ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE WENT UP AGAINST APPLE VALLEY IN A BOYS’ STATE QUARTERFINAL BASKETBALL GAME

St. Michael-Albertville STMA went up against Apple Valley at the Target Center in the boys’ Class 4A state quarterfinal game.

Apple Valley passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to take time off the clock.

STMA called a timeout with 12:17 left in the first half. The score was Apple Valley 12, STMA 7.

Apple Valley looked to come up with layups off of steals. They were able to use their quickness to their advantage.

STMA passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to take time off the clock.

Apple Valley did a good job of getting the ball down the floor and getting shots.

At halftime the score was Apple Valley 40, STMA 20.

As the second half got underway Apple Valley continued to come up with shots on the offensive end.

On the defensive end they were able to come up with stops and slow down the STMA offense.

STMA was not able to get their offense going. Apple Valley was a lot quicker than STMA. Even though STMA couldn’t get their shots to fall they kept shooting late in the game.

Apple Valley’s Gary Trent Jr. Cameron Kirksey, Trey Jones, Brock Bertram and Riley Parham all came up with mid-range jump shots throughout the game. They all knew where they were supposed to be on the floor and all found the basket and hit their shots.

Apple Valley came away with the 70-57 victory over STMA.

The leading scorers for STMA were Greenwaldt with 21 points and Trevor Rothstein with 13 points.

The leading scorer for Apple Valley was Trent with 20 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Apple Valley head coach Zach Goring and Bertram and Trent about the game.

SHAKOPEE WENT UP AGAINST ROSEVILLE AREA IN THE BOYS STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Shakopee and Roseville Area squared off at the Target Center in the Class 4A state quarterfinal boys’ basketball game.

Both teams took their time on the offensive end as they passed the ball around the 3-point line.

It took each team awhile to get into a shooting rhythm.

Roseville’s Mitch Poss came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half.

Shakopee passed the ball around the 3-point line as they looked to get the ball inside to their big guys.

Roseville played zone defense in the first half. They didn’t want Shakopee to take deep shots.

Roseville’s Kobe Critchley came up with layups and mid-range jump shots throughout the first half.

His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball where he could come up with shots.

At halftime the score was Roseville 25, Shakopee 22.

As the second half got underway the score went back and forth. Shakopee looked to get steals and come up with layups off the steals.

Shakopee’s Steffon Mitchell came up with layups and mid-range jump shots to keep his team in the game.

There were several ties and lead changes throughout the second half. Neither team was able to go on a significant run.

Shakopee continued to look to get Mitchell the ball. Mitchell came up with mid-range jump shots and layups throughout the second half. If Mitchell didn’t have a good shot he would pass it off to teammate Booker Coplin Booker who also came up with layups.

Shakopee came up with baskets down the stretch. They were able to hold off Roseville.

Shakopee came away with the 64-53 victory over Roseville.

The leading scorers for Roseville was Critchley with 19 points.

The leading scorer for Shakopee was Mitchell with 19 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Shakopee’s head coach Bruce Kugath and Coplin and Mitchell about the game.

ST. FRANCIS WENT UP AGAINST CHAMPLIN PARK IN THE CLASS 4A BOYS’ BASKETBALL QUARTERFINAL GAME

On Mach 11 St. Francis and Champlin Park squared off in boys’ Class 4A state quarterfinal basketball game at the Target Center.

Champlin Park looked to push the ball down the floor guard J.T. Gibson came up with layups.

St. Francis center Blake Moreno came up with layups in the paint. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

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

St. Francis took a lot of time off the clock as they passed the ball around the 3-point line. Champlin Park switched between man-to-man and zone defense.

St. Francis called a timeout with 11:29 left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 15, St. Francis 12.

Gibson did a good job of bringing the ball down the floor and getting the ball into his teammate’s hands. Gibson was able to get the ball into the hands of Mary Hill. Hill also came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

St. Francis couldn’t control Champlin Park when they made fast breaks.

Gibson came up with fade-a-way mid-range jump shots. He was able to get past the defenders and to the basket.

St. Francis called a timeout with 4:25 left in the first half. The score was Champlin Park 37, St. Francis 20.

Champlin Park did a good job of scoring baskets in transition. The guards knew where everyone was supposed to be on the floor.

Champlin Park used their quickness to their advantage as they came up with steals and fast break layups late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Champlin Park 52, St. Francis 23.

As the second half got underway Champlin Park continued to push the ball down the floor.

The defense that Champlin Park applied made it very difficult for St. Francis to come up with shots in the second half.

Moreno came up with big shots late in the contest.

The game went into the mercy rule.

Champlin Park came away with the 90-47 victory over St. Francis.

The leading scorer for St. Francis was Moreno with 17 points.

The leading scorers for Champlin Park were Wright and Jeremy Johnson both had 17 points and Hill had 15 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Champlin Parks Wright and head coach Mark Tuchscherer about the game.

ST. CROIX LUTHERAN WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS ROOSEVELT IN A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

In the second game of the doubleheader at Macalester on March 6 St. Croix Lutheran and Minneapolis Roosevelt in a boys basketball Section 4 Class AA championship game. The fans from both schools packed the stands and the students from both schools had a great presence.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half.

Roosevelt was able to get the ball into the hands of Landon Cobbs. Cobbs came up with mid-range jump shots and layups consistently in the first half.

The game was very physical both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and went after rebounds.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. Both teams were evenly matched.

At halftime the score was Roosevelt 23, St. Croix Lutheran 18.

As the second half got underway St. Croix Lutheran looked to get the ball into the hands of Tommy Medcalf. Medcalf came up with layups and mid-range jump shots throughout the game.

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

Both teams played tough defense. Neither team went on a run throughout the game.

St. Croix Lutheran’s Trenton Krueger came up with mid-range jump shots and layups late in the contest.

St. Croix Lutheran attacked the basket throughout the second half. Roosevelt did make it hard for St. Croix Lutheran to get open looks at the basket.

Cobbs continued to shoot the ball well late in the game.

Medcalf came up with a huge shot with .7 seconds that won the game.

St. Croix Lutheran came up with the 45-44 victory over Minneapolis Roosevelt.

With that win St. Croix Lutheran advances to the MSHSL state tournament.

MARANATHA WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN A BOYS’ SECTION 4 CLASS A BASKETBALL GAME

On March 6 Maranatha and Minneapolis North squared off in a boys’ basketball game. The game was played at Macalester College. There was a very large crowd on hand to watch the game.

This game was the Section 4 Class A section championship game. The score went back and forth early in the contest.

There were several ties and lead changes early in the game.

North called a timeout with 13:27 left in the first half, the score was Maranatha 10, North 9.

Maranatha’s Jeremiah Hanson came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. He was able to get past the North’s defense and get to the basket.

North’s ODell Wilson IV came up with layups and rebounds on the offensive end. On the defensive end Wilson IV came up with defensive stops.

With 6:33 left in the first half Maranatha called a timeout, the score was tied at 21.

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

North’s D.J. Hunter stepped up and was able to knock down deep 3-point shots. Teammate Isaac Johnson also came up with mid-range jump shots late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Maranatha 38, North 35.

As the second half got underway North looked to set the tempo on the offensive end.

Maranatha called a timeout with 16:25 left in regulation. The score was North 39, Maranatha 38.

North switched between man-to-man and zone defense. They looked to keep Maranatha guessing on what defense they were playing.

North’s Tyler Johnson came up with 3-point baskets. His teammates did a good job of getting him the ball in spots where he could shoot it.

Maranatha called a timeout with 11:18 left in the first half. The score was North 49, Maranatha 45.

Maranatha went to a zone defense. Rodgers and Johnson played catch for a period of time.

North called a timeout with 7:31 left in regulation. The score was North 49, Maranatha 48.

Both teams took a lot of time off the clock with under seven minutes left in regulation.

Maranatha looked to attack the basket late in the game. They looked to get the ball into the hands of Hanson who looked to make layups and mid-range jump shots.

The game came down to the wire. Neither team made a run in the second half. North took a lot of time off the clock midway through the second half.

The score went back and forth late in the game. Both teams attacked the basket.

The game was tied at 59 after regulation. There was a 4 minute overtime period.

North looked to push the ball down the floor in the overtime period. Rodgers and JaQuan Sanders-Smith came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

The score went back and forth late in the overtime period. Saunders-Smith and Isaac Johnson came up with huge baskets.

Maranatha’s Jeremiah Hanson hit a jump shot with 2.7 seconds left in the overtime period to win the game.

Maranatha came away with the 69-67 victory over North.

The leading scorer for Maranatha was Hanson with 33 points.

The leading scorers for North were Sanders with 16 points and Isaac Johnson with 15 points.

With that win Maranatha advances to the 2015 MSHSL state tournament.

CRETIN-DERHAM HALL WENT UP AGAINST APPLE VALLEY IN A BOYS REGION 3 CLASS 4A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Cretin-Derham Hall and Apple Valley squared off on March 5 Farmington High School as they hosted the boys’ Region 3 Class 4A basketball championship game. The winner of the game earns a trip to the state tournament. Basketball fans packed the stands as there was only standing room only around the track that overlooked the court.  

Apple Valley started in zone defense. They wanted to make spread the ball out and work the ball around the 3-point line. Cretin-Derham Hall did a good job of attacking the Apple Valley defense.

Cretin-Derham Hall looked to push the ball down the floor as they came up with layups.

The score went back and forth throughout the first half. Neither team went on a huge run.

Cretin-Derham Hall’s Sam Neumann came up with mid-range jump shots and layups consistently throughout the first half.

The defensive pressure that each team applied make it difficult for the other team to open shots

Apple Valley called a timeout with 10:38 left in the first half. The score was Cretin-Derham Hall 20, Apple Valley 14.

Apple Valley’s Gary Trent Jr. came up with mid-range jump shots and layups. His team did a good job of getting him the ball inside the 3-point line.

Apple Valley’s Tre Jones took the ball hard to the basket as he came up with layups. He was also able to hit mid-range jump shots.

Cretin-Derham Hall called a timeout with six minutes left in the first half. The score was Cretin-Derham Hall 24, Apple Valley 23.

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

Apple Valley was able to come up with fast break layups late in the first half.

At halftime the score was Apple Valley 36, Cretin-Derham Hall 34.

As the second half got underway Apple Valley continued to push the ball down the floor and come up with layups.

Trent and Jones both came up with some critical baskets midway through the second half.

Even though Cretin-Derham Hall slowed down the scoring output they still were able to get to the basket and come up with shots.

Newman came up with clutch 3-point baskets with just over eight minutes left in regulation.

Apple Valley came up with shots late in the second half. They were able to slow down the Cretin-Derham Hall offense.

Apple Valley came away with the 74-50 victory over Cretin Derham Hall.  

The leading scorers for Cretin Derham Hall ere Neumann with 14 points and Gresham with 13 points.

The leading scorers for Apple Valley were Trent with 29 points and Jones with 14 points.

After the game I was able to talk to Apple Valley’s Trent and Jones and head coach Zach Goring about the game.

HOPKINS WENT UP AGAINST EDEN PRAIRIE IN A BOYS SECTION 6 CLASS 4A BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

On March 4, Hopkins and Eden Prairie squared off in a Section 6 Class 4A boys’ basketball game.

The game was played in front of a very large crowd at Robinsdale Cooper High School. 

Both teams started in man-to-man defense. Hopkins guard John Warren came up with mid-range jump shots and layups in the first half. 

Eden Prairie called a timeout with 9:42 left in the first half. The score was Hopkins 17, Eden Prairie 12.

Hopkins Ishmael El-Amin was able to drive past the defense and came up with layups. He was also able to make pull up jump shots.

Hopkins looked to take a lot of time off the clock late in the first half. 

Hopkins guard Xavier Johnson drained 3-point shots. His teammates got him the ball where he could shoot it. Johnson also wasn’t afraid to drive to the basket and look for layups.

Eden Prairie did a good job of moving the ball around the 3-point line. They were able to get everyone involved in the offense.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 32, Eden Prairie 31.

As the second half got underway the score continued to go back and forth early in the second half. 

Eden Prairie looked to make fast break layups in transition. 

Hopkins guard Vinnie Shahid came up with layups and mid-range jump shots. 

Both teams dove on the floor after loose balls and rebounds. The game was very physical. 

Hopkins called a timeout with 9:46 left in regulation. The score was Eden Prairie 45, Hopkins 40.

Shahid drove the length of the floor and came up with layups. On the defensive end of the floor Shahid came up with stops. 

Neither team went on a huge run in the second half.

Shahid did a good job of getting to the basket in traffic.

Eden Prairie looked to get the ball into the hands of Josh Lanasa and Cashman. Both of whom came
up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

The game came down the wire. Neither team gave up uncontested shots late in the game.

Shahid was fouled with 1.3 seconds left in regulation and went to the free throw line and tied the game and won game on a free throw.

Hopkins came away with the 59-58 victory over Eden Prairie.

After the game I was able to talk to Hopkins El-Amin, and Shahid about the game. I was also able to talk to Hopkins head coach Ken Novak Jr about the game.

The leading scorer for Eden Prairie was Lanasa with 15 points and Hopkins was lead in scoring by El-Amin with 17 points.

LEGACY CHRISTIAN WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS NORTH IN A SECTION 3 CLASS A BOYS’ BASKETBALL GAME

On March 3 Legacy Christian Academy went up against Minneapolis North in a boys’ Section 4 Class A semifinal basketball game.

North called a timeout with 15:13 left in the first half. The score was Legacy 8, North 7.

LCA’s Caleb Johnson got hot from behind the 3-point line. He stepped up and came up with deep 3-point shots.

North looked to trap the ball and looked for LCA to turn the ball over.

It took a while for North to get into an offensive shooting rhythm.

The score went back and forth with just under eight minutes to go.

North’s D.J Hunter came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

LCA called a timeout with 7:25 left in the first half. The score was North 30, LCA 25.

North continued to push the ball down the floor. They did a good job of passing the ball to each other.

LCA came up with rebounds and deep 3-point baskets late in the first half.

At halftime the score was North 49, LCA 40.

LCA looked to get the ball into the hands of Caleb Johnson and Nate Bertsch. They both came up with jump shots and layups.

North was able to get their offense going in the second half. They made crisper passes in the second half. North was able to get hot in the second half. North made a lot of baseline layups and back door baskets.

LCA did apply defensive pressure that made it difficult for North to make open shots.

North’s ODell Wilson IV came up with layups and jump shots late in the game.

North stepped up their defensive pressure and LCA cooled off shooting considerably in the second half. Neither team stopped shooting the ball.  

North did a good job of getting to the baseline all game long, they were able to make layup’s off the back doors.  

North came away with the 97-68 victory over LCA.

The leading scorers for LCA were Caleb Johnson and Nate Bertsch each with 18 points and Nelson with 16 points.   The leading scorers for North were Jackson with 22 points, Johnson with 21 points, and Wilson with 17 points.

VERMILION WENT UP AGAINST ROCHESTER IN A MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

Vermilion and Rochester squared off in a men’s basketball game. This was the championship game of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference.

Vermilion pushed the ball down the floor and came up with layups and jump shots.

Rochester wasn’t afraid to shoot the deep 3-point shot. They didn’t take a lot of time off the 35 second shot clock.

Rochester’s Demetrius Cady came up with layups and jump shots in the first half. He also did a good job of running the offense.

Rochester called a timeout with 10:48 left in the first half. The score was Vermilion 20, Rochester 11.

Rochester’s Justyn Galloway came up with layups and mid-range jump shots. Rochester went on an 11-4 run and got within 2 points with just over 9 minutes to go in the first half.

The game remained close late in the first half. Vermilion pushed the ball down the floor and came up with layups.

Cady came up with 3-point baskets. He was also able to hit free throws.

Vermilion called a timeout with 4:11 left in the first half. The score was Rochester 32, Vermilion 30.

Rochester’s Robert Claypool was all over the floor. On the offensive end Claypool came up with mid-range jump shots and layups.

Rochester came up with steals on defense and turned them into layups on offense.

At halftime the score was Rochester 42, Vermilion 35.

As the second half got underway Rochester looked to the get the ball into the hands of Ben Ratliff and Justyn Galloway. They both came up with layups and mid-range jump shots.

Vermilion called a timeout with 17:06 left in regulation. The score was Rochester 50, Vermilion 38.

Rochester did a good job of getting everyone involved in the offense. They took their time on the offensive end.

Vermilion’s Dre Lucus came up with 3-point baskets. Vermilion got their offense going midway through the second half.

Vermilion got within 3 points with just under 10 minutes to go. The game was tied on a Lucas 3-point shot.  Davonta Brooks hit a layup with 9:26 left in regulation to give Vermilion a two point lead.

Rochester called a timeout with 9:26 left in regulation. The score was Vermilion 63, Rochester 61.

Vermilion stepped up their defensive pressure. They didn’t let Rochester get second chance baskets.

The score went back and forth throughout the second half.

Rochester’s Keiron Sauer was on fire as he got hot from the wing. He also came up with 3-point baskets and layups.

Vermilion called a timeout with 5:52 left in regulation. The score was Rochester 66, Vermilion 64.

Brooks got hot from the paint. His teammates did a good job of feeding him the ball in the paint where he came up with layups.

Cady attacked the basket and came up with clutch baskets late in the game.

Rochester called a timeout with 2:01 left in regulation. The score was Rochester 74, Vermilion 71.

Rochester looked to take a lot of time off the shot clock late in the game. Vermilion continued to attack the basket late in the game.

Rochester called a timeout with 22.4 seconds left in regulation. The score was Rochester 74, Vermilion 73.

Galloway was fouled with 8.4 seconds left in regulation. Galloway missed the free throw but came up with his own rebound and was fouled again. He stepped up and made both of his free throws.

Rochester came away with the 76-73 victory over Vermilion.

The leading scorers for Vermilion Brooks with 24 points, and Lucas with 11 points.

The leading scorers for Rochester were Galloway with 20 points, Rattliff with 14 points and Lavar McCullough with 12 points.