MINNEAPOLIS NORTH TOOK ON ST PAUL JOHNSON FOR THE BOYS’ BASKETBALL TWIN CITIES BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Minneapolis North Polars took on St Paul Johnson in a boys’ basketball matchup for the Twin Cities championship at St Paul Johnson high school. North had a 19-6 record going into the game.

St Paul Johnson was 25-0 and they were ranked #1 in class AAA in the Minneapolis Star Tribune poll at the time of the game.

Johnson wanted to control the tempo early on. They started in a man-to-man defense. They wanted to apply pressure on Minneapolis North.

Johnson is known to be a quick team. Their players know where they are supposed to be on the court and they get there.

North looked to get the ball out of the net and get to the hole quickly. North did get on the board after being down 5-0 to begin the game.

St Paul Johnson plays at a high tempo and they are always looking to run and push the ball up the court. They do a good job of scoring baskets very quickly. Roosevelt Scott had a nice one-handed slam dunk that gave Johnson a confidence boost.

Johnson was able to get out to a fast start. They were able to get a lead and play tough aggressive defense.

North kept fighting. They kept on shooting the ball. Charles Smith found his shot. He was able to drop a few shots.

North went to a zone defense midway through the first half, but they were not able to slow down Johnson.

Marcus Marshall for St Paul Johnson was able to step up and knock down three point shots. Johnson did a good job of rebounding. They were able to crash the boards hard.

At halftime the score was St Paul Johnson 49 and Minneapolis North 24.

As the second half got underway North came out on fire. They were able to knock down shots right and left. They were not afraid to shoot the ball.

Both teams dove on the ground for loose balls. Both teams played with a lot of energy.

Johnson’s ability to shoot the ball in the ball in the second half kept them in the game and they were able to expand their lead.

North didn’t give up. They did keep trying to make runs at Johnson. They had difficulties doing that.

Johnson did good job of making plays throughout the game. Each of the players knew where they were supposed to be on the court and they got the ball to them.

Both teams gave it all the entire game but in the end St Paul Johnson came away with the 92-67 victory. With the victory over North, they won the 2009-2010 Twin Cities Boys’ basketball championship title.

The leading scores for Minneapolis North were John Hicks with 16 points and Malik El-Amin with 11 points. For Johnson Maxie Rosenbloom had 18 points.

I was joined by the Czar of Twin Cites Boy’s Hoops. Check out his thoughts on the St Paul Johnson Minneapolis North matchup.