Sunday, January 31, 2021

FRIDLEY WENT UP AGAINST ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Jan. 29, Fridley and the Academy of Holy Angels went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Going into the game both teams had a record of 1-2.

Both teams’ benches were spread out and, there were a limited number of fans in the stands due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Fridley was patient with the ball on the offensive end, as they passed the ball around the 3-point line.

Holy Angels started the game in a zone defense. That made Fridley pass the ball around the 3-Point line and that took a lot of time off the clock.

Fridley looked to get the ball into the hands of Christian Crockett. His teammates knew where he was always on the floor and he called for the ball.

It took a while for each team to get in a shooting rhythm, as neither team was able to make a basket in the opening minutes of the game.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls. There were many tie-ups.

Crockett was not afraid to shoot mid-range jump shots and layups.

Holy Angels Camden Holter looked to make deep 3-point shots. Holter did a good job of calling for the ball on the offensive end. Teammate Bryce Boyd came off screens to get to the basket and make layups.

The defensive pressure that Fridley applied in their zone defense made it difficult for Holy Angels to make shots.

Holy Angels did a good job of passing the ball and getting everyone involved in the offense. They were patient on the offensive end.

Holy Angels guard Jaylen Boehm-Peterson came off screens and made layups off screens. After a slow start offensively by Holy Angels got their offense going.

The score went back and forth for a few possessions with just under 9:00 to go in the first half. There were no significant runs or lead changes yet.

Fridley’s Muhsin Ahmed got to the basket and made mid-range jump shots and layups. He picked up his second personal foul with 7:37 left in the first half. He then was subbed out of the game.

Holy Angel’s Joe Miller came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. He came up with jump shots and layups.

Fridley called a timeout with 5:48 left in the first half. The score was Holy Angels 15. Fridley 13.

Both teams did a good job of talking on each end of the floor on offense and defense.

Fridley worked the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense.

Holy Angels got the ball into the hands of Bryce Boyd and Roberts who got into a shooting rhythm late in the first half. 

Holy Angels called a timeout with 3:11 left in the first half. The score was Fridley 18, Holy Angels 17.

Both teams crashed the boards as they went after rebounds, they also both fought hard throughout the first half. There were multiple ties and lead changes late in the half.

Fridley’s Micha Niewald stepped up and knocked down deep three-point baskets late in the first half.

At halftime, the score was Fridley 24, Holy Angels 22.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 15:35 left in regulation. The score was tied at 26.

Both teams continued to play zone defense. They switched between 2-3 and 3-2 zone.

Both teams played with a lot of intensity and passion throughout the game.

Fridley’s Ahmed, Niewald and Tra’Vinoe Stevenson all came up with big shots with under 15 minutes to go.

Holy Angels went into a scoring funk after that first timeout and Fridley used that to their advantage as they got their offense going.

Fridley took their time on the offensive end as they got the ball into the hands of Niewald, and Ahmed.

Holy Angels struggled to shoot the ball throughout the second half. Even though they struggled to shoot it they did not give up looking for their shots.

Fridley called a timeout with 8:29 left in regulation. The score was Fridley 46, Holy Angels 32.

Holy Angels Aidan Smith received a technical foul for something that he said. With 8:01 left in regulation.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 8:01 left in regulation. The score was Fridley 49, Holy Angels 33.

Both teams looked to continued to race up and down the floor going after loose balls on both ends of the floor.

Crockett and Stevenson each stepped up and knocked down deep 3-point shots late in the game.

Holy Angels Bryce Boyd came up with layups late in the game. Even though his team struggled to shoot the ball throughout the second half, Boyd kept on coming up with shots.

Fridley called a timeout with 4:13 left in regulation. The score was Fridley 58, Holy Angels 39.

Holy Angels continued to get everyone involved in the offense late.

Both teams played hard and well throughout the game. Holy Angles struggled to shoot the ball late in the second half. Fridley used that to their advantage as they kept attacking the basket and came up with their shots.

Fridley came away with the 63-45 victory over Holy Angels.

The leading scorer for Fridley was Ahmed with 15 points and the leading scorer for Holy Angels was Boyd with 11 points.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

FRIDLEY WENT UP AGAINST RICHFIELD IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On January 19, it was the first game of the 2021 boys’ basketball season. The 2020-2021 basketball season got off to a late start because of the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. My first game was the Fridley at Richfield game.

There was a limited number of fans in attendance due to conference rules. Each conference and each school had to come up with their own Covid-19 protocol as it pertains to fans and media that can attend the game.

Everyone in attendance had to wear a face mask. Also, all players, coaches, officials, media and the scorer’s table were required to wear face masks. The benches were spaced out as each player was six feet from each other.

Richfield started in a zone defense. They wanted to make Fridley take their time on the offensive end.

Fridley looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. Fridley passed the ball around the 3-point line and got everyone involved in the offense.

Richfield’s Ryan Miles came up with mid-range jump shots and 3-point shots. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Fridley used a motion offense as they took a lot of time off the clock dribbling the ball around the floor. Richfield had to chase and play defense while the ball handler was dribbling around the court. Fridley did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

Richfield looked to score baskets in transition. Richfield’s Lamar Grayson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in transition.

Fridley’s Christian Crockett took the ball strong to the basket. He was able to make layups in transition.

Richfield’s Jaden Wollmuth was able to get his teammates involved in the offense. If he thought that he had a good shot, he was not afraid to shoot the ball.

Fridley called a timeout with 11:38 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 14, Fridley 9.

Fridley took a lot of 3-point shots and was able to crash the boards as they looked to come up with rebounds.

Richfield did a good job of trapping the ball on the defensive end. That lead to turnovers and layups on the offensive end.

The score went back and forth with just under 10 minutes left in the first half.

Wollmuth came up with some big mid-range jump shots in the first half. Teammate Ryan Miles also came up with layups. On the defensive end, they were able to slow down the guy that they were guarding.

Fridley really looked to take time off the clock as they worked the ball around the perimeter as they looked for their shots.

Richfield was able to turn Fridley over and make layups and jump shots on the offensive end.

Fridley went into a scoring drought late in the first half. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on attacking the basket.

Fridley’s Cristian Crockett came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half.

Fridley called a timeout with 4:14 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 31, Fridley 18.

Fridley got their offense rolling late in the first half. They were able to make shots in transition. Even though they struggled shooting early they kept on attacking the basket.

Wollmuth called for the ball late in the first half and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Fridley’s offense stalled late in the first half as they struggled to shoot the ball offensively.

At halftime, the score was Richfield 42, Fridley 26.

As the second half got underway Richfield continued to look to get the ball into Myles, Wollmuth and Lamar Grayson’s hands. Miles came out hot as well as he continued to find the basket.

Both teams dove on the floor for loose balls.

Fridley continued to struggle to shoot the ball early in the second half.

Richfield called a timeout with 13:34 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 47, Fridley 34.

Fridley had a tough time slowing down Wollmuth on the low block.

Fridley kept on attacking the basket in the second half. They did not get frustrated as they struggled shooting the ball.

Wollmuth was all over the floor as he was able to come up with layups throughout the second half.

Fridley called a timeout with 6:08 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 67, Fridley 43.

Richfield continued to come up with fast breaks and layups off fast breaks late in the game.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Fridley struggled to shoot the ball throughout the game. Even though they struggled to shoot the ball they attacked the basket throughout the game. Richfield did a good job of getting everyone involved in the game. For Richfield Wollmuth was all over the floor. He was able to make plays on both ends of the court. If he had an open look at the basket, he would take it.

Richfield called a timeout with 1:04 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 77, Fridley 47.

Both teams continued to race up and down the floor late in the game.

Richfield came away with the 81-47 victory over Fridley.

The leading scorer for Fridley was Crockett with 16.

The leading scoers for Richfield were Wollmuth 25, Miles and Grayson each with 20 points.

THE ST. PAUL SAINTS HAVE BECOME THE MINNESOTA TWINS CLASS TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE

The St. Paul Saints have become the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The St. Paul Saints began as an organization in 1993.

When the St. Paul Saints started playing in St. Paul their league was based on fun. Their mascot was a pig.


Sunday, January 17, 2021

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL GETS UNDERWAY

The 2021 Minnesota State High School basketball season is underway. With the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic going on schools are rethinking their media and fan policies.

It is up to each school conference on who they will allow into the game to cover, watch the games.

All teams are playing a reduced schedule this year because of the pandemic. Also, all players, coaches and officials are required to wear face masks while playing.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES CENTER KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

 Minnesota Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns has tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19).


Towns has had family members battle with Covid-19. He lost his mother, Jacqueline Cruz to Covid-19 he has also lost six other family members. His dad had the virus but has recovered.