BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S WENT UP AGAINST SPRING LAKE PARK IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

In a highly anticipated boys' basketball game, Spring Lake Park hosted Benilde-St. Margaret's. Both teams came into the game with records of 16-1. Many of the Twin Cities media outlets were in attendance covering the game. Former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders was also in the stands watching the game. Benilde-St. Margaret's was ranked number 1 in class AAA and Spring Lake Park was ranked number 2 in class AAA.

Benilde started the game in a zone defense. They looked early to spread Spring Lake Park out. Both teams tried to set the tempo.

Sanjay Lumpkin for Benilde was not afraid to shoot the ball. His teammates knew where he was on the floor and got it to him.

The game started off at a quick tempo.

Bryce Williams made nice shots for Spring Lake Park. He hit shots from all over the court.

Sean Scott nailed some deep three-point shots for Spring Lake Park. He kept his team in the game in the first half. On the defensive end Scott was able to slow down the guy he was guarding.

Neither team was afraid to shoot the three-point shot. They were both successful at making them in the first half.

Isaiah Gray for Benilde-St. Margaret's was able to step up and knock down some big shots for his team. That gave his team confidence.

Spring Lake Park went to a full court press. They looked to frustrate the Benilde-St. Margaret's guards by making it hard for them to bring the ball down the court.

At halftime the score was Spring Lake Park40 and Benilde-St. Margaret's 37.

As the second half got underway Spring Lake Park went on a run. They didn't give up any easy shots. Scott nailed a long three-point shot and then on the next defensive play swatted a shot to the third row.

Scott was on fire. He couldn't be stopped. He played with a lot of swagger.

Benilde-St. Margaret's did make a run midway through the second half. They kept on attacking the basket. They fought back and continued to chip way at the deficit.

The score went back and forth late in the contest. Neither team gave up an easy basket.

The game was a sellout. The game was also broadcast on a live stream TV in the Fine Arts Center where an additional 15 or so fans watched the game.

Benilde-St. Margaret's got the score within one at 60-61 with 4:10 left in regulation.

Benilde-St. Margaret's called a timeout with 2:52 left in regulation. The score was Spring Lake Park 63 and Benilde-St. Margret’s 60.

Zireden tied at the game at 65 with 1:00 left to go. Benilde spread the floor out and Lumkin hit a layup with 1.9 seconds left to go to win the game.

Benilde-St. Margaret's came away with the 67-65 victory over Spring Lake Park.

The leading scorers for Benilde-St. Margaret's were Sanjay Lumpkin with 25 points, Isaiah Zierden with 17 points and Isaiah Gray with 13 points.

The leading scorers for Spring Lake Park were Sean Scott with 36 points, Bryce Williams with 12 points and Robert Ben with 9 points. 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoop Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Benilde-St. Margaret's vs. Spring Lake Park game.

BENILDE-ST.MARGARET'S TOOK ON EASTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL IN THE MINNESOTA BREAKDOWN TIP-OFF CLASSIC

The Benilde-St. Margaret's School Red Knights took on the Eastview High School Lightning in the Minnesota Breakdown Tip-Off Classic. Benilde-St. Margaret's came into the game with a record of 1-0 Eastview came into the game with a record of 2-0.

The game got off to a quick start as each team looked to score baskets in transition.

Benilde looked to get the ball into the hands of Isaiah Zierden and Sanjay Lumpkin. Lumpkin was all over the court. He was able to get past his defender and get to the basket.

Benilde called a timeout with 7:52 left in the first half. The score was Eastview 19 and Benilde-St. Margaret's 13.

Eastview went on a run late in the first half. That didn't seem to bother Benilde-St. Margaret's.

In a very close fast pace first half, the score at halftime was Benilde-St. Margaret's 31 and Eastview 28.

Eastview looked to get the ball into the hands of Joey King who was planted on the low block. King was able to take the ball hard to the basket and get fouled and get to the line.

Zierden continued to shoot the ball well. He kept his team in the game and was not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.

King also able to knock down some free throws.

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

Neither team was able to go on a run throughout the game. Eastview was able to get ahead by a few baskets and then Benilde-St. Margaret's would battle their way back. It was like a good game of cat and mouse.

Eastview cane away with the 61-45 victory over Benilde-St. Margaret's in a hard fought game.

The leading scorers for Benilde-St. Margaret's were Isaiah Zierden with 20 points, Sanjay Lumpkin and Will Dunn each with 12 points.

The leading scorers for Eastview Darin Haugh with 22 points and Joey King with 19 points.

BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S BOYS' BASKETBALL PLAYER ISAIAH ZIERDEN IS GETTING COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS

According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Notre Dame and Maryland are preparing to offer basketball tenders to Benilde-St. Margaret's guard Isaiah Zierden, who is the son of Washington Wizards assistant Don Zierden.

Other schools that have shown interest in Zierden are Creighton, Colorado State, Iowa State, Michigan, Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Santa Clara and Wisconsin.

#2 BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S TOOK ON ST. LOUIS PARK IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Benilde-St. Margaret's came into the game with a record of 16-3 and was ranked #2 in Class AAA. St. Louis Park came into the game with a record of 13-7.

St. Louis Park looked to move the ball around the three-point line.
 

Benilde-St. Margaret's came out in a man-to-man defense. They looked to pressure St. Louis Park from the beginning.
 

Marshall Cullen for St. Louis Park did a good job of driving to the basket. His teammates knew where
he was on the court. They did a good job of getting him the ball where he was comfortable making his
shot.
 

St. Louis Park looked to get the ball out of the net and take the ball the other way. They were very
physical.
 

The game was close throughout the first half as neither team was able to go on a run.
 

Marquealis Edwards found his shot in the first half. He was able to step up on the defensive end and
slow down his defenders.
 

Isaiah Gray ran the Benilde-St. Margaret's offense. He knew where his teammates were supposed to be on the court. He shouted instructions to his teammates on where he wanted them to be.
 

Sanjay Lumpkin was all over the court for Benilde-St. Margaret's on the offensive end. He was able to shoot the ball from anywhere he wanted. On the defensive end Lumpkin was able to slow down his
defender by playing tough defense.
 

Garrison Gillard got in foul trouble for St. Louis Park. He received his fourth foul with just over 3:00
left in the first half.
 

Benilde-St. Margaret's went on a run late in the half.
 

At halftime the score was Benilde-St. Margaret's 44 and St. Louis Park 33.
 

St. Louis Park came out on fire as they were able to hit every shot that they put up.
 

Kashif Hayes for St. Louis Park took the ball hard to the basket. He was able to make his shots that he put up.
 

Benilde-St. Margaret's didn't back down. They continued to pound the ball inside.
 

Marquelis Edwards twisted his ankle with 9:27 left to go in regulation. He was helped off the court by
medical personnel.
 

Hayes got a couple of good steals midway through the second half. He was able to find his open
teammates and get them the ball and they were able to score off the assist from Hayes.
 

Benilde-St. Margaret's came away with the 88-70 victory over St. Louis Park.
 

The leading scorers for St. Louis Park were Joseph Zangel with 17 points, Aaron Ziman with 14 points and DJ Pollard with 10 points. The leading scorers for Benilde-St. Margaret's were Myles Barnes with 18 points, Sanjay Lumpkin and Isaiah Zierden with 17 points each and Kyle Washington with 14 points.

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts on the Benilde-St. Margaret's vs St. Louis Park match up.

BENILDE-ST. MARGARET’S TOOK ON WACONIA IN THE MINNETONKA BOYS’ BASKETBALL FALL LEAGUE

Benilde-St. Margaret’s took on Waconia in the Minnetonka boys’ basketball fall league. Benilde-St. Margaret's opened the game on fire. They were able to knock down shots from the beginning of the game. Waconia couldn’t find their shot.


Benilde-St. Margaret's looked to get the ball into Kyle Washington’s hands. Kyle was posted up on the low block. When he got the ball the ball he was able to make a nice jump shot. Kyle took the ball strong to the basket.


The game was close throughout the first half. Neither team was able to go on a run in the first half. The score went back and forth for a period of time.


Waconia went on a run late in the first half. They were able to blow right by the Benilde-St. Margaret’s defense.


Isaiah Zierden was able to step up and make shots in the first half for Benilde-St. Margaret’s. His teammates were able to get him the ball and Isaiah was able to make the shots.


At halftime the score was Benilde-St. Margaret’s 41 and Waconia 30.


As the second half got underway Benilde-St. Margaret’s continued to make their shots that they were taking.


Waconia went on a run in the second half. They looked to cut into their deficit. They were able to cut into it a little bit, but were unsuccessful.


In a game that featured a comeback by Waconia, Benilde-St. Margaret’s was able to come away with the 83-68 victory over Waconia.