COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND HOLY ANGELS WENT UP AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Dec. 11, Columbia Heights and Holy Angels went up against each other in a basketball game.

Columbia Heights looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in

transition.


Holy Angels started the game out in a zone defense. That made Columbia Heights swing the ball

around the 3-point line and take a lot of time off the 35-second shot clock.


Holy Angels was very vocal on both ends of the floor. They communicated well with each other.

Holy Angels guard Blake Nixson knew where his teammates were on the floor. He was able to

get the ball into his teammates' hands.


Columbia Heights put on a full-court press as they looked to force a turnover. The defensive

pressure that Columbia Heights didn’t seem to bother Holy Angels.


Holy Angels called a timeout with 14:39 left in the first half. The score was Holy Angels 5,

Columbia Heights 4.


Both teams were very vocal throughout the first half. Both teams applied defensive pressure once the other team crossed the half-court line.


Holy Angels ran a motion offense, using picks and rolls to move the ball. They were

always looking for the shot after they came off the pick-and-roll.


Holy Angels Arjun Jain came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half.


If Jain didn’t think that he had a good shot, he wasn’t afraid to pass it to one of his teammates.

Holy Angels Jake Winston came up with layups. He took the ball strong to the basket.

Columbia Heights Jayvion Gardner and Judah Caine both came up with mid-range jump shots

and layups.

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

Neither team gave up a non-contested shot.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 7:54 left in the first half. The score was Columbia

Heights 22, Holy Angels 14.

Jain knocked down key 3-point shots late in the game that kept Holy Angels in it. He was able to

knock down free throws.

Columbia Heights was able to come up with steals on the defensive end and turn them into

layups on the offensive end.

Holy Angels kept attacking the basket late in the first half. They were able to make their shots

late in the half.

Columbia Heights Nico Luitjens Weatherspoon came up with steals and layups. He didn’t let the

defensive pressure bother him as he took the ball to the basket.

At halftime the score was Columbia Heights 37, Holy Angels 31.

As the second half got underway, both teams came out with a lot of energy. Holy Angels looked

like they wanted to set the tempo of the second half early. They continued to look to get the ball

into the hands of Jain. Izaak DePoint came up with mid-range jump shots and layups for Holy

Angels as well.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 15:09 left in regulation. The score was Columbia Heights 42,

Holy Angels 38.

Holy Angels kept up the defensive pressure throughout the second half.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 11:53 left in regulation. The score was Columbia Heights 50,

Holy Angels 44.

Nixon stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots and mid-range jump shots in the second half.

Holy Angels got hot midway through the second half, with just under 11:00 let to go in the

second half they tied the score at 50. There were multiple ties and lead changes after that.

Gardner got hot from behind the 3-point line and he stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots.

His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could shoot it.

The game remained close, down the stretch.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 7:48 left in regulation. The score was Columbia Heights

62, Holy Angels 60.

Nixon was able to dribble past the defenders and get to the basket as he continued to make mid-

range shots and layups.

Holy Angels was able to turn Columbia Heights over and came up with layups off the turnovers.

The score went back and forth with under 5:00 left in regulation.

Weatherspoon and Gardner kept Columbia Heights in the game. They both came up with layups

and jump shots.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 3:15 left in regulation. The score was Columbia Heights

77, Holy Angels 69.

Holy Angels didn’t give up late in the game. They gave it all throughout the game.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 1:15 left in regulation. The score was Columbia Heights

77, Holy Angels 74.

As the clock wound down in the final minute Holy Angels kept the pressure on Columbia

Heights. Holy Angels stepped up and made shots within a minute to go.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 27.5 seconds left in regulation. The score was Columbia

Heights 78, Holy Angels 76.


Both teams scrambled for the ball and came up with shots late in the game.

In an overall hard-fought battle by both teams Columbia Heights came away with the 79-76

victory over Holy Angels.

The leading scorers for Holy Angels were Jain with 23 and DePoint with 20 points. The leading

scorers for Columbia Heights were Gardner with 19 points and Caine with 14 points.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WENT UP WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST IN A BOYS’ FOOTBALL GAME

On Oct. 9 Columbia Heights and Minneapolis Southwest went up against each other in a football game. The game was played at Southwest High School. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no fans allowed in the stands. This was the first game played by each team this season.

Columbia Heights kicked off to start the game. Southwest got the ball on their own 25-yard line. Southwest got the ball into the hands of Nick Flaskamp. Flaskamp looked to keep the ball on the ground and get first downs.

Southwest called a timeout with 9:07 left in the first half. The score was tied at 0.

Southwest’s Flaskamp came up with a short run for a first down. Southwest went long as they look to get into the end zone midway through the first quarter. Southwest was able to get past the first down. Marcus Mattox came up with a 30-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was good.

With 6:32 left in the first quarter, the score was Southwest 7, Columbia Heights 0.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line Columbia Heights continued to look to get the ball down the field. The defense stepped up big and was able to slow down the Columbia Heights offense. They punted on 4th-and long.

Southwest once again got the ball into the hands of Flaskamp. Flaskamp came up with big runs throughout the first quarter. Southwest kept the ball on the ground on their next drive. Southwest came up with a 35-yard pass attempt by Jaden Reed. The extra point attempt was a fake and it was a two-point conversion by Maddox good. With 2:32 left in the first quarter, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 0.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field. Columbia Height’s quarterback Matt Rockwell looked to get his receivers the ball. The defensive pressure made it difficult for him to get the ball down the field.

Columbia Heights Amil Clark came up with a long run for a first down.

After one quarter the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 0.

As the second quarter got underway Columbia Heights kept the ball on the ground. On 4th-and-long, Columbia Heights punted the ball and there was no return. Southwest took over on its own 5-yard line. Columbia Heights got a safety with 10:47 left in the second quarter.

The score with 10:47 left in the second quarter the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 29-yard line. Columbia Heights continued to struggle to move the ball down the field.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 7:10 left in the second quarter. The score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights kept the ball on the ground. The Southwest defense stepped up and slowed down the Columbia Heights offense. On 4th-and-6 Columbia Height’s went for it and they were not able to come up with a first down and Southwest took over on downs.

Southwest kept the ball on the ground as they looked for Flaskamp to come up with runs. On 4th-and short Southwest punted.

Columbia Heights took over on the 50-yard line. Columbia Heights punted on 4th down.

At halftime, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Southwest kicked off to start the third quarter. The ball went into the end zone for a touchback. Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line.

Columbia Heights looked to move the ball down the field once again. Columbia Heights had trouble moving the ball down the field. Columbia Heights punted on 4th down.

Southwest took over on its own 35-yard line. Southwest once again looked to get the ball down the field and come up with a first down. Southwest turned the ball over on an interception.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 29-yard line. They once again tried to move the ball down the field and come up with a first down. Columbia Heights fumbled the ball and Southwest came up with the ball.

Southwest took over on its own 43-yard line. They had to punt on 4th-and short.

Southwest’s Jaden Reed intercepted a pass and Southwest took over on their own 40-yard line. Southwest kept on getting the ball to Flaskamp who came up with long runs for first downs throughout the third quarter.

Southwest continued to look to move the ball down the field. Southwest was intercepted by Jonathan Hackett. Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line.

Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field they wanted to come up with first downs. On 4th- down Columbia Heights elected to punt but they fumbled the ball and were not able to punt the ball.

Southwest took over on the Columbia Heights 32-yard line. Flaskamp got the ball and was able to find holes in the Columba Heights defense.

After three quarters of play, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Southwest looked to get into the end zone once again early in the end zone. Southwest’s Charlie Boucher came up with a touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was not good. With 11:12 left in regulation, the score was Southwest 21, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights went to a hurry-up offense as they looked to move the ball down the field quickly.

Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field. Jaden Reed incepted the ball, and they took over on their own 40-yard line.

Southwest stuck to their running attack as they kept the ball on the ground. Southwest kept on getting the ball into the hands of Flaskamp who came up with another 20-yard run for a first down. On 4th-and-short Southwest went for it and they came up with a Touchdown reception by Kaden Sullivan. The two-point conversion was good.

With 3:41 left in regulation, the score was Southwest 29, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights punted on 4th-down.

Southwest took over on their own 40-yard line. The clock ran out.

Southwest came away with the 29-2 victory over Columbia Heights.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WENT UP AGAINST WACONIA IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

Columbia Heights and Waconia squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Waconia moved the ball down the floor well as they got layups in transition.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 12:43 left in the first half. The score was Waconia 9, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights looked to push the ball down the floor and make baskets in transition. They wanted to use their quickness to get to the basket.

Waconia passed the ball around the 3-point line and used a lot of time off the clock.

Neither team went on a run in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Waconia 34, Columbia Heights 32.  

The score went back and forth early in the second half. Neither team went on a run.

Columbia Heights got the ball into the hands of Quentin Hardrict. Hardrict came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half.

Waconia struggled to shoot the ball in the second half. They couldn’t make shots that they put up.

The pressure that Columbia Heights applied made it difficult for Waconia to make shots in the second half.

The score was tied at 70 after regulation.

As the overtime period got underway both teams continued to attack the basket.

The score went back and forth throughout the overtime period.

Columbia Heights came away with the 76-75 victory over Waconia.

The leading scorer for Columbia Heights was Matthews with 22 points.

The leading scorer for Waconia was Nick Fulford with 24 points.

FRIDLEY WENT UP AGAINST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN A SECTION 4 CLASS 3A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 24th Fridley and Columbia Heights went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game.

It took each team a while to get into a shooting rhythm. Fridley started the game in a zone defense. They made Columbia Heights take 3-point shots.

It took a while for each team to figure out what the other team was doing.

Fridley was able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Both teams held the ball for a period of time in the first half.

Neither team took many shots in the first half.

At halftime the score was Fridley 19, Columbia Heights 12.

As the second half got underway Fridley continued to move the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

Fridley was able to score quick baskets in transition. Their defense made it difficult for Columbia Heights to make shots in the second half.

Fridley was too much for Columbia Heights to handle.

Fridley came away with the 52-31 victory over Columbia Heights.

FAIR WENT UP AGAINST COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

On Dec. 16 FAIR and Columbia Heights squared off in a boys basketball game. Columbia Heights jumped out to an 8-0 lead when FAIR called their first timeout with 16:43 left in the first half.

 

FAIR struggled to shoot the ball in the first half. They had a difficult time hitting shots that they put up.

 

Columbia Heights jumped out huge early. FAIR was over matched throughout the whole game.

 

Columbia Heights tried to take a lot of time off the clock by swinging the ball around the three-point line. They were able to come up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

 

At halftime the score was Columbia Heights 61, FAIR 14.

 

As the second half got underway Columbia Heights continued to get to the basket. Columbia Height’s Jarret Baptiste got his shot to drop as he found his mid-range jump shot and came up with layups.

 

Columbia Heights came away with the 100 to 27 victory over FAIR.

 

The leading scorers for Columbia Heights were Rodney Jones with 24 points and Jarret Baptiste with 19 points.

 

SPRING LAKE PARK JAMBOREE

On Nov. 18 Spring Lake Park hosted a boys basketball jamboree. Each game was played one 18 minute half.

 

OSSEO VS. COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

 

Osseo and Columbia Heights squared off in the first scrimmage. Osseo moved the ball around the floor well late in the contest.

 

Columbia Heights struggled to shoot the ball. Osseo was a lot quicker than Columbia Heights.

 

Osseo came away with the 40-17 victory over Columbia Heights.

 

MOUNDS VIEW VS. IRONDALE

 

Mounds View went up against Irondale. Mounds View pushed the ball down the floor and looked for layups in transition.

 

The score went back and forth early. Neither team went on a run. There were many ties and lead changes.

 

Irondale moved the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to attack the Mounds View defense.

 

They took a lot of time off the clock.

 

Mounds View came away with the 23-21 victory over Irondale.

 

ST. FRANCIS VS. SPRING LAKE PARK

 

St. Francis and Spring Lake Park squared off against each other. St. Francis was able to make layups

off in transition.

 

Spring Lake Park found their shooting touch midway through the half. They started hitting mid-range jump shots and layups.

 

Neither team went on a run throughout the contest.

 

Spring Lake Park came away with the 19-17 victory over St. Francis.

 

TOTINO GRACE WENT UP AGAINST BLAINE

 

Totino Grace and Blaine squared off against each other. The game got off to a quick start as both teams raced up and down the floor trading layups and mid-range jump shots.

 

Totino Grace took a lot of deep three-point shots. They attacked the basket after each shot.

 

Blaine got hot midway through the contest. They were able to hit shots that they put up.

 

Totino Grace countered it as they came up with shots of their own.

 

The score went back and forth as there were many ties and lead changes throughout the contest.

 

Blaine came away with the 26-25 victory over Totino Grace.

 

FRIDLEY VS MAPLE GROVE

 

Fridley took on Maple Grove. Fridley took their time on the offensive end as they swung the ball around the 3-point line.

 

Maple Grove played a zone defense. Fridley wasn’t afraid to shoot deep three-point shots.

 

It took Fridley awhile to get into a shooting rhythm. They couldn’t find their shots.

 

Maple Grove did a good job of attacking the basket. They made layups in transition.

 

Maple Grove came away with the 41-23 victory over Fridley.

 

FOREST LAKE VS COON RAPIDS

 

In the final match up of the event Forest Lake went up against Coon Rapids. Both teams struggled to shoot the ball early.

 

Coon Rapids couldn’t get their offense going throughout the game.

 

Forest Lake was much more efficient in running their offense.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WENT UP AGAINST ST. PAUL CENTRAL IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 24 Columbia Heights went up against St. Paul Central as part of the East Metro Showcase at St. Paul Johnson High School.

Columbia Heights started in a zone defense. They wanted to make Central shoot deep 3-point baskets. 

Columbia Heights did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They talked to each other on both ends of the floor. 

Columbia Heights Montroy Scott came up with 3-point baskets and mid-range jump shots in the first half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in sports where he could shoot it.

Central used a full court zone trap defense. They wanted to create turnovers out of the trap. Columbia Heights did a good job of getting out of the trap and moving the ball down the floor.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 12:49 left in the first half. The score was Columbia Heights 10, Central 8. 

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock as the defense didn’t allow them to penetrate the paint.

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

Central was able to trap Columbia Heights and come up with turnovers.

Central came up with layups late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Central 28, Columbia Heights 22.

As the second half got underway Columbia Heights as able to attack the basket and make layups in transition. 

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

Columbia Heights came up with steals and layups. They did a good job of knowing where Central was going to pass the ball.

Scott continued to come up with mid-range jump shots in the second half.

Central’s Jack Beckman came up with huge 3-point shots. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could shoot it.

The game came down to the wire. Central came away with the 59-58 victory over Columbia Heights.

The leading scorers for Central were Beckman with 19 point, Sam Gubbrud with 15 points and Gardner with 10 points.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WENT UP AGAINST ST. PAUL CENTRAL IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 24 Columbia Heights went up against St. Paul Central as part of the East Metro Showcase at St. Paul Johnson High School.

Columbia Heights started in a zone defense. They wanted to make Central shoot deep 3-point baskets.

Columbia Heights did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They talked to each other on both ends of the floor.

Columbia Heights Montroy Scott came up with 3-point baskets and mid-range jump shots in the first half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in sports where he could shoot it.

Central used a full court zone trap defense. They wanted to create turnovers out of the trap. Columbia Heights did a good job of getting out of the trap and moving the ball down the floor.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 12:49 left in the first half. The score was Columbia Heights 10, Central 8. 

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock as the defense didn’t allow them to penetrate the paint.

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

Central was able to trap Columbia Heights and come up with turnovers.

Central came up with layups late in the first half. 

At halftime the score was Central 28, Columbia Heights 22.

As the second half got underway Columbia Heights as able to attack the basket and make layups in transition. 

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

Columbia Heights came up with steals and layups. They did a good job of knowing where Central was going to pass the ball.

Scott continued to come up with mid-range jump shots in the second half.

Central’s Jack Beckman came up with huge 3-point shots. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could shoot it. 

The game came down to the wire. Central came away with the 59-58 victory over Columbia Heights.

The leading scorers for Central were Beckman with 19 point, Sam Gubbrud with 15 points and Gardner with 10 points.

TOTINO-GRACE TRAVELED TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FOR A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Totino-Grace went up against Columbia Heights in a boys' basketball game. Going into the game Tonino-Grace had a record of 14-11. Columbia Heights record was 12-11.

It was parent night at the game. Before the game got underway all of the parents were honored for their contributions over the past season. Heights also unveiled the banner it won for making it to the state boys' basketball tournament in the 2010-2011 season. It was the last regular home game for Columbia Heights.

Totino-Grace won the tip and they looked to get set up in their offense. This boded well for them during the game. Columbia Heights also started out shooting well. They got everyone into the offense. Heights was not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor. Gabe Kastenmeier made a deep three-point shot early in the half.

Both teams traded baskets. Neither team really went on a run in the first half as both teams played good defense. Columbia Heights picked up their defensive pressure at half court with the intent to slowing down their opponent and trying to prevent them from getting into their offensive sets.

Kalante RobertWesley Logan came off the bench for Columbia Heights and proved to be a defensive force.

At halftime the score was Totino-Grace 33 and Columbia Heights 28.

Columbia Heights push the ball down the court and scored easy baskets in transition to start the second half. They were also able to get steals and turn them into points.

Heights played methodically, running their offense and looking for good scoring opportunities. The score went back and forth throughout the second half. Deon Sanstad got his shot going midway through the half. He stepped up and knocked down a few deep three-point shots.

I enjoyed watching these two teams play because neither one of them gave up easy shots and they both played hard throughout the entire game. Neither team dominated the other one.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 5:46 left in regulation the score was Totino-Grace 54 and Columbia Heights 52.

Sam Meyer took some good shots for Totino-Grace. He put up a nice fade away jump shot that he knocked down late in the contest.

In a game that went back and forth all night Totino-Grace came away with the 62-59 victory over Columbia Heights.

The leading scorers for Columbia Heights were Jordan Mills with 20 points, Deon Sanstad with 14 points, Matt Kourouma with 10 points and Taylor Renberg with 9 points.

The leading scorers for Totino-Grace were Nick Carr with 32 points, and Sam Meyer with 17 points.

These two teams will meet again in the quarterfinals of the region tournament.

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Totino-Grace vs. Columbia Heights basketball game.

BENILDE ST MARGARET’S TOOK ON COLUMBIA HEIGHTS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

Benilde St Margaret’s traveled to Columbia Heights for a boys’ basketball game. Coming into the game BSM had a record of 8-2 and were ranked #2 in the state Class AAA. Columbia Heights had a record of 9-2 and they were ranked #6 in the state Class AAA.

Columbia Heights looked to push the ball up the court and really looked to run in the first part of the game. They wanted to set the tempo early in the game.

Both teams scored quickly, early and often in the first half. BSM was able to jump out to a 16-9 point lead with 11:50 remaining in the first half.

The game remained close throughout the first part of the first half. Peter James Crawford played really strong in the first half. He really was able to take it to the glass strong for BSM. He knew where his teammates were on the court.

Columbia Heights looked to shoot the ball in the first half. They wanted to get the ball into Jacob Thomas’s hands. When he had the ball he felt confident that he would hit the shot. He looked to shoot from anywhere on the court.

Jacob Thomas for Columbia Heights was able to knock down some key shots in the first half to keep Heights in the game.

At halftime the score was Benilde St Margaret’s 39 and Columbia Heights 30.

As the second half got underway BSM was able to sink two quick shots. They really came out and played aggressively on the offensive end.

Columbia Heights was able to go on a run early in the second half. Jacob Thomas was a key to the run as he was able to knock down shots to get them back into the game.

Columbia Heights clawed their way back but then Benilde was able to go on a little run midway through the second half.

Benilde looked to get Peter James Crawford the ball and he found his shot and they were able to drop for him.
Columbia Heights went on a run with about 8 minutes left in the second half. With 7:29 left to go the score was BSM 63 and Columbia Heights 59.

Both teams continued to go at each other throughout the second half.

Both teams went back and forth throughout the second half. The game came down to the end. In the end Benilde-St Margaret’s was able to come away with the 86-74 victory over Columbia Heights.

Jacob Thomas scored 47 points for Columbia Heights.

I was joined by the Czar from Twin Cities Boys Hoops. You can read about his thoughts of this game here.