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.