MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY WENT UP AGAINST BATTLE LAKE IN A STATE CLASS A SEMIFINAL GAME

Maranatha and Battle Lake squared off in a boys’ basketball state semifinal game.

The score went back and forth early in the game.

There was a media timeout with 14:22 left in the first half. The score was Battle Lake 9, Maranatha 6.

Maranatha started out in zone defense. That made Battle Lake have to take deep shots.

Battle Lake got off to a quick start. They did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line.

There was a media timeout with 10:47 left in the first half. The score was Battle Lake 14, Maranatha 10.

The score went back and forth for a good portion of the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Maranatha did a good job of running their offense. They took their time on the offensive end and got everyone involved in the offense.

There was a media timeout with 6:02 left in the first half. The score was Battle Lake 20, Maranatha 18.

Maranatha’s Jeremiah Hanson and Cameron Monson both came up with huge mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. The defense had a hard time slowing them down on offense.

The score continued to go back and forth late in the first half.

At halftime the score was tied at 34.

As the second half got underway the score continued to go back and forth.

Maranatha continued to look to get the ball into the hands of Jeremiah Hanson and Cameron Monson, both of whom came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Battle Lake got the ball into the hands of Andrew and Patrick VanErp and Micah Rogness. They all three came up with huge shots that kept Battle Lake in the game.

There was a media timeout with 10:49 left in regulation. The score was Maranatha 52, Battle Lake 48.

Neither team went on a run in the second half. There were several ties and lead changes in the second half.

Hanson came up big with mid-range jump shots and 3-point baskets in the second half. Teammate Jake Meyen also came up with layups. Maranatha kept on getting Meyen the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Maranatha came away with the 74-69 victory over Battle Lake.

The leading scorer for Maranatha Hanson with 30 points.

The leading scorer for Battle Lake was VanErp with 29 points.

RUSHFORD-PETERSON WENT UP AGAINST CENTRAL MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN IN THE STATE CLASS A SEMIFINALS

On March 13 Rushford-Peterson and Central Minnesota Christian (CMC) played  in the Class A state boys' basketball state semifinals.  The game was played at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.

Rushford started out in a zone defense. They looked to control the tempo of the game early.

CMC started in a zone defense. Rushford picked up there defense at the half court line.

There was a media timeout with 15 minutes left in the first half. The score was Rushford 4, CMC 2.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock as they swung the ball around the 3-point line.

Rushford did a good job of attacking the zone. They came up with steals on defense. Rushford was able to come up with layups off the steals.

Rushford’s Matt Culhane came up with rebounds and layups in the paint. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

CMC had a difficult time shooting the ball in the first half. They were not able to get their shots to drop.

There was a media timeout with 10:50 left in the first half. The score was Rushford 8, CMC 2.

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball midway through the first half. Rushford did a good job of attacking the basket. They were able to get into the lane and past the CMC defenders.

Rushford’s Noah Carlson attacked the basket and came up with layups. He was able to make free throws.

The Rushford’s zone defense caused CMC problems throughout the first half. CMC was not able to get good looks at the basket.

There was a media timeout with 6:47 left in the first half. The score was Rushford 17, CMC 4.

Rushford did a good job of getting the ball down the floor. They did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

Rushford continued to get the ball into the hands of Culhane. He came up with layups from the paint.

Culhane also came up with huge rebounds for his team.

There was a media timeout with 3:43 left in the first half. The score was Rushford 22, CMC 9.

CMC’s Austin Bulthuis and Matthew Van Eps scored off of mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. There teammates got the ball to them where they felt comfortable shooting the ball.

Rushford’s Charlie Krambeer came up with deep 3-point shots.

Rushford called a timeout with 48.5 seconds left in the first half. The score was Rushford 28, CMC 13.

Rushford looked to take a lot of time off the clock after the timeout. CMC went to a man-to-man defense.

At halftime the score was Rushford 28, CMC 15.

As the second half got underway Rushford continued to move the ball well down the floor.

There was a media timeout with 14:55 left in regulation. The score was Rushford 35, CMC 19.

Rushford started out the second half in a zone defense. They really made it difficult for CMC to come up with baskets.

Rushford took a lot of time off the clock as they swung the ball around the 3-point line.

There was a media timeout with 10:53 left in regulation. The score was Rushford 42, CMC 25.

Rushford continued to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the second half.

CMC struggled to shoot throughout the second half.

I thought that CMC didn’t back down from the Rushford’s defense. They attacked the defense. CMC had a difficult time scoring throughout the game.

Rushford came away with the 62-39 Victory over CMC.

The leading scorer for CMC was Bulthuis with 19 points.

The leading scorers for Rushford were Carlson with 16 points, Paulson with 13 points and Krambeer with 11 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Rushford’s head coach Thomas Vix and Noah Carlson and Culhane about the game.

APPLE VALLEY WENT UP AGAINST LAKEVILLE NORTH IN A BOYS’ STATE SEMIFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

Apple Valley and Lakeville North squared off in the boys’ state semifinal basketball game.

There was a media timeout with 14:26 left in the first half. The score was tied at 4.

Lakeville North started in a zone defense. They wanted to force Apple Valley to shoot deep 3-point baskets.

Apple Valley’s Brock Bertram called for the ball in the low post. Bertram came up with layups.

Teammates Gary Trent Jr and Tre Jones also came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

 

On the defensive end Apple Valley was able to slow down Lakeville North.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock throughout the first half.

There was a media timeout with 6:56 left in the first half. The score was Apple Valley 18, Lakeville North 11.

Lakeville North got everyone involved in offense. They passed the ball around the 3-point line as everyone touched the ball on the offensive end.

Apple Valley continued to take time off the clock late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Apple Valley 27, Lakeville North 18.

As the second half got underway Apple Valley did a good job of moving the ball around the floor and getting the ball into the hands of Bertram.

Apple Valley’s Cameron Kirksey got his shot going in the second half. He came up with mid-range jump shots in the second half.

Lakeville North called a timeout with 14:31 left in regulation. The score was Apple Valley 37, Lakeville North 25.

Apple Valley came up with steals on the defensive end. They were able to make layups off turnovers.

Lakeville North kept attacking the basket as they looked to make layups.

The pace of the game was slow throughout the second half. Apple Valley was able to keep feeding

Jones. Jones stepped up and knocked down mid-range jump shots and layups.

Apple Valley came away with the 67-58 victory over Lakeville North.

The leading scorer for Lakeville North was Brooks with 13 points.

The leading scorers for Apple Valley were Trent Jr with 19 points, Jones with 17 points and Bertram with 11 points.

After the game I was able to speak to Apple Valley’s head coach Zach Goring and players Trent Jr and Jones about the game.

CHAMPLIN PARK WENT UP AGAINST SHAKOPEE IN THE CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINALS

On March 12 Champlin Park squared off against Shakopee in a boys Class 4A state semifinal basketball game.

Shakopee’s Tevin Killen scored his team’s first six points. His teammates did a good job of finding him where he could make shots.

There was a media timeout with 13:53 left in the first half. The score was Shakopee 10, Champlin Park 2.

Champlin Park’s J.T. Gibson came up with layups and mid-range jump shots. If he didn’t think that he had a good shot he would pass it to one of his teammates.

There was a media timeout with 10:35 left in the first half. The score was Shakopee 14, Champlin Park 11.

Shakopee played zone on the defensive end. They made Champlin Park have to take deep shots.

The pace quickened as both teams zipped up and down the floor as they looked to take fast break layups.

There was a media timeout with 6:03 left in the first half. The score was Shakopee 19, Champlin Park 15.

Shakopee continued to get the ball into the hands of Booker Coplin, Killeen and  Mitchell all stepped up and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.    

At halftime the score was Shakopee 31, Champlin Park 26.

As the second half got underway Champlin Park came out with a lot of energy. They scored the first five points of the second half.

Shakopee called a timeout with 16:21 left in regulation. The score was tied at 33.

Champlin Park’s Theo John came up with huge jump shots in the second half. Gibson kept on calling for the ball as he was got hot from the lane. He came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

The score went back and forth with just under 15 minutes left in regulation.

Mitchell stepped up big throughout the game. He was all over the place. On the offensive end Mitchell knocked down tough mid-range jump shots and layups.

Champlin Park’s McKinley Wright stepped up and knocked down mid-range jump shots that kept his team in the game.

There was a media timeout with 9:50 left in regulation. The score was Champlin Park 45, Shakopee 43.

Champlin Park got the ball into the hands of Hill who came up with fast break layups.

Mitchell could score in multiple different ways. If he didn’t think that he could make one particular shot he would pass it to another one of his teammates.

Champlin Park went to a zone defense late in the game as they wanted to slow down the Shakopee offense.

The score went back and forth late in the game. There were several ties and lead changes in the last two minutes of the game.

Hill came up with a deep 3-point basket that gave Champlin Park a two point lead with 44 seconds left in regulation.

Champlin Park came away with the 65-57 victory over Shakopee.

The leading scorers for Shakopee were Mitchell with 25 points, and Coplin and Kileen both had 10 points.

The leading scorers for Champlin Park were Gibson with 18 points, Hill with 16 points and John with 14 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Champlin Park’s Gibson, John, and Hill. I was also able to talk to Head Coach Mark Tuchscherer.

ST. PAUL JOHNSON WENT UP AGAINST WACONIA IN A CLASS 3A STATE SEMIFINAL GAME

St. Paul Johnson and Waconia Squared off in a boys’ basketball game at the Target Center. The winner of the game will play DeLaSalle in the State Class 3A title game.

Johnson did a good job of bringing the ball down the floor and was able to get the ball into the hands of Jalen Mobley. Mobley came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Waconia was able to run with Johnson. Waconia played different types of defense as they wanted to confuse Johnson.

There was a media timeout with 10:31 left in the first half. The score was Johnson 13, Waconia 10.

Johnson looked to come up with fast break layups.

Both teams played with a quick pace. There were many fast breaks for each team.

Waconia’s Joey Kortuem, Oliver Smith, Cole Peters and Josh Rands all came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. There teammates did a good job of getting them the ball in spots where they could shoot it.

Neither team went on a huge run in the first half.

There was a media timeout with 3:51 left in the first half. The score was St. Paul Johnson 26, Waconia 22.

Mobley did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. If Mobley didn’t think that he had a good shot he would pass it to one of his teammates.

St. Paul Johnson came up with steals and fast break layups late in the first half.

At halftime the score was St. Paul Johnson 36, Waconia 23.

As the second half got underway Waconia looked to come out shooting the ball. Waconia’s Joey

Kortuem came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Waconia’s offense was clicking early in the second half. They cooled off offensively midway through the second half.

There was a media timeout with 10:58 left to go in regulation. The score was St. Paul Johnson 46, Waconia 37.

Both teams continued to look to come up with fast break layups midway through the second half.

St. Paul Johnson did a good job of slowing down the Waconia runs. They were able to come up with steals and layups.

St. Paul Johnson was too much for Waconia in the end.

Johnson came away with the 69-62 victory over Waconia.

The leading scorers for Waconia were Rands with 16 points, Smith 15 points, and Kortuem with 13 points.

The leading scorers for Johnson was Mobley with 25 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Johnson head coach Vern Simmons and Mobley about the game.

 

MANKATO EAST WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS DELASALLE IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 12 Mankato East went up against Minneapolis DeLaSalle in a boys’ state semifinal basketball game at the Target Center.

DeLaSalle looked to push the ball down the floor and looked for ways to score layups in transition.

It took a while for both teams to get into a shooting rhythm.

There was a media timeout with 14:18 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 6, Mankato East 2.

DeLaSalle did a good job of swinging the ball around the 3-point line as they were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

DeLaSalle’s Jarvis Johnson came up with mid-range jump shots, layups and slam dunks in the first half on the offensive end. On defense Johnson did a good job of slowing down the guy he was guarding.

There was a media timeout with 10:54 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 10, Mankato East 4.

DeLaSalle was able to attack the Mankato East defense. They did a good job of slowing down Mankato.

DeLaSalle’s Sacar Anim came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half.

At halftime the score was DeLaSalle 37, Mankato East 22.

As the second half got underway DeLaSalle continued to push the ball down the floor and make layups in transition.

The defensive pressure that DeLaSalle put on Mankato East made it hard for them to make shots.

DeLaSalle was too much for Mankato East. Mankato East had a difficult time hitting their shots throughout the game.

Anim was all over the floor. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

DeLaSalle came away with the 74-40 victory over Mankato East.

The leading scores for Mankato East were Gorg Alhag and C.J. Ayers each with 8 points.

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle was Anim with 27 points.

After the game I was able to speak to DeLaSalle’s head coach Dave Thorson, and Anim about the game.

REDWOOD VALLEY WENT UP AGAINST MELROSE IN A BOYS’ STATE BASKETBALL GAME

Redwood Valley and Melrose squared off against each other in a boys’ state Class 2A basketball quarterfinal game at the Target Center.

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

Melrose’s Drake Meyer came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. If Meyer didn’t think that he had a good shot he would pass it off to one of his teammates for a better shot.

Melrose got out to a quick start. They were able to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Melrose also did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

Redwood Valley had a difficult time slowing down Melrose on the offensive end late in the first half.

Melrose guard Dillon Haider got hot from just behind the 3-point line as he came up with clutch 3-point shots.

Melrose got hot late in the first half. They were able to slow down the Redwood Valley offense as they were able to sink shots.

At halftime the score was Melrose 46, Redwood Valley 31.

Melrose continued to shoot the ball well in the start of the second half. They took the ball right to Redwood Valley. Redwood Valley couldn’t stop them on offense.

Haider continued to get to the basket as he continued to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Redwood Valley continued to struggle shooing the ball in the second half. Melrose was a lot quicker than Redwood Valley was.

Redwood Valley’s Sam and James Pendleton both came up with huge shots throughout the game. Their teammates did a good job of getting them the ball in spots where they could shoot it.

Melrose came away with the 81-66 victory over Redwood Valley.

The leading scorers for Redwood Valley were Sam Pendleton with 31 points and James Pendleton with 14 points.

The leading scorers for Melrose were Braegelmann with 17 points, Meyer with 15 points, and Haider with 14 points.

ESKO WENT UP AGAINST ST. CROIX LUTHERAN IN THE BOYS’ CLASS 2A STATE QUARTERFINALS

Esko and St. Croix Lutheran squared off at the Target Center in a boys’ Class 2A state quarterfinal game.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock in the first half. They passed the ball around the 3-point line.

It took a while for both of these teams to get their shooting down. Neither team shot the ball well throughout the first half. They both took a lot of time off the clock.

Esko played mostly zone defense that made it difficult for St. Croix Lutheran to come up with quick shots.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock and both teams played zone defense in the first half.

At halftime the score was St. Croix Lutheran 10, Esko 7.

As the second half got underway St. Croix Lutheran came out shooting the ball well. They were able to get the ball into the hands of Trenton Krueger who came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Both teams continued to take a lot of time off the clock in second half. St. Croix Lutheran’s Abe Lamu got to the basket and was fouled and came up with free throws midway through the second half.

Esko stepped up their defense with just under nine minutes left to go. They also were able to swing the ball around the 3-point line and keep feeding Nate Johnson the ball. Johnson came up with mid-range jump shots.

Both teams stepped up their offensive production in the second half. Esko did a good job of swinging the ball around the 3-point line and they came up with 3-point shots.

Neither team went on a huge run in the second half.

St. Croix Lutheran came away with the 37-35 victory over Esko.

The leading scorer for St. Croix Lutheran was Krueger with 18 points.

The leading scorer for Esko was Johnson with 13 points.

After the game I was able to talk to St. Croix Lutheran’s Krueger and head coach Jeff Wendland about the game.

LAKEVILLE NORTH WENT UP AGAINST HOPKINS IN THE CLASS 4A QUARTERFINAL GAME

Lakeville North and Hopkins went up against each other in a boys’ state Class 4A quarterfinal game.

The game got off to a quick start as both teams raced down the floor. The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Hopkins took their time on the offensive end. They passed the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

Lakeville North looked to get the ball into the hands of Carter Brooks, Drew Stewart and Nathan Reuvers. All who were able to make shots that they put up in the first half.   

Neither team went on a huge run in the first half.

Lakeville North’s Carter Brooks came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the first half.

On the defensive end he was able to slow down the guy he was defending.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 27, Lakeville North 26.

As the second half got underway the score stayed close. There were several ties and lead changes throughout.

Lakeville North continued to get the ball into the hands of Brooks, Reuvers and Stewart all who took the ball hard to the basket and came up with huge baskets.

The Lakeville North defense was able to slow down the Hopkins offense in the second half.

Lakeville North did a good job of coming up with steals and were able to come up with layups on the offensive end.

Lakeville North continued get the ball down the floor and hit shots on the offensive end. They also did a good job of defending Hopkins.

Hopkins got hot late in the contest. They came up with steals and layups.

Hopkins guard Ishmeal El-Amin came up with deep 3-point baskets with under 3:30 left in regulation.

The game came down to the wire. There were several ties and lead changes late in the game.

Lakeville North came away with the 65-61 victory over Hopkins.

The leading scorers for Hopkins were El-Amin with 17 points, Johnson and Shahid each with 11 points and Warren with 10 points.

The leading scorers for Lakeville North were Brooks with 17 points and Stewart with 16 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Lakeville North’s head coach John Oxton and players Stewart and Brooks about the game.