MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES HEAD COACH FLIP SAUNDERS HAS DIED OF CANCER

According to multiple media reports Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders has passed away from cancer.

Saunders found out he had cancer in August of 2015.

According to ESPN, “Sam Mitchell has been named interim head coach of the Timberwolves, and GM Milt Newton is heading the team's personnel department.”

FLIP SAUNDERS IS BACK AS HEAD COACH OF THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

According to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, “The Timberwolves will reach into their past when they formally announce president of basketball operations Flip Saunders as their next head coach.”

Saunders was the head coach for the Timberwolves from 1995-2005. According to Wikipedia, “On May 3, 2013, Saunders was named the Timberwolves' President of Basketball Operations. On June 5, 2014, Saunders was named head coach of the Timberwolves.”

There was much talk on who would replace Rick Adelman who stepped down as head coach after the 2013-2014 season.

BENILDE-ST. MARGARET'S WENT UP AGAINST SPRING LAKE PARK IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

In a highly anticipated boys' basketball game, Spring Lake Park hosted Benilde-St. Margaret's. Both teams came into the game with records of 16-1. Many of the Twin Cities media outlets were in attendance covering the game. Former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders was also in the stands watching the game. Benilde-St. Margaret's was ranked number 1 in class AAA and Spring Lake Park was ranked number 2 in class AAA.

Benilde started the game in a zone defense. They looked early to spread Spring Lake Park out. Both teams tried to set the tempo.

Sanjay Lumpkin for Benilde was not afraid to shoot the ball. His teammates knew where he was on the floor and got it to him.

The game started off at a quick tempo.

Bryce Williams made nice shots for Spring Lake Park. He hit shots from all over the court.

Sean Scott nailed some deep three-point shots for Spring Lake Park. He kept his team in the game in the first half. On the defensive end Scott was able to slow down the guy he was guarding.

Neither team was afraid to shoot the three-point shot. They were both successful at making them in the first half.

Isaiah Gray for Benilde-St. Margaret's was able to step up and knock down some big shots for his team. That gave his team confidence.

Spring Lake Park went to a full court press. They looked to frustrate the Benilde-St. Margaret's guards by making it hard for them to bring the ball down the court.

At halftime the score was Spring Lake Park40 and Benilde-St. Margaret's 37.

As the second half got underway Spring Lake Park went on a run. They didn't give up any easy shots. Scott nailed a long three-point shot and then on the next defensive play swatted a shot to the third row.

Scott was on fire. He couldn't be stopped. He played with a lot of swagger.

Benilde-St. Margaret's did make a run midway through the second half. They kept on attacking the basket. They fought back and continued to chip way at the deficit.

The score went back and forth late in the contest. Neither team gave up an easy basket.

The game was a sellout. The game was also broadcast on a live stream TV in the Fine Arts Center where an additional 15 or so fans watched the game.

Benilde-St. Margaret's got the score within one at 60-61 with 4:10 left in regulation.

Benilde-St. Margaret's called a timeout with 2:52 left in regulation. The score was Spring Lake Park 63 and Benilde-St. Margret’s 60.

Zireden tied at the game at 65 with 1:00 left to go. Benilde spread the floor out and Lumkin hit a layup with 1.9 seconds left to go to win the game.

Benilde-St. Margaret's came away with the 67-65 victory over Spring Lake Park.

The leading scorers for Benilde-St. Margaret's were Sanjay Lumpkin with 25 points, Isaiah Zierden with 17 points and Isaiah Gray with 13 points.

The leading scorers for Spring Lake Park were Sean Scott with 36 points, Bryce Williams with 12 points and Robert Ben with 9 points. 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoop Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Benilde-St. Margaret's vs. Spring Lake Park game.

FLIP SAUNDERS HAS BEEN FIRED BY THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS

According to ESPN NBA, “Wizards have fired coach Flip Saunders after a 2-15 start. “ Assistant Randy Wittman will take over as as head coach for rest of the season.