HOPKINS TOOK ON APPLE VALLEY IN A HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Apple Valley High School was a buzz on Tuesday December 18, 2012 as the boys' basketball team took on Hopkins High School in a big non-conference game. The gym was packed before the game started. Both teams brought a ton of students as both student sections were full.

Hopkins came into the game with a record of 4-1. Apple Valley came into the game with a record of 2-1.

Both teams looked to push the ball down the down the floor at the start. They each wanted to set the tempo early in the contest.

Hopkins looked to get the ball into the hands of Kamali Jahir Chambers. Chambers did a good job of getting his team involved in the offense.

Both teams shot a lot of three-point shots. They were able to get them to drop. Hopkins Jamal Dale Davis was not afraid to shoot the ball. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots inside the three-point line where he was able to hit a mid-range jumper.

Apple Valley looked to score baskets in transition. Apple Valleys Robert Jones and Hopkins' Kamali Chambers guarded each other closely throughout the first half.

Tyus Robert Jones seemed to roll his ankle with 13:46 left in the first half but he stayed in the game.

Hopkins Amir Coffey did a good job of running the Hopkins offense. He knew where his teammates were supposed to be and he directed his teammates on the floor.

Apple Valley called a timeout with 12:25 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 15 and Apple Valley 7.

Apple Valley switched between man-to-man and zone defense. They were able to to confuse Hopkins.

Hopkins used mostly a man-to-man defense. They looked to force Apple Valley to hit long shots.

Hopkins was able to make some good fast break lay-ups.

Hopkins called a timeout with 8:28 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 25 and Apple Valley 13.

Apple Valley's Dustin Fronk continued to keep hitting three-point shots and that kept his team in the game.

Hopkins continued to switch between zone and man-to-man defense. That as affective in the first half because it really slowed down the Apple Valley offense.

With Tyus Robert Jones out of the game because of a back spasms in the first half. The Apple Valley offense sputtered along. They had a tough time hitting shots that they put up.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 42 and Apple Valley 33.

Hopkins got the ball to start the second half. They continued to attack the basket and looked to create their shots.

Apple Valley continued to shoot the ball and they looked to chip into the lead midway through the second half.

Both teams went into a scoring slump in the second half. Neither team could hit shots for a period of time in the second half.

Apple Valley strung some baskets together midway through the second half.

Hopkins tried to play keep away as they swung the the ball around the three-point line as they looked to burn time off the clock.

Dustin Fronk kept his team in the game as he was able to come up and nail some three-point shots.

The game was close throughout the second half. The game was tied at 54 each with 5:18 left in regulation.

The score went back and forth late in the contest. Neither team gave up any easy baskets.

Apple Valley called a timeout with 2:06 left in regulation. The score was Apple Valley 59 and Hopkins 56.

I thought that both teams played very well. Apple Valley was able to play well with out their top player in Tyus Robert Jones. Dennis Austin and Dustin Fronk stepped up big for their teams.

In a fun fast paced game. Apple Valley came away with the 71-64 victory over Hopkins.

The leading scorers for Hopkins were Jamal Davis with 17 points, Jacob Wright with 14 points and Kamali Chambers wit 12 points. Over all Hopkins shot 21-65 from the field that included going 8-35 from behind the three-point line. Hopkins was 14-17 from the free throw line. They brought down a total of 39 rebounds 22 of them on the defensive end.

The leading scorers for Apple Valley were Dustin Fronk with 27 points, Dennis Austin with 18 points, and Harry Somie with 15 points.

University of Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith was on hand watching the game.

I was joined by Aaron Edwards of Metro Youth Sports Media. Check out his thoughts of the Hopkins vs. Apple Valley boys' basketball game.