The Gopher women avoided a 2nd half collapse and emerged from Northwestern, where the Wildcats had come into the game at 6-3 in the Big 10, with a 61-54 win. The Wildcats were without their starting post, Abi Scheid of Elk River, MN, and they seemed to have little more depth than the notoriously not-deep Gophers. Minnesota outshot Northwestern just 41 percent to 38 percent, but that was good for 3 extra buckets which was essentially the margin of victory.
Minnesota started 4 guards for the 1st time this year, and got 50 points from Destiny Pitts, Kenisha Bell and Jasmine Brunson on a collective 18-of-37 shooting. Brunson returned to the starting lineup after a stint coming off the bench and had a nice game with 14 points, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Even without Scheid, Northwestern proved to be very tough inside, though of course the Gophers didn't take it inside a whole lot with 4 guards on the floor most of the way. The Gophers only big was Taiye Bello, who scored just 2 points on 1-of-1 shooting and added 9 boards. She led the Gophers at +15 however. Northwestern's 6-2 senior forward Palias Kunaiyi-Alapanah had 14 points, 11 boards and 3 steals, and 6-4 Abby Wolf came off the bench for some big minutes for the Wildcats. But, their big 3 in scoring were Kunaiyi and guards Lindsay Pulliam and Veronica Burton, and the 3 of them scored 37 points on just 14-of-36 shooting.
The Gophers led 19-10 after one period, 30-28 at the half and 48-37 after a big 3rd quarter. They suffered a bit of a letdown in the 4th but avoided disaster, holding on for a tough win.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell 17 points 7-of-17 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 turnover, +11
Team--Gopher Women
Coach--Lindsay Whalen
We'll have our January award winners here shortly.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Jan. 30--Hot time in a cold town tonight
It was 30 below outside, but inside the Target Center and Williams Arena two teams with Minnesota on their chest both got hard-earned Ws, and that doesn't happen everyday.
The Gophers avenged their embarrassing defeat down at Champagne, beating Illinois 86-75 with a 49 point 2nd half after trailing 39-37 at the half and 47-42 early in the 2nd.
The Timberwolves got a last second put-back from Karl Towns to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 99-97 in OT in a defensive slugfest.
Gophers
The Gophers put together a 27-6 run over 8 minutes of the 2nd half to turn a 47-42 deficit into a 69-53 lead. Amir Coffey scored 8 points, Gabe Kalscheur it a pair of 3s and a pair of throws for 8 points and while Isaiah Washington came off the bench to contribute 5 points and 3 assists to the run.
For the night, Coffey, Jordan Murphy, Kalscheur, Washington and Daniel Oturu all scored in double figures. Murphy added 10 boards for yet another double-double, and Eric Curry scored just 4 points but added 4 assists, 3 of them during the big 2nd half run.
The Gophers shot 50 percent from the field to Illinois' 45, and that was enough to get the win.
Timberwolves
The Wolves led Memphis 89-84 at the 5 minute mark but needed a last-second finger role from, who else?, Jerryd Bayless (!) to force OT. Bayless scored again in OT, and again, then Andrew Wiggins missed a last-second shot but Towns took the rebound away from Marc Gasol and put up a tough fallaway jumper on the baseline and it went in.
Bayless, the Wolves 4th--that is to say, their desperation fill-in at the point guard--had a terrific game with 19 points, 7 boards and 12 assists. Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones are all out and the Wolves were pretty much without hope, right? Well, Bayless pulled a Derrick Rose maneuver, suddenly finding his pre-injury game and becoming the best player on the floor for the 1st time in how many years?
Towns matched Jordan Murphy with 16 points and 10 boards, Wiggins added 12-5 and 4 assists, and Taj Gibson 10-5 and 4 steals including typing up Gasol and then winning a jump ball, leading to the game-winning shot.
Player of the Day--Bayless
Team of the Day--Gophers
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders
The Gophers avenged their embarrassing defeat down at Champagne, beating Illinois 86-75 with a 49 point 2nd half after trailing 39-37 at the half and 47-42 early in the 2nd.
The Timberwolves got a last second put-back from Karl Towns to edge the Memphis Grizzlies 99-97 in OT in a defensive slugfest.
Gophers
The Gophers put together a 27-6 run over 8 minutes of the 2nd half to turn a 47-42 deficit into a 69-53 lead. Amir Coffey scored 8 points, Gabe Kalscheur it a pair of 3s and a pair of throws for 8 points and while Isaiah Washington came off the bench to contribute 5 points and 3 assists to the run.
For the night, Coffey, Jordan Murphy, Kalscheur, Washington and Daniel Oturu all scored in double figures. Murphy added 10 boards for yet another double-double, and Eric Curry scored just 4 points but added 4 assists, 3 of them during the big 2nd half run.
The Gophers shot 50 percent from the field to Illinois' 45, and that was enough to get the win.
Timberwolves
The Wolves led Memphis 89-84 at the 5 minute mark but needed a last-second finger role from, who else?, Jerryd Bayless (!) to force OT. Bayless scored again in OT, and again, then Andrew Wiggins missed a last-second shot but Towns took the rebound away from Marc Gasol and put up a tough fallaway jumper on the baseline and it went in.
Bayless, the Wolves 4th--that is to say, their desperation fill-in at the point guard--had a terrific game with 19 points, 7 boards and 12 assists. Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Tyus Jones are all out and the Wolves were pretty much without hope, right? Well, Bayless pulled a Derrick Rose maneuver, suddenly finding his pre-injury game and becoming the best player on the floor for the 1st time in how many years?
Towns matched Jordan Murphy with 16 points and 10 boards, Wiggins added 12-5 and 4 assists, and Taj Gibson 10-5 and 4 steals including typing up Gasol and then winning a jump ball, leading to the game-winning shot.
Player of the Day--Bayless
Team of the Day--Gophers
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders
Monday, January 28, 2019
Jan. 27 and 28--How about those Gophers?
Remember way back in November? The coaches and the media picked the Gopher men anywhere from 7th to 11th in the Big 10. Everybody said, wow, they're gonna be better than that! And they picked the Gopher women to finish 3rd, and everybody said, wow, are they really gonna be that good?
Both teams appeared to have depth issues, especially with Eric Curry hurt for the men (not to mention Marcus Carr declared ineligible) and Gadiva Hubbard for the women. Not that Curry getting back into the lineup and Hubbard not isn't part of the story, it is. But it's hardly the whole story.
So, anyway, the men survived Iowa at Williams Arena on Sunday night 92-87 by shooting 57% from the field and 66% on 2-point attempts. Iowa shot 56 percent on 3-pointers and a respectable 54 percent on 2s, but our 2-point percentage was just good enough to make the difference. Well, that and an extra 10 FTA which led to an extra 8 FTM. Thank goodness for Curry, with Daniel Oturu out with an injury. He managed just 8 points and 2 rebounds, but thank goodness for that. Kudos also to Matz Stockman, who filled in inside and scored 6 points.
Meanwhile, the women did not survive a mediocre Ohio State team because, after all, they shot 30 percent from the field. 33 percent on 3s (Ohio State shot 50) and just 11-of-39 (28 percent) from 2-point range. OSU shot 44 percent on 2s. It's a broken record. The Gopher women are just a terrible shooting team. Their top scorers--Destiny Pitts, Kenisha Bell and Taiye Bello shot 15-for-35 (a so-so 43 percent) but everybody else shot 3-of-25. What kind of difference would Gadiva Hubbard make for this team? Instead of 2-7 in the Big 10, probably 5-4, like the men.
So, the men are firmly planted on the bubble, and I doubt that they'll get off the bubble until the night the NCAA tournament invitations are made. The rest of the way: 6 away games, 5 at home. 6 opponents with winning records, 5 not. Win at home, lose away and we're 10-10 and 20-11. Bubble. So, where can you win beside Williams Arena? Nebraska, Rutgers, Northwestern, all 306. Win 2 of those, but then you've got Michigan State (9-1) and Michigan (8-1) at home. However it works, 6-5, 11-9 and 21-10 would look a lot better than 10-10 and 20-11. Still bubble, but better bubble.
The women are not on the bubble anymore despite than 11-0 non-conference record. The women first need to demonstrate that they can beat anybody, especially given 8 remaining games against teams with winning records and only one game with a team with a losing record. Ouch. Win at home, lose on the road and we're 6-12. Definitely not bubble. With Rutgers (8-1) at home, not a likely win, well, then you've got to steal a couple on the road, say, at Northwestern (6-3) this Thursday, then at Indiana (5-4) next week. Then you're 7-11, 18-11 overall. Still probably not an NCAA tournament type of record. Tonight's loss to Ohio State may in fact have sealed the Gophers' fate, that is, on the outside looking in.
Players of the Day--Jordan Murphy and Destiny Pitts
Teams of the Day--Gopher men and Gopher women
Coaches of the Day--Richard Pitino and Lindsay Whalen
Both teams appeared to have depth issues, especially with Eric Curry hurt for the men (not to mention Marcus Carr declared ineligible) and Gadiva Hubbard for the women. Not that Curry getting back into the lineup and Hubbard not isn't part of the story, it is. But it's hardly the whole story.
So, anyway, the men survived Iowa at Williams Arena on Sunday night 92-87 by shooting 57% from the field and 66% on 2-point attempts. Iowa shot 56 percent on 3-pointers and a respectable 54 percent on 2s, but our 2-point percentage was just good enough to make the difference. Well, that and an extra 10 FTA which led to an extra 8 FTM. Thank goodness for Curry, with Daniel Oturu out with an injury. He managed just 8 points and 2 rebounds, but thank goodness for that. Kudos also to Matz Stockman, who filled in inside and scored 6 points.
Meanwhile, the women did not survive a mediocre Ohio State team because, after all, they shot 30 percent from the field. 33 percent on 3s (Ohio State shot 50) and just 11-of-39 (28 percent) from 2-point range. OSU shot 44 percent on 2s. It's a broken record. The Gopher women are just a terrible shooting team. Their top scorers--Destiny Pitts, Kenisha Bell and Taiye Bello shot 15-for-35 (a so-so 43 percent) but everybody else shot 3-of-25. What kind of difference would Gadiva Hubbard make for this team? Instead of 2-7 in the Big 10, probably 5-4, like the men.
So, the men are firmly planted on the bubble, and I doubt that they'll get off the bubble until the night the NCAA tournament invitations are made. The rest of the way: 6 away games, 5 at home. 6 opponents with winning records, 5 not. Win at home, lose away and we're 10-10 and 20-11. Bubble. So, where can you win beside Williams Arena? Nebraska, Rutgers, Northwestern, all 306. Win 2 of those, but then you've got Michigan State (9-1) and Michigan (8-1) at home. However it works, 6-5, 11-9 and 21-10 would look a lot better than 10-10 and 20-11. Still bubble, but better bubble.
The women are not on the bubble anymore despite than 11-0 non-conference record. The women first need to demonstrate that they can beat anybody, especially given 8 remaining games against teams with winning records and only one game with a team with a losing record. Ouch. Win at home, lose on the road and we're 6-12. Definitely not bubble. With Rutgers (8-1) at home, not a likely win, well, then you've got to steal a couple on the road, say, at Northwestern (6-3) this Thursday, then at Indiana (5-4) next week. Then you're 7-11, 18-11 overall. Still probably not an NCAA tournament type of record. Tonight's loss to Ohio State may in fact have sealed the Gophers' fate, that is, on the outside looking in.
Players of the Day--Jordan Murphy and Destiny Pitts
Teams of the Day--Gopher men and Gopher women
Coaches of the Day--Richard Pitino and Lindsay Whalen
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Week of Jan. 21--Playing Catchup
Old computer's been in the shop so I've pretty much the whole week to catch up on.
Monday, Jan. 21--Big, big game, rivalry game, 1st place at stake, OVERTIME. This one had everything and it was the St. Thomas men edging the Johnnies 74-72 to stay unbeaten in the MIAC and increase their lead over the 2nd place Johnnies to 2 games in the loss column. St. John's led 51-40 at 14:05 of the 2nd half but the Tommies came back to lead 62-61 on a Connor Pair layup at 3:18. Neither team scored inside of 2:41 to set up the OT.
In OT, St. John's led again 71-69 but Anders Nelson hit a pair of throws and a 2, and each team added a FT for the 74-72 final. Zach Hanson and David Stokman scored 17 each for St. John's, Elijah Hannah scored 13 off the bench to lead the Tommies.
Player, Team and Coach of the Day--David Stokman, St. Thomas men, Johnny Tauer
Tuesday, Jan. 22--That was the day the Gophers came up short at #5 19-1 Michigan. The Gophers led 36-29 early in the 2nd half, then fell behind 52-39 as a result of a 23-3 Michigan run. A bit later it was 57-47 when the Gophers ripped off 10 straight points. A Gabe Kalscheur 3 tied it up at 0:31. Charles Matthews saved the Wolverines' bacon with a floater at the buzzer. Jordan Murphy led the Gophers with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Gophers are 4-4, good for 7th in the Big 10. They need to be over .500 to have NCAA tournament hopes, and to do that they need more from Amir Coffey.
Jordan Murphy, Gopher men; Ryan Saunders led the Timberwolves to a 118-91 win at Phoenix.
Thursday, Jan. 24--This was the day the Gopher women came up short 64-53 to Purdue at home. It was a familiar script as the Gophers shot just 31 percent from the field and Purdue shot 46. The Gophers are 2-6, or 12th in the Big 10, and 13-6 overall. With that 11-0 non-conference schedule, a .500 conference record might be good enough but they are going to have to find their shooting touch again to have any chance.
Meanwhile the Timberwolves defeated the LeBron-less Lakers, still a nice win at 120-105 as Karl Anthony Towns scored 27 with 12 boards. In 4 games this week he scored 115 points with 52 boards, or an average of 29 pts and 13 boards.
Karl Towns, Timberwolves, Ryan Saunders again.
Friday, Jan. 25--The UMD women (now 11-3 in the NSIC) handed MSU Moorhead their 1st conference loss 69-53 as Sammy Kozlowski came up big with 20 points and 5 assists. She nailed 5-of-7 3s to lead Duluth to a 58 percentage on 3s as a team.
Sammy Kozlowski, UMD women, Mandy Pearson.
Saturday, Jan. 26--The St. Mary's women edged Gustavus 72-70, leaving both at 7-4 in the conference. St. Mary's led 54-47 after 3 but Gustavus stormed back to make it a one possession game a half dozen times or more but each time St. Mary's fought back. A Maddie Wagner FT brought the Gusties within 69-68 at 0:48, but Claire Patterson answered with a layup at 0:27. Kendall Thompson scored at :08 to make it 71-70, but Patterson made a FT for the final score. Thompson led all scorers with 19 points plus 5 boards and 6 assists for Gustavus.
Still, the Player of the Day was Booker Coplin of the Augsburg men with 25 points-7 boards-3 assists-2 steals and 2 blocks, though the Augies lost at Concordia 79-76.
Team and Coach--St. Mary's women and coach David Foley.
Next week we'll add our final 5 daily award winners and then we'll be ready to pick our Player, Team and Coach of the Month for January. Then in April we'll be picking our award winners for the 2018-2019 basketball season.
Monday, Jan. 21--Big, big game, rivalry game, 1st place at stake, OVERTIME. This one had everything and it was the St. Thomas men edging the Johnnies 74-72 to stay unbeaten in the MIAC and increase their lead over the 2nd place Johnnies to 2 games in the loss column. St. John's led 51-40 at 14:05 of the 2nd half but the Tommies came back to lead 62-61 on a Connor Pair layup at 3:18. Neither team scored inside of 2:41 to set up the OT.
In OT, St. John's led again 71-69 but Anders Nelson hit a pair of throws and a 2, and each team added a FT for the 74-72 final. Zach Hanson and David Stokman scored 17 each for St. John's, Elijah Hannah scored 13 off the bench to lead the Tommies.
Player, Team and Coach of the Day--David Stokman, St. Thomas men, Johnny Tauer
Tuesday, Jan. 22--That was the day the Gophers came up short at #5 19-1 Michigan. The Gophers led 36-29 early in the 2nd half, then fell behind 52-39 as a result of a 23-3 Michigan run. A bit later it was 57-47 when the Gophers ripped off 10 straight points. A Gabe Kalscheur 3 tied it up at 0:31. Charles Matthews saved the Wolverines' bacon with a floater at the buzzer. Jordan Murphy led the Gophers with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Gophers are 4-4, good for 7th in the Big 10. They need to be over .500 to have NCAA tournament hopes, and to do that they need more from Amir Coffey.
Jordan Murphy, Gopher men; Ryan Saunders led the Timberwolves to a 118-91 win at Phoenix.
Thursday, Jan. 24--This was the day the Gopher women came up short 64-53 to Purdue at home. It was a familiar script as the Gophers shot just 31 percent from the field and Purdue shot 46. The Gophers are 2-6, or 12th in the Big 10, and 13-6 overall. With that 11-0 non-conference schedule, a .500 conference record might be good enough but they are going to have to find their shooting touch again to have any chance.
Meanwhile the Timberwolves defeated the LeBron-less Lakers, still a nice win at 120-105 as Karl Anthony Towns scored 27 with 12 boards. In 4 games this week he scored 115 points with 52 boards, or an average of 29 pts and 13 boards.
Karl Towns, Timberwolves, Ryan Saunders again.
Friday, Jan. 25--The UMD women (now 11-3 in the NSIC) handed MSU Moorhead their 1st conference loss 69-53 as Sammy Kozlowski came up big with 20 points and 5 assists. She nailed 5-of-7 3s to lead Duluth to a 58 percentage on 3s as a team.
Sammy Kozlowski, UMD women, Mandy Pearson.
Saturday, Jan. 26--The St. Mary's women edged Gustavus 72-70, leaving both at 7-4 in the conference. St. Mary's led 54-47 after 3 but Gustavus stormed back to make it a one possession game a half dozen times or more but each time St. Mary's fought back. A Maddie Wagner FT brought the Gusties within 69-68 at 0:48, but Claire Patterson answered with a layup at 0:27. Kendall Thompson scored at :08 to make it 71-70, but Patterson made a FT for the final score. Thompson led all scorers with 19 points plus 5 boards and 6 assists for Gustavus.
Still, the Player of the Day was Booker Coplin of the Augsburg men with 25 points-7 boards-3 assists-2 steals and 2 blocks, though the Augies lost at Concordia 79-76.
Team and Coach--St. Mary's women and coach David Foley.
Next week we'll add our final 5 daily award winners and then we'll be ready to pick our Player, Team and Coach of the Month for January. Then in April we'll be picking our award winners for the 2018-2019 basketball season.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Jan. 20--Timberwolves back to .500 under Ryan Saunders
Wow, have the Timberwolves really played 6 games under Ryan Saunders already? It seems so. And now they're 3-3 in the new regime after holding off Phoenix 116-114 at home Sunday night. Karl Towns and Derek Rose saved the bacon with 61 points between them. Towns added 12 boards and 4 assists, Rose 4 and 3.
Phoenix led most of the way and still led 91-80 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd, when the Wolves started to rally. By the end of the 3rd they were within 96-91, then they opened the 4th with a pair of 3s by Anthony Tolliver and Dario Saric to take a 97-96 lead. Jarod Bayless added a 2 and Derek Rose a pair of 2s and suddenly it was 103-96 (a 23-5 run for the Wolves). But soon it was tied up again at 106, and then the Suns went back ahead 110-106, 112-108 and 114-111 at 1:45 (an 18-8 run for Phoenix).
But, from there Phoenix missed a FT and a 3 and then turned it over on their last 2 possessions. The Wolves took advantage with a dunk by Taj Gibson, and a throw by Rose to tie it at 30 seconds, and finally a step-back 2 by Rose to win it at 0:00.9.
Still, the Wolves are treading water 3-3 under Saunders, 5-5 in their last 10, and now they're 22-24, 11th in the west and 2 games out of the playoffs with 3 teams to pass just to get to #8. The Wolves have played well as an underdog, forgetting than non-game in Philly, anyway, but they haven't played well against weaker opponents, like the Suns. Now they get the Suns in Phoenix tonight, a winnable game. Obviously they'll have to play better than they did on Sunday.
Player of the Day--Karl Towns
Team of the Day--Timberwolves
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders
Phoenix led most of the way and still led 91-80 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd, when the Wolves started to rally. By the end of the 3rd they were within 96-91, then they opened the 4th with a pair of 3s by Anthony Tolliver and Dario Saric to take a 97-96 lead. Jarod Bayless added a 2 and Derek Rose a pair of 2s and suddenly it was 103-96 (a 23-5 run for the Wolves). But soon it was tied up again at 106, and then the Suns went back ahead 110-106, 112-108 and 114-111 at 1:45 (an 18-8 run for Phoenix).
But, from there Phoenix missed a FT and a 3 and then turned it over on their last 2 possessions. The Wolves took advantage with a dunk by Taj Gibson, and a throw by Rose to tie it at 30 seconds, and finally a step-back 2 by Rose to win it at 0:00.9.
Still, the Wolves are treading water 3-3 under Saunders, 5-5 in their last 10, and now they're 22-24, 11th in the west and 2 games out of the playoffs with 3 teams to pass just to get to #8. The Wolves have played well as an underdog, forgetting than non-game in Philly, anyway, but they haven't played well against weaker opponents, like the Suns. Now they get the Suns in Phoenix tonight, a winnable game. Obviously they'll have to play better than they did on Sunday.
Player of the Day--Karl Towns
Team of the Day--Timberwolves
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders
Jan. 21--112 game winning streak broken
112 games is as long of a winning streak as I think I've ever heard of. Of course it's one of those specialty win streaks but still.... The Mountain Iron-Buhl girls, with 8 straight state tournament appearances, had won 112 straight games against "Northland teams," according to the Duluth News Tribune.
But that came to an end last night at Cromwell-Wright as the Cardinals clobbered MIB 78-58. MIB was without 2 starters and everything went right from Cromwell. They took a 12-0 lead, led 35-17 at the half. MIB got within 40-32 but then the Cardinals pulled away again. Junior guard Taya Hakamaki was in do-it-all mode for Cromwell and finished with 31 points. Shaily Hakamaki added 26. MIB got 12 from Madisen Overbuy but was without Mattison Bennett and Macy Savela.
Player of the Day--Taya Hakamaki
Team of the Day--Cromwell girls
Coach of the Day--Jeff Gronner, Cromwell
But that came to an end last night at Cromwell-Wright as the Cardinals clobbered MIB 78-58. MIB was without 2 starters and everything went right from Cromwell. They took a 12-0 lead, led 35-17 at the half. MIB got within 40-32 but then the Cardinals pulled away again. Junior guard Taya Hakamaki was in do-it-all mode for Cromwell and finished with 31 points. Shaily Hakamaki added 26. MIB got 12 from Madisen Overbuy but was without Mattison Bennett and Macy Savela.
Player of the Day--Taya Hakamaki
Team of the Day--Cromwell girls
Coach of the Day--Jeff Gronner, Cromwell
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Jan. 19--Gopher men dodge a bullet
The Gopher men survived winless (in the Big 10) Penn State at home tonight 65-64. The Gophers trailed 38-30 at the half, but opened the 2nd half with a 31-16 run to lead 61-54. Jordan Murphy took matters into his own hands, scoring 12 points during that run with 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Daniel Oturu added 6 points and Eric Curry 4 as the Gophers were successful in going inside in the 2nd half.
But Penn State clawed back to tie at 61 at 3:29--whereupon Murphy scored the next 3 points for the Gophers to lead 64-61 at 0:55. Again Penn State tied it up at 64 with just 11 ticks left on the clock. Dupree McBrayer drew a foul at :02. He missed the 1st FT but after a Penn State timeout he nailed the second for the win.
Murphy finished with 19 points and 21 boards. Amir Coffey and Curry scored 11 and Oturu 10. Lamar Stevens gave the Gophers everything they could handle with 27 points for the Lions. Penn State outshot the Gophers from long distance 8-3, but Minnesota made 22 FT to just 12 for the Lions. The difference was the good old-fashioned 2-pointer, where the Gophers shot 47 percent, Penn State just 40 percent.
Player of the Day--Jordan Murphy
Team of the Day--Concordia St. Paul women, who defeated UMD 51-47. Both teams are now 9-3 in the Northern Sun.
Coach of the Day--Guy Kalland, Carleton men who upset St. John's 66-63. The defending conference champion Johnnies drop to 9-1, a game behind St. Thomas in the MIAC race.
But Penn State clawed back to tie at 61 at 3:29--whereupon Murphy scored the next 3 points for the Gophers to lead 64-61 at 0:55. Again Penn State tied it up at 64 with just 11 ticks left on the clock. Dupree McBrayer drew a foul at :02. He missed the 1st FT but after a Penn State timeout he nailed the second for the win.
Murphy finished with 19 points and 21 boards. Amir Coffey and Curry scored 11 and Oturu 10. Lamar Stevens gave the Gophers everything they could handle with 27 points for the Lions. Penn State outshot the Gophers from long distance 8-3, but Minnesota made 22 FT to just 12 for the Lions. The difference was the good old-fashioned 2-pointer, where the Gophers shot 47 percent, Penn State just 40 percent.
Player of the Day--Jordan Murphy
Team of the Day--Concordia St. Paul women, who defeated UMD 51-47. Both teams are now 9-3 in the Northern Sun.
Coach of the Day--Guy Kalland, Carleton men who upset St. John's 66-63. The defending conference champion Johnnies drop to 9-1, a game behind St. Thomas in the MIAC race.
Jan. 18--Farmington girls demolish Eastview
Farmington left the old Missota conference after the 2015 season to join to tougher South Suburban. And it's been tough for the girls basketball team. In 4 seasons they've gone 20-54, and the Tigers were 0-8 against south metro powerhouse Eastview. Not just 0-8 but the average loss was by 32 points. But they've gone from 10th place to 7th place to 3rd place in the past 3 years, and it's been obvious that they have some great young talent. When would they put it together?
Well, the Tigers have put it together. They thrashed their nemesis Eastview last night by the outlandish score of 62-39. They jumped on the Lightning early and took a 25-13 halftime lead, then outscored Eastview again in the 2nd half 37-26. It was just a dominating performance overall.
Farmington is nothing if not quick with junior point guard Molly Mogenson the quickest and most aggressive of the bunch. She spearheads a ball-hawking defense that puts most opponents on their heels and keeps them there. Junior off-guard Morgan Ebel is quick and physical. Sophomore guards Paige Kindseth and Peyton Blandin are quick enough, and Kindseth really gets airborne. And if you get past all of them 6-4 sophomore Sophie Hart is waiting down low.
On offense, with all that quickness, well, yes, they can push the ball. Or they can play deliberately and score out of the half-court. They spread it around, and so they're terribly difficult to defend. Hart, Kindseth and Mogenson all average 13 ppg, Blandin 9, Ebel 7 and senior post Kaitlin Winston 6. Winston is a tough inside defender and rebounder.
If there's a weakness, it might be the 3. I've seen Kindseth light it up but not this year. They don't shoot or make very many 3s. But they've outscored their opponents this year an average of 65-41.
Last night Mogenson scored 18, Blandin 13, Kindseth 11 and Hart 11. But the number that probably really warmed coach Liz Carpentier's heart was that 39 for Eastview and the fact that nobody for the Lightning scored in double digits. Nobody. Lauren Glas led the way with 8 points.
Farmington is now 15-0, 8-0 in the South Suburban. Defending state champion Eastview is 6-2 and 11-3.
Player of the Day--Molly Mogenson
Team of the Day--Farmington
Coach of the Day--Liz Carpentier
Well, the Tigers have put it together. They thrashed their nemesis Eastview last night by the outlandish score of 62-39. They jumped on the Lightning early and took a 25-13 halftime lead, then outscored Eastview again in the 2nd half 37-26. It was just a dominating performance overall.
Farmington is nothing if not quick with junior point guard Molly Mogenson the quickest and most aggressive of the bunch. She spearheads a ball-hawking defense that puts most opponents on their heels and keeps them there. Junior off-guard Morgan Ebel is quick and physical. Sophomore guards Paige Kindseth and Peyton Blandin are quick enough, and Kindseth really gets airborne. And if you get past all of them 6-4 sophomore Sophie Hart is waiting down low.
On offense, with all that quickness, well, yes, they can push the ball. Or they can play deliberately and score out of the half-court. They spread it around, and so they're terribly difficult to defend. Hart, Kindseth and Mogenson all average 13 ppg, Blandin 9, Ebel 7 and senior post Kaitlin Winston 6. Winston is a tough inside defender and rebounder.
If there's a weakness, it might be the 3. I've seen Kindseth light it up but not this year. They don't shoot or make very many 3s. But they've outscored their opponents this year an average of 65-41.
Last night Mogenson scored 18, Blandin 13, Kindseth 11 and Hart 11. But the number that probably really warmed coach Liz Carpentier's heart was that 39 for Eastview and the fact that nobody for the Lightning scored in double digits. Nobody. Lauren Glas led the way with 8 points.
Farmington is now 15-0, 8-0 in the South Suburban. Defending state champion Eastview is 6-2 and 11-3.
Player of the Day--Molly Mogenson
Team of the Day--Farmington
Coach of the Day--Liz Carpentier
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Jan. 17--Gopher women bounce back at Wisconsin
Thank goodness for the Wisconsin Badgers. After 4 straight losses, the Gopher women bounced back with a 78-50 drubbing of Bucky on their home court in Madison. The Gophers took a 35-17 halftime lead and cruised from there. Unlike recent games, the Lady Gophers shot well--49 percent on FG, 60 percent on 3s, 73 percent on FT--while the Badgers had a difficult time getting the ball into the basket with percentages of 38-22-38. That's right, 38 percent on FT (8-of-21).
Kenisha Bell led the way with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists. Annalese Lamke added 15 and 9 and Taiye Bello 14 and 9. Destiny Pitts' shooting slump continued, however, at 2-of-7.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell
Team of the Day--Gopher women
Coach of the Day--Lindsay Whalen
Kenisha Bell led the way with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists. Annalese Lamke added 15 and 9 and Taiye Bello 14 and 9. Destiny Pitts' shooting slump continued, however, at 2-of-7.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell
Team of the Day--Gopher women
Coach of the Day--Lindsay Whalen
Jan. 16--St. Thomas sweeps Bethel
It's never a surprise when St. Thomas wins in the MIAC. Both the men and women Tommies are now 9-0 and in 1st place in the conference, though the men are tied with equally undefeated St. John's. Last night they swept Bethel and the folks at Bethel may or may not see it this way but, frankly, Bethel did very well to stay with 11 and 4 points of the Tommies, respectively.
The St. Thomas men won 86-75, pulling away from a 57-56 lead midway through the 2nd half. Freshman Anders Nelson continued his super play with 21 points, 7 boards, 7 assists and 2 steals, and just 1 turnover. Connor Bair did the same with a line of 21-7. Tyler Barker led Bethel with a 10-10-8-2 line. The Tommies shot 50 percent, Bethel 45.
The Tommies women had to hustle to defeat Bethel at home, 66-62. Bethel came back from a 10-point deficit to get within 63-62 with 22 seconds left, but Makenna Pearson turned it over on a potentially tying possession. Pearson hit a 3 and a 2 and had a key steal during the Bethel rally and Elizabeth Schwarz scored 6 quick points as well. Sarah Krynski hit 2 clutch FT for St. Thomas, then Lucia Renikoff made 1 for the final score.
Hannah Spaulding was, as almost always, a tower of strength at 15-15-4 while Renikoff scored 17 with 3 assists. Taite Anderson had 15 points and 9 boards for Bethel, Hannah Johnson 14 and 9. The Bethel men are 5-5, the women 5-4.
Player of the Day--Anders Nelson
Team of the Day--St. Thomas men and women
Coach of the Day--Johny Tauer and Ruth Sinn
The St. Thomas men won 86-75, pulling away from a 57-56 lead midway through the 2nd half. Freshman Anders Nelson continued his super play with 21 points, 7 boards, 7 assists and 2 steals, and just 1 turnover. Connor Bair did the same with a line of 21-7. Tyler Barker led Bethel with a 10-10-8-2 line. The Tommies shot 50 percent, Bethel 45.
The Tommies women had to hustle to defeat Bethel at home, 66-62. Bethel came back from a 10-point deficit to get within 63-62 with 22 seconds left, but Makenna Pearson turned it over on a potentially tying possession. Pearson hit a 3 and a 2 and had a key steal during the Bethel rally and Elizabeth Schwarz scored 6 quick points as well. Sarah Krynski hit 2 clutch FT for St. Thomas, then Lucia Renikoff made 1 for the final score.
Hannah Spaulding was, as almost always, a tower of strength at 15-15-4 while Renikoff scored 17 with 3 assists. Taite Anderson had 15 points and 9 boards for Bethel, Hannah Johnson 14 and 9. The Bethel men are 5-5, the women 5-4.
Player of the Day--Anders Nelson
Team of the Day--St. Thomas men and women
Coach of the Day--Johny Tauer and Ruth Sinn
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Jan. 15--2 nail biters on the girls side
#1AAA Alexandria suffered its 1st loss of the year 45-44 at Willmar. Alex dropped to 12-1, 6-1 in the West Central conference. Willmar is 11-2 overall with losses to Waseca and Minnehaha, but took over 1st place in the West Central at 8-0. Willmar was playing its 1st full game without senior guard Hannah Johnson.
Alex led 18-16 at the half and 42-38 with a minute left to play. Willmar guard Madi Linbo hit a 3 and guard Abby Berskow got a home run pick to put Willmar ahead 43-42. The teams exchanged buckets, then Alex got the ball back with 11 ticks left on the clock, but could not get off a shot.
Berskow scored 10 for Willmar while Carly Wedel added 4 and 9 boards. Alex was led by Ella Grove with 10 and posts McKenzie Duwenhoegger and Emily Jones combined for 17.
Meanwhile, Mountain Iron Buhl pulled out a 46-43 OT win at Proctor. The Rangers led by 4 with a minute left in regulation but Proctor tied it up. MIB hit a pair of 3s in OT to win. Allie Negan and Macy Savela had 14 for MIB, and Madisen Overbye 11. Sam Pogatchnik had 17 and Katelyn Marunich 11 for the Rails. MIB is 13-2, Proctor is 11-5.
Player of the Day--Dawson Garcia, Prior Lake, 44 points vs. Eastview in an 89-81 win
Team of the Day--Willmar Cardinals girls
Coach of the Day--Dustin Carlson, Willmar girls
Alex led 18-16 at the half and 42-38 with a minute left to play. Willmar guard Madi Linbo hit a 3 and guard Abby Berskow got a home run pick to put Willmar ahead 43-42. The teams exchanged buckets, then Alex got the ball back with 11 ticks left on the clock, but could not get off a shot.
Berskow scored 10 for Willmar while Carly Wedel added 4 and 9 boards. Alex was led by Ella Grove with 10 and posts McKenzie Duwenhoegger and Emily Jones combined for 17.
Meanwhile, Mountain Iron Buhl pulled out a 46-43 OT win at Proctor. The Rangers led by 4 with a minute left in regulation but Proctor tied it up. MIB hit a pair of 3s in OT to win. Allie Negan and Macy Savela had 14 for MIB, and Madisen Overbye 11. Sam Pogatchnik had 17 and Katelyn Marunich 11 for the Rails. MIB is 13-2, Proctor is 11-5.
Player of the Day--Dawson Garcia, Prior Lake, 44 points vs. Eastview in an 89-81 win
Team of the Day--Willmar Cardinals girls
Coach of the Day--Dustin Carlson, Willmar girls
Monday, January 14, 2019
Jan. 12---Augsburg women still the best ever
The Augsburg and St. Thomas women met Saturday afternoon at Augsburg. Both were 7-0 and tied for 1st place in the MIAC. What was at stake--besides, obviously, 1st place--was this. Both teams still have the upside potential to be the best team ever at their respective schools. Of course, to do that, St. Thomas has to win another national championship, while Augsburg just has to finish 4th or better in the MIAC.
Well, it was not a surprise that the Tommies won, though it was a bit of a surprise that they scored only 49 points in doing so. The Tommies shot 46 percent, but the Augies forced 22 St. Thomas turnovers and outperformed the Tommies 13-5 on the O-boards. The Augies got 14 extra shots at the basket but, unfortunately, made only 23 percent of their shots. Still, Augsburg's defense gave the Tommies everything they wanted, which speaks well to the Augies chances for continued success as the season continues.
So, anyway, nobody for Augsburg score in double figures. Tamira McLemore led with 7 and added 5 boards. Kaia Porter had 11 points and 8 boards for St. Thomas, Hannah Spaulding 10 and 9. Lucia Renikoff had a nice line, too--9 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals. The Tommies were never really in danger of losing, leading 17-9, 27-16 and 41-27 at the quarter breaks.
Still, you could say that Augsburg has probably already accomplished its goal--assuming it was a goal--of being the best Augies team ever. Barring something crazy, it's pretty much a done deal. Meanwhile, St. Thomas still has a long way to go. That at least is one way to look at it.
Player of the Day--Spaulding
Team of the Day--St. Thomas women
Coach of the Day--Ted Riverso, Augsburg
Well, it was not a surprise that the Tommies won, though it was a bit of a surprise that they scored only 49 points in doing so. The Tommies shot 46 percent, but the Augies forced 22 St. Thomas turnovers and outperformed the Tommies 13-5 on the O-boards. The Augies got 14 extra shots at the basket but, unfortunately, made only 23 percent of their shots. Still, Augsburg's defense gave the Tommies everything they wanted, which speaks well to the Augies chances for continued success as the season continues.
So, anyway, nobody for Augsburg score in double figures. Tamira McLemore led with 7 and added 5 boards. Kaia Porter had 11 points and 8 boards for St. Thomas, Hannah Spaulding 10 and 9. Lucia Renikoff had a nice line, too--9 points, 5 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals. The Tommies were never really in danger of losing, leading 17-9, 27-16 and 41-27 at the quarter breaks.
Still, you could say that Augsburg has probably already accomplished its goal--assuming it was a goal--of being the best Augies team ever. Barring something crazy, it's pretty much a done deal. Meanwhile, St. Thomas still has a long way to go. That at least is one way to look at it.
Player of the Day--Spaulding
Team of the Day--St. Thomas women
Coach of the Day--Ted Riverso, Augsburg
Jan. 14--Hawkeyes drub Gophers
There were 2 games at Williams Arena tonight. Unfortunately, the one where Iowa shot out the lights and the Gophers did not, well, that one accounted for three quarters of the game. The one where the Gophers were able to turn Iowa over a little and to get running, that one only lasted for one quarter. The result was an 81-63 drubbing in which the Gophers were outscored 49-23 in the 2nd half.
Iowa shot 61 percent from the field, including a respectable 38 percent on 3s and a killer 71 percent from 2 point range. The Gophers shot 37 percent from the field, 21 percent on 3s and 46 percent on 2s. Iowa also shot 80 percent from the line, the Gophers and underwhelming 56 percent.
Iowa took the early lead as Megan Gustafson scored 10 of the Hawkeyes first 12 points. Iowa led 20-14 late in the 1st when the Gophers started to double down on Gustafson a little more aggressively, and suddenly they were within 20-19. The 2nd quarter was mostly Gophers as Gustafson and Iowa turned it over a few times, the Gophers got some fast break baskets, and Minnesota led 40-32 at the half.
But Iowa roared out to a 10-1 start in the 2nd half, wiping out the Gophers lead. The Gophers scored to lead again at 43-42, but that would be their last lead. The Hawkeyes quit turning it over and started controlling the defensive boards. Overall, the Gophers got 11 more FGA than Iowa but all of that was in the 1st half. With both teams taking about the same number of shots in the 2nd, and with Iowa outshooting the Gophers by almost 30 percent, it was no contest.
Whatever you've heard about Megan Gustafson, she's better than that. She is extremely quick and active for a 6-4 player. She gets open, her teammates get her the ball where she wants it, and she doesn't miss with the left hand. After that, the Gophers matched up with Iowa OK, though frankly we didn't have an obvious advantage anywhere either. But, with Gustafson as the difference-maker, Iowa was not going to lose to a Gopher team that shot 37 percent.
The Gophers offense is just not very good. Bell gets into the lane for layups and ten-footers but even then her shooting percentage is not great. Destiny Pitts hit some 3s in the 1st half but Iowa did a lot better guarding her on the 3-point line in the 2nd, and she's not going to drive by anybody, nor is there anybody breaking into the lane for a pass. Taiye Bello remains one of the greatest rebounders I've ever seen, but her offense beyond layup range is limited. Jasmine Brunson has had some good games, but this was not one of them. And Annalese Lamke has had some good games, but against Megan Gustafson, that wasn't going to happen either.
The Gophers did end up with those 11 extra FGA because they got 17 offensive boards to just 6 for Iowa but, hey, we missed 41 shots. They missed 20. But, we also turned it over less than Iowa did, surprisingly. But the bottom line is that Minnesota needs to raise its FG percentage about 10 points the rest of the way if they're going to make any kind of run at the NCAA tournament.
Right now there is hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't win. I mean, the schedule is not that tough. But there is also hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't lose if they keep shooting 37 percent. Next up--at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, and Purdue at home. Win those are we're back to 4-4, and you can start planning your next move. But if the Gophers do not at least split their next 4, it's all over but the shouting.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell
Team of the Day--North Central University. The Rams defeated Mount Mary 62-52 to run their record to 9-6.
Coach--Paul Brunner, North Central
Iowa shot 61 percent from the field, including a respectable 38 percent on 3s and a killer 71 percent from 2 point range. The Gophers shot 37 percent from the field, 21 percent on 3s and 46 percent on 2s. Iowa also shot 80 percent from the line, the Gophers and underwhelming 56 percent.
Iowa took the early lead as Megan Gustafson scored 10 of the Hawkeyes first 12 points. Iowa led 20-14 late in the 1st when the Gophers started to double down on Gustafson a little more aggressively, and suddenly they were within 20-19. The 2nd quarter was mostly Gophers as Gustafson and Iowa turned it over a few times, the Gophers got some fast break baskets, and Minnesota led 40-32 at the half.
But Iowa roared out to a 10-1 start in the 2nd half, wiping out the Gophers lead. The Gophers scored to lead again at 43-42, but that would be their last lead. The Hawkeyes quit turning it over and started controlling the defensive boards. Overall, the Gophers got 11 more FGA than Iowa but all of that was in the 1st half. With both teams taking about the same number of shots in the 2nd, and with Iowa outshooting the Gophers by almost 30 percent, it was no contest.
Whatever you've heard about Megan Gustafson, she's better than that. She is extremely quick and active for a 6-4 player. She gets open, her teammates get her the ball where she wants it, and she doesn't miss with the left hand. After that, the Gophers matched up with Iowa OK, though frankly we didn't have an obvious advantage anywhere either. But, with Gustafson as the difference-maker, Iowa was not going to lose to a Gopher team that shot 37 percent.
The Gophers offense is just not very good. Bell gets into the lane for layups and ten-footers but even then her shooting percentage is not great. Destiny Pitts hit some 3s in the 1st half but Iowa did a lot better guarding her on the 3-point line in the 2nd, and she's not going to drive by anybody, nor is there anybody breaking into the lane for a pass. Taiye Bello remains one of the greatest rebounders I've ever seen, but her offense beyond layup range is limited. Jasmine Brunson has had some good games, but this was not one of them. And Annalese Lamke has had some good games, but against Megan Gustafson, that wasn't going to happen either.
The Gophers did end up with those 11 extra FGA because they got 17 offensive boards to just 6 for Iowa but, hey, we missed 41 shots. They missed 20. But, we also turned it over less than Iowa did, surprisingly. But the bottom line is that Minnesota needs to raise its FG percentage about 10 points the rest of the way if they're going to make any kind of run at the NCAA tournament.
Right now there is hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't win. I mean, the schedule is not that tough. But there is also hardly a Big 10 game on the schedule that the Gophers can't lose if they keep shooting 37 percent. Next up--at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, and Purdue at home. Win those are we're back to 4-4, and you can start planning your next move. But if the Gophers do not at least split their next 4, it's all over but the shouting.
Player of the Day--Kenisha Bell
Team of the Day--North Central University. The Rams defeated Mount Mary 62-52 to run their record to 9-6.
Coach--Paul Brunner, North Central
Friday, January 11, 2019
Jan. 11--Edina, MVL, Wayzata boys pull upsets
Last night we had 94 boys high school basketball games in Minnesota, not a one of which matched 2 ranked teams. Tonight we had a few more games (119) and we had 9 games (and this is just the boys) matching 2 top 20 teams. 3 of them ended with an upset, that is, with the lower-rated team winning.
• #15AAAA Edina (now 7-4) knocked off #1 Hopkins (12-2) 80-79 at home. The Hornets took a 41-33 halftime lead, then hung on. Jack Middleton lit it up for Edina with 31 points while Charlie Haff added 21. Zeke Nnaji and Drew Zimmer scored 21 each for Hopkins.
• #16A MN Valley Lutheran (now 11-1) defeated #2 Springfield (9-2) 78-76 in OT. It was Springfield's 2nd close road loss to a ranked foe. The 1st was at #1 Minneota. We don't have a box score yet, but we know that Springfield senior guard Isaac Fink scored 84 points in his last 2 games before tonight including a school record 43 against Redwood Valley.
• #8AAAA Wayzata was the 2nd Lake Conference team to pull of an upset at home, and this one was also a one-pointer. The Trojans beat #6 Eden Prairie 64-63 as Luke Paulson led a balanced Wayzata attack. Connor Christiansen scored 31 for EP but he didn't get enough help. Wayzata is now 10-3, EP is 7-5 against one of if not the toughest schedules in the state.
Game of the Day--we'll take the Edina win over Hopkins, seeing how the Royals were rated #1
Player of the Day--Jack Middleton, Edina
Team of the Day--Wayzata girls who ran their record to 14-0 with a 63-45 win over EP for a Trojan sweep of the Lake double-header
Coach of the Day--Liz Carpenter, Farmington girls who are now 12-0 and #4 after a 68-46 win at #18 Shakopee
• #15AAAA Edina (now 7-4) knocked off #1 Hopkins (12-2) 80-79 at home. The Hornets took a 41-33 halftime lead, then hung on. Jack Middleton lit it up for Edina with 31 points while Charlie Haff added 21. Zeke Nnaji and Drew Zimmer scored 21 each for Hopkins.
• #16A MN Valley Lutheran (now 11-1) defeated #2 Springfield (9-2) 78-76 in OT. It was Springfield's 2nd close road loss to a ranked foe. The 1st was at #1 Minneota. We don't have a box score yet, but we know that Springfield senior guard Isaac Fink scored 84 points in his last 2 games before tonight including a school record 43 against Redwood Valley.
• #8AAAA Wayzata was the 2nd Lake Conference team to pull of an upset at home, and this one was also a one-pointer. The Trojans beat #6 Eden Prairie 64-63 as Luke Paulson led a balanced Wayzata attack. Connor Christiansen scored 31 for EP but he didn't get enough help. Wayzata is now 10-3, EP is 7-5 against one of if not the toughest schedules in the state.
Game of the Day--we'll take the Edina win over Hopkins, seeing how the Royals were rated #1
Player of the Day--Jack Middleton, Edina
Team of the Day--Wayzata girls who ran their record to 14-0 with a 63-45 win over EP for a Trojan sweep of the Lake double-header
Coach of the Day--Liz Carpenter, Farmington girls who are now 12-0 and #4 after a 68-46 win at #18 Shakopee
Jan. 10--Apple Valley, Centennial girls; Westbrook-Walnut Grove boys knock off rated opponents
There was a full slate of high school play last night but only 2 games matching rated teams. There were, however, 3 rated teams that were defeated.
The #12 Apple Valley girls defeated South Suburban Conference nemesis Lakeville North 79-55 after taking a 47-26 halftime lead. The Eagles offense was clicking on all 5 cylinders as Megan Baer scored 26 points (after 24 points the last time out), Kalena Myers 13, Mykel Parham and Chyna Young 11, and Jocelyn Nyblom 10. Lauren Jensen and Sara Kuma scored 21 and 16 for the Panthers. Apple Valley is 9-4 overall, North 8-5. Both teams are 4-2 in the South Suburban, tied for 4th, a game-and-a-half behind 5-0 Farmington.
In the Northwest Suburban, the #11 Centennial girls defeated #14 Elk River 53-44 in a battle of (conference) unbeaten. Centennial led 12-0 early and 30-12 at the half, so this one wasn't as close as it looked. Taylor McAuley scored 24 for the Cougars, Lydia Haack 20 for the Elks. Centennial is 10-4/4-0, Elk River 9-3/3-1.
Among the boys, unranked Westbrook-Walnut Grove avenged a section tournament loss last March to Southwest MN Christian 76-62. (Last March it was 92-76 SW.) SWMC is now 5-2 and is rated #20. WWG is 8-3 overall, 5-1 in the Red Rock Conference, a half-game behind 5-0 Hills-Beaver Creek and Mountain Lake. SW is 2-2 in the conference.
Game of the Day--Apple Valley girls 79 Lakeville North 55
Player of the Day--Megan Baer, Apple Valley
Team of the Day--Apple Valley girls
Coach of the Day--Bryan Doughty, AV girls
The #12 Apple Valley girls defeated South Suburban Conference nemesis Lakeville North 79-55 after taking a 47-26 halftime lead. The Eagles offense was clicking on all 5 cylinders as Megan Baer scored 26 points (after 24 points the last time out), Kalena Myers 13, Mykel Parham and Chyna Young 11, and Jocelyn Nyblom 10. Lauren Jensen and Sara Kuma scored 21 and 16 for the Panthers. Apple Valley is 9-4 overall, North 8-5. Both teams are 4-2 in the South Suburban, tied for 4th, a game-and-a-half behind 5-0 Farmington.
In the Northwest Suburban, the #11 Centennial girls defeated #14 Elk River 53-44 in a battle of (conference) unbeaten. Centennial led 12-0 early and 30-12 at the half, so this one wasn't as close as it looked. Taylor McAuley scored 24 for the Cougars, Lydia Haack 20 for the Elks. Centennial is 10-4/4-0, Elk River 9-3/3-1.
Among the boys, unranked Westbrook-Walnut Grove avenged a section tournament loss last March to Southwest MN Christian 76-62. (Last March it was 92-76 SW.) SWMC is now 5-2 and is rated #20. WWG is 8-3 overall, 5-1 in the Red Rock Conference, a half-game behind 5-0 Hills-Beaver Creek and Mountain Lake. SW is 2-2 in the conference.
Game of the Day--Apple Valley girls 79 Lakeville North 55
Player of the Day--Megan Baer, Apple Valley
Team of the Day--Apple Valley girls
Coach of the Day--Bryan Doughty, AV girls
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Jan. 9--If it's Wednesday, it's MIAC night
The 2 best games in the MIAC tonight both featured Bethel and Augsburg, and the Auggies just keep rolling along. The men are 6-2 in 3rd place after edging the Royals 86-82. The women remain undefeated in the conference at 7-0 after TCB on the road, 74-67. Both were competitive games. The men were tied at 78-all with 2:04 left in the game, and the Bethel women were within 55-54 at 6:34.
First, the women. I wrote earlier this year that this could be, might be the best Augsburg team ever. Now, no offense, but that's not saying a whole lot. 5th is as high as the Auggies have ever finished in the MIAC in about 35 years. But, still, being the best is an achievement any way you want to look at it. And, now, at 7-0, they've darned near clinched some degree of immortality, though I know they'll say they have a lot of work still to do. And, of course, they do. But, for now, a win at Bethel is always a good win.
Senior guards Ari Jones and Tamira McLemore combined for 29 points. Jones added 7 assists and 2 blocks, McLemore 6 boards and 4 steals. McLemore scored 7 points in a key 3rd quarter run where Augsburg turned a 32-27 deficit into a 48-43 lead. Taite Anderson had 15 points and 7 boards, and Hannah Johnson 7 points, 14 boards and 2 blocks for Bethel.
Then, the men. This one was at Augsburg. The Auggies led just 41-38 at the half but expanded that to a seemingly comfortable 69-52 at 9:43. But Bethel roared back to tie it at 74, then 78. But Booker Coplin scored 4 points inside of 2 minutes and the Auggies held on. Collin had a monster night--36 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals. Matt Carik added 26-6 and 5. Derek Magnuson scored 24 for Bethel and Granger Kirkland added a 15-7-3 line.
Player of the Day--Booker Coplin
Team of the Day--Augsburg women
Coach of the Day--Ted Riverso
First, the women. I wrote earlier this year that this could be, might be the best Augsburg team ever. Now, no offense, but that's not saying a whole lot. 5th is as high as the Auggies have ever finished in the MIAC in about 35 years. But, still, being the best is an achievement any way you want to look at it. And, now, at 7-0, they've darned near clinched some degree of immortality, though I know they'll say they have a lot of work still to do. And, of course, they do. But, for now, a win at Bethel is always a good win.
Senior guards Ari Jones and Tamira McLemore combined for 29 points. Jones added 7 assists and 2 blocks, McLemore 6 boards and 4 steals. McLemore scored 7 points in a key 3rd quarter run where Augsburg turned a 32-27 deficit into a 48-43 lead. Taite Anderson had 15 points and 7 boards, and Hannah Johnson 7 points, 14 boards and 2 blocks for Bethel.
Then, the men. This one was at Augsburg. The Auggies led just 41-38 at the half but expanded that to a seemingly comfortable 69-52 at 9:43. But Bethel roared back to tie it at 74, then 78. But Booker Coplin scored 4 points inside of 2 minutes and the Auggies held on. Collin had a monster night--36 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals. Matt Carik added 26-6 and 5. Derek Magnuson scored 24 for Bethel and Granger Kirkland added a 15-7-3 line.
Player of the Day--Booker Coplin
Team of the Day--Augsburg women
Coach of the Day--Ted Riverso
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Jan. 8--The good, the bad and the ugly
A bad week just got worse, at least over on University Avenue. Just like the women just last night, the Gopher men put up a pretty good first half, then collapsed in the 2nd. Leading 54-47, they got outscored 35-13 down the stretch. Maryland shot 54/60/89 percent. The Gophers shot a respectable 42/37 but just 38/30 in the 2nd half. Oh, and they shot 39 percent from the line, 29 percent in the disastrous 2nd half.
Maryland played a whack-a-Murphy defense, holding him to just 3 FGA. They put him on the line a little bit and came up smelling roses as Murph made 3-of-9 throws. Amir Coffey made 3-of-8. Maryland had a 39-28 edge in rebounding. The final was 82-67.
Welcome Ryan Saunders
The Timberwolves latest trade--you know, Thibs for Ryan Saunders--smells like a whole bouquet of roses right now, as the Wolves won on the road in the west for only the 2nd time this season, 119-117 at OKC. The Thunder missed 2 potential game-winning shots and another that could have tied it, all in the final 7 seconds.
The Wolves led 96-93 after 3 and then 106-97 when OKC roared back to within 106-105, then took leads of 111-110, 113-112 and 115-114. Andrew Wiggins hit a pair of throws and Josh Okogie hit a 3 to make it 119-115 at :28. Westbrook hit a pair of throws at :21 and Tyus Jones traveled at :15 to set up the last-second dramatics.
Wiggins scored 40 with 16-of-18 FT (!) but was still just -3. Dario Saric at +22, Anthony Tolliver +14 and Jones at +13 led the way for the Wolves.
High School Drama
There was drama in the high schools too, well, at Eden Prairie anyway. Minnehaha edged the snake-bit Eagles 61-60 as Jalen Suggs scored 18 for the RedHawks.
DeLaSalle held off Mpls. North 66-57 as Tyrell Terry scored 23.
And, well, not much drama down at St. Thomas where Mahtomedi shocked the Tommies 80-49. Not a typo, people. Eighty to forty-nine. And they did it without J'Vonne Hadley going totally nuts, though he did score 26.
Game of the Day--Timberwolves win in Ryan Saunders debut
Player of the Day--J'Vonne Hadley
Team of the Day--Mahtomedi
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders, who else?
Maryland played a whack-a-Murphy defense, holding him to just 3 FGA. They put him on the line a little bit and came up smelling roses as Murph made 3-of-9 throws. Amir Coffey made 3-of-8. Maryland had a 39-28 edge in rebounding. The final was 82-67.
Welcome Ryan Saunders
The Timberwolves latest trade--you know, Thibs for Ryan Saunders--smells like a whole bouquet of roses right now, as the Wolves won on the road in the west for only the 2nd time this season, 119-117 at OKC. The Thunder missed 2 potential game-winning shots and another that could have tied it, all in the final 7 seconds.
The Wolves led 96-93 after 3 and then 106-97 when OKC roared back to within 106-105, then took leads of 111-110, 113-112 and 115-114. Andrew Wiggins hit a pair of throws and Josh Okogie hit a 3 to make it 119-115 at :28. Westbrook hit a pair of throws at :21 and Tyus Jones traveled at :15 to set up the last-second dramatics.
Wiggins scored 40 with 16-of-18 FT (!) but was still just -3. Dario Saric at +22, Anthony Tolliver +14 and Jones at +13 led the way for the Wolves.
High School Drama
There was drama in the high schools too, well, at Eden Prairie anyway. Minnehaha edged the snake-bit Eagles 61-60 as Jalen Suggs scored 18 for the RedHawks.
DeLaSalle held off Mpls. North 66-57 as Tyrell Terry scored 23.
And, well, not much drama down at St. Thomas where Mahtomedi shocked the Tommies 80-49. Not a typo, people. Eighty to forty-nine. And they did it without J'Vonne Hadley going totally nuts, though he did score 26.
Game of the Day--Timberwolves win in Ryan Saunders debut
Player of the Day--J'Vonne Hadley
Team of the Day--Mahtomedi
Coach of the Day--Ryan Saunders, who else?
Jan. 7--Boys night out in the MIAC
It was boys night out in the MIAC with a full slate of men's games while the women were inactive. St. John's and St. Thomas remained undefeated and pointing toward a showdown two weeks from last night (Monday, Jan. 21) at St. Thomas.
The defending champs from St. John's hammered Concordia 83-44 as the Cobbers shot 27 percent and nobody scored in double figures. David Stokman scored 23 points for the Johnnies.
It's hard to believe the Tommies slumped to 5th place last year, the way they're playing so far this year, including last night's 89-63 thumping of 3rd place St. Olaf. Connor Bair continued his strong play with 26 points, 5 boards and 2 blocks (he is averaging 15 and 9). The Tommies shot 50 percent from the field, which is exactly their percentage for the season (12 games) thus far. The Olies shot 33 percent.
Along with the Johnnies and Tommies, right now St. Olaf, Augsburg, Bethel and Hamline are in position to advance to the MIAC post-season but a road game at St. John's or St. Thomas sounds like a very very hard road indeed.
Player of the Day--Bair and Stokman
Team of the Day--Johnnies and Tommies
Coach of the Day--Tauer and McKenzie
The defending champs from St. John's hammered Concordia 83-44 as the Cobbers shot 27 percent and nobody scored in double figures. David Stokman scored 23 points for the Johnnies.
It's hard to believe the Tommies slumped to 5th place last year, the way they're playing so far this year, including last night's 89-63 thumping of 3rd place St. Olaf. Connor Bair continued his strong play with 26 points, 5 boards and 2 blocks (he is averaging 15 and 9). The Tommies shot 50 percent from the field, which is exactly their percentage for the season (12 games) thus far. The Olies shot 33 percent.
Along with the Johnnies and Tommies, right now St. Olaf, Augsburg, Bethel and Hamline are in position to advance to the MIAC post-season but a road game at St. John's or St. Thomas sounds like a very very hard road indeed.
Player of the Day--Bair and Stokman
Team of the Day--Johnnies and Tommies
Coach of the Day--Tauer and McKenzie
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Jan. 6--Did not see that coming
Illinois at home figured to be the easiest game remaining on the Gopher women's schedule. And, for the first half, matters went more or less according to Hoyle. The Gophers were up 35-21 at the half after a solid 23-8 2nd quarter in which we shot 61 percent to 31 for the Illini. Illinois got within 5 in the 3rd quarter but 5 quick points by Jasmine Brunson made it 53-43 after 3. No problem.
Well, the Gophers shot 20 percent in the 4th and the Illini 53 percent. We still led 60-55 with 4 minutes to go, but Illinois made it look easy, finishing up on an 11-2 run.
The Gophers made just 11-of-38 shots in the 2nd half, 3-of-13 3s. We shot 36 percent for the day but take away Brunson's 7-of-11 and we were closer to 30 percent. The Illini bench outscored ours 30-2. Annalese Lamke led the Gophers with 18 points but did not score in the 2nd half. Brunson scored 17 points. Kenisha Bell scored 14 on 5-of-13 shooting with 6 boards, 3 assists and 7 turnovers.
Player of the Day--Karl Anthony Towns 28 points 18 boards
Team of the Day--Timberwolves 108 LA Lakers (without LeBron) 86
Well, the Gophers shot 20 percent in the 4th and the Illini 53 percent. We still led 60-55 with 4 minutes to go, but Illinois made it look easy, finishing up on an 11-2 run.
The Gophers made just 11-of-38 shots in the 2nd half, 3-of-13 3s. We shot 36 percent for the day but take away Brunson's 7-of-11 and we were closer to 30 percent. The Illini bench outscored ours 30-2. Annalese Lamke led the Gophers with 18 points but did not score in the 2nd half. Brunson scored 17 points. Kenisha Bell scored 14 on 5-of-13 shooting with 6 boards, 3 assists and 7 turnovers.
Player of the Day--Karl Anthony Towns 28 points 18 boards
Team of the Day--Timberwolves 108 LA Lakers (without LeBron) 86
Jan. 5--UM Crookston sweeps UMD for 3-1 weekend
As you know, I like doubleheaders and so I like the Northern Sun. Just about nothin' but two-fers. UM Crookston hosted a pair of two-fers, St. Cloud State on Friday and UMD on Saturday and came away with 3 wins out of a possible 4.
The men, led by guard Harrison Cleary, swept St. Cloud 76-57 (Cleary 28 pts-4 asts) and UMD 96-88 (Cleary again 29-6). UMC shot 45 and 58 percent from the field but 50 and 57 from long-range, and they punished St. Cloud 16-0 in points off turnovers.
The women were led by Issy Odor's 32 pts in 2 games. 11 was not enough in the 68-58 loss to St. Cloud but she upped the ante to 21 with 10 boards and 3 assists in a 66-61 win over UMD. UMC gave up 16 and 27 percent shooting on 3 pointers to the 2 opponents. St. Cloud had a 14-3 edge in 2nd chance points, however, but UMC had an insurmountable 21-5 edge in FT on Saturday night.
Crookston is not gonna win any titles, granted. Both teams are now 4-4, 3 (men) and 4 (women) games out of 1st place in the Northern Division. (St. Cloud is 5-3 and 5-3, the Duluth men are 4-4, the women a solid 6-2). But they're (UMC) competitive and I gotta admit, I don't know how they do it. I mean, you expect that from St. Cloud and UMD. Crooks ton, meanwhile, is pretty much all the way to Canada and North Dakota, both. But, athletes and basketball players go there and coaches Mike Roysland and Dan Weisse get everything they've got out of them. Good show.
Player of the Day--Harrison Cleary, 2nd time this season
Team of the Day--UMC men with their sweep
Coach of the Day--Roysland and Weisse in a tie
The men, led by guard Harrison Cleary, swept St. Cloud 76-57 (Cleary 28 pts-4 asts) and UMD 96-88 (Cleary again 29-6). UMC shot 45 and 58 percent from the field but 50 and 57 from long-range, and they punished St. Cloud 16-0 in points off turnovers.
The women were led by Issy Odor's 32 pts in 2 games. 11 was not enough in the 68-58 loss to St. Cloud but she upped the ante to 21 with 10 boards and 3 assists in a 66-61 win over UMD. UMC gave up 16 and 27 percent shooting on 3 pointers to the 2 opponents. St. Cloud had a 14-3 edge in 2nd chance points, however, but UMC had an insurmountable 21-5 edge in FT on Saturday night.
Crookston is not gonna win any titles, granted. Both teams are now 4-4, 3 (men) and 4 (women) games out of 1st place in the Northern Division. (St. Cloud is 5-3 and 5-3, the Duluth men are 4-4, the women a solid 6-2). But they're (UMC) competitive and I gotta admit, I don't know how they do it. I mean, you expect that from St. Cloud and UMD. Crooks ton, meanwhile, is pretty much all the way to Canada and North Dakota, both. But, athletes and basketball players go there and coaches Mike Roysland and Dan Weisse get everything they've got out of them. Good show.
Player of the Day--Harrison Cleary, 2nd time this season
Team of the Day--UMC men with their sweep
Coach of the Day--Roysland and Weisse in a tie
Jan. 4--High school conference races heat up
So, most of the big match games and the jockeying in the statewide rankings is behind us, and the conference races move to the front burner.... There were 3 big GIRLS conference games Friday night that gave shape to those races.
Northwest Suburban
Explosive Park Center (now 5-0 in the conference, #9 statewide) defeated Centennial (4-1, #11) with relative ease 75-61. Centennial is still without Wisconsin-bound post Sara Stapleton, but the margin was still a surprise. Sophomore Adalia McKenzie continues to impress with 26 points, T'Naye Griffin added 17, Lauren Frost 13 and Kayla Cox 10. Sarah Lavell continued her breakout senior season with 24 points for Centennial but Drake-bound wing Taylor McAuley was held to 7.
Park Center visits 4-1 Armstrong on Tuesday, and surprising 5-0 Elk River is at Centennial on Thursday, so the NWS race will continue to be defined this week.
South Suburban
Perennial power Eastview (now 3-1 and #5) escaped Apple Valley (2-2, #12) in the backyard battle 63-61 as Macy Guebert scored 23 points. Lauren Glas continued to show her toughness. She's an all-state soccer player who succeeds at basketball by instinct and osmosis and pure athleticism and heart and added 12 points. Megan Baer scored 24 and Mykel Parham 13 for the Eagles.
Upstart Farmington and surprising Shakopee are 4-0 in the South Suburban and the Tigers already have a win over Eastview. But Farmington is at Shakopee on Friday, and they get Eastview again the following Friday.
Suburban East
This one is already a 2-team race after Roseville edged Forest Lake 52-47 behind Jayda Johnston's 18 points. Stillwater is 5-0 with a win at Roseville, and the Raiders are 2-1. Everybody else already has 2 losses or more. Roseville visits Stillwater January 29.
Player of the Day--Adalia McKenzie
Team of the Day--Park Center
Coach of the Day--Barb Metcalf, Park Center
Northwest Suburban
Explosive Park Center (now 5-0 in the conference, #9 statewide) defeated Centennial (4-1, #11) with relative ease 75-61. Centennial is still without Wisconsin-bound post Sara Stapleton, but the margin was still a surprise. Sophomore Adalia McKenzie continues to impress with 26 points, T'Naye Griffin added 17, Lauren Frost 13 and Kayla Cox 10. Sarah Lavell continued her breakout senior season with 24 points for Centennial but Drake-bound wing Taylor McAuley was held to 7.
Park Center visits 4-1 Armstrong on Tuesday, and surprising 5-0 Elk River is at Centennial on Thursday, so the NWS race will continue to be defined this week.
South Suburban
Perennial power Eastview (now 3-1 and #5) escaped Apple Valley (2-2, #12) in the backyard battle 63-61 as Macy Guebert scored 23 points. Lauren Glas continued to show her toughness. She's an all-state soccer player who succeeds at basketball by instinct and osmosis and pure athleticism and heart and added 12 points. Megan Baer scored 24 and Mykel Parham 13 for the Eagles.
Upstart Farmington and surprising Shakopee are 4-0 in the South Suburban and the Tigers already have a win over Eastview. But Farmington is at Shakopee on Friday, and they get Eastview again the following Friday.
Suburban East
This one is already a 2-team race after Roseville edged Forest Lake 52-47 behind Jayda Johnston's 18 points. Stillwater is 5-0 with a win at Roseville, and the Raiders are 2-1. Everybody else already has 2 losses or more. Roseville visits Stillwater January 29.
Player of the Day--Adalia McKenzie
Team of the Day--Park Center
Coach of the Day--Barb Metcalf, Park Center
Friday, January 4, 2019
Gopher men win at Madison 59-52
Wow! I did not see that coming. Nor did I see the axe coming. Could the Wisconsin jinx be over? Please, let the Wisconsin jinx be over!
And, what an effort. Now, thank goodness the Badgers shot 23 percent in the 1st half, especially in view of the fact that they shot 63 percent in the 2nd. I mean, you knew that was gonna happen, right. But, the Gophers were up 14-11 midway through the 1st half and the Badgers just kept throwing up bricks. And Amir Coffey scored 15 straight Gopher points--a layup, a 3, another layup, a pair of throws, another throw, another 3, another layup!--and suddenly it's 29-14 and just as suddenly it's halftime.
So in the 2nd half--and, again, you knew it, you just knew it--the Badgers start inching back. 31-21. 31-26. But the Brock Stull hits a pair of 3s and its 40-28! And, it's still 49-38, but then it's 49-47 and there are still 3 minutes left to go. OMG! OMG! And then, 6 quick points, 2 by Coffey, and a pair of 2s by Dupree McBrayer, and its 55-47 with 2 minutes left. And, then McBrayer makes 4-of-4 from the line and it's over.
Amir Coffey was incredible, I mean, like, Nebraska incredible. I mean, unstoppable going to the rim. A matchup problem, they said, in the understatement of the night. 21 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 7-of-14 from the field, 5-of-6 from the line. +14.
But, then, Dupree continues to break out of a (previously) season-long shooting slump with 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 5-of-7 from the line including 4-of-4 inside of 2 minutes.
Wisconsin made it very very tough on the Gophers big guys and so Minnesota won it on the perimeter, thank you very much. Coffey, Dupree, Stull! We outshot Bucky just 44-42 percent overall, but 43-23 from long range. We out rebounded the little bugger 37-25. A 13-8 edge on points off turnovers, a 9-2 edge on 2nd chance points. Bucky gets 2 2nd chance points all night. All before 16,667 screaming Badgers. Incredible. Ski-U-Nah. Please, let the Wisconsin jinx be over.
And, what an effort. Now, thank goodness the Badgers shot 23 percent in the 1st half, especially in view of the fact that they shot 63 percent in the 2nd. I mean, you knew that was gonna happen, right. But, the Gophers were up 14-11 midway through the 1st half and the Badgers just kept throwing up bricks. And Amir Coffey scored 15 straight Gopher points--a layup, a 3, another layup, a pair of throws, another throw, another 3, another layup!--and suddenly it's 29-14 and just as suddenly it's halftime.
So in the 2nd half--and, again, you knew it, you just knew it--the Badgers start inching back. 31-21. 31-26. But the Brock Stull hits a pair of 3s and its 40-28! And, it's still 49-38, but then it's 49-47 and there are still 3 minutes left to go. OMG! OMG! And then, 6 quick points, 2 by Coffey, and a pair of 2s by Dupree McBrayer, and its 55-47 with 2 minutes left. And, then McBrayer makes 4-of-4 from the line and it's over.
Amir Coffey was incredible, I mean, like, Nebraska incredible. I mean, unstoppable going to the rim. A matchup problem, they said, in the understatement of the night. 21 points, 6 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 7-of-14 from the field, 5-of-6 from the line. +14.
But, then, Dupree continues to break out of a (previously) season-long shooting slump with 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting, 5-of-7 from the line including 4-of-4 inside of 2 minutes.
Wisconsin made it very very tough on the Gophers big guys and so Minnesota won it on the perimeter, thank you very much. Coffey, Dupree, Stull! We outshot Bucky just 44-42 percent overall, but 43-23 from long range. We out rebounded the little bugger 37-25. A 13-8 edge on points off turnovers, a 9-2 edge on 2nd chance points. Bucky gets 2 2nd chance points all night. All before 16,667 screaming Badgers. Incredible. Ski-U-Nah. Please, let the Wisconsin jinx be over.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
A New Year and a Quick Look at the UMAC
The MIAC and the UMAC got back into action tonight. The only true doubleheader (both games at one location) where all 4 teams had winning records was at Minnesota-Morris where the Cougars hosted Bethany Lutheran. The visiting women came in at 4-0 tied for 1st place, while UMM was 2-1 and tied for 3rd. The visiting men were 3-1 in 2nd, and UMM was again 2-1 and tied for 3rd.
The result was a split with the UMM women pulling the upset 76-67 as Kendra Raths and Abby VanKempen each scored 19 and added 9 boards for the Cougars. The Vikings got 25 and 9 assists (but also 10 turnovers) from Haley Sandin. UW-Superior won tonight to go 5-0. Bethany Lutheran drops into 2nd place, while UMM remains tied for 3rd.
The Viking men came from 9 points down at halftime to defeat the Cougars 92-88. They opened the 2nd half on a 14-5 run to tie it up at 49-all. It was tied for the final time at 62-all when Trenton Krueger and Cire Mayfield scored for a 66-62 Bethany lead. UMM never caught up though it was still a one-possession game as late as 0:32. Mayfield scored 32 points for the winners, Noah Grove 26 for the losers. The Vikings remain in 2nd place at 4-1. Crown is in 1st place at 3-0 and did not play tonight.
Player of the Day--Cire Mayfield, Bethany Lutheran
Team of the Day--Bethany Lutheran men
Coach of the Day--Matt Fletcher, Bethany Lutheran men
The result was a split with the UMM women pulling the upset 76-67 as Kendra Raths and Abby VanKempen each scored 19 and added 9 boards for the Cougars. The Vikings got 25 and 9 assists (but also 10 turnovers) from Haley Sandin. UW-Superior won tonight to go 5-0. Bethany Lutheran drops into 2nd place, while UMM remains tied for 3rd.
The Viking men came from 9 points down at halftime to defeat the Cougars 92-88. They opened the 2nd half on a 14-5 run to tie it up at 49-all. It was tied for the final time at 62-all when Trenton Krueger and Cire Mayfield scored for a 66-62 Bethany lead. UMM never caught up though it was still a one-possession game as late as 0:32. Mayfield scored 32 points for the winners, Noah Grove 26 for the losers. The Vikings remain in 2nd place at 4-1. Crown is in 1st place at 3-0 and did not play tonight.
Player of the Day--Cire Mayfield, Bethany Lutheran
Team of the Day--Bethany Lutheran men
Coach of the Day--Matt Fletcher, Bethany Lutheran men
December Awards, Part 2
You may recall that we pick a Player of the Year at the end of the season. We picked the top 10 contenders for that award back in October (pre-season) and updated the list on December 1. So, now here's our second update of the top 10 contenders for Player of the Year after two months. It seems increasingly likely that our Player of the Year for 2018-2019 will come from this list.
1. Jordan Murphy, Minnesota Gophers, senior, forward. Became the Gophers all-time leading rebounder this month and the 14th Big 10 player ever to exceed 1,000 rebounds. He was Player of the Month in November and moved up to the #1 contender at that time. He was #2 on our pre-season list.
2 (tie). Matthew Hurt, Rochester John Marshall, senior, forward. Started the year as the #1 contender. His season only started in December by which time he had dropped to #2. He is averaging 35 ppg with a high of 55.
2 (tie). Paige Bueckers, Hopkins girls, junior, guard. The 3-time gold medal winner with Team USA is scoring 23 ppg while leading the Royals to a 10-0 start, with an average win of 84-54. She has moved from #4 to #3 to a tie for #2.
3. Kenisha Bell, Minnesota Gopher women, senior, guard. Led the Gophers to a 12-1 start, scoring 19 mpg with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. She has gone from #3 to #5 and back up to #3.
4. Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha, junior, guard. Suggs is averaging 27 ppg with 5 assists and 8 steals for the 6-2 RedHawks, and remains one of the most highly recruited 2020s in the nation. He started at #5, moved up to #4, and remains at #4.
5. Karl Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, center. Towns has reasserted himself as the leader of this team again with the departure of good old what's-his-name. He has averaged nearly a 30-20 over the past ten days. Now if the Wolves could just surround him with a couple guys who can defend the 3.... Towns was #7, then #7, now moves up to #5.
6. Amir Coffey, Minnesota Gophers, junior, guard. Not a great shooter and he's been somewhat inconsistent this year. He started at #6, then dropped out of the top 10 last month, but now all the way back up to #6. Because when he is at his best, attacking the rim and dishing off, he pulls the Gophers up to another level.
7. Taiye Bello, Minnesota Gopher women, junior, forward. One of the greatest offensive rebounders I have ever seen. She is averaging 13 boards per game, 5.5 on the offensive end, 7.5 on the defensive, to go with 11 ppg and a 59 shooting percentage. She was not on our pre-season list, then moved all the way up to #6, now back down to #7.
8. McKenna Hofschild, Prior Lake girls, senior, guard. Scored that all-time state record 63 points on December 1, is averaging 28 ppg for the season. Just 5-3, but headed to Seton Hall. New to this listing.
9. Hannah Spaulding, St. Thomas women, senior, post. Also new to the list. Averaging 17-9-2-2-2 for the 11-1 Tommies.
10. Zeke Nnaji, Hopkins, senior, forward. Started the year at #8 and remained there in November. He is now scoring 22 ppg including 29 in a recent win over Minnehaha.
Top 10 Team of the Year Contenders
1. Minnesota Gopher women (12-1) remain the favorite. They were #6 pre-season, #1 last month, #2 this month, still #1 overall.
2. St. Thomas women (11-1). Like the Gophers they suffered their 1st defeat the last night or 2 of last year but remain a contender for a national championship. They were #1 pre-season, #2 in November, #3 in December, and #2 overall.
3. Hopkins girls (10-0) are demolishing people and are the heaviest favorite in any of the 8 MSHSL classes for next March. The were #4 pre-season, #5 in November, #1 in December.
4. Gopher men (11-2). This is part wishful thinking, I suppose, but if they get to the NCAA and win a couple of games, they will create a bit of a sensation. If they land Michael Hurt, well, that would also be sensational. They were #2, then #4, then #7.
5 (tie). D1 boys and North Tartan girls, the 2 best AAU teams last summer. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess, as they've dropped from #3 and #3 to, now, #5 without losing another game.
6 (tie). St. John's and St. Thomas men. Both are 4-0 and 8-1. The Johnnies were #8 last month, the Tommies #10.
7. MSU Moorhead women are 6-0 and 10-2 and are poised to repeat as the North division champs in the NSIC. They were #7 in the pre-season, #8 in December.
8 (tie). Hopkins and Minnehaha boys. Hopkins has defeated the RedHawks twice, but Minnehaha is an overwhelming favorite to win a state title in Class AA, while Hopkins faces any number of challengers in AAAA. Minnehaha was #6 last month.
9 (tie). Alexandria girls and Park Center boys are both newcomers to the list. Both are still unbeaten and rated #1 in their respective classes.
10 (tie). Minneota boys and girls. Both remain undefeated and ranked #1 in Class A. Both are new to this list.
1. Jordan Murphy, Minnesota Gophers, senior, forward. Became the Gophers all-time leading rebounder this month and the 14th Big 10 player ever to exceed 1,000 rebounds. He was Player of the Month in November and moved up to the #1 contender at that time. He was #2 on our pre-season list.
2 (tie). Matthew Hurt, Rochester John Marshall, senior, forward. Started the year as the #1 contender. His season only started in December by which time he had dropped to #2. He is averaging 35 ppg with a high of 55.
2 (tie). Paige Bueckers, Hopkins girls, junior, guard. The 3-time gold medal winner with Team USA is scoring 23 ppg while leading the Royals to a 10-0 start, with an average win of 84-54. She has moved from #4 to #3 to a tie for #2.
3. Kenisha Bell, Minnesota Gopher women, senior, guard. Led the Gophers to a 12-1 start, scoring 19 mpg with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. She has gone from #3 to #5 and back up to #3.
4. Jalen Suggs, Minnehaha, junior, guard. Suggs is averaging 27 ppg with 5 assists and 8 steals for the 6-2 RedHawks, and remains one of the most highly recruited 2020s in the nation. He started at #5, moved up to #4, and remains at #4.
5. Karl Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves, center. Towns has reasserted himself as the leader of this team again with the departure of good old what's-his-name. He has averaged nearly a 30-20 over the past ten days. Now if the Wolves could just surround him with a couple guys who can defend the 3.... Towns was #7, then #7, now moves up to #5.
6. Amir Coffey, Minnesota Gophers, junior, guard. Not a great shooter and he's been somewhat inconsistent this year. He started at #6, then dropped out of the top 10 last month, but now all the way back up to #6. Because when he is at his best, attacking the rim and dishing off, he pulls the Gophers up to another level.
7. Taiye Bello, Minnesota Gopher women, junior, forward. One of the greatest offensive rebounders I have ever seen. She is averaging 13 boards per game, 5.5 on the offensive end, 7.5 on the defensive, to go with 11 ppg and a 59 shooting percentage. She was not on our pre-season list, then moved all the way up to #6, now back down to #7.
8. McKenna Hofschild, Prior Lake girls, senior, guard. Scored that all-time state record 63 points on December 1, is averaging 28 ppg for the season. Just 5-3, but headed to Seton Hall. New to this listing.
9. Hannah Spaulding, St. Thomas women, senior, post. Also new to the list. Averaging 17-9-2-2-2 for the 11-1 Tommies.
10. Zeke Nnaji, Hopkins, senior, forward. Started the year at #8 and remained there in November. He is now scoring 22 ppg including 29 in a recent win over Minnehaha.
Top 10 Team of the Year Contenders
1. Minnesota Gopher women (12-1) remain the favorite. They were #6 pre-season, #1 last month, #2 this month, still #1 overall.
2. St. Thomas women (11-1). Like the Gophers they suffered their 1st defeat the last night or 2 of last year but remain a contender for a national championship. They were #1 pre-season, #2 in November, #3 in December, and #2 overall.
3. Hopkins girls (10-0) are demolishing people and are the heaviest favorite in any of the 8 MSHSL classes for next March. The were #4 pre-season, #5 in November, #1 in December.
4. Gopher men (11-2). This is part wishful thinking, I suppose, but if they get to the NCAA and win a couple of games, they will create a bit of a sensation. If they land Michael Hurt, well, that would also be sensational. They were #2, then #4, then #7.
5 (tie). D1 boys and North Tartan girls, the 2 best AAU teams last summer. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess, as they've dropped from #3 and #3 to, now, #5 without losing another game.
6 (tie). St. John's and St. Thomas men. Both are 4-0 and 8-1. The Johnnies were #8 last month, the Tommies #10.
7. MSU Moorhead women are 6-0 and 10-2 and are poised to repeat as the North division champs in the NSIC. They were #7 in the pre-season, #8 in December.
8 (tie). Hopkins and Minnehaha boys. Hopkins has defeated the RedHawks twice, but Minnehaha is an overwhelming favorite to win a state title in Class AA, while Hopkins faces any number of challengers in AAAA. Minnehaha was #6 last month.
9 (tie). Alexandria girls and Park Center boys are both newcomers to the list. Both are still unbeaten and rated #1 in their respective classes.
10 (tie). Minneota boys and girls. Both remain undefeated and ranked #1 in Class A. Both are new to this list.
December Awards
Player of the Month Contenders
December started off with a bang as 5-3 senior guard McKenna Hofschild of Prior Lake scored an all-time state record of 63 points in a 99-95 loss to Park Center at the Girls Breakdown Tip-Off. Another really big explosion was guard Harrison Cleary's 47-point burst for UMCrookston in a 108-88 win over MSU Moorhead on December 7.
But the best players overall among Minnesota's small colleges were senior guard Ryan Bruggeman (Pelican Rapids) who averaged 24 ppg and 6.5 assists in 7 games, and also senior post Hannah Spaulding of St. Thomas who averaged 18 ppg and 9 boards as the Tommies went 6-1 for the month.
Speaking of colleges, of course, the Gopher men and women each lost just once. Jordan Murphy continued his remarkable play for the men, averaging 12 its and 9 boards, becoming the Gophers all-time leading rebounder, and just the 14th Big 10 player ever to surpass 1,000 boards. Amir Coffey came up big with 32 points against Nebraska, come-from-behind win that saved the Gophers from the uncomfortable possibility of an 0-2 start in the conference.
Kenisha Bell and Taiye Bello continued their terrific play for the women but, like St. Thomas, a road loss late in the month kept them from getting to 2019 undefeated. Still, Lindsay Whalen's Gophers are 12-1, sure to remain in the top 20-25, and with a winnable home game against Illinois on Sunday.
Karl Anthony Towns has reasserted himself for the Timberwolves, averaging darn near a 30-20 for the past 4 games though the Wolves nevertheless managed to lose twice.
Among the high schoolers, our pre-season Player of the Year Matthew Hurt of Rochester John Marshall has done what was expected, scoring 35 ppg with a high of 55, while Dawson Garcia of Prior Lake also had a terrific December at 30 ppg. Jalen Suggs of Minnehaha has also been terrific, including a 39-point effort vs. Hopkins the other night. Among the girls Hofschild is #4 in the state at 28 ppg, while Paige Bueckers has led Hopkins to an undefeated month at #5 with 27 ppg.
Player of the Month
Those are the contenders. The finalists are Hofschild, Murphy and Hurt. The Player of the Month? Well, frankly, it would be hard not to pick Murphy for his historic achievements but we already picked him as Player of the Month in November. So that makes things a little easier. Our Player of the Month is McKenna Hofschild, 5-3, senior, guard, Prior Lake, who is heading to Seton Hall.
Team of the Month
The Team of the Month is a little easier. If not for their loss the other day at Michigan, the Gopher women would be the obvious choice, though here again, they were already our choice for November. And, so, there's two reasons to consider the St. Thomas women and the Hopkins girls. In case you didn't know, Hopkins is 10-0 and has outscored a pretty tough schedule by an average of 84-54. They boast one of, if not possibly, though it's too early to say, but possibly the best girl ever to come out of Minnesota, and I mean ever, in Bueckers. So, the Hopkins girls are our choice of Team of the Month.
Coach of the Month
Well, the best coaches coach the best teams, right? Now, obviously, Lindsay Whalen was our top coach for November. And, while I can come up with a good argument for Ruth Sinn of St. Thomas and Brian Cosgriff of Hopkins (and also, by the way, Wendy Kohler of the Alexandria girls), my Coach of the Month is again Lindsay Whalen.
Game of the Month
There were a lot of great games and I'm going to pick 2, one that I saw and one that I didn't. The most significant game of the month was the Gopher men coming from behind to beat Nebraska 85-78, because a loss in that one makes 'em 0-2 and in the Big 10 0-2 is a pretty deep hole to climb out of. So, I don't know yet that the Gophers are legitimate contenders in the Big 10 but they have to win that game to have any chance whatsoever.
The most exciting game saw the White Bear Lake boys edge Mahtomedi 77-75 in 2OT at Mahtomedi. Right behind it was the Wayzata girls' 78-76 win at Stillwater a few nights earlier. East metro basketball at its best.
December started off with a bang as 5-3 senior guard McKenna Hofschild of Prior Lake scored an all-time state record of 63 points in a 99-95 loss to Park Center at the Girls Breakdown Tip-Off. Another really big explosion was guard Harrison Cleary's 47-point burst for UMCrookston in a 108-88 win over MSU Moorhead on December 7.
But the best players overall among Minnesota's small colleges were senior guard Ryan Bruggeman (Pelican Rapids) who averaged 24 ppg and 6.5 assists in 7 games, and also senior post Hannah Spaulding of St. Thomas who averaged 18 ppg and 9 boards as the Tommies went 6-1 for the month.
Speaking of colleges, of course, the Gopher men and women each lost just once. Jordan Murphy continued his remarkable play for the men, averaging 12 its and 9 boards, becoming the Gophers all-time leading rebounder, and just the 14th Big 10 player ever to surpass 1,000 boards. Amir Coffey came up big with 32 points against Nebraska, come-from-behind win that saved the Gophers from the uncomfortable possibility of an 0-2 start in the conference.
Kenisha Bell and Taiye Bello continued their terrific play for the women but, like St. Thomas, a road loss late in the month kept them from getting to 2019 undefeated. Still, Lindsay Whalen's Gophers are 12-1, sure to remain in the top 20-25, and with a winnable home game against Illinois on Sunday.
Karl Anthony Towns has reasserted himself for the Timberwolves, averaging darn near a 30-20 for the past 4 games though the Wolves nevertheless managed to lose twice.
Among the high schoolers, our pre-season Player of the Year Matthew Hurt of Rochester John Marshall has done what was expected, scoring 35 ppg with a high of 55, while Dawson Garcia of Prior Lake also had a terrific December at 30 ppg. Jalen Suggs of Minnehaha has also been terrific, including a 39-point effort vs. Hopkins the other night. Among the girls Hofschild is #4 in the state at 28 ppg, while Paige Bueckers has led Hopkins to an undefeated month at #5 with 27 ppg.
Player of the Month
Those are the contenders. The finalists are Hofschild, Murphy and Hurt. The Player of the Month? Well, frankly, it would be hard not to pick Murphy for his historic achievements but we already picked him as Player of the Month in November. So that makes things a little easier. Our Player of the Month is McKenna Hofschild, 5-3, senior, guard, Prior Lake, who is heading to Seton Hall.
Team of the Month
The Team of the Month is a little easier. If not for their loss the other day at Michigan, the Gopher women would be the obvious choice, though here again, they were already our choice for November. And, so, there's two reasons to consider the St. Thomas women and the Hopkins girls. In case you didn't know, Hopkins is 10-0 and has outscored a pretty tough schedule by an average of 84-54. They boast one of, if not possibly, though it's too early to say, but possibly the best girl ever to come out of Minnesota, and I mean ever, in Bueckers. So, the Hopkins girls are our choice of Team of the Month.
Coach of the Month
Well, the best coaches coach the best teams, right? Now, obviously, Lindsay Whalen was our top coach for November. And, while I can come up with a good argument for Ruth Sinn of St. Thomas and Brian Cosgriff of Hopkins (and also, by the way, Wendy Kohler of the Alexandria girls), my Coach of the Month is again Lindsay Whalen.
Game of the Month
There were a lot of great games and I'm going to pick 2, one that I saw and one that I didn't. The most significant game of the month was the Gopher men coming from behind to beat Nebraska 85-78, because a loss in that one makes 'em 0-2 and in the Big 10 0-2 is a pretty deep hole to climb out of. So, I don't know yet that the Gophers are legitimate contenders in the Big 10 but they have to win that game to have any chance whatsoever.
The most exciting game saw the White Bear Lake boys edge Mahtomedi 77-75 in 2OT at Mahtomedi. Right behind it was the Wayzata girls' 78-76 win at Stillwater a few nights earlier. East metro basketball at its best.
Dec. 31--Michigan women 76 Gophers 60
Well, you knew they weren't going to go undefeated, so in a sense this loss is not a surprise. Any Big 10 road game, especially against a team with a winning record, is a trap. That means Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Iowa, Rutgers, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois, Nebraska, Penn State. All of them, traps. Well, OK, maybe not Wisconsin or Illinois. And the Gophers will play 8 more of them on the road before this is over. All but Indiana and Iowa and Penn State, and of course Michigan, whom they've already played on the road.
So, getting a Big 10 road win sooner than later to boost the confidence now becomes the big challenge. Lindsay Whalen's team gets lowly Illinois at home, but then a trip to East Lansing is not going to be a cakewalk by any means. Then a home game vs. #19 Iowa, and then a couple winnable road games at Wisconsin and Nebraska. A 3-2 record would be good. 4-1 would be terrific.
So, on Monday, Michigan exposed the Gophers ball-handling, creating 21 Gopher turnovers and 26 Michigan points off those turnovers. Minnesota led 20-19 midway through the 2nd period when the Wolverines went on a game-changing 21-2 run to lead 40-22 at the half. In fact, they made it 44-22 early in the 3rd before the Gophers started to whittle it down a little bit.
Taiye Bello had 24 points to lead Minnesota but she had "just" 7 boards as the Gophers got out-rebounded 39-32. Bello shot 9-of-9. Her teammates shot 14-of-45 (31 percent). Kenisha Bell and Destiny Pitts shot 4-for-24 (17 percent).
Player of the Day--Taiye Bello
So, getting a Big 10 road win sooner than later to boost the confidence now becomes the big challenge. Lindsay Whalen's team gets lowly Illinois at home, but then a trip to East Lansing is not going to be a cakewalk by any means. Then a home game vs. #19 Iowa, and then a couple winnable road games at Wisconsin and Nebraska. A 3-2 record would be good. 4-1 would be terrific.
So, on Monday, Michigan exposed the Gophers ball-handling, creating 21 Gopher turnovers and 26 Michigan points off those turnovers. Minnesota led 20-19 midway through the 2nd period when the Wolverines went on a game-changing 21-2 run to lead 40-22 at the half. In fact, they made it 44-22 early in the 3rd before the Gophers started to whittle it down a little bit.
Taiye Bello had 24 points to lead Minnesota but she had "just" 7 boards as the Gophers got out-rebounded 39-32. Bello shot 9-of-9. Her teammates shot 14-of-45 (31 percent). Kenisha Bell and Destiny Pitts shot 4-for-24 (17 percent).
Player of the Day--Taiye Bello
Dec. 30--Timberwolves 113 Miami 104
Every time I write about the Timberwolves, they proceed to quickly lose a couple of winnable games and I think, my goodness, I am not going to write about this team again. But, then, I am not sure any other Minnesota team was active on New Year's Eve day, so here we are again.
And, on New Year's Eve day, the Wolves managed to defeat the Miami Heat 113-104. They took a 30-19 1st quarter lead and held on as Karl Towns was dominant with 34 points and 18 boards.
But, of course, this win was sandwiched by a couple of bad losses. 123-120 in OT at home to the 11-25 Atlanta Hawks. Ugh. The Wolves trailed 42-27 after 1 and came back to tie 89-all after 3, but could not close it out. This is the one where Andrew Wiggins made 2-of-6 throws in OT. Towns went 31-19 and Robert Covington added 28 and Derrick Rose 25 and, yet, somehow, the Wolves managed to lose it. Oh, yeah, Atlanta made 16-of-35 3s.
Then came the loss at New Orleans against a 17-21 team playing without its best player Anthony Davis. Oh, yeah. The Pelicans made 14-of-25 3s. Towns went 28-17, Wiggins added 20. But the Wolves trailed 63-51 at the half, went ahead 89-88 after 3, but could not close it out.
So they are 2-2 in their last 4, both losses coming to teams with losing records. And they've wasted a totally dominant stretch from Towns, 28 ppg and 18 boards over 4 games. Now, Jeff Teague missed all 4 games and Rose missed 2 of them. But, my friends keep telling me that Tyus Jones is the Wolves' best point guard.
But they seem to be able to lose no matter who's at the controls. One step forward, 2 steps back. The total achilles heel of this team is that they simply cannot defend the 3. And, so, no, I don't see how they can make the playoffs. They've now dropped 3.5 GB the #8 spot in the west and, more to the point, there are 5 teams ahead of them--San Antone, Sacramento, Memphis, Utah and Dallas. The season is almost half gone. It's not too late, but show me a trend line that favors the Wolves. There aren't any.
Player of the Day--Karl Anthony Towns
And, on New Year's Eve day, the Wolves managed to defeat the Miami Heat 113-104. They took a 30-19 1st quarter lead and held on as Karl Towns was dominant with 34 points and 18 boards.
But, of course, this win was sandwiched by a couple of bad losses. 123-120 in OT at home to the 11-25 Atlanta Hawks. Ugh. The Wolves trailed 42-27 after 1 and came back to tie 89-all after 3, but could not close it out. This is the one where Andrew Wiggins made 2-of-6 throws in OT. Towns went 31-19 and Robert Covington added 28 and Derrick Rose 25 and, yet, somehow, the Wolves managed to lose it. Oh, yeah, Atlanta made 16-of-35 3s.
Then came the loss at New Orleans against a 17-21 team playing without its best player Anthony Davis. Oh, yeah. The Pelicans made 14-of-25 3s. Towns went 28-17, Wiggins added 20. But the Wolves trailed 63-51 at the half, went ahead 89-88 after 3, but could not close it out.
So they are 2-2 in their last 4, both losses coming to teams with losing records. And they've wasted a totally dominant stretch from Towns, 28 ppg and 18 boards over 4 games. Now, Jeff Teague missed all 4 games and Rose missed 2 of them. But, my friends keep telling me that Tyus Jones is the Wolves' best point guard.
But they seem to be able to lose no matter who's at the controls. One step forward, 2 steps back. The total achilles heel of this team is that they simply cannot defend the 3. And, so, no, I don't see how they can make the playoffs. They've now dropped 3.5 GB the #8 spot in the west and, more to the point, there are 5 teams ahead of them--San Antone, Sacramento, Memphis, Utah and Dallas. The season is almost half gone. It's not too late, but show me a trend line that favors the Wolves. There aren't any.
Player of the Day--Karl Anthony Towns
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Dec. 29--Alex, Wayzata girls; Minneota, Hopkins boys get big wins
OK, so, Sunny's been a little bit under the weather here, so we're still playing catch up with December and those last few days of 2018. It was a great year in every way, by the way. No complaints here.
So, anyway, we had four high school games matching teams rated #3 or better. In order of the higher rankings:
1. The #1AAA Alexandria girls handled the #1AA Roseau Rams 82-64 in the championship of the Perham holiday tournament. Alex goes to 9-0 while Roseau slips to 7-2, but figures to hang on to #1AA despite the loss. I mean, Alex looks tough. They've also got wins over DeLaSalle, Sauk Centre and a couple of 4A teams. Here they just had too much firepower as 6-0 junior Ella Grove led the way with 19 points and 10 boards. Senior point guard Kaye Paschka added 19 points, 5 boards and 5 assists, and 5-11 senior McKenzie Duwenhoegger added 9 points and 14 boards. Alex shot 24-for-56 from the field including 5-of-10 3s.
2. The #2A Minneota boys knocked off #1A Springfield--probably not an upset, however, as the game took place on the Minneota court. From where I sit they both look like western Minnesota teams but Springfield is in section 2A and Minneota in 3A, so this could be a preview of a state tournament game, even a final. Springfield led 43-38 at the half and 65-62 at the 7 minute mark. Minnesota tied it up at 72-all with 2 minutes left, then Jacob Hennen gave his team a 74-72 lead. Springfield never caught up as Logan Sussner scored 2 off the offensive glass and Tom Hennen made a pair of throws. Jacob Hennen finished with 27 points and 10 boards, Sussner with 19 and 12, and Tom Hennen with 18 and 8. Isaac Fink led the Tigers with 20 and 11 and Decker Scheffler added 19 and 6.
3. #3AAAA Hopkins roared back from a 38-33 halftime deficit to defeat #1AA Minnehaha for the 2nd time this season, 97-85. Yes, the Royals torched the Augsburg gym for 64 2nd half points. A pair of Jalen Suggs 3s made the final as close as it was, and enabled Suggs to finish with 39 points. Chet Holmgren had 23-10 and 8 blocks for the RedHawks. Zeke Nnaji scored 29 for Hopkins, Kerwin Walton 25, Jalen Dearring 17 and Rayquan Velentin 16.
4. Finally, the #2AAAA Wayzata girls handled #3AAA Hill-Murray 67-42 to win the Pioneers holiday tournament for the 3rd straight year. Jenna Johnson scored 19 for Wayzata, Delaney Runyon 18 for Hill-Murray. But, make no mistake, Hill-Murray remains a bona fide threat for that AAA state championship. They are one athletic group. But, Wayzata, on the other hand, my goodness, the size and athleticism are pretty incredible.
Player of the Day--Jalen Suggs
Team of the Day--Alexandria girls
Coach of the Day--Wendy Kohler, Alexandria
So, anyway, we had four high school games matching teams rated #3 or better. In order of the higher rankings:
1. The #1AAA Alexandria girls handled the #1AA Roseau Rams 82-64 in the championship of the Perham holiday tournament. Alex goes to 9-0 while Roseau slips to 7-2, but figures to hang on to #1AA despite the loss. I mean, Alex looks tough. They've also got wins over DeLaSalle, Sauk Centre and a couple of 4A teams. Here they just had too much firepower as 6-0 junior Ella Grove led the way with 19 points and 10 boards. Senior point guard Kaye Paschka added 19 points, 5 boards and 5 assists, and 5-11 senior McKenzie Duwenhoegger added 9 points and 14 boards. Alex shot 24-for-56 from the field including 5-of-10 3s.
2. The #2A Minneota boys knocked off #1A Springfield--probably not an upset, however, as the game took place on the Minneota court. From where I sit they both look like western Minnesota teams but Springfield is in section 2A and Minneota in 3A, so this could be a preview of a state tournament game, even a final. Springfield led 43-38 at the half and 65-62 at the 7 minute mark. Minnesota tied it up at 72-all with 2 minutes left, then Jacob Hennen gave his team a 74-72 lead. Springfield never caught up as Logan Sussner scored 2 off the offensive glass and Tom Hennen made a pair of throws. Jacob Hennen finished with 27 points and 10 boards, Sussner with 19 and 12, and Tom Hennen with 18 and 8. Isaac Fink led the Tigers with 20 and 11 and Decker Scheffler added 19 and 6.
3. #3AAAA Hopkins roared back from a 38-33 halftime deficit to defeat #1AA Minnehaha for the 2nd time this season, 97-85. Yes, the Royals torched the Augsburg gym for 64 2nd half points. A pair of Jalen Suggs 3s made the final as close as it was, and enabled Suggs to finish with 39 points. Chet Holmgren had 23-10 and 8 blocks for the RedHawks. Zeke Nnaji scored 29 for Hopkins, Kerwin Walton 25, Jalen Dearring 17 and Rayquan Velentin 16.
4. Finally, the #2AAAA Wayzata girls handled #3AAA Hill-Murray 67-42 to win the Pioneers holiday tournament for the 3rd straight year. Jenna Johnson scored 19 for Wayzata, Delaney Runyon 18 for Hill-Murray. But, make no mistake, Hill-Murray remains a bona fide threat for that AAA state championship. They are one athletic group. But, Wayzata, on the other hand, my goodness, the size and athleticism are pretty incredible.
Player of the Day--Jalen Suggs
Team of the Day--Alexandria girls
Coach of the Day--Wendy Kohler, Alexandria
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