CATCHING UP WITH JAYSON ANDERSON EDWARDS

I was able to email Jayson Anderson Edwards who played at Benilde St.Margaret's High School in St. Louis Park. I asked him where he is playing now? Are you playing now? He told me, “Currently living in Frankfurt, Germany. I have had the opportunity to try out with a few teams after a breakout game against TVO Biggesee. (22 pts, 7 reb)

He told me that after he graduated high school, “I played college basketball after finishing high school. I also had a son; Kayden was born May 17, 2019.”

He graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper in 2015 and played division one junior college at Lake Region State in North Dakota.

He is currently staying in Frankfurt, Germany.

I was able to ask him,” How has COVID-19 affected basketball where you are playing?” He told me “COVID never affected my season for basketball here but it did make it difficult to fly to Europe."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he told me that, “I’ve had time to self-reflect on my goals and ambitions and creatively finding ways to stay healthy. Also, value the time with my family.

He wanted to let people know about his playing career that, “I’m a fearless guard that loves to compete. Some shocked how well I can score despite my height disadvantage.”

He said that his typical day looks like, “I wake up 7 am go on a run 2 for miles and jump rope. Eat breakfast at around 915 AM. Then individual workout from 945-1145 AM. I go to lunch. After lunch, I lift heavy weights from 2-4 PM. Go back to the hotel eat dinner then I will have practice with a team who calls me.”

Edwards looks to keep up with the Covid-19 pandemic and looks to get back to playing soon.

TWIN CITIES ACADEMY/GREAT RIVER AND HIAWATHA ACADEMY SQUARE UP AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A GIRLS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 17, Twin Cities Academy/Great River went up against Hiawatha Academy in a girls’ basketball game. 

Both teams looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. 

It took each team awhile to get into a shooting rhythm. Hiawatha struggled shooting the ball early. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on shooting it. 

Both teams dove on the floor and looked to come up with the ball. 

TCAGR moved the ball down the floor well and was able to get everyone into the offense. 

Hiawatha called a timeout with 12:05 left in the first half. The score was TCAGR 14, Hiawatha 2.

TCAGR used a zone defense. That made Hiawatha pass the ball around the 3-point line and take time off the clock. 

TCARG looked to push the ball down the floor and get everyone involved in the offense. Even though Hiawatha struggled shooting the ball they kept on attacking the basket. 

Hiawatha struggled to shoo throughout the first half. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on shooting the ball.

At halftime, the score was TCAGR 26, Hiawatha Academy 2.

As the second half got underway TCAGR looked to push the ball down the floor and score baskets in transition. 

Both teams continued to look for their shots in the second half. Hiawatha continued to struggle to shoot the ball throughout the second half. 

Hiawatha Academy continued to look for their shots in the second half. Even though they struggled shooting the ball they kept on shooting it.

TCAGR took their time on the offensive end by passing the ball around the 3-point line. Everyone got involved in the offense. 

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Hiawatha Academy struggled shooting the ball throughout the game. TCAGR came up with shots and was able to slow down Hiawatha Academy down throughout the game. 

TCAGR came away with the 51-11 victory over Hiawatha Academy. 

Boys Basketball: Warriors bounce back with gritty victory

By Mike Bialka

 If there was any question about how Brainerd would respond after suffering its first loss of the season, the Warriors answered it Saturday afternoon against the Elk River Elks.

Following a 5-hour round trip bus ride in sub-zero temperatures Friday, the Warriors bounced back less than 20 hours later with a gritty 57-36 win in a Section 8-4A game at Brainerd High School.

Friday night, Moorhead snapped the Warriors’ 14-game season-opening win streak. Brainerd let an 18-point lead slip away and allowed the Spuds’ Aaron Lien to go off for a school-record 53 points.

“We really wanted to come out and show that we still had some talent and that we still are a good team,” said Warriors post Marcus Comstock, who scored 16 of his hard-fought, game-high 20 points in the second half.

The contest was far from fluid as it was disrupted by 38 fouls (26 on Elk River) and 59 turnovers (31 by the Elks).

“We knew they were going to be a physical team,” Comstock said. “We came out and we just played physical with them.”

Turnovers and fouls had to affect shooting percentages as Brainerd shot just 40 percent and the Elks 30 percent.

“Our kids were tired, no question we were tired. You could see it in the locker room, you could see it in our shootaround,” Warriors coach Scott Stanfield said. “We just talked about great teams, good teams, they just find a way. Even when you’re tired and sore and nicked up, you’ve got to find a way to play with energy, and they did. I can’t be happier with our kids.”

Stanfield was pleased with his team’s smothering, swarming defense. Brainerd’s occasional full-court pressure perturbed the Elks. The Warriors also deflected, and recovered, several entry passes into the paint. 

Elk River made just 8 of 29 baskets in the second half, 14 of 47 in all.

“We watched them a couple times, they’re a very good team,” Stanfield said. “We’re happy that our kids came to play defense. They moved their feet and slid over. Our cross-down action on defense was much better than it was at Moorhead.

“It was a point of emphasis during our walkthrough and shootaround (Saturday) morning, that we needed to do that better, and the kids took that upon themselves and challenged themselves and really did a nice job.”
Trailing 29-15 at the half, the Elks three times in the second half pulled within seven points, but each time Brainerd responded.

Brainerd led 44-36 when it salted the win away with a resounding 13-point run to end the game. Jack Sauer scored seven of his 18 points in Brainerd’s game-ending burst.

“This definitely was a boost to the morale of our team,” Comstock said.

In the first half, Brainerd made only 35 percent of its field goals and the Elks 33 percent.

A laborious, deliberate pace in the game’s first eight minutes, and a 10-9 Elk River lead, was transformed into a 23-10 Brainerd edge following a 14-point Warrior surge. Six of those points came at the foul line, 11 off of turnovers.

Elk River was scoreless for more than eight minutes during the Warriors’ spree. Clay Elrod’s free throw with 1:43 left finally ended the drought.

The victory vaulted Brainerd into the lead in the section according to the Quality Results Formula (QRF). Brainerd now has a 232.1 QRF, followed by Elk River’s 220.8. Brainerd improved to 6-1 against section opponents, the Elks slipped to 3-1.

“I don’t know how it works, but we always seem to get the short end of that (QRF),” Stanfield said. “Beating them helps. Every win they pick up, I understand, will help us somehow. How? I don’t know.”

MARQUIS CORTEZ MICHAEL WILLIAMS LOOKING FOR A HOME ON THE BASKETBALL COURT

Marquis Cortez Michael Williams was born on August 10, 1994. He grew up in Chicago and Minnesota.

Williams plays football for fun but his main sport is basketball. He started playing basketball when he was 5 years old.

In his free time he likes to play the Play Station 3 and hangs out with his friends. He has three brothers.

Williams is looking to get into a college basketball program to further his basketball ambitions. He understands that the game of basketball is more than putting the ball into the basket.

Williams continues to work out in the gym and stay into shape.

HUNTER FRISEN SAYS HE WILL TAKE A GREY SHIRT YEAR

According to Hunter Friesen he plans on, “Walking on at the U. I Plan on Grey Shirting so I will come in next spring. Plan on lifting and getting into good shape this fall to be ready for spring ball.”

MINNESOTA SELECT WHITE TOOK ON MINNESOTA HEAT REESE IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Minnesota Select White took on Minnesota Heat Resse in a boys' basketball game. The game got off to a slow start each team forced shots. Then two minutes into the game the Heat caught fire and opened a 9-0 run. Selected called there first timeout with just over 13 minutes left in the first half.

The Heat got the ball into the hands of Brenden Taylor. Taylor was all over the floor on the offensive end, He got his teammates involved in the offense. On the defensive end Taylor did a good job of defending his player. He made it uncomfortable for him on the offensive end.

Quashingm Smith-Pugh was all over the floor for the Heat. He did a good job of getting his teammates involved in the offense.

Both teams took there time on the offensive end. They were patient with the ball and they didn't want to rush shots that they put up.

Kharie Kirkland for Heat did a good job of driving to the basket. He made some nice lay-ups. He was not afraid to get fouled going to the basket. He also did a good job of running the Heat offense. Kirkland would wait and dribble the ball at the top of the key to make sure his teammates were in the spots that they were supposed to be in before he called a play.

The Heat did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They were able to pass the ball around the three-point line to kill time off of the clock.

The Heat used mostly a man-to-man defense. They were able to play tough pressure defense that made it difficult for Select to make baskets.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. I thought that they both took relatively good care of the basketball and the coaches and players were into the game.

Xavier Hall for Select was all over the floor. He would bring the ball down the floor and was able to direct his team on the offensive end. On the defensive end he made his man feel very uncomfortable when they were on offense.

Select did a good job of putting pressure on the heat and creating turn overs late in the half.

At halftime the score was Minnesota Heat Reese 34 and Minnesota Select White 26.

As the second half got underway both teams continued to go hard after loose balls and rebounds. The defensive pressure that each team applied was just suffocating.

Select looked to get the ball inside to there big man Fllip Swanson who was .listed as 6' 7”. He sure played like he was 6'7”. The Heat didn't have any one as tall as him on there roster.

Select looked for Swanson for easy baskets in the lane. The Heat did a good job of getting to Swanson and trapping him when he got the ball in the lane, making it hard for him to get his shot off.

The game was close throughout the second half as each team battled for their shots on the offensive end.

John Sobaski for Select made a few good clutch shots to keep his team in the game. He was able to consistently hit jump shots from just inside the free-throw lane.

The Heat did a good job of making shots in transition. As soon as they got the ball out of the basket they would run down and try to make baskets in transition.

The Heat went to a a zone defense in the second half. They made Select pass the ball around the three-point line to get their shots. The Select had a hard time getting the ball inside.

Bremiah Snyder took charges underneath his basket. He didn’t allow his guy to get by him. He also had good footwork. I thought that he played with a lot of emotion and energy.

Carson Shanks from Select who is listed at 7'0'' was a beast inside. He called for the ball on the low block and did every thing he could to get the ball into the basket from the low block. Many different Heat players tried to guard him on the block.

The game came down to the wire. I though that each team played well and it was a very fun game to watch and cover. These were two good teams going up against each other. The players, fans and coaches were into the game.

The game was very physical. Bodies collided, guys dove on the floor and there was a lot of intensity in a hard fought game.

Select got within four points with a minuet to go in the contest. They attacked the basket and hit shots late in the game.

In the end Minnesota Heat came away with the 56-53 victory over Minnesota Select. 

MILLER TIME TOOK ON FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND ATHLETICS IN THE HOWARD PULLEY PRO CITY SUMMER LEAGUE

Miller Time battled Fundamentally Sound Athletics in a Howard Pulley Pro City Summer League basketball game.

Miller Time played without guard Troy Bell due to an injury in his previous game. Bell was in street clothes on the bench cheering on his team.

The game got off to a quick start as each team traded baskets in the first 3:00 of the contest.

Fundamentally Sound Athletics got the ball into the hands of Siyani Tahir Chambers. Chambers was quick on the offensive end. He was able to beat the defense down the court on a consistent basis.

Rodney Williams came up with some nice slam dunks that kept his team and the crowd into the game. On the defensive end he was able to apply defensive pressure within the paint and on the wings.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Fundamentally Sound Athletics 25 and Miller Time 19.

Fundamentally Sound Athletics continued to drive to the lane as they looked to get easy lay-ups. Miller Time didn't want to give up any easy baskets so the fouled hard in an attempt to discourage their opponents.

Both teams picked up the pace of the game on the offensive end and put their shots up early and often.

Bobby Fong for Miller Time found his shot as he was able to nail some deep three-point line. Wally James Ellenson also for Miller Time was not afraid to also dial up the long distance three-point shot.

Miller Time made a run late in the second quarter as Fundamentally Sound Athletics went cold from the field. This enabled Miller Time to close the gap to one point at halftime.

The first half was close. Neither team gave up easy shots and played hard throughout the game. At halftime the score was Fundamentally Sound Athletics 56 and Miller Time 55.

As the second half got underway Miller Time continued to attack the glass and looked for their scoring opportunities. The game stayed close in the third quarter as neither team was able to go on a run.

At the end of the third quarter the score was tied at 85.

The fourth quarter got off to a quick pace. That shouldn't be unaccepted as the game had a quick pace throughout. Fundamentally Sound Athletics kept their composure late in the contest.

Fundamentally Sound Athletics was able to come away with the 117-107 victory over Miller Time

Neither team really went on a run in the contest. I thought that the game was very competitive and hard fought throughout. Both teams played hard and players made nice moves with and without that ball. That made this game a good game and competitive.

The leading scorers for Miller Time were Akieem Cabie with 37 points, and John Vaudreuil with 15 points.

The leading scorers for Fundamentally Sound Athletics were Joe Coleman with 32 points, Rodney Williams with 28 points, Josh Fingin with 18 points and Siyani Chambers with 17 points and Zach Lofton with 16 points.

ROYCE ALEXANDER WHITE PICKED NUMBER 16 IN THE 2012 NBA DRAFT

Royce Alexander White who is from Minnesota was picked number 16 by the Huston Rockets in the 2012 NBA Draft.

White went to the University of Minnesota and then transferred to Iowa State before deciding to turn pro. White would have been a junior at Iowa State if he decided to return to go to school.

123PRINT.COM TOOK ON HIGH PERFORMANCE ACADEMY IN A HOWARD PULLEY PRO CITY SUMMER LEAGUE BASKETBALL GAME

123Print.com went up against High Performance Academy in a basketball game. The game got off to a quick start as each team didn't waste any time shooting the ball.

Both teams looked to shoot the ball from inside the three-point line. Jamal Dale Davis for High Performance Academy was not afraid to shoot the ball. He found his shot from inside the three-point line. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in places where they thought that he could shoot it.

Quinton Lee Hooker came up with some nice steals and was able to convert them on the offensive end. Hooker was also not afraid to get his teammates involved in the offense. If he thought that they had a better shot he would pass it to them so they could take it. Hooker was all over the floor. He was a known leader on the court.

123Print.com didn't give up. They kept on shooting the ball even though there shots were not falling.

At the end of the first quarter they were looking at an eleven point deficit with the score High Performance Academy 28 and 123Print.com 17.

123Print.com continued to have difficulty shooting the ball to start the second half. The defensive pressure applied by their opponent was the contributing factor. When they had a decent look at the rim they simply could not convert it.

High Performance Academy continued to look for their shots and for a while maintain better shooting edge.. Kamali Chambers did a good job of directing his team on the offensive end. He told his players where they were supposed to be on the floor.

High Performance Academy ran into some turn over issues midway through the second quarter. 123Print.com did all they could to convert the turnovers into points.

High Performance Academy looked for Hooker to keep them in the game based on his shooting. 123Print.com battled and they attacked the basket and chipped into the deficit.

123Print.com battled throughout the first half. Both teams went hard after rebounds and loose balls and was able to cut into their first quarter 11 point deficit. At halftime the score was High Performance Academy 56 and 123Print.com 49.

As the second half got underway both teams seemed to be fired up and they both played with a lot of emotion and energy. Both head coaches for these clubs were positive and shouting encouragement to their respective teams. Both teams responded well to the instruction that they received.

123Print.com came out on fire. They continued to shoot the ball well and stay positive. DeAndre Townsend the guard for 123Print.com blew by his defenders and was able to convert lay-ups into points. 123Print.com took the lead late in the quarter. The game remand close in the third. It was anyone's game going into the fourth quarter. 123Print.com put a trapping defense on High Performance Academy and they turned the ball over late in the quarter and 123Print.com converted on the turn overs.

At the end of three quarters of play the score was 123Print.com took the lead with 87 and High Performance Academy 75.

Both teams did a good job of going after rebounds. Each team got their share of the boards. 123Print.com was able to ware down High Performance Academy late in third and throughout the fourth quarter.

High Performance didn't back down to the pressure that 123Print.com applied. The game came down to the wire late in the contest. High Performance never backed down to 123Print.com.

123Print.com was successful in getting long rebounds and making full court passes for easy lay-ups. In the end both teams were patient with the ball and played hard throughout the game. But in the end 123Print.com came away with the 117-108 victory over High Performance Academy.

The leading scorers for High Performance Academy were Quinton Lee Hooker with 23 points and Anders Broaman with 29 points.

The leading scorers for 123Print.com were Will Graham with 31 points, Paris Kyles with 29 points and Deandre Townsend with 21 points.

GALE-ETTRICK-TREMPEALEAU WENT UP AGAINST ST. PAUL CENTRAL IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL GAME

Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau (GET) went up against St. Paul Central in a boys' basketball game.

Central looked to get the ball into the hands of Markus Jermon Taylor-Knighten. Taylor-Knighten was all over the court. He was able to hit shots.

GET went on a run to start the game. They got off to an early 9-4 run with 14:00 left in regulation.

GET was in a zone defense. They looked to spread Central out.

Central had a hard time making shots from the field.

GET got the ball in the hands of their guard Riley Bambenek. He was all over the floor. Bambenek made some nice baskets in the first half.

Central didn't get down on themselves. They kept on attacking the basket. Central tried to make a comeback late in the first half.

At halftime the score was GET 41 and Central 23.

Central stayed in their full court press. GET was able to get right around the Central defenders.

GET came away with the overwhelming 66-44 victory over Central.

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL TOOK ON ST. AGNES IN A BOYS' BASKETBALL CONTEST

Cretin-Derham Hall took on St. Agnes in a boys' basketball game. Both teams came into the game with a record of 2-4.

Cretin-Derham Hall passed the ball around three-point line.

Cretin-Derham Hall came out on fire. They were able to get everyone involved in the plays.

It took a while for each of these teams to get into their shooting grove.

St. Agnes called a timeout with 7:26 left in the first half. The score was Cretin-Derham Hall 29 and St. Agnes 12.

Cretin-Derham Hall played a zone defense. St. Agnes was not able to get the ball to the low block. The defense for Cretin-Derham Hall was able to slow St. Agnes down offensively.

At halftime the score was Cretin-Derham Hall 46 and St. Agnes 28.

CJ Neuman was all over the court for Cretin-Derham Hall. On the defensive end he was able to slow down the person he was guarding.

St. Agnes tried to go on a run late in the game.

Cretin-Derham kept scoring baskets at will. St. Agnes was not able to come back. Cretin-Derham Hall was too quick for St. Agnes. Cretin won the game by the final score of 81-55.

HILL-MURRAY TOOK ON ST. PAUL CENTRAL IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

Hill-Murray took on St. Paul Central in a boys’ basketball contest. Central won the tip. Hill-Murray started the game in a man-to-man defense. They wanted to apply pressure to Central from the beginning of the game.

The game got off to a quick start as each team got the ball up the court in a quick fashion. Both teams were able to trade baskets early on.

Hill-Murray went on a run midway through the first half. Central was not able to hit their shots to fall in the first half. They did not give up though as they were able to go hard after Hill-Murray.

Both teams made their shots down the stretch in the first half.

Central went on a run late in the half.

At halftime the score was Hill-Murray 35 and Central 31.

St. Paul Central came out of the halftime break in a man-to-man full court press. They wanted to get Hill-Murray out of the game.

Hill-Murray went to a zone defense. They wanted to spread Central out. Hill Murray went on a run early in the half.

Hill-Murray looked to keep the ball out of the hands of the Central players in the second half. They did a good job of that.

St. Paul Central didn’t get bothered by the pressure that Hill-Murray applied.

St. Paul Central trapped Hill-Murray and they looked to steal the ball. They were able to turn Hill-Murray over in the second half.

Central went on a run late in the contest. They cut the deficit to one with 2:00 left to go in the contest.

The game came down to the wire. The score went back and forth in the last 2:00 of the contest.

Hill-Murray came away with the 64-62 victory over St. Paul Central.

WOFFORD TOOK ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM IN A NONCONFERENCE HOME GAME

Wofford took on the University of Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team in the home opener. Wofford is located in Spartanburg, SC.


Wofford has three basketball players who are from Minnesota. Guard Cameron Clifford Rundles from Minneapolis went to Minneapolis De La Salle high school. Jamar Anthony Diggs who is from Minneapolis and he also went to Minneapolis De La Salle high school. Noah Dahlman is a guard and he went to Braham high school.


The Gophers looked to take their time on the offensive end on their first two possessions down the court. Wofford also took their time on the offensive end.


With 15:45 left in the first half the score was Wofford 7 and Minnesota 5.


Minnesota used a zone defense out of the time out. They looked to spread Wofford out when they were on offense.


Ralph Sampson III came up with a big one-handed slam dunk that got the team motivated. Ralph was also able to knock down some big three point shots as well in the first half.


With 11:24 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 19 and Wofford 9.


Minnesota was able to use the shot clock effectively throughout the first half. They usually shot the ball with 10 to 5 seconds left to go.


With 7:15 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 24 and Wofford 12.


Jamar Diggs played well throughout the first half. He knew where he could get his shot up and his players did a good job of getting him the ball.


Wofford did a good job of using the back door play. They were very successful of making baskets off the back door.


With 2:50 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 27 and Wofford 20.


Both teams fought hard throughout the first half. I also thought that the Noah Dahlam, Jamar Anthony Diggs and Clifford Rundles all played well in the first half.


At halftime the score was Minnesota 31 and Wofford 21.


As the second half got underway both teams were able to keep up the intensity. Colton Iverson was able to make his shot throughout the game. I thought that he played well. He looked like he knew the offense well and was able to make some good plays under the basket.


With 14:56 left to go in the second half the score was Minnesota 39 and Wofford 27.


The Gophers continued to push the ball down the court and they were able to make plays in transition.


Al King Nolen played a pivotal role in the Gopher offense. He was able to get his team involved in the offense. He set up his teammates up so they can get nice shots.


With 3:35 left to go in regulation the score was Minnesota 56 and Wofford 46.


Minnesota was able to come away with the 69-55 victory over Wofford. I really thought that Cameron Clifford Rundles, Jamar Anthony Diggs and Noah Dahlman all played well throughout the game.


The leading scorers for the Minnesota Gophers were Trevor Mbakwe with 14 points and Ralph Sampson with 20 points.


The leading scorers for Wofford were Noah Dahlman with 15 points, Cameron Rundles with 14 points. Tim Johnson, and Jamar Diggs had10 points.


After the game Gophers players Trevor Mbakwe and Ralph SampsonIII talked about the game. Tubby Smith also addressed the media and talked about the game.


I was able to talk to Wofford players Noah Dahlamn, Jamar Diggs, and Cameron Rundles, about their performance in the game.

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST TOOK ON CROSSTOWN RIVAL MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH IN GIRLS BASKETBALL

Southwest traveled to Minneapolis South for a girls’ basketball contest.

South is younger than years past, but they are still a strong team. They were 10-5 coming into the game.

Southwest had an 8-8 record coming into the game. South was able to jump out and take a quick lead.

Southwest looked to attack the basket.

South wanted to push the ball up the court and they wanted to run the fast break as much as they could.

Southwest wanted to slow South down and did not want them to get them into a shooting rhythm.

South went on a run midway through the first half. At half time the score was South 40 and Southwest 21.

Senior Guard Armeshia Kearney led the South Tigers with 19 points. Her backcourt mate Tyisha Smith added 10 points as well. Sophomore Guard Mariah Adanene led the Lakers with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
South was able to come away with the 73-45 victory.
Check out photos of the game on f/go. www.elemenoP.us/f-go.html