2014 MINNESOTA COMETS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THURSDAY’S RECAP

On June 26, the Minnesota Comets AAU basketball team put on a boys basketball tournament.

The first day of the tournament is all pool play. Each team is split up into multiple pools and they play everyone in their pool once. Then after pool play is over they are bracketed out within their age group and they play a single elimination tournament.

In the 17U division Minnesota Select Ohnstad went up against Wear Out The Net (WOTN).

Minnesota Select Ohnstad played mostly man-to-man defense. It was hard for WOTN to take uncontested shots.

Minnesota Select raced up and down the floor and were able to hit their layups throughout the first half.

WOTN had a difficult time hitting mid-range jump shots.

At halftime the score was Minnesota Select 36, WOTN 27.

As the second half got underway Minnesota Select continued to push the ball down the floor as they looked to score baskets in transition.

WOTN pushed took their time of the offensive end. They looked to set up plays that they wanted run.

WOTN did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

WOTN got hot midway through the second half. They were able to slow down Minnesota Select Ohnstad and come up with some quick baskets.

The score went back and forth throughout the second half.

WOTN continued to come up with some big plays as everyone was able to knock down deep three-point shots and layups.

WOTN slowed Minnesota Select Ohnstad down. WOTN had difficulty shooting late in the contest.

The score went back and forth the last four minutes of the game.

Minnesota Select came away with the 65-60 victory over WOTN.

2014 GRASSROOTS NATION ALL STAR GAME

On June 22, Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. was the spot for the 2014 Grassroots Nation All Star basketball game. There were four different teams. The games were 16 minutes.

HUSTLER NATIONS VS EASTSIDAZ

 

Both teams pushed the ball down the floor looking to score baskets in transition.  Eastsidaz' Quinton Jackson hit deep three-point shots. His teammates got the ball to him behind the three-point line.

Both teams looked to make ally-oop slam dunks.

 

Each team looked to go one-on-one as both teams played man-to-man defense.

 

Hustler Nations' Cam Rundles and Jamar Diggs both came up with some nice mid-range jump shots.  Diggs was also not afraid to pass to teammate Stephon Williams who knocked down big shots throughout the game.

Eastidaz won the game by the final score of 50-44. 

AND1 VS SAM’S CLUB

Both teams got into a shooting rhythm early. Sam’s Club's Troy Bell shot the ball well from mid-range as he was able to get baskets on pull up mid-range jump shots. If Bell didn’t think that he could make a shot he passed it.

Bell and Sam’s Club was able to slow down And 1’s offensive productivity by guarding them.

Sam’s Club came up with fast-break layups. They did a good job of getting by the And1 defenders.

Sam’s Club came up with the 43-26 victory over And1.

CARTER NATION VS NEW JACK CITY

Carter Nation went up against New Jack City. New Jack City’s Renard Suggs stepped up and knocked down deep three-point shots early and often. Not to be outdone, Carter Nation was not afraid to take long distance shots.

 

New Jack City was able to push the ball down the floor, but they missed some key shots early.

 

Carter Nation came away with the 35-32 victory over New Jack City.

 

GOON SQUAD VS SAM'S CLUB

 

Goon Squad and Sam's Club went up against each other. Goon Squad came out on fire as they stepped up and knocked down three-point baskets.

 

The score went back and forth as neither team went on a run. Neither team was afraid to take deep three-point shots as the other team's defense would allow them to take deep shots.

 

Bell came up with some deep three-point baskets to keep his team in the game.

 

Williams kept his team in the game as he stepped up and continued to hit three-point baskets.

 

Neither team went on a run as the game remained close throughout.

 

Sam Club's David Hicks found the basket on wide-open layups.

 

The game was tied at 44 after regulation. There was a one minute over time period.

 

Bell came up with a layups in the overtime period and Goon Squad's Deanthony Taylor hit a deep three-point shot.

 

Goon Squad came way with the 49-47 victory over Sam's Club. 

 

GOON SQUAD VS HUSTLER NATION

 

Williams came out hot as he knocked down deep three-point shots. There were many long cross court passes as each team came up with fast break baskets.

 

There were many slam dunks as both teams had fast breaks.

 

The score went back and forth throughout the game. Neither team went on a run.

 

Goon Squad came up with some big baskets late in the game.

 

Both of these teams were having fun as they rested on the defensive end.

 

The score went back and forth late in the game and Hustler Nation came away with the 39-37 victory over Goon Squad.

 

AND 1 VS NEW JACK CITY 

 

The score went back and forth early in the contest. Neither team went on a run. New Jack City's Ben Glover came up with a one handed slam dunk that got his team energy.

 

Both teams showed off their dunking skills as both teams mostly shot open court layups and slam dunks.

 

In a game that had a lot of fast breaks and slam dunks and was close throughout New Jack City came away with the 36-31 victory over And 1.

 

EASTSIDAZ VS CARTER NATION

 

Eastsidaz went up against Carter Nation. Both teams came out launching deep three-point baskets. Both teams also looked to push the floor and make layups.

 

Eastsidaz came up with some big shots midway through the contest. Carter Nation kept shooting the ball even though they had trouble hitting shots.

 

Carter Nation had a difficult time scoring baskets as they were not able to hit shots they put up.

 

Eastsidaz cruised to an easy 43-21 victory over Carter Nation.  

 
Over all I thought it was a very fun event. The players enjoyed themselves and the fans did also.
 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS ARE GETTING A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM AND MAYBE A MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM

The Minnesota Vikings are getting a new football stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The 2013-2014 season was the last season in the Metrodome.

The Minnesota Vikings will play their games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota.

The new Vikings stadium will host the 2018 NFL Super Bowl at the new stadium.

According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Members of the Vikings' ownership and front-office group on Tuesday were in Kansas City to peruse the city's Major League Soccer operation. The Vikings want an MLS franchise for their stadium, which will have a 60 percent transparent roof, that's to open in 2016. The MLS season runs from March 1 through November.”

AKOLDA MAYANG COMMITS TO OKLAHOMA

Former Duluth East boys basketball player Akolda Mayang has committed to playing basketball at Oklahoma.

According to RJ Young of SoonerScoop.com: “Oklahoma landed a commitment from one of the top junior college players in the 2015 class in the country on Father's Day.

Indian Hills Community College 7-footer Akolda Manyang made his decision and informed Oklahoma's coaching staff that he wanted to be a Sooner.”

Mayang spent one year at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa.

IOWA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM CAMP DAY 2

Sunday June 8 was the final day of the Iowa State team camp.

PAPILLION LaVISTA VS. PRIOR LAKE GOLD 

Papillion LaVista took on Prior Lake Gold in the first game. Papillion LaVista pushed the ball down the floor as they were able to score baskets in transition.

It took Prior Lake Gold awhile to get into a shooting rhythm. They had a difficult time hitting jump shots.

Papillion LaVista did a good job of making layups in transition. They brought the ball down the floor quickly and were to get open looks at the basket. Papillion LaVista was able to score on their chances.

The Prior Lake Gold offense went stagnate in the first half. They went into a scoring lull where they were not able to hit shots they put up.

Prior Lake Gold called a timeout with 8:21 left in the first half. The score was Papillion LaVista 15, Prior Lake Gold 5.

Papillion LaVista used multiple different defenses that was able to slow down the Prior Lake Gold’s offense.

Papillion LaVista swung the ball around the three-point line as they looked to get everyone involved in the offense. They knew what plays that they wanted to run as they were able to get past the Prior Lake Gold’s defense.

Prior Lake Gold continued to look to make layups and jump-shots late in the first half. Even though they struggled to make shots they kept shooting the ball.

At halftime the score was  Papillion LaVista 29, Prior Lake Gold 19.

As the second half got underway Prior Lake Gold looked to set the tempo early in their favor. They were talking more on both ends of the floor and they play with a lot more energy.

Prior Lake’s Isaiah Sims was all over the floor on both ends of the court. On the offensive end he called for the on the low block as he looked to make layups. Sims also was able to hit mid-range jump shots consistently. Teammate Connor Bair also found his shooting touch as he came up with steals and turned them into layups.

Papillion LaVista called a timeout with 6:23 left in regulation. The score was Papillion LaVista 46, Prior Lake Gold 34.

Papillion LaVista continued to move the ball well around the floor as they took time off the clock late in the second half.

Prior Lake Gold called a timeout with 2:09 left in regulation. The score was Papillion LaVista 54, Prior Lake Gold 38.

Papillion LaVista was quicker than Prior Lake Gold. Prior Lake Gold struggled to hit their shots throughout the game.

Papillion LaVista came away with the 58-44 victory over Prior Lake Gold.

PRIOR LAKE NAVY VS. ALLEMAN

Prior Lake Navy took on Alleman. It took a while for each team to get into a shooting rhythm. Alleman swung the ball around the three-point line to set up their offense. They started the game off in a zone defense.

Prior Lake Navy was forced to take deep shots because the defense didn’t allow them to get looks in

the paint.

Both teams went into a scorning lull as neither team was able to hit shots that they put up.

Prior Lake Navy went to a zone defense. They wanted to force Alleman to take deep shots. Prior Lake Navy was able to do just that.

Prior Lake Navy was able to push the ball in transition and make layups.

The score went back and forth midway through the first half. Neither team went on a substantial run.

Alleman called a timeout with 8:20 left in the first half. The score was Alleman 8, Prior Lake Navy 6.

Alleman took a lot of time off the clock as they passed the ball around the three-point line. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense. Alleman did a good job of communicating on both ends of the floor.

Prior Lake Navy had a difficult time getting through the screens. They turned the ball over a few times and Alleman was able to turn the turnovers into points.

At halftime the score was Alleman 24 Prior Lake Navy 17.

As the second half got underway Alleman continued to look to make mid-range jump shots. Prior Lake Navy had a hard time slowing them down on offense.

Alleman called a timeout with 11:27 left in regulation. The score was Alleman 32, Prior Lake Navy 20.

Prior Lake Navy’s offense went stagnant for a period of time in the second half. They were not able to hit shots that they put up. Alleman took advantage of that as they kept on attacking the basket as they were able to hit their shots.

It was a defensive battle throughout the game. Neither team took a lot of shots, the defensive pressure that each team applied made it difficult for the other team to hit shots. Alleman strung baskets together early and often in the contest. They were able to get Prior Lake Navy out of their shooting rhythm.

Prior Lake Navy went to a full court press with six minutes left in regulation. They were able to create turnovers and make baskets off the steals. That wasn’t enough however as Alleman came away with the 54-47 victory over Prior Lake Navy.

SHAKOPEE VS. PRIOR LAKE GOLD

Shakopee went up against Prior Lake Gold. Prior Lake Gold looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. The score went back and forth early as neither team went on a run.

Prior Lake Gold started in a man-to-man defense. Shakopee started out in a zone defense.

Shakopee looked to score layups. They got everyone involved in the offense.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run early.

Both teams went into a scoring lull. Neither team shot the ball well for a period of time late in the first half.

At halftime the score was tied at 18.

Shakopee looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

The score continued to go back and forth throughout the second half. Neither team went on a run.

Shakopee called a timeout with 10:35 left in regulation. The score was Shakopee 24, Prior Lake Gold 21.

Shakopee was not afraid to shoot the deep three-point shot. Prior Lake Gold always had a hand in their faces on the shot.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock late in regulation. Neither team went on a run it was a very competitive game throughout the contest.

The score went back and forth late in the game. In the end however Prior Lake came away with the 41-39 victory over Shakopee.

OMAHA SKUTT VS. PRIOR LAKE GOLD

Omaha Skutt and Prior Lake Gold went up against each other. Omaha Skutt pushed the ball down the floor as they looked to score baskets in transition. They started in man-to-man defense. Prior Lake Gold’s Connor Bair stepped up and knocked down his mid-range jump shot.

Omaha Skutt had a hard time hitting shots to drop. The defensive pressure seemed to bother Omaha Skutt.

Prior Lake Gold swung the ball around the three-point line as they looked to get everyone involved in the offense. They also did a good job of running a lot of time off the clock.

Omaha Skutt looked to push the ball in transition and looked to make layups. They seemed to be tired as they were a step slower than Prior Lake Gold. Prior Lake Gold took advantage of that as they were able to get steals and make layups.

At halftime the score was Prior Lake Gold 42, Omaha Skutt 15.

The second half got underway with Prior Lake Gold looking to keep pushing the ball down the floor and hitting layups.

Omaha Skutt continued to have a hard time shooting the ball. They had a difficult time adjusting to the defense that Prior Lake Gold applied.

Prior Lake Gold was too much for Omaha Skutt. In the end Prior Lake Gold came away with the 62-20 victory over Omaha Skutt.

IOWA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM CAMP DAY ONE SATURDAY JUNE 7

June 7 was the first day of the Iowa State boys’ basketball team camp. High School teams from across the Midwest came to Iowa State for the two day camp. Teams spread out across three different buildings on the campus of Iowa State University. Games were two 15 minute halves.

In the first game Lincoln East took on Prior Lake in the JV division.

Prior Lake JV started out in man-to-man defense. Lincoln East had a difficult time scoring. The defense that Prior Lake applied made it hard for Lincoln East to get shots off.

Lincoln East switched between man-to-man and zone defense. Prior Lake did a good job of figuring out what defense they were in as they were able to attack the defense and get to the basket and make layups and jump shots.

Lincoln East had a difficult time making their jump shots.

At halftime the score was Prior Lake 38, Lincoln East 23.

Prior Lake continued to run their offense. They were crisp on their cuts and were able to take time off the clock on the offensive end.

Lincoln East continued to have difficulty scoring baskets against the Prior Lake defense.

Prior Lake continued to attack the basket on the offensive end and make stops on the defensive end.

Prior Lake came away with the 66-47 victory over Lincoln East.

PRIOR LAKE GOLD VS. GARDEN CITY IN THE VARSITY DIVISION  

In the varsity division Garden City, Neb. took on Prior Lake Gold. Garden City pushed the ball down the floor well as they were able to score baskets in transition. Prior Lake had a difficult time finding their man on defense early.

Garden City did a good job of knowing where their guys were supposed to be on the floor. They did a good job of communicating that.

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

Prior Lake switched up between man-to-man and zone defense. They wanted to create confusion on the offensive end for Garden City which they did.

Garden City did a good job of taking a lot of time off the clock by swinging the ball around the three-point line.

The defensive pressure that Garden City applied made it difficult for Prior Lake to take uncontested layups and jump shots.

Prior Lake looked to swing the ball around the three-point line as they looked to get Garden City out of rhythm on the defensive end.

The score went back and forth late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Garden City 27, Prior Lake 24.

Garden City started the second half in man-to-man defense. They switched between man-to-man and zone defense throughout the first half. Prior Lake started the second half in man-to-man defense.

Prior Lake was able to make layups off of missed shots.

The pace of the game quickened as each team looked to score baskets on the fast break. Each team raced up and down the floor scoring layups.

After five minutes of going up and down at a frantic pace Prior Lake looked to set up their offense as they walked the ball down the floor.

The Prior Lake defense stepped up and was able to slow down the Garden City offense in the second half. Prior Lake did a good job of setting the tempo.

Garden City took a timeout with 7:48 left in regulation. The score was Prior Lake 42, Garden City 32.

Prior Lake went to a zone defense after the timeout. They wanted to spread the Garden City offense out and force them to take long shots. That worked because Garden City was not able to penetrate the holes in the defense and get into the lane.

The defensive pressure that Prior Lake applied made the Garden City offense stale. Garden City had a

hard time getting good looks at the basket. There were many scoring droughts by Garden City late in regulation.

Prior Lake called a timeout with 4:06 left in regulation. The score was Prior Lake 51, Garden City 38.

Prior Lake continued to hit shots they put up late in the game. Neither tame cracked under pressure.

Prior Lake came away with the 61-42 victory over Garden City.

NORWALK 1 VS. PRIOR LAKE NAVY

Prior Lake Navy went up against Norwalk 1. Prior Lake Navy looked to push the ball down the floor as they were able to score baskets in transition.

Norwalk 1 had a difficult time scoring baskets as they were not able to get open looks at the basket.

Norwalk 1 turned the ball over because of the defensive pressure that Prior Lake Navy was applying.

Prior Lake Navy was able to score quick baskets in transition. They did a good job of getting the ball out of the net and pushing the ball down the floor and making layups.

At halftime the score was Prior Lake Navy 26, Norwalk 1 18.

Prior Lake Navy looked to push the ball down the floor and keep pushing the tempo as the second half got underway. They wanted to wear Norwalk 1 down.  

Norwalk 1 attacked the basket throughout the second half. Even though they had a difficult time hitting shots that they put up they were not afraid to shoot the ball. They shot mostly from inside the three-point arch.

Norwalk 1 hit consecutive shots midway through the second half. Prior Lake Navy seemed to have an answer as they were able to get defensive stops.

Norwalk 1 caught fire and tied the game at 43 with under a minute left in regulation. The score went back and forth late in the contest.

The game was tied at 43 after regulation.

Norwalk 1 came away with the 45-43 victory over Prior Lake Navy in the sudden death overtime.

SHAWNEE MISSION EAST VS. PRIOR LAKE GOLD

Shawnee Mission East went up against Prior Lake Gold. The score went back and forth early in the contest. It took a while for each team to figure out what the other team was doing.

Prior Lake Gold switched between man-to-man and zone defense throughout the first half. They wanted to keep Shawnee Mission East guessing on what they were going to be doing on defense.

Shawnee Mission East used mostly man-to-man defense. They did a good job of talking on the defensive end and letting everyone know where they were supposed to be on the floor.

Prior Lake Gold was not afraid to shoot from both behind the three-point line and from with inside of the three-point line.

Shawnee Mission East made fast break layups. They were able to get defensive rebounds and push the ball down the floor.

Shawnee Mission East was able to get easy baskets off cuts to the basket.  

At halftime the score was Shawnee Mission East 30, Prior Lake Gold 24.

Prior Lake Gold came out with a lot more energy and fire in the second half. They were talking to each other more on both ends of the floor.

Prior Lake Gold looked to score baskets on the fast break.

Shawnee Mission East was a little quicker than Prior Lake Gold throughout the second half. Prior

Lake Gold had a difficult time making shots that they put up. Even though they had trouble shooting the ball, they kept on shooting from where they thought that they could hit from.

Shawnee Mission East called a timeout with 5:22 left in regulation. The score was Shawnee Mission East 48, Prior Lake Gold 37.

Shawnee Mission East continued to attack the basket and hit their shots that they put up. Prior Lake Gold didn’t give up. They kept on shooting shots that they thought that they could make.

Shawnee Mission East came away with the 57-50 victory over Prior Lake Gold.

IOWA FALLS ALDEN TOOK ON PRIOR LAKE JV

Iowa Falls Alden and Prior Lake JV went up against each other. Prior Lake came out on fire as they were able to hit open jump shots and layups. They were not afraid to shoot from outside of the three-point line.

Prior Lake JV’s Sims had a couple of nice slam dunks on the offensive end.

Iowa Falls Alden had a hard time shooting the ball. They couldn’t make shots that they put up.

Prior Lake JV swung the ball around the three-point line to take time off the clock. They looked to get everyone involved on the offensive end.  

At halftime the score was Prior Lake JV 40, Iowa Falls Alden 15.

Prior Lake JV pushed the ball in transition. They were able to hit layups and make their jump shots.

Prior Lake JV kept on swinging the ball around the three- point line on offense. On the defensive end they made it hard for Iowa Falls to get open shots.

Prior Lake JV came away with the 66-27 victory over Iowa Falls Alden.

BARSTOW TOOK ON PRIOR LAKE GOLD

Barstow out of Kansas went up against Prior Lake Gold. Prior Lake Gold looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

Barstow had trouble shooting from the start. They were not able to make shots that they put up early in the game. Even though they were not making shots that didn’t make them not look to shoot the ball.

Barstow used different defenses as they wanted to confuse Prior Lake Gold on offense. Prior Lake however took their time on the offensive end as they passed the ball around the three-point line to take time off the clock.

Barstow went on a 10-0 run with just under 10 minutes left in the first half.

Prior Lake Gold looked to get their sputtering offense going late in the half. They looked to swing the ball around the three-point line and talk on the offensive end. On the defensive end they switched defenses that they were playing.

Barstow called a timeout with 5:05 left in the first half. The score was Prior Lake Gold 27, Barstow 20.

Barstow picked up their defensive pressure at half court. They wanted to make Prior Lake Gold take deep shots. Prior Lake Gold did just that as they were forced to take shots that they were not comfortable taking.

Barstow came up with steals and they were able to turn the steals into fast break layups and jump shots.

Even though Barstow hit their shots late in the first half they were not able to get the lead.

At halftime the score was Prior Lake Gold 39, Barstow 26.

Prior Lake Gold came out looking to set the tempo in their favor. They were more talkative on both ends of the floor. They were also more patient with their shot selection.

Prior Lake Gold called a timeout with 13:39 left in regulation. The score was Prior Lake Gold 39, Barstow 28.

Prior Lake Gold switched man-to-man and zone defense. They were able to frustrate Barstow on the offensive end.

Prior Lake Gold made fast break layups in the second half. They were able to wear Barstow down and were a step quicker than they were.

Both teams didn’t waste a lot of time off the clock as they each pushed the ball down the floor looking for layups.

Barstow went cold on the offensive end late in the contest. Prior Lake Gold took advantage of that as they continued hit shots that they made. Prior Lake Gold looked to get the ball inside more often in the second half.

Prior Lake Gold came away with the 70-53 victory over Barstow.