BLAINE WENT UP AGAINST TARTAN IN THE BOYS CLASS AAAA STATE QUARTERFINAL BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 24, 2026, Blaine and Tartan went up against each other in a class AAAA state quarterfinal boys’ basketball game at the Target Center. Going into the game, Blaine had a record of 22-6, while Tartan had an overall record of 29-0. Both schools brought out their fans.

As the game got underway both teams looked like set the tempo early. Blaine started the game in a zone defense. That made Tartan pass the ball around the 3-point line and take time off the 35-second shot clock.

It took both teams awhile to get into a shooting rhythm.

Tartan’s Duke King looked to shoot mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Blaine looked to apply presser to Tartan as soon as they crossed the ball court line.

After a slow start by both teams Tartan was able to come up with shots on the offensive end.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls. There were multiple jump balls early.

Tartan’s Duke King 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.

Blaine called a timeout with 12:36 left in the first half. The score was Tartan 13, Blaine 4.

Tartan looked to push the ball down the floor and make layups in transition. They were able to get past the Blaine defense.

The Blaine offense got going midway through the first half. Even though they struggled shooting the ball early they kept on shooting the ball and looking for their shots.

Blaine moved the ball effectively on offense. On both offense and defense, they communicated effectively as a team.

Tartan’s Kevin KJ Wilson JR stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots and as also able to make layups on the offensive end. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Tartan called a timeout with 5:46 left in the first half. The score was Tartan 26, Blaine 13.

Tartan did a good job of making baskets in transition. They got down the floor quickly and were able to get their shots off.

Blaine called a timeout with 3:12 left in the first half. The score was Tartan 33. Blaine 13.

Both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and look for their shots.

At halftime the score was Tartan 34 Blaine 17.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and looked for their shots.

Tartan continued to get everyone involved in the offense.

Tartan called a timeout with 14:42 left in regulation. The score was Tartan 39, Blaine 22.

Tartan used their quickness to get to the basket as they were able to come up with shots throughout the second half.

Tartan called a timeout with 11:34 left in regulation. The score was Tartan 49, Blaine 30.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Tartan used their quickness to get past the Blaine defense. Blaine had a difficult time shooting the ball throughout the game. Even though they struggled with shooting, they kept on fighting and didn’t give up.

Tartan’s Wilson and Terryl Pride kept their team in the lead as they stepped up and were able to knock down shots.

Blaine called a timeout with 3:38 left in regulation. The score was Tartan 62, Blaine 38.

Both teams put their reserves in with just over a minute to go in regulation.

Tartan didn’t back down to Blaine’s pressure as they were able to get the 72-44 victory over Blaine.

The leading scorers for Tartan were Pride with 17 points and Wilson with 16 points. The leading scorers for Blaine were Semans, Olson, Gemta, and Clark each with 8 points.

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

On Jan. 19, St. Paul Highland Park went up against Tartan in a boys’ basketball game.

Tartan looked to set the tempo of the game early on. They pushed the ball in transition as they looked for layups.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half.

Tartan called a timeout with 14:04 left in the first half. The score was tied at 7.

Tartan played zone defense in the first half. They didn’t let Highland Park get open looks at the basket.

Tartan’s DeNario Jackson came up with steals and fast break layups. Teammate Deonte-Fourte-

Nelson also came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. He was quick on his feet.

Highland Park did a good job of attacking the basket and making layups in transition.

Tartan did a good job of making layups in transition. Highland Park set a lot of screens. The Tartan guards did a good job of communicating with everyone on the floor and where they were supposed to be. They also they let each other know when and where the screens were coming.

Tartan called a timeout with 4:29 left in the first half. The score was Tartan 23, Highland Park 14.

Highland Park swung the ball around the 3-point line. They got everyone involved in the offense.

At halftime the score was Tartan 32, Highland Park 22.  

As the second half got underway Tartan continued to get to the basket and make layups in transition.

Highland Park switched between man-to-man and zone defense throughout the second half.

Highland Park called a timeout with 11:41 left in regulation. The score was Tartan 50, Highland Park 31.

Tartan did a good job of getting their hands in the passing lanes and getting deflections.

Tartan’s Joevon Walker came up with layups late in the second half. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Tartan was too much for Highland Park. Tartan came away with the 81-55 victory over Highland Park.

The leading scorer for Highland Park was Dune with 13 points.

The leading scorer for Tartan was Johnson with 15 points.

TARTAN TOOK ON HOPKINS IN THE CLASS 4A STATE QUARTERFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

The Target Center in downtown Minneapolis was the site for the Minnesota State High School League’s boys basketball state tournament. Tartan went up against Hopkins in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Going into the game Tartan had a record of 23-6 while Hopkins had a record of 28-1.

 

The score went back and forth early in the contest. There were several ties and lead changes in the opening minutes of the game.

 

Hopkins did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

 

Tartan started in a zone defense. They wanted to force Hopkins to take long three-point shots.

 

Tartan swung the ball around the three-point line as they were able to take time off the clock.

 

Hopkins made it difficult for them to get open looks at the basket.

 

Hopkins looked to get the ball into the hands of Kamali Chambers. Chambers was able to hit mid-range jump shots throughout the first half.  

 

Tartan called a timeout with 8:04 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 18, Tartan 14.

 

Hopkins Treyvon Edwards came up with some fast break layups.

 

Tartan went into a scoring slump late in the first half. They went several minutes without scoring a basket. Hopkins took advantage of their speed as they were able to score on fast breaks.

 

Tartan’s Jordan Horn came up with some big layups late in the first half.  

 

At halftime the score was Hopkins 38, Tartan 27.

 

As the second half got underway Hopkins continued to get to the basket and make layups.  

 

Hopkins Stephon Sharp and Chambers continued to shoot the ball well. Chambers wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep three-point shot.  

 

Tartan had a difficult time shooting the ball throughout the second half. Even though they had a difficult time shooting the ball they still looked for their shots.

 

There was a timeout with 6:12 left in regulation. The score was Hopkins 59, Tartan 51.

 

Hopkins did a good job of moving the ball well in their offense. They didn’t give Tartan any open looks at the basket.

 

Hopkins was too quick for Tartan. Hopkins did a good job of slowing Tartan down on offense in the second half.

 

Hopkins came away with the 70-58 victory over Tartan.

 

The leading scorers for Tartan were Horn and Brody Jackson each with 10 points.

 

The leading scorer for Hopkins was Chambers with 21 points.

SOUTH ST. PAUL WENT UP AGAINST TARTAN IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

South St. Paul and Tartan played a boys’ basketball game on Dec. 9. Tartan looked to push the ball down the floor as they looked to get baskets in transition.

 

Tartan was able to get baskets in transition. Tartan’s Marlon McCoy was able to create steals on the defensive end and turn them into points on the offensive end.

 

The defensive pressure that Tartan applied made it difficult for South St. Paul to bring the ball down the floor. South St. Paul had a hard time making shots in the first half.  

 

Tartan’s Denote Fourte did a good job of bringing the ball down the floor. He was able to make layups.

 

Tartan called a timeout with 10:46 left in the first half. The score was Tartan 17, South St. Paul 7.

 

Kylon Payne was able to blow by his defenders and make contested layups. He was a quick guard who also had a nice jump shot.

 

Zachary Taylor for South St. Paul found his shot just inside the three-point line. He was able to knock down that shot consistently in the first half.

 

Tartan swung the ball around the three-point line to take time off the clock. That also made South St. Paul have to guard them on the perimeter.

 

At halftime the score was Titan 41, South St. Paul 22.

 

Tartan looked to get the ball into the hands of Brody Jackson, who was camped out on the low block.

 

With his 6’9” frame he was able to score easy layups.  

 

Payne came up with some steals in the second half and was able to find his teammates for the assists.

 

Tartan did a good job of communicating on the floor.

 

South St. Paul had trouble shooting the ball throughout the second half. Tartan was too quick for South St. Paul.

 

Tartan continued to move the ball around the three-point line as they looked to take time off the clock.

 

Tartan came away with the 79-41 victory over South St. Paul. The leading scorers for Tartan were Thomas Hanson with and Emanuel Humphrey each with 14 points and Jackson with 13 points.

 

The leading scorer South St. Paul was Taylor with 17 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Tartan vs. South St. Paul game.

TARTAN HIGH SCHOOL 12 TEAM BOYS’ BASKETBALL SCRIMMAGE NOTES

Tartan high school held a 12-team scrimmage at the High Performance Academy in Eagan on Nov. 23. Everyone played a 20 minute running clock game type of scrimmage with officials.

 

DELASALLE vs. BUFFALO

 

In the first scrimmage DeLaSalle took on Buffalo.  Buffalo started out in man-to-man on the defensive end. DeLaSalle took their time on the offensive end.

 

Buffalo switched between man-to-man and zone defense. They wanted to confuse the DeLaSalle offense.

 

PRIOR LAKE VS. BUFFALO

 

In the second scrimmage Prior Lake went up against Buffalo. Prior Lake started in a man-to-man defense. Buffalo wanted to get out and score baskets in transition.

 

Buffalo switched up between zone and man-to-man defense.

 

Prior Lake’s Keaton Greene brought the ball down the floor and was able to get his team set up in an offensive rhythm. He knew where his teammates were supposed to be on the floor.

 

Buffalo did a good job of rebounding the ball on both ends of the court. They also did a good job of pushing the ball down the floor and getting open looks at the basket. No scoring was kept.

 

PRIOR LAKE VS. DeLaSALLE

 

Prior Lake went up against DeLaSalle in the third scrimmage. DeLaSalle looked to get the ball out of the net and push the ball down the floor as they wanted to make layups in transition.

 

Jarvis Johnson for DeLaSalle came up with some steals and was able to make lay-ups. DeLaSalle played tough man-to-man defense. They didn’t let Prior Lake make any easy shots.

 

Prior Lake’s Tevin Grant made some nice mid-range jump shots. If he thought that he could hit a 15-foot jumper he was not afraid to shoot it.

 

Goanar Mar for DeLaSalle got the ball on the low block and was able to get easy layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could make his shots.

 

OSSEO VS. JOHN MARSHALL

 

Osseo went up against Rochester John Marshall.  Osseo played man-to-man defense, and they made it hard for John Marshall to hit open jump shots.  

 

John Marshall swung the ball around the three-point line as they took time off the clock.

 

On the defensive end Osseo was able to create turnovers.

 

Both teams played hard. Osseo looked like they knew what they were doing on both ends of the floor.

 

John Marshall was quick on their feet and was able to slow down the Osseo offense.

 

BRAHAM VS. PRIOR LAKE

 

Braham and Prior Lake went up against each other. Braham was not afraid to shoot the deep three-point shot. Prior Lake did a good job of getting a hand in the shooter’s face and making it hard for Braham to hit shots.

 

Both teams scrambled to the ball on both ends of the floor.

 

Prior Lake was able to get fast break baskets.

 

COOPER VS. PRIOR LAKE

 

Cooper started out in man-to-man defense. They forced Prior Lake to think about the shots that they were shooting. They didn’t let Prior Lake take uncontested shots.

 

Both teams were able to get the ball out of the basket and were able to score baskets in transition.

 

Cooper did a good job of pushing the ball down the floor as they looked to get baskets in transition.

 

Prior Lake was able to swing the ball around the three-point line as they were able to run their offensive sets.  They set a lot of picks for each other and they did a good job of talking on both sides of the ball.

 

TARTAN VS. PRIOR LAKE

 

In the final scrimmage of the day Prior Lake went up against Tartan. Prior Lake communicated well on both ends of the floor.

 

Tartan went to a full court press. They made it difficult for Prior Lake to get the ball down the floor.

 

Prior Lake looked well on the defensive end. They knew who they were guarding as they were able to slow them down on the defensive end.

 

Overall thoughts

 

I thought that this scrimmage was very well run. It gave different teams a chance to go up against some different competition. It also gave me a chance to see teams that I wouldn’t see on a given night.

TARTAN TOOK ON RICHFIELD IN A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME

On Sept.13 Tartan took on Richfield in a football game. Tartan kicked off to Richfield to start the game. Richfield got the ball on their own 38 yard line.  Richfield’s Thomas Fallon found his receivers early as they looked to drive down the field. The Tartan defense stepped up big early as they were able to slow Richfield down on their first drive.  Richfield was not able to get a first down on their first drive so they had to punt the ball to Tartan.

 

Tartan kept on the ground on their first drive. Running back Keenen Bellaphant was all over the field for Tartan. He was able get past the Richfield defenders and gain big yards. Tartan threatened to score and they did just that as Bellaphant found the end zone on a 13-yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 4:18 left in the first quarter the score was Tartan 7, Richfield 0.

 

Richfield got the ball back after the touchdown and it was fumbled  the kickoff. Tartan got the ball on the three yard line. Tartan’s Leshon Lee found the endzone for a touchdown on a three yard run. The extra-point attempt was good.

 

With 3:59 left in the first quarter the score was Tartan 14, Richfield 0.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown.  Richfield got the ball on their own 33 yard line. Richfield picked up a first down on a short route by Christian Frost. Frost was all over the field. Richfield picked up ten yards on a defensive holding penalty. They were not able to get a first down and they had to punt the ball to Tartan.

 

Tartan got the ball on their own 35 yard line. Bellaphant came up with a huge run that gave his team a first down. Tim McCarthy found Triston Richert for a touchdown but it was called back because of a penalty.

 

The score after one quarter of play was Tartan 14, Richfield 0.

 

Tartan kept the ball to start the second quarter. They threatened to score early in the second quarter.

 

Jake Paulson caught a seven-yard catch from McCarthy for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 10:24 left in second quarter the score was Tartan 21, Richfield 0.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown. Richfield got the ball on the 26 yard line. Luke Godfrey fumbled the ball for Richfield and Tartan recovered.

 

Tartan got the ball on the 26 yard line and Bellaphant found the end zone on a 26-yard run on the first play. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 9:23 left in the second quarter the score was Tartan 28, Richfield 0.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown. Richfield got the ball on their 48 yard line. Doma Morris for

Richfield was able to find holes in the defense and was able to gain some yards.

 

Richfield called a timeout with 7:10 left in the second quarter. The score remained Tartan 28, Richfield 0.

 

Richfield botched the punt so Tartan got the ball back on the recovery.

 

Tartan kept the ball on the ground. They were able to get first downs and chew up both yards. Tartan found the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown run by McCarthy.

 

The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 3:56 left in the second quarter the score was Tartan 35, Richfield 0.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown. Richfield looked to pick up yards, and they did that as Thomas Fallon found Qu’id Walter for a 41-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was no good.

 

With 2:24 left in the second quarter the score was Tartan 35, Richfield 6.

 

Richfield kicked off after the touchdown. Tartan kept the ball into the hands of Bellaphant, who was able to keep picking up first downs for his team.

 

At halftime the score was Tartan 35, Richfield 6.  

 

Richfield kicked off to start the third quarter. Tartan started with the ball on their own 38 yard line.

 

Tartan kept up with the running attack as they continued to pound the ball down the field. Bellaphant was able to give Tartan a first down. Bellaphant found the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown run.

 

The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 9:13 left in the third quarter the score was Tartan 42, Richfield 6.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown. Richfield got the ball on the 32 yard line. Richfield was not able to get a first down so they had to punt the ball to Tartan.

 

Lee was able to continue to make plays in the second half. Tartan looked to get small yard plays that took a lot of time off the clock.

 

After three quarters of play the score was Tartan 42, Richfield 6.

 

Tartan got the ball to start the fourth quarter. They looked to get into the endzone and they were able to do that as Chris Graves found the end zone on a one-yard run. The extra point attempt was no good.

 

With 8:00 left in regulation the score was Tartan 48, Richfield 6.

 

Tartan kicked off after the touchdown.  Richfield got the ball and ran the clock on a long drive that didn’t get them anywhere.

 

In a hard-fought game Tartan came away with the 48-6 victory over Richfield.

 

TARTAN TOOK ON RICHFIELD IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

The Tartan Titans took on the Richfield High School Spartans in a boys' basketball game at Richfield High School.

Richfield won the tip and the game was underway. Richfield set up their offense. They looked to pass the ball around the three-point line. They usually looked to get the ball into Shawn Ray Bear's hands or Jared Noonan's hands and they both shot the ball.

Bear was all over the floor. On the offensive end he shouted instructions on where his teammates were supposed to be on the court.

Tartan looked to get the ball into the hands of Darrion Strong. Strong was their floor general. He shouted out plays and directed his team on the offensive end.

Tartan called a timeout with 14:45 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 6 and Tartan 4.

Tartan's center Brody Jackson was all over the rebounds on both ends of the floor. Whenever anyone shot the ball he would go up and get the ball.

Richfield ran a motion offense. They were able to get some easy layups in the first half.

Strong was not afraid to shoot the ball. If strong thought that he had a good shot and his teammates were not open he would shoot the ball. His teammates got him the ball in spots where they thought that he could make it.

Tartan went on a run midway through the first half. Richfield went cold. Richfield didn't panic. They kept on shooting the ball.

Mitch Grohs for Tartan got a nice back door basket that gave his team energy.

The pressure that the Tartan guards were applying troubled the Richfield guards. Tartan guarded well.

Richfield took advantage of fast break opportunities. Deshawn Jones had a nice two handed slam dunk on a fast break. Richfield also looked to get layups in transition.

Richfield went on a run late in the first half. Tartan went cold shooting. Then Richfield got and Tartan headed up to end the half.

Tartan switched between man-to-man and zone defense in the first half. Richfield used mostly man-to-man defense but was not also afraid go zone at times.

At halftime the score was Tartan 31 and Richfield 18.

Richfield looked to push the ball down the court and get easy baskets in transition to start the second half.

Strong continued to lead the offensive fire power for Tartan. Strong was to quick for some of the Richfield guards to handle. 

 

Tartan called a timeout with 15:07 left in regulation. The score was Tartan 37 and Richfield 24.

Jackson used a nice spin move on the low block to get by his defenders and score easy layups.

Richfield hung around. They didn't give up or back down. They just couldn't get any of their shots to drop.

Wibi MacDonald got into the game with just under 11 minutes in regulation. MacDonald was all over the court. On the offensive end he looked for his shot. On the defensive end he was able to slow down the guy he was defending.

Strong played well throughout the whole game. He shot the ball well. I thought that Strong did a good job of setting the tempo for his team.

Richfield made a run late in the game.

Darrion Strong looked like he twisted his left ankle with 2:24 left in regulation and was out for the rest of the game.

In a game of runs Tartan held on and beat Richfield by the final score of 71-67.