Like a commercial slogan from the 1970, Kyle Ringley was ring around the collar for the Groves Academy Griffins as he scored 19 points to lead the Christian Life Academy Hawks to a 79-64 win Tuesday night in St. Louis Park.
The lead changed hands several times in the first half until Ringley's three point play paved the way for the Hawks to go on a 9-0 run that included a couple of baskets from Ethan Eide. The Griffins would get a score from Max Bilcik and a three pointer from Robert Hall that sparked a 7-0 run but they would be short two starters due to injuries to Bilcik and Malik Bodden. The good news is they would return later in the first half. Christian Life Academy would pull away and lead by 19 on a three pointer from Connor Adomat. Both teams would get three point plays with Eide converting for the Hawks and Bodden for the Griffins. Christian Life Academy would lead 46-22 at halftime.
Caleb Carlson hit a three pointer for the Hawks :41 into the second half. Larry Mohamed and Hall would put the Griffins on a 4-0 run. But Christian Life Academy would widen their lead with five consecutive points from Ringley. There would be a bright spot in the second half for Groves Academy as Bodden would score 13 consecutive points. But it wouldn't be enough to cool down the Hawks offense as the Griffins couldn't make a valiant comeback. They would get a late three point play from Bilcik.
Other players in double figures for the Hawks were Eide with 18 points and Carlson added 17. Bodden led the Griffins with 25 points and Bilcik contributed 12.
Christian Life Academy has won six of their last seven games to improve their record to 11-5. They will host the Liberty Classical Academy Lions on Friday, February 2 at 6 PM. Groves Academy has lost five of their last six games and fell to 6-9. They will head down I-35 to Faribault on Thursday, February 1 to take on the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans at 7 PM.
New bleachers were installed in the Carolyn Groves gym, eliminating the need for folding chairs on the fans side of the gym.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Snowstorm Forces Postponement for Groves Academy Griffins
Monday's snowstorm that produced a foot of snow throughout the Twin Cities forced many public and private schools to close, including Groves Academy.
Since Groves Academy was closed, Tuesday's boys basketball game against the Learning for Leadership Mustangs was postponed. Learning for Leadership was also closed that day.
Learning for Leadership will be back in action on Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 against Lincoln International in Minneapolis. Groves Academy will travel to Woodbury on Thursday, January 25 to face the Math & Science Academy Dragons at 7 PM.
No word on a rescheduled date for the Learning for Leadership game.
Since Groves Academy was closed, Tuesday's boys basketball game against the Learning for Leadership Mustangs was postponed. Learning for Leadership was also closed that day.
Learning for Leadership will be back in action on Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 against Lincoln International in Minneapolis. Groves Academy will travel to Woodbury on Thursday, January 25 to face the Math & Science Academy Dragons at 7 PM.
No word on a rescheduled date for the Learning for Leadership game.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Third Period Comeback Propels SLP Orioles to Beat Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars
Down by two goals in the third period, the St. Louis Park offense came alive with three unanswered goals, including the game winner from Sam Baker with :53.7 left in regulation time that led the Orioles to a 3-2 win over the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars Saturday night at The Rec Center.
The Jaguars got the first period's lone goal when Nathan Johannes got a pass on the right side of the net and he went top shelf to give Jefferson the early lead. They would almost go up by two but Blake Camuel, who drove down the ice like the team bus heading down Highway 100 had his shot saved by Oriole goalie Will Pinney.
The score didn't change in the second period. But the Jaguars would lead by two :57 into the third period on Princeton Oppong's goal that went over Pinney's shoulder. Could St. Louis Park rebound from a two goal deficit? The answer would be yes as Willy Basill would score from the right slot to cut the lead to one. Following a time out, Oriole head coach Colin Hohman would pull Pinney to go with a six attacker and it would pay off on Jack Wandmacher's center slot goal with 1:56 remaining to even the score. There would be no overtime as Baker picked up a loose puck from Johnny Sorenson in the center slot and put it past Jaguar goalie Basil Kamsheh with :53.7 to clinch the win.
Camuel is the son of former Jaguar Derek Camuel, who played on the 1994 Class AA state championship team.
St. Louis Park extended their unbeaten streak to seven and improved their record to 10-5-2. They will return to action on Saturday, January 27 against the Holy Angels Stars at 2 PM at the Richfield Ice Arena. Jefferson fell to 6-10 and returns to The Rec Center on Tuesday, January 23 to face the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights at 7 PM.
The Jaguars got the first period's lone goal when Nathan Johannes got a pass on the right side of the net and he went top shelf to give Jefferson the early lead. They would almost go up by two but Blake Camuel, who drove down the ice like the team bus heading down Highway 100 had his shot saved by Oriole goalie Will Pinney.
The score didn't change in the second period. But the Jaguars would lead by two :57 into the third period on Princeton Oppong's goal that went over Pinney's shoulder. Could St. Louis Park rebound from a two goal deficit? The answer would be yes as Willy Basill would score from the right slot to cut the lead to one. Following a time out, Oriole head coach Colin Hohman would pull Pinney to go with a six attacker and it would pay off on Jack Wandmacher's center slot goal with 1:56 remaining to even the score. There would be no overtime as Baker picked up a loose puck from Johnny Sorenson in the center slot and put it past Jaguar goalie Basil Kamsheh with :53.7 to clinch the win.
Camuel is the son of former Jaguar Derek Camuel, who played on the 1994 Class AA state championship team.
St. Louis Park extended their unbeaten streak to seven and improved their record to 10-5-2. They will return to action on Saturday, January 27 against the Holy Angels Stars at 2 PM at the Richfield Ice Arena. Jefferson fell to 6-10 and returns to The Rec Center on Tuesday, January 23 to face the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights at 7 PM.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
SLP Orioles Extend Unbeaten Streak to Six
It was a big night for senior Johnny Sorenson as he scored the game's first goal and assisted on two others to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 4-0 shut out of the Chanhassen Storm Tuesday night at The Rec Center.
Sorenson put the Orioles on the board 2:29 in the first period when he received a pass from Jack Wandmacher and scored from the right side of the cage. St. Louis Park would go up by two as Riley Dvorak got a pass from Sam Berry that bounced off his right skate and Riley Dvorak would cut into the slot to send the puck toward the net.
It looked like the second period would be without pucks entering both team's nets. Wrong! Sorenson would pick up an assist on Wandmacher's goal from the left slot and the lead increased to three.
The Orioles would wrap up the scoring with a single third period goal that came on a rebound shot from Avery Pittman. Goalie Atticus Raasch helped the Oriole defense prevent the Storm from spoiling the shut out.
Brenden Donahue did not dress for the game due to illness.
St. Louis Park extended their unbeaten streak to six games and improved their record to 9-5-2. They will host the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars on Saturday, January 20 at 7 PM at The Rec Center. Chanhassen fell to 6-8-1 and will also return to action on the 20th when they host the Hopkins Royals at 3 PM at the Victoria Field House.
Sorenson put the Orioles on the board 2:29 in the first period when he received a pass from Jack Wandmacher and scored from the right side of the cage. St. Louis Park would go up by two as Riley Dvorak got a pass from Sam Berry that bounced off his right skate and Riley Dvorak would cut into the slot to send the puck toward the net.
It looked like the second period would be without pucks entering both team's nets. Wrong! Sorenson would pick up an assist on Wandmacher's goal from the left slot and the lead increased to three.
The Orioles would wrap up the scoring with a single third period goal that came on a rebound shot from Avery Pittman. Goalie Atticus Raasch helped the Oriole defense prevent the Storm from spoiling the shut out.
Brenden Donahue did not dress for the game due to illness.
St. Louis Park extended their unbeaten streak to six games and improved their record to 9-5-2. They will host the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars on Saturday, January 20 at 7 PM at The Rec Center. Chanhassen fell to 6-8-1 and will also return to action on the 20th when they host the Hopkins Royals at 3 PM at the Victoria Field House.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Lincoln International Eagles Soar Past Groves Academy Eagles
What a difference a half makes as Hamzi Abdella, one of three Lincoln International players who arrived late due to a broken down team van scored 34 points to lead a second half comeback that resulted in a 84-79 win over the Groves Academy Eagles Thursday night in St. Louis Park.
The other two late arrivals for the Eagles were Ahmed Abdella and Abdullahi Abdi.
Since the three players were not present, head coach James Glewwe had to start three junior varsity players that temporarily left Lincoln International without a bench. The Griffins would start out on a 6-0 run until Ahmed Aidid put the Eagles on the scoreboard. Groves Academy would capitalize on the absence of the Lincoln International starters by storming to a 34-2 lead. Max Bilcik put on an offensive display early in the game by scoring on a left handed layup and a one handed jam. With a little over 11:00 to go in the first half, the Abdellas and Abdi arrived and their presence became a factor in reviving the Eagle offense which was dormant for the first seven minutes. The Griffins would get a three point play from Malik Bodden and the Eagles got a late 4-0 run as Groves Academy led at halftime 52-37.
It would take a while for any scoring to begin in the second half as Abdi would hit a three pointer 1:13 into the half. The Eagles offense began to heat up and the Griffins offense started to cool down as they couldn't make their shots and caused numerous turnovers. Hamzi Abdella would score five straight points and hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 75. Lincoln International would surge into the lead on a basket from Abdiaziz Wais. Groves Academy had a chance to regain the lead but Bilcik' missed a three pointer. Shafici Omar would put the game away with a pair of free throws that would clinch the comeback.
Also scoring in double figures for the Eagles were Ahmed Abdella with 19 points. Abdi added 16 and Omar contributed 11. Bilcik led the Griffins with 29 points. He scored 20 in the first half. Bodden added 25 and Larry Mohamed scored 15.
Lincoln International improved their record to 2-4 and will host the Learning for Leadership Mustangs on Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 PM. Groves Academy fell to 5-6 and begins a two game road trip on Tuesday, January 16 with a 6 PM game at Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul.
The other two late arrivals for the Eagles were Ahmed Abdella and Abdullahi Abdi.
Since the three players were not present, head coach James Glewwe had to start three junior varsity players that temporarily left Lincoln International without a bench. The Griffins would start out on a 6-0 run until Ahmed Aidid put the Eagles on the scoreboard. Groves Academy would capitalize on the absence of the Lincoln International starters by storming to a 34-2 lead. Max Bilcik put on an offensive display early in the game by scoring on a left handed layup and a one handed jam. With a little over 11:00 to go in the first half, the Abdellas and Abdi arrived and their presence became a factor in reviving the Eagle offense which was dormant for the first seven minutes. The Griffins would get a three point play from Malik Bodden and the Eagles got a late 4-0 run as Groves Academy led at halftime 52-37.
It would take a while for any scoring to begin in the second half as Abdi would hit a three pointer 1:13 into the half. The Eagles offense began to heat up and the Griffins offense started to cool down as they couldn't make their shots and caused numerous turnovers. Hamzi Abdella would score five straight points and hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 75. Lincoln International would surge into the lead on a basket from Abdiaziz Wais. Groves Academy had a chance to regain the lead but Bilcik' missed a three pointer. Shafici Omar would put the game away with a pair of free throws that would clinch the comeback.
Also scoring in double figures for the Eagles were Ahmed Abdella with 19 points. Abdi added 16 and Omar contributed 11. Bilcik led the Griffins with 29 points. He scored 20 in the first half. Bodden added 25 and Larry Mohamed scored 15.
Lincoln International improved their record to 2-4 and will host the Learning for Leadership Mustangs on Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 PM. Groves Academy fell to 5-6 and begins a two game road trip on Tuesday, January 16 with a 6 PM game at Nova Classical Academy in St. Paul.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
MN Academy for the Deaf Trojans Pull Away from Groves Academy Griffins
It would be a happy bus ride back to Faribault for Juan Salgado as he scored a game high 29 points to lead the Minnesota Academy for the Deaf Trojans to a 76-64 win over the Groves Academy Griffins Tuesday night in St. Louis Park.
Salgado would score four of the Trojans first six points to start the game until Max Bilcik put the Griffins on the board. Groves Academy would go on a 5-0 run to take the lead. Bilcik and Salgado would trade three pointers as the lead would change hands following ties at 11 and 14. Bodden would heat up for the Griffins, scoring five straight points. MSAD would get solid free throw shooting from Ryan Stumbo as he hit four consecutive free throw. The Trojans would inch loser to the Griffins and had a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds of the first half. However, Adam Rohde's shot bounced off the rim and Groves Academy led at halftime 36-35.
The second half would begin with a display of outstanding three point shooting as Sam Bondhus would hit four three pointers after a scoreless first half. He would help MSAD pull ahead of Groves Academy. But the Griffins would go on a 9-0 run that would bring them close. Unfortunately, things would begin to fall apart for Groves Academy when Bilcik was assessed a technical foul that sent Jon Schmidt to the free throw line. He would make both free throws and MSAD would convert free throw opportunities as the fouls started to pile up for the Griffins. Bilcik would foul out of the game and Donovan Bradshaw was called for an intentional foul with :17.9 to go that sent Salgado to the free throw line where he would hit both shots and it would still be Trojan ball as Groves Academy couldn't get any closer to MSAD.
Other Trojans in double figures were Schmidt with 18 points, followed by Sam Bondhus and and Stumbo with 10. Bodden led the Griffins with 26 points and Bilcik added 17.
Former major league pitcher Dana Kiecker was one of the game officials. Kiecker, a native of Fairfax, MN played two seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
Both teams records are 5-5. MSAD returns to action on Tuesday, January 16 as they head to Farmington to face the Christian Life Academy Hawks at 6 PM. Groves Academy will host Lincoln International on Thursday, January 11 at 5 PM.
Salgado would score four of the Trojans first six points to start the game until Max Bilcik put the Griffins on the board. Groves Academy would go on a 5-0 run to take the lead. Bilcik and Salgado would trade three pointers as the lead would change hands following ties at 11 and 14. Bodden would heat up for the Griffins, scoring five straight points. MSAD would get solid free throw shooting from Ryan Stumbo as he hit four consecutive free throw. The Trojans would inch loser to the Griffins and had a chance to take the lead in the closing seconds of the first half. However, Adam Rohde's shot bounced off the rim and Groves Academy led at halftime 36-35.
The second half would begin with a display of outstanding three point shooting as Sam Bondhus would hit four three pointers after a scoreless first half. He would help MSAD pull ahead of Groves Academy. But the Griffins would go on a 9-0 run that would bring them close. Unfortunately, things would begin to fall apart for Groves Academy when Bilcik was assessed a technical foul that sent Jon Schmidt to the free throw line. He would make both free throws and MSAD would convert free throw opportunities as the fouls started to pile up for the Griffins. Bilcik would foul out of the game and Donovan Bradshaw was called for an intentional foul with :17.9 to go that sent Salgado to the free throw line where he would hit both shots and it would still be Trojan ball as Groves Academy couldn't get any closer to MSAD.
Other Trojans in double figures were Schmidt with 18 points, followed by Sam Bondhus and and Stumbo with 10. Bodden led the Griffins with 26 points and Bilcik added 17.
Former major league pitcher Dana Kiecker was one of the game officials. Kiecker, a native of Fairfax, MN played two seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
Both teams records are 5-5. MSAD returns to action on Tuesday, January 16 as they head to Farmington to face the Christian Life Academy Hawks at 6 PM. Groves Academy will host Lincoln International on Thursday, January 11 at 5 PM.
Saturday, January 6, 2018
Groves Academy Griffins Send North Lakes Academy Huskies South
The first home game of 2018 for the Groves Academy Griffins turned out to be a happy one as Max Bilcik scored a game high 21 points to lead them to a 69-52 win over the North Lakes Academy Huskies Saturday afternoon in St. Louis Park.
Bilcik's jumper :11 into the game began the scoring for the Griffins and Andy Herzog would even the score for the Huskies. Bilcik would score three straight points to put Groves Academy on a 5-0 run. North Lakes Academy would go into the lead on a three pointer from Alex Ten Napel and Cole Donelan would hit another shot from Minnetonka Blvd. It would be the only lead for the Huskies as the Griffins would go on a 14-0 run that included four straight points for Malik Bodden. The Groves Academy bench would also chip in as Donovan Bradshaw score four consecutive points toward the end of the half to give the Griffins a 33-20 halftime lead.
Groves Academy came out of the starting gate in the second half with a pair of three pointers from Nick Maiers before Herzog would end the Griffins early 6-0 run. Ethan Crandall would hit a three for North Lakes Academy but it was Groves Academy who would put the game away as they would go up by as much as 18 points despite losing Bodden to an injury. He would be OK and return to the game.
Bodden, who scored his 1000th career point on January 4 against Christian Life Academy scored 20 points and Bradshaw added 10. Donelan and Steven Durango led the Huskies with 13 points and Ten Napel finished with 10.
Groves Academy improved their record to 5-4 and will host the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans on Tuesday, January 9 at 5:30 PM. North Lakes Academy fell to 1-8 and will head down I-35 on the 9th to face the Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres at 7:30 PM in Faribault.
Bilcik's jumper :11 into the game began the scoring for the Griffins and Andy Herzog would even the score for the Huskies. Bilcik would score three straight points to put Groves Academy on a 5-0 run. North Lakes Academy would go into the lead on a three pointer from Alex Ten Napel and Cole Donelan would hit another shot from Minnetonka Blvd. It would be the only lead for the Huskies as the Griffins would go on a 14-0 run that included four straight points for Malik Bodden. The Groves Academy bench would also chip in as Donovan Bradshaw score four consecutive points toward the end of the half to give the Griffins a 33-20 halftime lead.
Groves Academy came out of the starting gate in the second half with a pair of three pointers from Nick Maiers before Herzog would end the Griffins early 6-0 run. Ethan Crandall would hit a three for North Lakes Academy but it was Groves Academy who would put the game away as they would go up by as much as 18 points despite losing Bodden to an injury. He would be OK and return to the game.
Bodden, who scored his 1000th career point on January 4 against Christian Life Academy scored 20 points and Bradshaw added 10. Donelan and Steven Durango led the Huskies with 13 points and Ten Napel finished with 10.
Groves Academy improved their record to 5-4 and will host the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans on Tuesday, January 9 at 5:30 PM. North Lakes Academy fell to 1-8 and will head down I-35 on the 9th to face the Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabres at 7:30 PM in Faribault.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Dreier Reaches 900 Wins
When the New London-Spicer Wildcats beat Montevideo Tuesday night, it was a milestone win for veteran head coach Mike Dreier, who recorded his 900th career win.
Dreier has been the head coach of the Wildcats since 1978 and has been a familiar presence at the state girls basketball tournament. He has coached 17 teams who have made the trip to the Twin Cities and two have taken championship trophies down Highway 55 in 1997 and 2002.
Last year's team beat the Esko Eskomos in the quarterfinals and fell to the eventual state Class AA champion Roseau Rams 79-57. The Wildcats would come up short in the third place game as they were defeated by the Watertown-Mayer Royals 49-48.
Before Dreier coached his first state title team in 1997, New London-Spicer lost four straight Class A championship games. Two were to the unbeaten Rochester Lourdes Eagles in 1991 and 1993 and to Tracy Area in 1992. They also fell to the Blake Bears in the 1994 Class A final. In 2001, the Wildcats fell to the St. Michael Albertville Knights in the Class AA championship game and the following year they would beat Yellow Medicine East for their second Class AA title. It would be 14 years before Dreier would lead the Wildcats to the Class AA title game but they lost to the Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs.
Dreier's son, Matt is the head coach at Wright County Conference rival Annandale. The first meeting between the two schools is Tuesday, January 9 in Annandale and the rematch is Friday, February 2 at New London-Spicer. Another son, Joey is a student teacher and assists Mike with the girls basketball team. He is a senior at UW-Eau Claire.
Congratulations to Mike Dreier and could he aim for 1000 wins in the next few seasons?
Dreier has been the head coach of the Wildcats since 1978 and has been a familiar presence at the state girls basketball tournament. He has coached 17 teams who have made the trip to the Twin Cities and two have taken championship trophies down Highway 55 in 1997 and 2002.
Last year's team beat the Esko Eskomos in the quarterfinals and fell to the eventual state Class AA champion Roseau Rams 79-57. The Wildcats would come up short in the third place game as they were defeated by the Watertown-Mayer Royals 49-48.
Before Dreier coached his first state title team in 1997, New London-Spicer lost four straight Class A championship games. Two were to the unbeaten Rochester Lourdes Eagles in 1991 and 1993 and to Tracy Area in 1992. They also fell to the Blake Bears in the 1994 Class A final. In 2001, the Wildcats fell to the St. Michael Albertville Knights in the Class AA championship game and the following year they would beat Yellow Medicine East for their second Class AA title. It would be 14 years before Dreier would lead the Wildcats to the Class AA title game but they lost to the Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs.
Dreier's son, Matt is the head coach at Wright County Conference rival Annandale. The first meeting between the two schools is Tuesday, January 9 in Annandale and the rematch is Friday, February 2 at New London-Spicer. Another son, Joey is a student teacher and assists Mike with the girls basketball team. He is a senior at UW-Eau Claire.
Congratulations to Mike Dreier and could he aim for 1000 wins in the next few seasons?
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