MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH WENT UP AGAINST TOTINO GRACE IN A BOYS’ CLASS AAA STATE BOYS’ BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL GAME

On March 25, Minneapolis South and Totino-Grace went up against each other in a boys’ state
Class AAA quarterfinal basketball game. The game was played at Williams Arena.

South started the game in a man-to-man defense. Totino-Grace started the game out in a zone
defense.

South looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to get baskets in transition.

It took both teams a while to get into a shooting rhythm. South was able to get to the basket and
looked to make layups in transition.

South’s Jumair Wright looked like he wanted to come up with jump shots and layups on the
offensive end. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.
Totino Grace made South swing the ball around the 3-point line as they spread out the South
offense.

Even though South struggled shooting the ball to start the game, they didn’t get down on
themselves. They attacked the basket and looked for their shots.

Totino Grace spent a lot of time off the 35-second shot clock; they did a good job of passing
around the 3-point line and made sharp cuts. They looked to shoot the ball with around 10
seconds left on the shot clock.

South got everyone involved in the offense. South did a good job of communicating with each
other on both ends of the floor.

Totino Grace looked to come up with steals on the defensive end and looked to turn them into
layups on the offensive end.

South called a timeout with 10:43 left in the first half. The score was Totino-Grace 13, South 6.
Both teams tried to use their quickness to get past the defense. There were also a lot of fast
breaks for both teams throughout the first half.

Totino Grace was able to make shots throughout the first half. The defensive pressure that South
applied didn’t seem to bother Totino Grace on the offensive end.

Even though South struggled shooting the ball, they were not afraid to shoot it or look for their
shots.

South got their offense going with just under 8:00 left in the first half. They were able to make
shots that did not fall for them early.

Wright got poked in the eye with 5:32 left in the first half. He was attended to by medical staff.
He appeared to be ok while he joined the bench shortly after he was attended to.

Totino Grace called a timeout with 4:08 left in the first half. The score was Totino Grace 26,
South 16.

South continued to push the ball down the floor as they looked to, they would make layups in
transition late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Totino Grace 38, South 26.

As the second half got underway, both teams continued to attack the basket and looked for their
shots.

South came out of the halftime break fired up. They drove to the basket with purpose and looked
for their shots.

Totino Grace continued to look to get everyone involved in the offense and come up with fast
break layups and jump shots.

Minneapolis South took a timeout with 14:46 left in regulation. The score was Totino Grace 49,
South 26.

Totino Grace’s Dothan Ijabimbola, DeAngelo Dungey and Malachi Hill all were able to make
shots they put up and were able to get their teammates involved in the offense.

Totino Grace’s AJ Taban came up with layups and deep 3-point shots throughout the second half.
If he didn’t think that he had a good shot, he would pass it off to one of his teammates.

South called a timeout with 5:18 left in regulation. The score was Totino-Grace 73, South 52.

Even though South couldn’t make shots and they were outmatched by Totino-Grace, they didn’t
give up, they played hard on both ends of the floor throughout the whole game.

South called a timeout with 2:29 left in regulation. The score was Totino-Grace 84, South 54.

Both teams put in their reserve players after the timeout.

In a hard-fought game on both ends of the floor, Totino-Grace came away with the 90-56 victory
over Minneapolis South. The leading scorer for Minneapolis South was Wright with 21 points
and the leading scorer for Totino Grace was Ijabimbola with 22 points.

FRIDLEY WENT UP AGAINST TOTINO-GRACE IN THE SECTION 4 CLASS 3A SECTION FINALS

On March 3 Fridley and Totino-Grace squared off in the Section 4 Class 3A section final boys’ basketball game.

Totino-Grace pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score baskets in transition. 

It took a while for each team go get into an offensive shooting rhythm. 

Fridley took their time of the offensive end. They did a good job of passing the ball to each other and getting everyone involved in the offense. 

Totino-Grace looked to make layups and mid-range jump shots. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense. 

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 10:32 left in the first half. The score was Fridley 14, Totino-Grace 7.

Fridley’s Tirik Reeves attacked the basket and looked to make layups. If Reeves didn’t think that he had a good shot, he wasn’t afraid to pass it to one of his teammates.

Totino-Grace struggled to shoot the ball in the first half. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they still kept shooting.

Totino-Grace kept the offensive attack going late in the first half. They were able to make mid-range jump shots and layups. 

At halftime the score was Fridley 31, Totino-Grace 16. 

As the second half got underway Fridley continued to push the ball down the floor and came up with layups and rebounds.

Totino-Grace kept attacking the basket and coming up with huge baskets. Fridley kept the defensive pressure on them. 

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 11:43 left in regulation. The score was Fridley 43, Totino-Grace 26. 

Fridley kept on shooting the ball well and came up with huge shots down the stretch. 

Totino-Grace struggled to shoot the ball throughout the game. Fridley did a good job of making their shots throughout the game. 

Fridley came away with the 68-47 victory over Totino-Grace.

With that win Fridley advances to the state tournament. 

Fridley was lead in scoring by Teathoach Pal with 19 points, Shyheem Murray 15 points, Tyree Caruthers 14.

Totino-Grace was lead in scoring by Rocky Kreuser 16, Zach Ban with 13 points and Tirik Reeves with 10 points.

TOTINO-GRACE WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 16, Totino-Grace squared off against Minneapolis Southwest in a boys' basketball game.

Going into the game Totino-Grace had a record of 8-7 while Southwest had a record of 3-13.

Totino-Grace started the game out in a man-to-man defense. Southwest started the game in a zone defense.

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

Totino-Grace did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around and made good cuts. They also were able to make layups in traffic.

Totino-Grace switched between man-to-man and zone defense. They created confusion for Southwest.

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a substantial run.

Southwest got everyone the ball on the offensive end. They looked for shots that they could take before forcing up a shot.

Southwest called a timeout with 10:42 left in the first half. The score was Totino-Grace 16, Southwest 12.

Southwest took time off the clock by passing the ball around the 3-point line. They wanted to find good shots that they could take.

Southwest guard Johnny Sykes came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. Sykes looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Totino Grace's Rocky Kreuser stepped up and was able to knock down 3-point shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Southwest called a timeout with 7:01 left in the first half. The score was Totino-Grace 29, Southwest 20.

Totino-Grace came up with some big stops on the defensive end. They were able to slow down the Southwest offense.

The Southwest offense went stagnant late in the first half. They had trouble making shots.

At halftime the score was Totino-Grace 50, Southwest 35.

As the second half got underway Totino-Grace looked to take time off the clock as they looked for their shots, by passing it around the 3-point line.

Kreuser kept on calling for the ball as he came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the second half.

Totino-Grace came up with rebounds on both ends of the floor.

Southwest called a timeout with 14:59 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 59, Southwest 37.

Totino-Grace was quicker than Southwest. They were able to hit shots in transition and cause Southwest problems shooting the ball.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 12:26 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 63, Southwest 42.

Totino-Grace came up with layups and mid-range jump shots down the stretch.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 9:25 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 65, Southwest 48.

Totino-Grace kept on looking for ways to take a lot of time off the clock.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 6:13 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 71, Southwest 52.

Southwest didn’t give up on either end of the floor. The defensive pressure that Totino-Grace applied made it difficult for Southwest to make shots that they put up.

Southwest called a timeout with 5:20 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 71, Southwest 57.

Totino-Grace continued to take time off the clock late in the game.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 2:37 left in the second half. The score was Totino-Grace 74, Southwest 64.

Southwest tried to come up with steals late in the game.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Totino-Grace came away with the 84-71 victory over Southwest.

The leading scorers for Southwest were Niko Polydorou with 17 points and Sykes with 12 points.

The leading scorer for Totino-Grace was Kreuser with 21 points.

MINNETONKA TOOK ON TOTINO-GRACE IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Dec. 22, Minnetonka went up against Totino-Grace in a boys’ basketball game.

Both teams looked to push the ball down the floor and make layups in transition.

Minnetonka looked to make layups in transition. Minnetonka was a little quicker than Totino-Grace.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 14:19 left in the first half. The score was Minnetonka 16, Totino-Grace 6.

Minnetonka’s Amar Miller came up with deep 3-point baskets in the first half. The Totino-Grace defense had a hard time slowing down Miller.

Minnetonka’s Cedric Boone attempted deep 3-point baskets. He was able to hit a few 3-point baskets midway through the first half.

Totino-Grace looked to get everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line.

Minnetonka turned the ball over late in the first half that lead to Totino-Grace field goals.

At halftime the score was Minnetonka 54, Totino-Grace 25.

As the second half got underway Minnetonka continued to attack the basket and was able to come up with layups.

Miller was all over the floor. He continued to come up with huge shots.

Totino-Grace looked to get the ball into the hands of Nathan Kavolak who came up with huge baskets.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 11:39 left in regulation. The score was Minnetonka 81, Totino-Grace 31.

Minnetonka wasn’t afraid to knock down 3-point baskets. Miller also came up with layups throughout the second half.

Minnetonka was too much for Totino-Grace. Totino-Grace had a difficult time hitting shots throughout the game.

Minnetonka came away with the 98-44 victory over Totino-Grace.

The leading scorer for Minnetonka was Miller with 27 points.

The leading scorer for Totino-Grace was Kavolak with 10 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Minnetonka head coach Tom Dasovich and Miller about the game.

SPRING LAKE PARK BOYS’ BASKETBALL JAMBOREE

On Nov. 19 Spring Lake Park hosted a 12 team boys’ basketball jamboree. There were no rosters available for any of the teams that played. Each team played one 18-minute stop time half.

TOTINO GRACE VS. NORTH BRANCH   

Totino-Grace started in a zone defense. They passed the ball around the three-point line as they took a lot of time off the clock. North Branch also played zone defense.

North Branch was able to attack the defense. They were able to score layups.

Totino-Grace took their time on the offensive end. They did a good job of swinging the ball around

the three-point line and looking inside to get their post players touches inside.

Totino Grace came away with the 26-22 victory over North Branch.

MAPLE GROVE VS. ST. FRANCIS

Both teams raced up and down the floor. They exchanged three-point baskets early.

Maple Grove used a zone defense. They didn’t St. Francis to take open long three-point baskets.

Nether teams went on a run. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the contest.

Maple Grove was able to make fast break layups.

St. Francis was able to get steals and make fast break layups.

Maple Grove came away with the 33-28 victory over St. Francis.  

SPRING LAKE PARK VS. FOREST LAKE

Spring Lake Park was not afraid to shoot the deep three-point basket. They passed the ball around the perimeter and the guards looked to penetrate the basket as they looked for layups.

Forest Lake played mostly zone. They did a good job of making Spring Lake Park take deep three-point shots.

The Forest Lake defense made it hard for Spring Lake Park to hit shots that they put up.

Forest Lake was able to hit more shots than Spring Lake Park. Spring Lake Park struggled throughout the contest.

Forest Lake came away with the 41-14 victory over Spring Lake Park.

IRONDALE VS. COON RAPIDS

Irondale pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to score layups in transition.

Both teams started in zone defense.

Coon Rapids was able make fast-break baskets.

Irondale went to a full court press and was able to wreak havoc for the Coon Rapids offense.

The score went back and forth for a period of time.

Irondale strung some baskets together late.

Irondale came away with the 30-21 victory over Coon Rapids.

FRIDLEY VS OSSEO                

Fridley went up against Osseo. Osseo looked to set the tempo early. Fridley started out in a zone defense. They wanted to force Osseo to take deep three-point shots.

Osseo went to a full court press man-to-man.

Fridley wasn’t afraid to shoot deep three-point baskets. They were able to hit shots.

Osseo looked to score baskets on fast break chances.

The Osseo defense made it hard for the Fridley offense to hit their shots. Fridley’s zone defense made Osseo take deep three-point shots.

Osseo was a little quicker than Fridley. In the end Osseo came away with the 42-19 victory over Fridley.

MOUNDS VIEW VS. BLAINE

In the final contest of the event Mounds View went up against Blaine. Mounds View started out in a zone defense. That made Blaine take deep three-point shots.

Mounds View was able to take their time on the offense and come up with mid-range jump shots.

Blaine had a difficult time getting their shots to drop throughout.

Mounds View did a good job of swinging the ball around the three-point line and keeping the ball out of the Blaine player’s hands.

Mounds View came away with the 31-10 victory over Blaine.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Overall I thought that the event went well. It gave fans a chance to see their team in action. It also gave teams to go against other teams that they wouldn’t usually face.

TOTINO-GRACE WENT UP AGAINST LAKEVILLE NORTH IN THE CLASS 6A SEMIFINALS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

On Nov. 13 Totino-Grace and Lakeville North went up against each other in the Class 6A semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League tournament.

Lakeville North kicked off to start the game. Totino-Grace started on their own 30-yard line.  Totino-Grace kept the ball on the ground on their first drive. On 4th-and-5, Totino-Grace punted the ball.

Lakeville North took over on the Totino-Grace 44-yard line. Lakeville North kept the ball on the ground on the first drive. Lakeville North’s Luke Branson came up with a 36-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt point attempt was good.

With 9:31 left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 7, Totino-Grace 0.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 27-yard line. Totino-Grace was intercepted on the 30-yard line.

Lakeville North took over on the 30-yard line. On 4th-and-1 they went for it. Quarterback Drew Stewart came up with a 1-yard run to pick up a first down. Branson came up with another first drive. Branson came up with a touchdown on a 1-yard dive. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 5:16 left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 0.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 30-yard line. Totino-Grace fumbled the ball and Lakeville North recovered it.

Lakeville North recovered it on the 35-yard line. Lakeville North’s Connor Flack came up with a huge reception that kept the chains moving down the field. On 4th-and-22 Lakeville North attempted a fake field goal but came up short.

Lakeville North turned it over on downs. Totino-Grace took over on their own 22-yard line. Totino-Grace’s Ben came up with a 76 yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With two seconds left in the first quarter the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 7.

Lakeville North did a good job of getting Branson the ball. The defense was not able to get to the Lakeville North’s offense.

Totino-Grace’s Jake Pinc came up with some big runs to help move the chains. On 4th-and-1 Flomo came up with a 5-yard run for a first down.  Flomo kept on coming up with the ball and was able to keep his feet moving as he looked to get first downs. Totino Grace’s Ben Mezzenga came up with some big runs late in the second quarter. Totino-Grace was intercepted.

Lakeville North took over on their own 4-yard line. Lakeville North was not able to get a first down so they elected to punt the ball on 4th-and-1.

Totino-Grace took over on the Lakeville North’s 34-yard line. The Lakeville North defense came up big and slowed down the Totino-Grace offense.

Lakeville North took over on a punt on their own 1-yard line.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 44 seconds left in the second quarter. The score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 7.

Totino-Grace took over on the 18-yard line. Max Walker came up with a big reception for a first down. Totino-Grace’s Billy Walker attempted a 26-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the second quarter. Walker’s attempt was good.

At halftime the score was Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 10.

Lakeville North received the kickoff to start the third quarter. Lakeville North started on their own 27-yard line. Branson kept the ball as he was looked to get down field. On 4th-and-1 they punted the ball.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 45-yard line. Gayflor Flomo came up with a huge run for a first down.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 9:27 left in the third quarter. The score remained Lakeville North 14, Totino-Grace 10.

Mezzenga came up with some big runs in the third quarter. Gayflor Flomo came up with a first down on a run. Kez Flomo came up with a 5-yard run for a first down.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 7:44 left in the third quarter. The score was Lakeville North 14,

Totino-Grace 10.

Brady Bertram came up with a 6-yard run that set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Kez Flomo. The extra-point attempt by Walker was good.

With 6:55 left in the third quarter the score was Totino-Grace 17, Lakeville North 14.

Lakeville North took over on their own 27-yard line. Branson picked up some yards but was a yard short of a first down. Branson came up with a 68-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt was good.

With 5:19 left in the third quarter the score was Lakeville North 21, Totino-Grace 17.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 37-yard line. Max Walker came up with some big runs in the third quarter.  Totino-Grace’s Kez Flomo came up with a 2-yard run as he was able to elude the defenders. Mezzenga came up with a huge run for a first down. Mezzenga came up with an 11-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 2:12 the third quarter the score was Totino-Grace 23, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on their own 21-yard line. Stewart was able to find some open field and get away from the defenders and was able to gain five yards on a scamper. Lakeville North punted on 4th-and-1.

Totino-Grace took over on their own 43-yard line.

After three quarters of play the score was Totino-Grace 23, Lakeville North 21.

Totino-Grace kept the ball on the ground on the first series of the fourth quarter as Kez Flomo came up with a first down on a short run. Mezzenga came up with the ball as he was able to come with a 14-yard run for a first down. Totino-Grace looked to get into the end zone.

Mezzenga came up with a 5-yard touchdown run.

The extra-point attempt was good.

With 7:28 left in the 4th quarter the score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on the 31-yard line. They had trouble moving the ball down the field. On 4th-and-10 they punted the ball.

Totino-Grace called a timeout with 7:09 left in the 4th quarter. The score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Totino-Grace took over on the 48-yard line. Mezzenga came up with a 2-yard run. Totino-Grace went for it on 4th-and-2. Bertram came up with a huge reception for a first down. Kez Flomo came up an 18-yard run.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 3:04 left in the 4th quarter. The score was Totino-Grace 30, Lakeville North 21.

Mezzenga came up with an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was good.

With 2:30 left in the fourth quarter the score was Totino-Grace 37, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North took over on their own 31-yard line. Lakeville North was not able to move the ball on the next possession.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 1:51 left in regulation. The score remained Totino-Grace 37, Lakeville North 21.

Lakeville North tuned the ball over on downs.

Totino-Grace came away with the 37-21 victory over Lakeville North.

EDEN PRAIRIE AND TOTINO-GRACE SQUARED OFF IN 6A STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ACTION

Eden Prairie took on Totino-Grace in the Class 6A state football tournament.

 

Totino-Grace got the ball to start the game. Totino-Grace’s Kez Flomo was tackled at the Totino 34 yard line for a one-yard loss. Totino-Grace had to punt the ball on fourth-and-seven.

 

Eden Prairie looked to get the ball down the field. Anthony Anderson came up with some nice rushes for first downs. Anderson found the endzone on an eight-yard touchdown.

 

Cody Goetz’ extra point attempt was good.

 

With 5:23 left in the first quarter the score was Eden Prairie 7, Totino-Grace 0.

 

Totino-Grace looked to get into the endzone on a 45 yard run as Flomo was able to find some running room. Benick, Lance rushed for three yards for a touchdown.

 

The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 57 seconds left in the first quarter the score was tied at 7. That was the score after one quarter of play.

 

Eden Prairie found the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run by Charlie Venable. Goetz’ extra point attempt was good. With 8:34 left in the second quarter the score was Eden Prairie 14, Totino-Grace 7.

 

Totino-Grace was not able to get a first down so they had to punt the ball on fourth down.

 

Ryan Connelly found Gamiel Hall for a 37-yard touchdown reception. Goetz’ extra point attempt was good.

 

With 6:52 left in the second quarter the score was Eden Prairie 21, Totino-Grace 7.

 

Totino-Grace had a difficult time moving the ball down the field. The Eden Prairie defense stepped up and slowed down the Totino-Grace offense. Eden Prairie’s Marr Carson intercepted a pass.

 

Eden Prairie’s Venable got the ball and found the end zone on a 32-yard run. Goetz’ extra point attempt was good.

 

With 4:52 left in the second quarter the score was Eden Prairie 26, Totino Grace 7.

 

Totino-Grace Seth Sullwold passed to Carlton Djam for a 22-yard reception. On the next play Djam fumbled the ball and Eden Prairie recovered it.

 

Dan Fisher found the end zone on a one-yard run. The extra point attempt was not good.

 

With 13 seconds left in the second quarter the score was Eden Prairie 34, Totino-Grace 7. That was the score at halftime.

 

Eden Prairie got the ball to start the third quarter.  Anderson found a hole in the defense and ran 21 yards and was able to pick up a first down. Ryan Connelly came up with a seven-yard run to set up a two-yard touchdown run by Fisher. The two point conversion was no good.

 

With 9:36 left in the third quarter the score was Eden Prairie 40, Totino-Grace 7.

 

Totino-Grace looked to get their offense going but they turned it over on downs.

 

Eden Prairie looked to run the clock late in the third quarter.  

 

After three quarters of play the score was Eden Prairie 40, Totino-Grace 7.

 

Eden Prairie was able to get into the end zone on a Mason Gilgor for a three-yard run. The extra point attempt by Goetz was good.

 

With 10:09 left in the fourth quarter the score was Eden Prairie 47, Totino Grace 7.

 

Totino-Grace found the end zone on a Flomo short run. The extra point attempt was good.

 

With 6:08 left in regulation the score was Eden Prairie 47, Totino Grace 14.

 

Totino-Grace’s Andy Kinnan came up with a safety. That made the score Eden Prairie 47, Totino-Grace 16 with 5:29 left in the fourth quarter.

 

On the final play of the game Flomo found the endzone on a five-yard run.

 

The final score was Eden Prairie 47, Totino-Grace 22.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Eden Prairie’s Anderson, Fisher and head coach Mike Grant about their thoughts of the game.