HOPKINS TOOK ON APPLE VALLEY IN THE PACESETTERS SWEET SIXTEEN BOYS’ BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

In semifinal action Apple Valley took on Hopkins. Apple Valley got out to a quick start as they were able to string together some nice shots.

For Hopkins they were looking to get the ball into Siyani Chambers hands. They were able to do that. Chambers did a good job with the ball. He knew where his teammates were on the court.

One of the more interesting matchups on the court was the one between guards Tyus Jones of Apple Valley and Siyani Chambers of Hopkins. Those two guards did a good job of defending each other throughout the game.

Hopkins looked to push the ball up the court every chance they had. Hey were looking to get easy baskets in transition.

Tyus is so quick with the ball. He knows were to be on the court and he goes strong to the basket every chance he can.

Joe Coleman took the ball hard to the basket early in the game. He made some nice moves to the basket and was not afraid to cut through traffic to make shots.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Hopkins 28 and Apple Valley 17.

Apple Valley continued to put pressure on Hopkins. They didn’t want them to get any open looks at the basket.

Hopkins looked to slow the tempo down in the third quarter. Apple Valley went to a zone defense midway through the second quarter.

Both teams went hard at each other throughout the first half. Neither team was going to back down.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 46 and Apple Valley 42.

As the third quarter got underway both teams came out on fire. Apple Valley was able to make a run early on. Hopkins didn’t have an answer early in the quarter.

Apple Valley did a good job of defending Hopkins shots. They did not back down from their defense.

Tyus Jones continued to push the ball up the court throughout the third quarter.

Hopkins was able to go on a run midway through the third quarter.

At the end of the third quarter the score was Hopkins 70 and Apple Valley 54.

The physical play continued throughout the fourth quarter. Tyus Jones kept his team in the game. Even when Hopkins went on their last run in the fourth quarter Tyus Jones didn’t give up.

I thought that Tyus Jones played well throughout the game. Tyus stepped up his game. I thought that he really showed why he is one of the top rated guards in the state. He was a handful for Chambers of Hopkins to guard. I think that his game is just so advanced at this stage in his career. I think that he will only improve as a player as he keeps playing.

In the fourth quarter Apple Valley came out on fire. They were able to make a run at Hopkins but it was not enough.

Hopkins was able to come away with the 96-89 victory over Apple Valley.