THE FIVE FINALISTS FOR THE MINNESOTA MR. BASKETBALL HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

According to Ken Lien, chairman of the Minnesota Mr. Basketball committee, the five finalists for this year’s award in alphabetical order are:

 

Wheeler Baker 6-2 Osseo

 

Brian Goodwin 6-4 Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa

 

Tyus Jones 6-1 Apple Valley

 

J.P. Macura 6-6 Lakeville North

 

Reid Travis 6-8 DeLaSalle   

 

APPLE VALLEY’S TYUS JONES AND LAKEVILLE NORTH’S J.P. MACURA SPLIT AP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

According to the Associated Press: “Apple Valley's Tyus Jones and Lakeville North's J.P. Macura are the co-winners of the 2014 Minnesota Associated Press Player of the Year award for boys basketball.

 

Joining Jones and Macura on the AP's first team are DeLaSalle's Reid Travis, Osseo's Wheeler Baker and Alex Illikainen of Grand Rapids. Illikainen is the only junior; the rest are seniors.”

 

Both Macura and Travis won state Basketball championships this year. Osseo was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the state tournament this year. Both Grand Rapids and Apple Valley were eliminated in the region tournament. 

SHAKOPEE TOOK ON OSSEO IN A STATE CLASS 4 A QUARTERFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

Shakopee and Osseo squared off in a boys basketball game in the state quarterfinals of Class 4A at the Target Center. Shakopee came into the game with a record of 22-6 while Osseo came into the game with a record of 22-7.

 

Osseo look to push the ball down the floor and looked to score in transition.  

 

Shakopee looked to get the ball into the hands of Steffon Mitchell. Mitchell looked to make layups.

 

Each team’s defensive pressure made it difficult for teams to get shots up. Osseo swung the ball around the three-point line.

 

Osseo’s Wheeler Baker led the offense. He knew where everyone was supposed to be on the floor. His teammates did a good job of getting the back to him if they thought that he had a good shot.

 

Shakopee did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense.

 

Shakopee used a matchup zone that caused a little bit of a problem for Osseo. Osseo was not able to get open looks at the basket

 

Osseo called a timeout with 10:53 left in the first half. The score was Shakopee 14, Osseo 6.

 

Shakopee’s Evan Hagen came up with some nice mid-range jump shots as he was able to get his shot going. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.  

 

Osseo’s Jordan Dembley was able to step up and knock down three point shots.

 

The officials did a good job of letting each team play their styles of game. It was a very physical game. There were many jump balls in the first half.

 

Shakopee called a timeout with 5:08 left in the first half. The score was Shakopee 23, Osseo 19.

 

Osseo looked to get the ball inside to Ian Theisen. Theisen did a good job of making layups.

 

Shakopee continued to get the ball into the hands of Mitchell.

 

At halftime the score was Shakopee 31, Osseo 25.

 

As the second half for underway Osseo continued to look to get the ball into the hands of Baker and Dembley. They were able step up and knock down shots.

 

Mitchell stepped up and was able to knock down big shots throughout the game. Osseo couldn’t stop him on offense.

 

Baker got hot as he was able to hit mid-range jump shots throughout the second half.  

 

Osseo called a timeout with 10:03 left in regulation. The score was Shakopee 41, Osseo 40.

 

Osseo’s Elliot Kane stepped up and as able to hit deep three-point baskets.

 

Shakopee called a timeout with 8:40 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 43, Shakopee 41.

 

Neither team went on a run late in the contest. There were many ties and lead changes late in the game.

 

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock in the second half. Osseo switched between man-to-man and zone defense as they tried to confuse Shakopee. Osseo was able to come up with steals and turn them into baskets.

 

Shakopee called a timeout with 1:28 left in regulation. The score remained Osseo 49, Shakopee 48.

 

As the game wound down Shakopee continued to look for Mitchell to get the ball. Shakopee looked to trap and create turnovers.

 

Shakopee called a timeout with 53.1 seconds left in regulation. The score was Osseo 51, Shakopee 50.

 

Hagen shot a mid-range jump shot late and gave Shakopee a 52-51 lead.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 9.5 seconds left in regulation.

 

Hagen was fouled and was able to hit both of his free throws.

 

In a game that came down to wire Shakopee came away with the 54-51 victory over Osseo.

 

Osseo was lead in scoring by Theisen with 18 points and Baker with 14 points.

 

Shakopee was lead in scoring by Mitchell with 18 points and Hagen with 16 points.  

 

With that victory Shakopee will take on Hopkins in the state semifinals.

OSSEO TOOK ON CHAMPLIN PARK IN A BOYS SECTION 5 CLASS 4A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

On March 7 Rogers high school hosted the Section 5 Class 4A boys basketball game between Osseo and Champlin Park. These two teams split during the regular season.

 

Osseo did a good job of getting the ball down the floor and looking to get the ball inside to Ian Theisen. Theisen did a good job of making his layups.

 

Champlin Park looked to get the ball into the hands of Marty Hill and Jeremey Johnson.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 12:57 left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 13, Osseo 7.

 

Champlin Park went on a 12-5 run after the timeout.

 

Osseo called a timeout with seven minutes left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 25, Osseo 12.

 

Champlin Park did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They passed the ball around the three-point line and really took their time on the offensive end. Champlin Park’s Ian Smith made his mid-range jump shots throughout the first half. Osseo had trouble guarding him.

 

Osseo’s Wheeler Baker was all over the floor. He came up with layups throughout the first half.

 

Champlin Park’s Hill was able to knock down some deep three-point shots late in the first half.

 

At halftime the score was Champlin Park 39, Osseo 27.

 

As the second half got underway Champlin Park’s JT Gibson was on fire. He stepped up and drained deep three-point shots. Gibson scored his team’s first eight points of the second half.

 

Osseo continued to get the ball into the hands of Theisen. Theisen continued to hit layups. Teammate

Jordan Dembley came up with rebounds and was able to make layups.

 

Champlin Park called a timeout with 13:24 left in regulation. The score was Champlin Park 47, Osseo 37.

 

Theisen got hot from behind the three-point line was he was able to hit deep shots.

 

Osseo did a good job of getting the ball inside throughout the second half.

 

Smith continued to attack the basket and come up with mid-range jump shots.

 

Osseo’s Giovanni Pastrano stepped up and was able to bury some deep three-point shots.

 

Theisen tied at the game at 59 with 3:45 left in regulation.

 

Osseo looked to take time off the clock late in regulation.  

 

The game was tied at 60 at the end of regulation. There was a four minute overtime period.

 

Baker fouled out with 2:08 left in the overtime period.

 

Both teams played hard throughout the game. Neither team gave up easy shots.

 

Kane and Theisen came up with shots in the overtime period.

 

Osseo came away with the 72-67 overtime victory. With the win Osseo advances to the 2014 MSHSL State Boys Basketball Tournament.

 

The leading scorers for Champlin Park were Smith with 18 points and Hill with 15 points. The leading scorers for Osseo were Theisen with 23 points, Baker with 12 points and Kane with 10 points.

 

After the game I was able to talk to Osseo’s Theisen, Dembley, Baker and Osseo Head Coach Tim Theissen about the game.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Osseo vs. Champlin Park Section 5 Class 4A boys basketball game.

HOPKINS AND OSSEO SQUARE OFF IN A BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

Hopkins took on Osseo in a boys basketball game on Feb. 11. Osseo had a record of 17-5 going into the game. Hopkins had a record of 21-1 Hopkins’ only loss is to Apple Valley on Dec. 10.

It took a while for each team to get into an offensive shooting rhythm. Osseo looked to score baskets in transition early in the contest.

 

Osseo’s Wheeler Baker was all over the floor. He was able to get layups. Baker wasn’t afraid to shoot deep three-point shots.

 

Hopkins was also not afraid to shoot the deep three-point baskets as well. Hopkins’ Amir Coffey and John Warren came up with some three-point shots.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 10:01 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 19, Osseo 15.

 

Osseo continued to pass the ball around the three-point line. They looked to get the ball into their big guys on the low post.

 

There were many ties and lead changes throughout first half as neither team went on a run.

 

Baker continued to come up with some nice plays late in the first half. Osseo’s Giovanni Pastrano came up with some mid-range jump shots. Pastrano was not afraid to shoot the ball. Teammate Elliot Kane was also not afraid to shoot the deep three-point shot.

 

Hopkins Jake Wright got hot from the three-point line. Wright wasn’t afraid to shoot it.

 

Osseo’s Jordan Dembley also came up with some nice shots throughout the first half.

 

At halftime the score was Hopkins 35, Osseo 34.

 

As the second half got underway Hopkins continued to shoot deep three-point shots. Osseo did a good job of getting a hand in the face of the shooters.  

 

Baker came up with steals and was able to come up with layups.

 

Warren was hot from behind the three-point line. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

 

Dembley, Kittleson and Jamar Roberson all attacked the basket and were able to hit their shots throughout the contest. Baker found Kittleson for a layup as Osseo continued to look inside for shots.

 

There were many ties and lead changes in the second half. Neither team went on a run in regulation.

 

Hopkins Noble Fahnbulleh came up with some nice mid-range jump shots throughout the game.  

 

Kamali Chambers wasn’t afraid to take the ball to the basket as he was fouled on the layup and made his free throws.

 

Both teams exchanged baskets late in regulation.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 27.1 left in regulation Osseo had the ball and turned it over.

 

Hopkins came up with the ball and hit shots at the end of the game.

 

Hopkins came away with the 74-71 victory over Osseo.

 

The leading scorers for Osseo were, Baker with 36 points and Dembley with 16 points.

 

The leading scorers for Hopkins were Warren and Coffee each with 17, Wright with 15 and Chambers with 11 points, and  Fahnbulleh ended with 12 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Hopkins vs. Osseo boys’ basketball game.

 

ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONG WENT UP AGAINST OSSEO IN A BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

On Feb. 5 Robbinsdale Armstrong and Osseo went up against each other in a boys basketball game. Osseo looked to set the tempo of the game early.

 

Osseo’s Connor Kittleson came up with some layups in the first half. His teammates fed him the ball in the lane and he was able to come up with the layups.

 

Armstrong’s Melvin Newbern was able to hit a mid-range jump shot in the first half.  Armstrong did a good job of getting the ball in Newbern’s hands.

 

Osseo turned the ball over and Armstrong was able to come up with the ball and make shots.  

 

Osseo’s Wheeler Baker passed the ball around the three-point line as he wanted to look to get the ball inside to their post players.

 

Armstrong did a good job of attacking the basket. They were able to get past the Osseo defenders and make layups.

 

The score went back and forth for a period of time in the first half.

 

Baker was able to come off screens and was able to knock down mid-range jump shots.

 

Armstrong’s Tre Tate came up with some nice jump shots as he kept his team in the game. On the defensive end Tate was able to slow down the guy that he was guarding. Tate was also able to get the ball into the hands of Evan Nolan. Nolan also was able to make his jump shots.

 

Armstrong trapped Osseo. Osseo tuned the ball over and Armstrong was able to push the ball down the floor and get their shots to drop.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 2:21 left in the first half. The score was tied at 29.

 

Osseo swung the ball around the three point line as they were able to take time off the clock. Baker was able to knock down mid-range jump shots late in the half.

 

Osseo’s Jordan Dembley wasn’t afraid to shoot the ball from the three point line

 

The score at halftime was Osseo 35, Armstrong 31.

 

The pressure that Armstrong applied on defense made it hard for the Osseo guards to get the ball down the floor.

 

The pace of the game slowed down in the second half. Both teams took a lot of time off the clock as they passed the ball around the three point line.

 

Osseo switched between multiple defenses as they looked to confuse Armstrong on the offensive end.

 

Osseo was able to string some baskets together, they had a nine point lead at 50-41 with 9:00 to go.

 

Armstrong attacked the basket as they looked to stay in the contest.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 3:46 left in regulation. The score was Osseo 60, Armstrong 52.

 

Newbern came up with some steals late in regulation and was able to score on layups.

 

Osseo played well throughout the game. They were able to come up with some good defensive stops when they needed to in the second half.

 

Osseo came away with the 68-61 victory over Armstrong.

 

The leading scorers for Armstrong were Nolan with 18 points and Newbern with 14 points.  

 

The leading scorers for Osseo were Dembley with 21 points and Baker with 18 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Armstrong vs. Osseo basketball game.

 

CHAMPLIN PARK WENT UP AGAINST OSSEO IN A NORTHWEST SUBURBAN CONFERENCE BOYS BASKETBALL GAME

The Osseo high school gym was full on Jan. 30 for the boys basketball game between Champlin Park and Osseo.

 

Champlin Park won the tip. Champlin Park swung the ball around the three-point line. They wanted to get everyone involved in the offense.  

 

Osseo’s Wheeler Baker drove the ball down the floor. Baker looked to his mid-range jump shot going early in the game. His teammate Jordan Dembley drove to the basket as he tried to make layups.

 

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

 

Champlin Park’s Ian Smith came out on fire as he was able to score seven of his team’s first nine points.

 

Dembley was not afraid to shoot the shoot the deep three-point shot as well. Dembley and Baker each had good court awareness they both let their teammates know where they were supposed to be on the floor.

 

Champlin Park’s J.T. Gibson took the ball hard to the basket as he was able to make contested layups. He wasn’t afraid to also pass it to his teammate Ian Smith who also got hot from the inside the lane. Brennan Witt also came up with some nice shots in the post for his team.

 

Osseo’s Giovanni Pastrano came up with some nice blocks that created fast break baskets. Pastrano was not afraid to pass the ball to his teammates if he didn’t think that he had a good shot.

 

Osseo called a timeout with 5:27 left in the first half. The score was Osseo 29, Champlin Park 27.

 

Osseo continued to attack the basket. They were able to make contested shots. Champlin Park also attacked the basket as they kept on looking for Gibson.

 

Champlin Park looked to get the ball inside late in the first half.  Champlin Park’s Witt got his jump shot going on the low block.

 

At halftime the score was Osseo 46, Champlin Park 33.

 

As the second half got underway Baker and teammate Jamar Roberson continued to shoot and make mid-range jump shots.  

 

Champlin Park came out cold to start the second half. They were not able to hit jump shots or layups from anywhere on the floor. Champlin Park didn’t give up however as they looked to continue to shoot the ball. Osseo’s defensive pressure seemed to take the energy out of Champlin Park.

 

Osseo continued to pull away midway through the second half. They kept on getting the ball into the hands of Baker and Dembley. Allan Anderson did a good job of bringing the ball down the floor. He was able to get the ball into the hands of Baker and Dembley.

 

There continued to be many jump balls in the second half as each team dove on the floor after loose balls.

 

Champlin Park came up with some deep shots late in the game. They cut the deficit to 10 with just under 6:00 left in regulation.

 

Both teams didn’t give up any easy baskets late in the second half.

 

Osseo’s Elliott Kane came up with some big fast break layups late in regulation.

 

Osseo came away with the 83-74 victory over Champlin Park.

 

The leading scorers for Champlin Park were Witt with 24 points, Smith with 12 points and Gibson with 11 points.

 

The leading scorers for Osseo were Baker with 31 points and Dembley with 23 points.

 

I was joined by the Twin Cities Hoops Czar. Check out his thoughts of the Champlin Park vs. Osseo basketball game.