charter Stars 60, Hope Academy 51.

Hope Academy’s Sam Erickson came up with layups late in the game.

Hope Academy called a timeout with 4:38 left in regulation. The score was Charter Stars 68, Hope Academy 59.

Charter Stars used their quickness to get to the basket as they made their shots throughout the game. Hope Academy struggled shooting the ball throughout the game.

Hope Academy called a timeout with 1:06 left in regulation. The score was Charter Stars 72, Hope Academy 68.

Charter Stars came up with layups off turnovers late in the game.

Charter Stars came away with the 76-68 victory over Hope Academy.

The leading scorers for Hope Academy were Carter with 22 points, Olakunle with 14 points and Brett McNeal with 13 points.

The leading scorer for Hope Academy was Hoilien with 21 points.

I was joined by the
Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts on the Hope Academy and Charter Stars boys’ basketball game.