Tuesday, March 23, 2021

BEN JOHNSON IS THE RIGHT GUY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING JOB

After a long 2020-21 men’s basketball season at the University of Minnesota, there were a lot of rumblings of who will replace Richard Pitino if he was let go.

On March 22, University of Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle hired Ben Johnson to lead the University of Minnesota.

Ben Johnson’s name came up early on the rumor mill when the season was going rough mid-way through the season.

I watched Johnson play basketball when he was playing at DeLaSalle and at the University of Minnesota.

While he was playing at DeLaSalle his head coach was Dave Thorson. Thorson went on to coach college basketball at different universities.

Johnson knows the twin cities area and knows the high school and AAU coaches in the area. I think that that is a plus for Johnson who knows all too well about the recruiting and the hotbed of players from Minnesota.

I think it will be interested in seeing who he brings in as an assistant coach.


Monday, March 22, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS NATIVE BEN JOHNSON HAS BECOME THE NEW HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

According to multiple sources the University of Minnesota has hired Ben Johnson to be the next men’s basketball coach at the University of Minnesota.

Johnson graduated from DeLaSalle in 1999 and went on to play at the University of Minnesota.

Johnson was an assistant at Xavier before accepting the job at Minnesota.


Saturday, March 20, 2021

RICHARD PITINO HAS BEEN NAMED THE HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH AT NEW MEXICO

Richard Pitino has been named the head men’s basketball coach at New Mexico on March 16. Pitino was fired by the University of Minnesota on March 15. 

RICHARD PITINO HAS BEEN FIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

On March 15, University of Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle fired men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino after eight seasons as the men’s basketball coach.

Through eight seasons with the Gophers, Pitino had an overall record of 141-123 while his Big Ten record was 54-96.

During the shortened Covid-19 2020-2021 basketball season, the Gophers had an overall record of 14-15 and were 6-14 in the Big Ten Conference.

MINNEAPOLIS NORTH WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 12, Minneapolis North and Minneapolis Southwest went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Going into the game North had a record of 10-1 while Southwest’s record was 9-6.

North won the tip and they looked to control the tempo early. North passed the ball around the 3-point line as they got everyone involved in the offense. North pushed the ball down the floor and looked to score points in transition.

Southwest started the game in a zone defense. That made North must swing the ball around the 3-point line and take time off the clock.

Southwest guard Marcus Mattox came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Mattox was also able to bring the ball down the floor and get past the North defense.

North looked to get the ball into the hands of Davon Townley. Townley took the ball strong to the basket where he was able to make mid-range jump shots and layups. He was not afraid of contact. Teammate C.J Brown looked to make 3-point shots and layups as well.

There were multiple ties and lead changes early. Neither team went on a run early. North’s Mario Sanders came off the bench and provided an offensive spark.

North’s Willie Willson looked to take mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the first half. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. On the defensive end he was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding.

North was able to move the ball down the floor as they looked to score layups in transition.

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run in the first half.

Southwest’s Andrew Gregerson came up with deep 3-point shots that kept Southwest in the game.

North’s Andre Gray came up with 3-point shots. His teammates were able to get him the ball on top of the key where he stepped up and knocked down shots.

Southwest called a timeout with 3:43 left in the first half. The score was North 32, Southwest 18.

Southwest was able to get by the North defense and come up with layups and jump shots.

At halftime, the score was North 29, Southwest 22.

As the second half got underway Southwest looked to get the ball into the hands of Gabe Senseman-Cassidy and Caden Sullivan both came up with layups and jump shots.

North called a timeout with 16:57 left in regulation. The score was North 31, Southwest 22.

North pushed the ball down the floor and continued to get layups in transition.

Southwest called a timeout with 15:43 left in regulation. The score was North 36, Southwest 22.

North continued to attack the basket and look for their shots. North also looked to get the ball into the hands of Willson.

North looked to trap the ball on the defensive end. They wanted to turn Southwest over.

North called a timeout with 12:26 left in regulation. The score was North 41, Southwest 27.

North’s Willson scored his 1,000th point on a slam dunk with just over 12:00 left to go in regulation.

Southwest continued to shoot the ball even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on attacking the basket.

Southwest called a timeout with 9:05 left in regulation. The score was North 46, Southwest 30.

Townley got hot late in the game. He came up with blocks on the defensive end and layups on the offensive end.

Southwest continued to fight back throughout the second half. Even though their shots were not dropping they kept on attacking the basket.

Southwest called a timeout with 3:39 left in regulation. The score was North 54, Southwest 42.

Willson received a technical foul right before the timeout for saying something to the official.

North called a timeout with 1:38 left in regulation. The score was North 58, Southwest 48.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. It was a sloppy game at times. Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds.

Southwest called a timeout with 39.3 seconds left. The score was North 62, Southwest 55.

Both teams gave it their all throughout the end.

In the end however North came away with the victory over Southwest, 63-55.

MINNEAPOLIS NORTH WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS DELASALLE IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 6, Minneapolis North and Minneapolis DeLaSalle went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Going into the game North had a record of 9-0 while DeLaSalle had a record of 10-4.

Both teams looked to move the ball down the floor. DeLaSalle was patient with the ball on the offensive end. They swung the ball around the 3-point line.

North attacked the basket and looked for their shots as well.

DeLaSalle’s Cade Haskins stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. If Haskins did not think that he had a good shot, he would pass it off to one of his teammates.

DeLaSalle’s Evan Boyd came up with deep 3-point shots. DeLaSalle was patient on the offensive end.

It was a very physical game. Both teams were bumping each other, and the officials were letting them play.

DeLaSalle tapped North as they looked to turn North over on the offensive end. Boyd kept on coming up with deep 3-point shots.

North’s Andre Gray looked to come up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates got him the ball in the paint where he looked for his shot.

DeLaSalle was able to swing the ball around the 3-point line and take and make 3-point shots.

North looked to move the ball down the floor and score layups in transition. Gray came up with layups that kept North in the game.

Both teams were very vocal on the floor.

North called a timeout with 9:17 left in the first half. The score was DeLaSalle 19, North 15.

DeLaSalle’s Haskins and Evan Boyd both came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. They knew where their teammates were on the floor and they both called for the ball when they thought that they had a good shot.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. Both teams were evenly matched. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half.

DeLaSalle’s Keijuan White came up with a two-handed slam dunk that gave his team a morale boost. He then went back and played solid defense.

North’s Davon Townley came up with layups in the paint. Townley was highly active on both ends of the floor.

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 2:40 left in the first half. The score was tied at 27.

Both teams raced up and down the court late in the game looking for fast-break layups and jump shots.

At halftime, the score was North 33, DeLaSalle 27.

As the second half got underway both teams came out with a lot of energy.

DeLaSalle swung the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to get into their offensive end. Haskins came up with mid-range jump shots out of the offense.

Both teams went after rebounds as everyone crashed the boards. DeLaSalle shot 3-point shots in the second half.

North called a timeout with 13:07 left in regulation. The score was North 35, DeLaSalle 31.

After the timeout, North went to a full-court press. They applied pressure as DeLaSalle brought the ball down the floor.

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 12:06 left in regulation. The score was North 39, DeLaSalle 31.

DeLaSalle stepped up their defensive pressure as they looked to force North to turn the ball over and make them make a bad shot.

North used their quickness to get to the basket and came up with the ball on the offensive end.

DeLaSalle was able to come up with baskets in transition and then come up with stops on the defensive end.

Haskins continued to come up with layups and jump shots in the second half.

North called a timeout with 5:23 left in regulation. The score was North 48, DeLaSalle 37.

DeLaSalle attacked the basket and Casimir Chavis stepped up and knocked down shots. Teammates Nasir Whitlock and Evan Boyd both made shots late in the game.

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 2:29 left in regulation. The score was North 53, DeLaSalle 47.

North looked to take time off the clock late in the game. They dribbled around the 3-point line while they were closely guarded.

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 40.9 seconds left in regulation. The score was North 55, DeLaSalle 49.

DeLaSalle kept on attacking the basket late in the game as they came up with layups.

DeLaSalle called a timeout with 10.1 seconds left in regulation. The score was North 55, DeLaSalle 53.

North ran an inbounds play and it was tipped, and time ran off the clock. DeLaSalle called a timeout with 9.5 left in regulation. The score remined North 55, DeLaSalle 53.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. DeLaSalle fought hard throughout. North came up with plays throughout the game. DeLaSalle did not back down to North at all.

North came away with the 55-53 victory over DeLaSalle.

The leading scorers for DeLaSalle were, Boyd and Whitlock each with 13 points each and Haskins with 12 points.

The leading scorers for North were Wilson with 18 points, and Townley with 16 points.


MINNEAPOLIS NORTH WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS HENRY IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 5, Minneapolis North and Minneapolis Henry squared off in a boys’ basketball game. Due to local Covid-19 restrictions, there were no fans in attendance.

Going into the game North had a record of 8-0 while Henry had a record of 3-5. There were no starting lineups or national anthem.

Henry started the game in a zone defense. North moved the ball down the floor and looked to get everyone involved in the offense.

Both teams dove on the floor early going after loose balls and rebounds.

Henry called a timeout with 16:22 left in the first half. The score was North 8, Henry 7.

North looked to pash the ball down the floor in transition. North looked to get the ball into the hands of Marcus Owens. Owens looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

Henry looked to trap the ball on the defensive end and looked to turn North over.

There were multiple ties and lead changes early. Neither team went on an early run.

North’s Lavar Jones came off the bench and provided an offensive spark. His teammates got him the ball in spots where he could shoot it. Jones also was able to come up with steals on the defensive end.

Teammate Davon Townley also came up with layups in the paint. He was able to come up with rebounds on the defensive end and was able to get the ball to his guard’s hands.

North did a good job of taking time off the clock on the offensive end by swinging the ball around the 3-point line.

Henry called a timeout with 11:31 left in the first half. The score was North 17, Henry 11.

Henry’s Ajani McCrae was all over the floor. On the offensive end, he ran the Henry offense. He was able to get the ball into the hands of teammate Denzil Walker who took the ball strong to the basket and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Henry was able to get to the basket and come up with layups and jump shots.

North’s Willie Wilson came up with layups on the offensive end. Wilson was vocal on both ends of the floor. Teammate Mario Sanders stepped up and was able to make shots that he put up.

Henry pushed the ball down the floor and was not afraid to attack the basket.

North swung the ball around the 3-point line to get into their offense.

There were multiple ties and lead changes with just under 6:00 left in the first half.

Henry moved the ball well on the offensive end. They were able to attack the North defense and get looks in the paint.

Owens did a good job of getting to the basket in transition. He made layups in transition. If he did not think that he had a good shot, he was not afraid to pass it to one of his teammates.

Townley came up with layups and jump shots late in the first half.

North called a timeout with 5.0 seconds left in the first half. The score was North 38, Henry 25. That was the score at halftime.

As the second half got underway Henry stayed in their zone defense. They wanted to make take deep shots.

Henry looked to get the ball into the hands of Jamarrion Beauregard. Beauregard came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

North continued to attack the basket as they pushed the ball down the floor and came up with layups.

Wilson was not afraid to take deep 3-point shots and crash the boards. He knew where his teammates were on the floor.

North’s Andre Gray came off the bench and attacked the basket looking to come up with layups. Gray was not afraid to launch 3-point shots.

Henry called a timeout with 8:51 left in regulation. The score was North 59, Henry 39.

Beauregard kept on coming up with baskets midway through the second half.

Henry called a timeout with 4:17 left in regulation. The score was North 74, Henry 46.

North was too physical for Henry. Henry struggled shooting the ball. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on shooting it.

In a hard-fought game, North came away with the 82-52 victory over Henry.

The leading scorers for North were Wilson with 11 points and Bulter with 9 points.

The leading scorer for Henry was Denzil Walker with 8 points.

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS PATRICK HENRY IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 3, Minneapolis Southwest and Minneapolis Patrick Henry went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Going into the game Southwest hand a record of 5-5 while Henry’s record was 3-4. Due to the current Covid-19 protocol, there were no fans in the stands.

Southwest looked to take their time on the offensive end early. They passed the ball around the 3-point line to take time off the clock.

Southwest started the game in a zone defense. They wanted to force Henry to take time off the clock.

Henry also started the game in a zone defense.

It took each team awhile to get into an offensive shooting rhythm.

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half.

Southwest moved the ball around the floor well. Southwest’s Gabe Senseman-Cassidy came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His teammates were able to get him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Henry called a timeout with 8:59 left in the first half. The score was Southwest 18, Henry 13.

Both teams looked to control the tempo of the game.

Southwest did a good job of moving the ball around the 3-point line.

Southwest came up with fast-break layups. They were not afraid to attack the Henry defense.

Henry struggled shooting the ball and Southwest was able to use their quickness to get to the basket and came up with layups in transition.

Southwest called a timeout with 16.0 seconds left in the first half. The score was Southwest 35, Henry 20. That was the score at halftime.

As the second half got underway Southwest stayed in a zone defense. They kept on talking on the defensive end and made it hard for Henry to run their offense.

Henry ran a motion offense where they did a lot of passing and cutting on the offensive end. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they still shot the ball when they thought that they had a good shot.

Both teams continued to drive to the basket and look for their shots. Southwest used a lot of time off the clock by passing the ball around the 3-point line.

Southwest called a timeout with 9:43 left in regulation. The score was Southwest 45, Henry 29.

Henry looked to trap Southwest as they brought the ball down the floor. They were able to break the trap and get to the basket.

Both teams raced up and down the court looking for fast-break layups in transition.

Henry’s offense came to life with just under 6:00 minutes left in regulation. They got the game within 6.

Southwest called a timeout with 4:22 left in regulation. The score was Southwest 51, Henry 43.

Southwest zone defense made it, so Henry had to pass the ball around the 3-point line as they looked for their shots.

Henry made a run late at the end of the game.

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Henry struggled shooting the ball throughout the game. In a hard-fought game, Southwest came away with the 56-54 victory over Henry.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH WENT UP AGAINST THE ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 1, Minneapolis South and Holy Angels went up against each other in a boys’ basketball non-conference game. Going into the game South had a record of 4-4 while Holy Angels had a record of 4-8.

As the game got underway it took a few minutes for both teams to feel each other out. Both teams looked confidant and were very vocal on the floor.

Holy Angels started the game off in a zone defense. They wanted to make South take time off the clock. South also started the game out in a zone defense.

South looked to push the ball down the floor and looked to get the ball into the hands of Chiang Ring. Ring looked to make mid-range jump shots and layups.

South’s guard Jerome Williams did a good job of leading the South’s offense. He knew where his teammates were on the floor and was able to get them the ball in spots where they could shoot it.

It took a while for South to get their offense going. They turned the ball over in the middle of the lane and Holy Angels came up with steals and turned them into layups.

South’s Dewayne Givens stepped up and knocked down jump shots and made his free throws and layups.

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds.

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a run.

Holy Angels' Emmett Johnson and Camden Holter each came off screens and were able to make layups.

South received a technical foul at the 11:06 mark in the first half. They did not have a player entered in the book.

South played man-to-man defense.

South called a timeout with 10:06 left in the first half. The score was Holy Angels 12, South 9.

After the timeout, South looked to push the ball down the floor and score layups in transition.

Johnson kept on coming up with shots in the paint. He did a good job of calling for the ball. On the defensive end, he was able to contain the guy that he was guarding.

South’s Chiang Ring came up with layups off passes. He called for the ball in the paint.

Both teams crashed the boards. When the ball was shot all 10 players went after the rebound.

South was able to attack the gaps in the Holy Angels defense. South took their time on the offensive end.

Both teams were very physical. They were not afraid of contact.

Williams stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots. His shooting kept South in the game late in the first half.

The game was close throughout the first half. There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 1:04 left in regulation. The score was South 20, Holy Angels 19.

Both teams continued to race up and down the floor looking for fast-break opportunities.

Williams came off screens and got to the basket. He was very vocal on both ends of the floor.

At halftime, the score was South 22, Holy Angels 19.

As the second half got underway South continued to push the ball down the floor and looked for layups in transition.

Johnson continued to attack the basket and was able to make layups.

The score remained close in the opening minutes of the second half.

South went to a zone defense early in the second half.

South ran a motion offense they passed and cut a lot and set a lot of picks and came off cuts well. They also were able to get Williams the ball.

Holy Angels struggled to shoot the ball in the second half. 

Holy Angels called a timeout with 13:20 left in regulation. The score was South 30, Holy Angels 21.

Holy Angels swung the ball around the 3-point line and got everyone involved in the offense.

Holy Angles pressed South with just under 12 minutes to go. South was able to break the press and get to the basket and make layups in transition.

Holter knocked down a 3-point shot and then came up with a steal and an assist.

Boyd stepped up and knocked down 3-point shots. Even though Holy Angels struggled shooting the ball they kept shooting. Teammate Aidan Smith came up with layups as well.

South called a timeout with 7:10 left in the regulation. The score was South 46, Holy Angels 38.

Everyone stepped up and played hard throughout the game. South’s Williams came up with baskets in key parts of the game.

South called a timeout with 4:44 left in regulation. The score was South 49, Holy Angels 44.

Holy Angels' Rob Issa came up with jump shots late in the game. That kept Holy Angels in the game.

The game came down to the wire.

Holter came up with a deep 3-point shot that got Holy Angles within 1 point with just under 3:00 to go.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 2:30 let in regulation. The score was South 53, Holy Angels 52.

Boyd came up with a deep 3-point shot to give Holy Angels the lead.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 1:55 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 55, South 53.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 1:14 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 57, South 55.

South turned it over late and Holy Angels came up with layups.

South called a timeout with 51.8 left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 59, South 57.

Holy Angles came up with baskets late in the game and South was not able to recover.

South called a timeout with 9.9 seconds left in regulation. The score was Holy Angels 62, South 59.

Both teams played hard. The game was close throughout neither team gave up. Holy Angels came away with the 65-59 victory over South.

The leading scorer for South was Williams with 21 points.

The leading scorers for Holy Angels were Holter with 18 points, Johnson with 16 points and Issa with 15 points.

RICHFIELD WENT UP AGAINST HOLY ANGELS IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 26, Richfield and Holy Angels went up against each other in a boys’ basketball game. Going into the game Richfield had a record of 9-2 while Holy Angels had a record of 4-7.

Richfield started the game out in a zone defense. They wanted to make Holy Angels take deep 3-point shots.

Richfield passed the ball around the 3-point line. They looked to take time off the clock, and they were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

It took a while for each team’s offense to get going offensively.

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

Richfield played a zone defense. They wanted to make Holy Angels take their time on the offensive end and they contested shots.

Holy Angels' Camden Holter came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. Teammate Emmett Johnson was able to come off screens and get to the basket and make jump shots.

There were multiple ties and lead changes throughout the first half. Neither team went on a substantial run.

Richfield’s Jaden Wollmuth looked to call for the ball on the offensive end and came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 6:58 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 18, Holy Angels 17.

Wollmuth continued to come up with big shots throughout the first half. His teammates knew where to get him the ball.

Richfield looked to trap the ball on the defensive end and create turnovers.

Richfield called a timeout with 4:54 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 20, Holy Angels 17.

The game remained close late in the first half as neither team went on a run.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 1:35 left in the first half. The score was Richfield 26, Holy Angels 22.

As the first half wound down both teams continued to attack the basket and look for their shots.

At halftime, the score was Richfield 32, Holy Angels 24.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to play hard and run their offense.

Richfield looked to get the ball into the hands of Mitchell January and Wollmuth both of whom came up with big shots.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 12:18 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 38, Holy Angels 29.

Holy Angels struggled to shoot the ball in the second half.

Richfield’s Isaiah Casey came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the game.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 10:42 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 42, Holy Angels 29.

Richfield kept the trap on as they continued to look to turn Holy Angels over.

Richfield called a timeout with 7:22 left in regulation. The score was Richfield 53, Holy Angels 35.

Richfield’s offense came to life in the second half. They were able to make shots down the stretch and they were able to slow down Holy Angels.

Holy Angels got hot with just under 6:00 to go they strung some layups together and got steals and made their jump shots.

Richfield called a timeout with 4:10 left to go in regulation. The score was Richfield 59, Holy Angels 46.

Both teams battled to the end.

Richfield came away with the 68-51 victory over Holy Angels.

The leading scorers for Richfield were Grayson with 20 points, Wollmuth with 15 points and Isaiah Casey-Hammond and January each with 11 points.

The leading scorers for Holy Angels were Holter with 19 points and Johnson with 9 points.