While the four boys divisions battle for championship hardware at Ridder Arena and consolation round games are played at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine on December 28, the girls portion of the 2017 Schwan Cup High School Hockey Tournament opens in Blaine. Here's a preview of the five girls divisions.
The Gold Division quarterfinals open up with the Rogers Royals facing one of the top Class AA teams in the third ranked Centennial Cougars. The Cougars picked up a key win on December 22 when they beat the top ranked Edina Hornets. The Royals are on a roll, going 4-0-2 in their last six games. It could be one of their toughest tests so far this season.
A couple of top Class A teams battle in the second quarterfinal game as St. Paul United, ranked eighth and 11th ranked Delano/Rockford. SPU, who lost to Blake in the 2017 state Class A final, looks to end a two game losing streak. Delano/Rockford is on a five game winning streak after losing three consecutive games by identical 2-1 margins. With Blake out of Section 5A and into 6AA, Delano/Rockford could be in contention for a trip to St. Paul in February.
Speaking of Blake, the Bears will play in the third quarterfinal game against the hot Andover Huskies. The Bears haven't missed a beat since the became a Class AA school, going unbeaten in 12 games. They could be the new number one team in Class AA following Edina's defeat by Centennial. The Huskies are on a five game winning streak that includes a victory over the Blaine Bengals, a team they lost to November 28 3-2. Can Blake remain unbeaten or will Andover stay hot.
Concluding the quarterfinal session is the tenth ranked team in Class A, the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage and a red hot Holy Family Catholic/Waconia Wildfire team that's won six straight games. Their last two wins have come in overtime, including a 1-0 win against the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights. The Mirage has played a tough schedule that includes losses to Blake, Edina and Breck. It could be an interesting finish to the day's Gold Division quarterfinal play,
In the Silver Division, the only ranked team is the Class A second ranked Thief River Falls Prowlers. Their quarterfinal opponent is Moose Lake/Willow River. They will play either Bloomington Jefferson or Duluth in the semifinals. In the upper bracket, the Mahtomedi Zephyrs battle the Buffalo/Maple Lake Bison and the International Falls Broncos face the Spring Lake Park Panthers who have gone 6-3 since starting the season 0-4.
The lone ranked team in the Bronze Division is the 16th ranked team in Class A, the Totino-Grace Eagles. They will face the Irondale Knights in the quarterfinals who are looking for their first win against a team other than Armstrong/Cooper, who they have defeated twice this season. Here's a team to keep an eye on, the Duluih Marshall Hilltoppers. Last season, they won only seven games with a young team. This season, they are 6-5 after a big 1-0 win over the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage. Rounding out the Bronze Division field are the Minneapolis Novas and Green Bay Area.
There are two girls Open Divisions in this year's tournament. The first is the American Division games will be played on back rinks 6, 7 and 8. The North Metro Stars open quarterfinal play against the Chisago Lakes Wildcats. The second team from the capitol city, the St. Paul Blades will battle the Northern Lakes Lightning. It will be a rematch of the December 9 game that was played in Pequot Lakes where the Lightning beat the Blades 6-3. The Owatonna Huskies face the Marshall Tigers in the third quarterfinal game as the Huskies are on a three game winning streak. Another Big Nine Conference team, the Rochester Mayo Spartans takes on a team from Madison, WI, the Cap City Cougars.
The final division is the Open National, with only four outstate teams and first day action to be played at the Centennial Sports Arena in Circle Pines. The four participants in round robin play will be Arrowhead from Wisconsin, the Luverne Cardinals, the Eveleth-Gilbert Golden Bears and the Fairmont Cardinals.
So there you have it. The fields for both the girls and the boys Schwan Cup High School Hockey Tournaments. The girls finals will be at Ridder Arena on December 30. Plenty of high school hockey over a five day period.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Thursday, December 21, 2017
2017 Schwan Cup High School Tournament Preview Part One
After the presents are unwrapped and the last carols have been sung, high school hockey fans have a full buffet of action December 26-30 as the 2017 Schwan Cup High School Hockey Tournament takes place at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine and at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. First up is a preview of the four boys varsity divisions.
There will be a number of top teams competing in the Gold Division at Ridder Arena starting with the Burnsville Blaze facing the fourth ranked team in Class AA the St. Thomas Academy Cadets. The Blaze hasn't been on fire this season with a 1-6 record going into their December 23 meeting with the Prior Lake Lakers. The Cadets have won five straight games since losing their season opener in overtime to the Minnetonka Skippers.
Next up, the Eden Prairie Eagles battle a newcomer to the field the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. The Eagles have felt the graduation loss of Casey Mittelstadt and are off to a 3-3 start. Good news for hockey fans in Wright County, the Knights are off to a hot 5-1 start before their meeting with the North Branch Vikings on the 21st. Their only loss was a 7-0 beating by the Holy Family Catholic Fire.
The day's third game pits the Hill-Murray Pioneers against the fourth ranked Centennial Cougars. The Cougars were on a roll, going 5-0-1 in their first six games until they lost to the Duluth East Greyhounds on December 19. Both the Centennial boys and girls teams are off to hot starts, giving fans in the communities of Circle Pines, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Centerville something to celebrate.
And the moment fans will be waiting for will come around 8 PM when the top two teams in Class AA battle in the day's final game as the top ranked Edina Hornets square off with the second ranked Minnetonka Skippers. It's the first of three battles between the two Lake Conference rivals. The Hornets are unbeaten in eight games while the Skippers have won six in a row since the 2-2 tie with Lakeville North November 25. If you can make it to only one quarterfinal game, come to this one but get there early. The place might be packed.
Looking at the Silver Division, the St. Louis Park Orioles won't be going to Duluth as in the past because they will open up quarterfinal play against the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders. Both teams have a couple of losses against Lake Conference schools. They both lost to Edina while St. Louis Park was beaten by Minnetonka and Cretin-Derham Hall fell to Wayzata. The winner faces either the Breck Mustangs or the Buffalo Bison. The Mustangs are ranked seventh in Class A under new head coach Glen Lang, who replaced the retired Les Larson. In the lower bracket, the top team in Class A the Mahtomedi Zephyrs faces the Mounds view Mustangs and the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles go up against Minneapolis.
Now to the Bronze Division where two ranked Class A teams will be in action. The 14th ranked Northfield Raiders take on the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks with the winner facing the Bloomington Kennedy-Spring Lake Park winner and the 17th ranked St. Paul Academy Spartans facing the Hudson Raiders. Winner gets either Rogers or Mankato East. Is an All-Raider final possible?
Concluding the boys preview is the Open Division as the Pine City Dragons open the quarterfinals against the Simley Spartans. The Waconia Wildcats face off with the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets, followed by the Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the Marshall Tigers. Wrapping up the day's festivities is another Tiger team that will come down Highway 169 from Princeton. They will face the third team in this division that's nicknamed the Wildcats, University School of Milwaukee.
Championship games will be played on the 28th at Ridder Arena with consolation and third place games at the Schwan's Super Rink.
Next up; The girls tournament preview.
There will be a number of top teams competing in the Gold Division at Ridder Arena starting with the Burnsville Blaze facing the fourth ranked team in Class AA the St. Thomas Academy Cadets. The Blaze hasn't been on fire this season with a 1-6 record going into their December 23 meeting with the Prior Lake Lakers. The Cadets have won five straight games since losing their season opener in overtime to the Minnetonka Skippers.
Next up, the Eden Prairie Eagles battle a newcomer to the field the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. The Eagles have felt the graduation loss of Casey Mittelstadt and are off to a 3-3 start. Good news for hockey fans in Wright County, the Knights are off to a hot 5-1 start before their meeting with the North Branch Vikings on the 21st. Their only loss was a 7-0 beating by the Holy Family Catholic Fire.
The day's third game pits the Hill-Murray Pioneers against the fourth ranked Centennial Cougars. The Cougars were on a roll, going 5-0-1 in their first six games until they lost to the Duluth East Greyhounds on December 19. Both the Centennial boys and girls teams are off to hot starts, giving fans in the communities of Circle Pines, Lexington, Lino Lakes and Centerville something to celebrate.
And the moment fans will be waiting for will come around 8 PM when the top two teams in Class AA battle in the day's final game as the top ranked Edina Hornets square off with the second ranked Minnetonka Skippers. It's the first of three battles between the two Lake Conference rivals. The Hornets are unbeaten in eight games while the Skippers have won six in a row since the 2-2 tie with Lakeville North November 25. If you can make it to only one quarterfinal game, come to this one but get there early. The place might be packed.
Looking at the Silver Division, the St. Louis Park Orioles won't be going to Duluth as in the past because they will open up quarterfinal play against the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders. Both teams have a couple of losses against Lake Conference schools. They both lost to Edina while St. Louis Park was beaten by Minnetonka and Cretin-Derham Hall fell to Wayzata. The winner faces either the Breck Mustangs or the Buffalo Bison. The Mustangs are ranked seventh in Class A under new head coach Glen Lang, who replaced the retired Les Larson. In the lower bracket, the top team in Class A the Mahtomedi Zephyrs faces the Mounds view Mustangs and the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles go up against Minneapolis.
Now to the Bronze Division where two ranked Class A teams will be in action. The 14th ranked Northfield Raiders take on the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks with the winner facing the Bloomington Kennedy-Spring Lake Park winner and the 17th ranked St. Paul Academy Spartans facing the Hudson Raiders. Winner gets either Rogers or Mankato East. Is an All-Raider final possible?
Concluding the boys preview is the Open Division as the Pine City Dragons open the quarterfinals against the Simley Spartans. The Waconia Wildcats face off with the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets, followed by the Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the Marshall Tigers. Wrapping up the day's festivities is another Tiger team that will come down Highway 169 from Princeton. They will face the third team in this division that's nicknamed the Wildcats, University School of Milwaukee.
Championship games will be played on the 28th at Ridder Arena with consolation and third place games at the Schwan's Super Rink.
Next up; The girls tournament preview.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Farmington Tigers Hold Off Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars
The Farmington Tigers made the most of their trip up I-35 and got a game high 20 points from Caden Freetly that led them to a 55-53 win over the host Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars in their home opener Friday night.
It was all Farmington in the early going as the Tigers would start the game on a 12-0 run two three pointers from Adam Weed. The Jaguars would get on the scoreboard with 11:34 in the first half on a basket from Mike Evens. Evens, the son of Jefferson head coach Jeff Evens and grandson of former head coach Jack Evens was the lone starter returning from last year's team and his supporting cast pitched in to get close to the Tigers who got three three pointers from Freetly. Isaiah Watts made a couple of outstanding assists that resulted in scores and the Jaguars trailed at halftime 27-21.
Going to the second half, the Jaguars began to heat up as Charlie Bedor would cut the lead to one when he followed up Evens' missed shot and hit a three pointer. He would hit another three to tie the game and Evens would play solid defense as he forced a Farmington turnover and he would score on a layup to put Jefferson ahead. The lead would switch back and forth a couple of times as the Tigers surged ahead on Freetly's basket and Owen Campbell would hit a three pointer to put the Jaguars back in front. Farmington would regain the lead as they went on a 6-0 run. There would be some life for Jefferson in the final minute as Evens cut the lead to five on a three pointer with :44.6 to play. He would head for the bench after picking up his fifth foul with :20.9 left. Could Jefferson mount a comeback? They had a chance when they were down by two as time expired but the referee informed the scorer's table that the Tigers called time out so time had to be put back on the clock. There would be :00.3 remaining and the Jaguars had a shot at overtime or the win. It didn't happen as Chris Seymore's shot didn't go.
The only other player in double figures for Farmington was Zach Hedquist with 12 points. Evens led Jefferson with 18 points and Bedor added 10, all in the second half.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-1 and return to action on Tuesday, December 19 as they travel to Prior Lake for a 7 PM game against the Lakers. The Jaguars fell to 1-2 and will also be in action on the 19th, heading to Rosemount to face the Irish at 7 PM.
It was all Farmington in the early going as the Tigers would start the game on a 12-0 run two three pointers from Adam Weed. The Jaguars would get on the scoreboard with 11:34 in the first half on a basket from Mike Evens. Evens, the son of Jefferson head coach Jeff Evens and grandson of former head coach Jack Evens was the lone starter returning from last year's team and his supporting cast pitched in to get close to the Tigers who got three three pointers from Freetly. Isaiah Watts made a couple of outstanding assists that resulted in scores and the Jaguars trailed at halftime 27-21.
Going to the second half, the Jaguars began to heat up as Charlie Bedor would cut the lead to one when he followed up Evens' missed shot and hit a three pointer. He would hit another three to tie the game and Evens would play solid defense as he forced a Farmington turnover and he would score on a layup to put Jefferson ahead. The lead would switch back and forth a couple of times as the Tigers surged ahead on Freetly's basket and Owen Campbell would hit a three pointer to put the Jaguars back in front. Farmington would regain the lead as they went on a 6-0 run. There would be some life for Jefferson in the final minute as Evens cut the lead to five on a three pointer with :44.6 to play. He would head for the bench after picking up his fifth foul with :20.9 left. Could Jefferson mount a comeback? They had a chance when they were down by two as time expired but the referee informed the scorer's table that the Tigers called time out so time had to be put back on the clock. There would be :00.3 remaining and the Jaguars had a shot at overtime or the win. It didn't happen as Chris Seymore's shot didn't go.
The only other player in double figures for Farmington was Zach Hedquist with 12 points. Evens led Jefferson with 18 points and Bedor added 10, all in the second half.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-1 and return to action on Tuesday, December 19 as they travel to Prior Lake for a 7 PM game against the Lakers. The Jaguars fell to 1-2 and will also be in action on the 19th, heading to Rosemount to face the Irish at 7 PM.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Three Straight Wins for Groves Academy Griffins
Last season, the Groves Academy Griffins won three games. Thursday night, they equaled that total as Malik Bodden scored a game high 32 points to lead them to a 73-54 win over the Ogilvie Lions in St. Louis Park.
In two games this week, Bodden has averaged 36 points a game. In Tuesday's win over Hmong Academy, he scored 40 points.
Logan Peterson gave the Lions the early lead with a three pointer :59 into the game. Ogilvie, with their tallest starter 6'1" stayed close to the Griffins as the game was tied six times in the first half. With the score tied at 14, the Lions got hit with a bench technical foul because Antonio Rodriguez was not listed in the scorebook. Usually, the home book is the official book and it didn't list a number 10 thus resulting in free throws for Bodden. He would hit three from the line to put Groves Academy ahead. The Lions would take the lead 23-22 when Colton Tuominen hit a three pointer and it would be the last time the Lions would lead. Bodden would then go on a roll, scoring nine straight points and Max Bilcik would excel on defense with three first half blocks that helped the Griffins lead at halftime 36-29.
Groves Academy would open the second half with seven straight points that began with Nick Maiers hitting a three pointer :15 into the half. Bilcik would also tally on a two handed jam. They would go on an 11-2 with Ogilvie getting a basket from Marshall Barker. But it was Bodden who would help put the game away for the Griffins with nine straight points. He also made an outstanding move that resulted in one of his scores as he got a pass in the frontcourt, went through two Lion defenders and scored on a one handed layup. Both teams would send in their reserves with the game decided.
Bilcik was the only other Groves Academy player in double figures, scoring 11 points. Seth Lindberg led Ogilvie with 17 points. He was the only Lion in double figures.
The Griffins improved their record to 3-1 and return to action on Monday, December 18 at 6 PM against the North Lakes Academy Huskies in Forest Lake. The Lions fell to 1-4 and begin a five game homestand on Friday, December 15 against the Isle Huskies at 7:15 PM.
In two games this week, Bodden has averaged 36 points a game. In Tuesday's win over Hmong Academy, he scored 40 points.
Logan Peterson gave the Lions the early lead with a three pointer :59 into the game. Ogilvie, with their tallest starter 6'1" stayed close to the Griffins as the game was tied six times in the first half. With the score tied at 14, the Lions got hit with a bench technical foul because Antonio Rodriguez was not listed in the scorebook. Usually, the home book is the official book and it didn't list a number 10 thus resulting in free throws for Bodden. He would hit three from the line to put Groves Academy ahead. The Lions would take the lead 23-22 when Colton Tuominen hit a three pointer and it would be the last time the Lions would lead. Bodden would then go on a roll, scoring nine straight points and Max Bilcik would excel on defense with three first half blocks that helped the Griffins lead at halftime 36-29.
Groves Academy would open the second half with seven straight points that began with Nick Maiers hitting a three pointer :15 into the half. Bilcik would also tally on a two handed jam. They would go on an 11-2 with Ogilvie getting a basket from Marshall Barker. But it was Bodden who would help put the game away for the Griffins with nine straight points. He also made an outstanding move that resulted in one of his scores as he got a pass in the frontcourt, went through two Lion defenders and scored on a one handed layup. Both teams would send in their reserves with the game decided.
Bilcik was the only other Groves Academy player in double figures, scoring 11 points. Seth Lindberg led Ogilvie with 17 points. He was the only Lion in double figures.
The Griffins improved their record to 3-1 and return to action on Monday, December 18 at 6 PM against the North Lakes Academy Huskies in Forest Lake. The Lions fell to 1-4 and begin a five game homestand on Friday, December 15 against the Isle Huskies at 7:15 PM.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Bodden's Big Night Leads Groves Academy Griffins
He wears a white number one on his blue jersey and Tuesday night, Malik Bodden lived up to his number as he scored a game high 40 points to lead the Groves Academy Griffins to a 92-75 win over the Hmong Academy Warriors in St. Louis Park.
Bodden got the Griffins of to a solid start, scoring :36 into the game. He would score Groves Academy's first four points and nine of their first 13. The Warriors would get outstanding three point shooting from Joey Zhong and Alex Yang. Alex Yang and Larry Mohamed would trade three pointers but the Griffins showed outstanding speed and defense that would increase their lead. Hmong academy would show some life late in the first half when Zhong hit a pair of three pointers to cut the lead to 10. But the Griffins kept the lead in double figures as they led at halftime 55-43.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half as there wasn't any scoring until Bodden hit a three pointer 2:12 into the half. Bodden, who had 22 first half points put on an outstanding offensive display and also positioned himself well without the ball. There was a transition play as he went from defense from offense and got open in the front court to receive a pass and he laid it in. It wasn't just Bodden who got most the offensive glory. Bilcik also contributed on defense, blocking a couple of shots and forcing a Warrior turnover. The bright spot off the bench for Hmong Academy was Kyu Yang who hit a couple of three pointers but they couldn't get closer to Groves Academy. They also had to foul late in the game and the Griffins would clinch the win following a pair of late fouls from Tidley Yang.
Other players in double figures for the Griffins were Mohamed with 17 points and Bilcik with 15. Zhong led the Warriors with 23 points. Elijah Vang added 14. Kyu and Tidley Yang scored 13 points apiece.
Groves Academy improved their record to 2-1 and wrap up their four game home stand on Thursday, December 14 as they host the Ogilvie Lions at 7 PM. Hmong Academy lost their third straight game and fell to 0-3. They won't be back in action until Friday, January 5 when they head up I-35 to Forest Lake to face the North Lakes Academy Huskies at 7 PM.
Eight players for the Warriors had the last name Yang. They were not related.
Bodden got the Griffins of to a solid start, scoring :36 into the game. He would score Groves Academy's first four points and nine of their first 13. The Warriors would get outstanding three point shooting from Joey Zhong and Alex Yang. Alex Yang and Larry Mohamed would trade three pointers but the Griffins showed outstanding speed and defense that would increase their lead. Hmong academy would show some life late in the first half when Zhong hit a pair of three pointers to cut the lead to 10. But the Griffins kept the lead in double figures as they led at halftime 55-43.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the second half as there wasn't any scoring until Bodden hit a three pointer 2:12 into the half. Bodden, who had 22 first half points put on an outstanding offensive display and also positioned himself well without the ball. There was a transition play as he went from defense from offense and got open in the front court to receive a pass and he laid it in. It wasn't just Bodden who got most the offensive glory. Bilcik also contributed on defense, blocking a couple of shots and forcing a Warrior turnover. The bright spot off the bench for Hmong Academy was Kyu Yang who hit a couple of three pointers but they couldn't get closer to Groves Academy. They also had to foul late in the game and the Griffins would clinch the win following a pair of late fouls from Tidley Yang.
Other players in double figures for the Griffins were Mohamed with 17 points and Bilcik with 15. Zhong led the Warriors with 23 points. Elijah Vang added 14. Kyu and Tidley Yang scored 13 points apiece.
Groves Academy improved their record to 2-1 and wrap up their four game home stand on Thursday, December 14 as they host the Ogilvie Lions at 7 PM. Hmong Academy lost their third straight game and fell to 0-3. They won't be back in action until Friday, January 5 when they head up I-35 to Forest Lake to face the North Lakes Academy Huskies at 7 PM.
Eight players for the Warriors had the last name Yang. They were not related.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Groves Academy Griffins Get First Win
The Groves Academy Griffins were to the max Thursday night as Max Bilcik scored a game high 23 points to lead them to an 86-58 win over the Academy for Sciences and Agriculture Eagles in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins came to life like Frosty the Snowman in the first half, starting the game on an 8-0 run. Bilcik began the scoring :22 into the first half, followed by a free throw from Malik Bodden . Larry Mohamed also scored as well as Nick Maiers. Jake Colestock would put the Eagles on the board with a free throw but they went chilly from the field while Groves heated up, going on an 11-0 run. Bilcik would get into foul trouble, picking up his third foul with 10:47 left in the half. Maiers would put on an outstanding shooting display with four first half three pointers that helped Groves Academy lead 44-31 at halftime.
The second half would begin just like the first half though the Griffins would go on an 11-0 run that would end by Colestock. There would be some life for AFSA as Adam Labrie would score four straight points. DeAndre Mason would later score six consecutive points. The night, however belonged to Bilcik as he put on an outstanding display of offense as well as defense. He would block a couple of shots, including one from Colestock. On the offensive side, he had a stretch of five straight points that would help clinch the win.
Other players in double figures for the Griffins were Bodden with 17 points, Maiers with 16 and Hall contributed 11. DeAndre Mason led the Eagles with 21 points. Colestock added 15 points and Labrie scored 10.
Groves Academy improved their record to 1-1 and returns to action on Tuesday, December 12 as they continue their season opening four game home stand against the Hmong Academy Warriors at 6 PM. AFSA fell to 1-2 and will travel to White Bear Lake on Friday, December 8 to face the Liberty Classical Academy Lions at 7:30 PM.
The Griffins came to life like Frosty the Snowman in the first half, starting the game on an 8-0 run. Bilcik began the scoring :22 into the first half, followed by a free throw from Malik Bodden . Larry Mohamed also scored as well as Nick Maiers. Jake Colestock would put the Eagles on the board with a free throw but they went chilly from the field while Groves heated up, going on an 11-0 run. Bilcik would get into foul trouble, picking up his third foul with 10:47 left in the half. Maiers would put on an outstanding shooting display with four first half three pointers that helped Groves Academy lead 44-31 at halftime.
The second half would begin just like the first half though the Griffins would go on an 11-0 run that would end by Colestock. There would be some life for AFSA as Adam Labrie would score four straight points. DeAndre Mason would later score six consecutive points. The night, however belonged to Bilcik as he put on an outstanding display of offense as well as defense. He would block a couple of shots, including one from Colestock. On the offensive side, he had a stretch of five straight points that would help clinch the win.
Other players in double figures for the Griffins were Bodden with 17 points, Maiers with 16 and Hall contributed 11. DeAndre Mason led the Eagles with 21 points. Colestock added 15 points and Labrie scored 10.
Groves Academy improved their record to 1-1 and returns to action on Tuesday, December 12 as they continue their season opening four game home stand against the Hmong Academy Warriors at 6 PM. AFSA fell to 1-2 and will travel to White Bear Lake on Friday, December 8 to face the Liberty Classical Academy Lions at 7:30 PM.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
West Lutheran Warriors Wallop Groves Academy Griffins
The West Lutheran Warriors came east to St. Louis Park to open the 2017-18 boys basketball season and got a game high 17 points from Brett Vollrath to lead them to a 89-41 win over the Groves Academy Griffins Tuesday night.
The Warriors began the scoring :22 into the game on a basket from Troy Kokkinen. Malik Bodden tied the game for the Griffins before Vollrath's three pointer and Jordan Lauria's inside basket put West Lutheran on a 5-0 run. The Warriors would also go on an 11-0 run as they got a balanced scoring attack that also included a three pointer by Josh Englert. As West Lutheran forged ahead on this cold Tuesday night, there was a bright spot in the first half for Groves Academy when Larry Mohamed hit a pair of three pointers and Max Bilcik would hit one from Highway 100. But the Griffins couldn't get close and the Warriors led at halftime 43-25.
Tommy Warren would begin the second half scoring for the Warriors :28 into the half. Lauria would put them on a 4-0 run as West Lutheran used there speed and outstanding passing to distance them from the Griffins. Groves Academy would get five consecutive points from Bodden but he would foul out as well as Bilcik that would leave the Griffins depleted on offense as the game would eventually go into running time and both teams would get an opportunity to use their reserves.
Ten players would score for West Lutheran. The only players who didn't record a point were Colin Shanahan and Zach Smith. Other player in double figures for the Warriors were Kokkinen with 15, Phillip Ellis with 14 points and Lauria added 12. Bodden was the only Griffin in double figures with a game high 19 points.
West Lutheran begins the season 1-0 and will head to New Ulm on Friday, December 8 to play in the Martin Luther College Tournament against the Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers at 6:30 PM. Groves Academy falls to 0-1 and returns to action on Thursday, December 7 as they host the Academy for Science and Agriculture Eagles at 7 PM.
The Warriors began the scoring :22 into the game on a basket from Troy Kokkinen. Malik Bodden tied the game for the Griffins before Vollrath's three pointer and Jordan Lauria's inside basket put West Lutheran on a 5-0 run. The Warriors would also go on an 11-0 run as they got a balanced scoring attack that also included a three pointer by Josh Englert. As West Lutheran forged ahead on this cold Tuesday night, there was a bright spot in the first half for Groves Academy when Larry Mohamed hit a pair of three pointers and Max Bilcik would hit one from Highway 100. But the Griffins couldn't get close and the Warriors led at halftime 43-25.
Tommy Warren would begin the second half scoring for the Warriors :28 into the half. Lauria would put them on a 4-0 run as West Lutheran used there speed and outstanding passing to distance them from the Griffins. Groves Academy would get five consecutive points from Bodden but he would foul out as well as Bilcik that would leave the Griffins depleted on offense as the game would eventually go into running time and both teams would get an opportunity to use their reserves.
Ten players would score for West Lutheran. The only players who didn't record a point were Colin Shanahan and Zach Smith. Other player in double figures for the Warriors were Kokkinen with 15, Phillip Ellis with 14 points and Lauria added 12. Bodden was the only Griffin in double figures with a game high 19 points.
West Lutheran begins the season 1-0 and will head to New Ulm on Friday, December 8 to play in the Martin Luther College Tournament against the Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers at 6:30 PM. Groves Academy falls to 0-1 and returns to action on Thursday, December 7 as they host the Academy for Science and Agriculture Eagles at 7 PM.
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