ST PAUL CENTRAL TOOK ON ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL CONTEST

St. Paul Central traveled to St. Paul Highland Park High School for a boys' basketball game. Central
came into the game with a record of 9-8. Highland Park came into the game with a record of 10-7.
 

It took awhile for each team to get used to each other. Both teams were being very patient on the
offensive end.
 

Highland Park picked up Central at half court. Highland Park used a man-to-man defense. They also
applied very good pressure. Central was able to get the ball down the court easily in the first half.
Central went to a zone defense. They looked to get Highland Park to shoot deep three-point shots.
 

Highland Park was able to score a lot of baskets in transition. They were able to string together a little
run with just under 13:00 left in the first half.
 

Central went flat for a period of time in the first half. They were not able to find the basket as their
shots were not falling. Central didn’t back down though. They did keep fighting hard and going after
Highland Park.
 

Highland Park's Darrell Hill did a good job of bringing the ball down the court. He was able to blow by
his defenders.
 

The game was close throughout the first half. Neither team was able to go on a run. The defensive
pressure that both teams played was very good.
 

Highland Park stayed in a zone defense. They were able to close out on the Central shooters.
 

Central did a good job of moving the ball around on the offensive end. Everyone got a chance to get
their hands on the ball.
 

With 8:08 left to go in the first half the score was Highland Park 22 and Central 19.
 

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team was able to on a substantial run.
 

William McDonough for Central took the ball hard to the basket. He was able to fake out his defenders and score some nice easy lay-ups.
 

Bradley was able to go coast to coast on a few different occasions and was able to get a few nice
finishes.
 

Martin Smith for Central did a good job of rebounding on both sides of the court. He was able to get
the ball to his guards when he was on the defensive end. On the offensive end Smith powered the ball
back up to the basket.
 

At halftime the score was Highland Park 40 and Central 38.
 

As the second half got underway Montrell Williams for Central continued to find make his shots.
 

Central came out of the halftime break in a man-to-man defense. They looked to take Highland Park
out of the contest.
 

Highland Park had trouble making their shots at the beginning of the half.
 

With 14:36 left to go in regulation the score was Central 50 and Highland Park 44.
 

Highland Park looked to pass the ball around the three-point line. They wanted to take as much time off the clock as they could.
 

Highland Park made a run midway though the second half. They looked to cut the deficit.
 

Central made some bad turnovers midway through the second half. Highland Park was able to
capitalize on them and score quick baskets on the Central mistakes.
 

Bradley continued to make nice plays throughout the second half for Highland Park. He was all over
the court. He knew where his teammates were and if they were open he would pass up a shot to a
teammate who he thought would have a better one. If Bradley was open he would take the ball to the
basket hard himself.
 

Ty'Shaun Williams for Highland Park stepped up and knocked down some key three-point shots for his team. He knew where he was on the floor and was able to pull up and knock down the shots.
 

Highland Park called a timeout with 7:20 left in regulation with the score Highland Park 66 and Central
62.
 

Both teams were able to keep the score with in 15 points throughout the second half. They both went
hard after each other throughout the game.
 

Both teams dove on the floor to go after loose balls. Neither team gave up.
 

Both teams continued to trade baskets late in the contest.
 

Bradley hit a big three late in regulation to tie the game as 70.
 

Highland Park went to a full court press with a minute left to go. Both teams again traded baskets late
in the game.
 

In a game where the scoring went back and forth throughout St. Paul Central came away with the 78-73 victory over St. Paul Highland Park.
 

The leading scorers for St. Paul Central were Martin Smith with 30 and Montell Williams with 24. The
leading scorers for Highland Park were Dion Bradley with 27 points and Ty'Shaun Williams with 20
points.

I was joined by the Czar from Twin Cities Boy's Hoops. Check out his thoughts of the Central vs. Highland Park Contest.