BLAKE GUARD ROBERT LEE GRACE IV HAS COMMITED TO PLAYING BASKETBALL AT MACALESTER COLLEGE

Blake guard Robert Lee Grace IV has committed to play basketball at Macalester College in St. Paul.

Grace was a guard at Blake who has played with multiple AAU programs. He was an outstanding guard in the Blake program.

MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT WENT UP AGAINST BLAKE IN A GIRLS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 2, Minneapolis Roosevelt and Blake High Schools went up against each other in a girls’ basketball game. The game was played at Blake School. 

As the game got underway both teams looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.  

Blake’s Cate Moe came up with mid-range jump shots and layups early. 

It took Roosevelt awhile to get into an offensive shooting rhythm. 

Roosevelt called a timeout with 15:00 left in the first half. The score was Blake 8, Roosevelt 0. 

Blake got everyone involved in the offense. They did a good job of passing the ball around the 3-point line as they looked for their shots. 

Both teams took their time on the offensive end. 

Both teams struggled shooting the ball throughout the first half. 

Roosevelt struggled shooting the ball throughout the first half. They couldn’t make shots that they put up. Even though they struggled shooting the ball, they kept on attacking the basket.

Roosevelt played a zone defense they made Blake pass the ball around the 3-point line as they were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Roosevelt called a timeout with 4:37 left in the first half. The score was Blake 30, Roosevelt 10.

Blake continued to push the ball down the floor and get layups in transition. 

Blake’s Cheryl Minde came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. Her teammates were able to get her the ball in spots where she could shoot it. 

At halftime, the score was Blake 38, Roosevelt 16. 

As the second half got underway Roosevelt stayed in a 2-3 zone defense. They made Blake pass the ball around the 3-point line and made them take time off the clock. 

Roosevelt continued to struggle to shoot the ball in the second half. They were not able to come up with shots in the second half. 

Blake continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Blake looked to also take their time on the offensive end as they passed the ball around the 3-point line looking for their shot.

Blake continued to run the clock late in the game. Roosevelt had a difficult time making shots throughout the game.

Roosevelt couldn’t make shots throughout the game. 

Blake came away with the 68-32 victory over Roosevelt. 

HOPKINS TOOK ON BLAKE IN THE MINNETONKA FALL LEAGUE

The game got off to a quick start as each team raced up and down the floor. Neither team shot the ball well in the opening minutes of the first half.

Hopkins then caught on fire as they rattled off 9 straight points. Hopkins did a good job of getting the ball down the floor and getting everyone involved in the offense.

Blake played mostly zone defense. They wanted to make it hard for Hopkins to hit shots that they put up.

Hopkins was able to get a few fast break baskets. They were able to beat Blake down the court and get them out of rhythm.

Hopkins was able to hit layups that they shot. On the defensive end they were able to slow down Blake.

Hopkins did a good job of communicating on the floor. They knew where they were supposed to be on the floor and where their man was on the floor.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 26 and Blake 16.

As the second half got underway Hopkins looked to trap the ball as wanted to get as many fast break opportunities as they could.

Hopkins continued to pound the ball down the floor as they looked for easy shots. Blake didn't back down however as they kept the pressure on Hopkins at all times.

Blake didn't give up throughout the whole game. They were not able to slow down Hopkins on the offensive end.

Hopkins came away with the 54-33 victory over Blake. 

BLAKE TOOK ON MINNEAPOLIS EDISON IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Blake took on Minneapolis Edison in a boys' basketball game at Edison. Both teams looked to push the
ball down the court and score baskets in transition.

Blake started the game in a full court press. They wanted to put as much pressure on Edison as they
could.
 

The score was close throughout the first half.
 

Blake took a timeout with 14:01 left to go in the first half. The score was Edison 7 and Blake 5.
 

Edison continued to attack the basket. They didn’t want to give Blake any easy shots at the basket.
 

Edison went to a zone defense. They wanted to spread Blake out.
 

Blake had a bad bout of turnovers midway through the first half. Edison was able to turn Blake over
consecutively.
 

The score went back and forth throughout the first half.
 

Edison mostly used a zone defense in the first half.
 

Blake went on a little run to end the first half.
 

At halftime the score was Blake 29 and Edison 22.
 

Edison continued to play man-to-man defense in the second half.
 

Blake used as much time as they could on the offensive end. They passed the ball around the three-point line. That made Edison get out of the zone and go to a man-to-man defense to pressure the three-point shooters.
 

Both teams got chippy midway through the second half.
 

Blake went on a run early in the second half.
 

Edison called a time-out with 14:05 with the score being Blake 46 and Edison 26.
 

Edison couldn't find the basket for a period of time in the second half. Blake continued to make shots.
 

Edison went on a run late in the contest but that wasn't enough. In the end Blake came away with the
75-54 victory over Edison.

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoop Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Blake vs. Edison match-up.

TRINITY SCHOOL AT RIVER RIDGE TAKES IT ON THE CHIN AGAINST THE BLAKE BEARS

Trinity is taking on Blake on Trinity's home court. As this game gets underway, the crowd has shown up for this game folks. It is not a packed house but it is a fun atmosphere. As we get started, Trinity has started this game playing zone defense. Both teams are looking to push the ball up the court.

At the start of this game, things have started to get physical. Both teams have been going after it. Both teams have already had guys fall on the floor and had to get help up the court.

Blake's DJ Kelly has been able to push the ball up the court here early, and he has been able to get the ball to his open teammates.

With 14:54 left to go in the first half, the score is Trinity 4 and Blake 9.

Blake has really tried to pursue Trinity. Blake has been in a full court press, in the first half. Blake has done an awful lot of subbing. Nick Rathman wants his boys to be fresh. He wants to have a good rotation of fresh legs in the game and try to keep wearing down this Trinity team.

Trinity is on a run. They have been able to get a lot of people to score in bunches. We will have to see if Blake can slow this game down. Both teams are playing hard. This game has gone in runs.

Blake's Dante Van Court has really played well. He has been aggressive on both ends of the court. Blake has been playing aggressive so far. They have been able to go after loose deflections. Blake has been able to open this game up in the first half. With 7:00 left to go in the first half, the score is Blake 23 and Trinity 14. Trinity is still fighting hard, and they are on a mini run. Blake has gone flat here but they are still fighting. Trinity has found some life here, as they are making a run and creating all kind of havoc for this Blake team.

Trinity has been able to get the ball up the court with ease, as they are using an effective press breaking style of transition. They are not really getting into an offense. They are just in the wide open court in the fast break and scoring baskets.

At half time, the score Trinity 30 and Blake 36.

As we get the second half under way, both teams looked refreshed as they were able to rest at half time. They were able to relax and make the adjustments that they deemed to make. Trinity has been on a run to start the second half. They are making strong cuts to the basket. Blake has been able to swing the ball around the three point line and they have been moving around inside the paint, as they want to get the ball to the inside middle guy and have him kick it out to the guards.

Blake's Vac Bascom has looked good here in this game. He has been able to get a lot of good looks at the basket. He has also been a vocal leader, as he has called out a lot of different screens to his players. Blake has just thrown on a blistering press, and it has caused Trinity to commit a turnover.

Both of these teams have played well. Blake has just been able to find the basket more often than Trinity.

With 5:23 left to go in the game, the score is Trinity 44 and Blake 63.

Blake has been very aggressive. Trinity has just emptied its bench. They are down 48-69, with 3:30 left to go. Both teams are fighting hard, even though there is a large scoring margin Trinity has not backed down to this Blake team.

In the end, Trinity was not able to contain the Blake Bears. Blake ended up winning the game by the final of 74-52.

Blake was lead in scoring tonight by David Nash, who had 24 points. Trinity played very well and they will just improve as the season goes on. Trinity was lead in scoring by Mark Olander with 10 points.

I would like to thank The Czar from Twin Cities Boys Hoops for coming along with me to this game tonight. He will also post a story about this game on his site.