Long Losing Streak Ends for Groves Academy Griffins

Friday night was Senior Night for the Groves Academy Griffins and the four seniors who were honored in a pregame ceremony had plenty to celebrate though it was junior Malik Bodden who had a game high 22 points to lead them to a 61-53 win over the North Lakes Academy Huskies in St. Louis Park.

The four seniors who were honored before the game were Noah Madson, Patrick Quinn, Martin Schmitz and Jack Lowe.

The win ended a 17 game losing streak since they beat Chesterton Academy on December 20.

Now to the game.  Quinn would open the scoring for the Griffins :58 into the game.  Bodden would score to put Groves Academy on a 4-0 run before David Christopherson put the Huskies on the scoreboard.  Ethan Crandall would put North Lakes Academy on a 7-0 run as he scored five straight points.  The Griffins also went on a 7-0 run though Bodden left the game due to an injury.  It wasn't serious and he would return later in the first half.  Both teams were chilly from the field in the first half.  The game would be tied at 14, 16 and 18.  Larry Mohamed would hit a three pointer to put Groves Academy ahead.  Bodden would also connect from Minnetonka Blvd as well as Crandall for the Huskies.  Groves Academy led 29-23 at halftime.

Both teams would open the second half with three pointers.  Max Bilcik for the Griffins and Alex Stockton for the Huskies.  Crandall would hit a couple of three pointers to cut the lead to three.  Bilcik would score five straight points to spark a 5-0 run.  The fouls started to pile up for Groves Academy that would put them into the double bonus at ten fouls.  North Lakes Academy would try to get close to Groves Academy as Christopherson and Cole Donelan would hit key free throws.  With a sizable lead late in the game, the Griffins would take time off the clock and close out the regular season with a victory.

Also scoring in double figures for Groves Academy was Bilcik with 18 points.  Crandall led North Lakes Academy with 25 points.  Donelan came off the bench to score 11 with most coming from the free throw line.

The Griffins improved their record to 2-21 and they will head to St. Paul on Monday, February 27 to face the Nova Classical Academy Knights in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference Tournament at 7 PM.  The Huskies fell to 5-16 and will also play in the conference tournament March 4 at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Minneapolis.