Saturday, January 14, 2012

The Big Game 1-13-12: Eastview Sweeps Lakeville and Apple Valley, Faces Madison Memorial

Well, I said it couldn't be done, but #1AAAA Eastview completed a big road sweep of the #3AAAA and #4AAAA boys basketball teams in Minnesota in a span of 4 days. I mean, how hard is it to be at top 10-rated opponent on the road? The Minnesota Gophers hadn't done it in 30 years until the other night.

And not only did Eastview sweep the 2 games, they did it in completely different styles. On Tuesday, it was Eastview 54 Lakeville North 48 as Joey King scored 18 and Darin Haugh 13.

Last night, it was Eastview 91 Apple Valley 84. King, the 6-9 senior forward, scored 37 points, Haugh another 13, Quinn Trusty 15 and Ben Oberfeld 12.

For Apple Valley, 6-3 sophomore guard sensation Tyus Jones scored 39 points, 10 points above his season's average. Henry Sonie added 13, Dennis Auston 12 and Dustin Fronk 10.

Today, the plot just keeps on getting thicker, as the Lightning travel to LaCrosse, WI, where they will play undefeated Madison Memorial (10-0) and defending Wisconsin state champion with a record of 22-6.  This was their 3rd state title, the others coming in 2005 and 2009, along with runner-up finishes in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 and a loss in the quarter-finals in 2007.

Madison swept 3 games in a holiday tournament in Detroit, including a win over Michigan's #4 team in Detroit King 71-69 as Jamar "Popcorn" Morris had 15 points and 12 boards, Jester Weah 14 and 11, and Junior Lomomba 11 points. A week ago, Memorial beat Madison LaFollette 76-59 as Lomomba sat out due to disciplinary reasons. Ngisol Songolo picked up the slack with 23 points.

This game is part of a 6-game set titled the Midwest Players Tournament.

10:45 a.m. Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau (WI) vs. Austin (MN)
12:30 p.m. Milwaukee Riverside vs. St. Paul Johnson
2:15 Whitefish Bay Dominican vs. Owatonna
4 Roseville (MN) vs. Onalaska
5:45 Madison Memorial vs. Eastview
7:30 LaCrosse Aquinas vs. Kaukana

I rated Eastview #2 in my mid-season rankings because I thought they'd lose to Lakeville North or Apple Valley. If they can get by Madison, I think they've earned that #1 rating even from me. Who knows, maybe even if they don't.

Player of the Day

Joey King, Eastview, and Tyus Jones, Apple Valley

Coach of the Day

Mark Gerber, Eastview



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