Oh there's no place like the rink after the holidays as the 2018 Schwan Cup High School Hockey Tournament takes place December 26-January 1 at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine and Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Here's a preview of the five girls and four boys varsity divisions.
Ridder Arena will be the site for the Gold Division that features several outstanding teams. Opening up quarterfinal play on december 26 will be the Mahtomedi Zephyrs and St. Paul United. The Zephyrs, ranked eighth in Class A played SPU on November 21 and shut out the team comprised of students from St. Paul Academy and Visitation 5-0. It's been a down year so far for SPU as last year's Class A consolation has a record of 3-6-2. Can they pull off the upset?
Next up the Rogers Royals take on the eighth ranked team in Class AA the Andover Huskies. The Royals enter tournament play with a 7-3-2 record. It's been an outstanding hockey season so far in the growing metropolis of Andover. The boys are ranked second in Class AA and the girls are off to a solid 10-2 start. It could be an outstanding match up.
Also having an outstanding season is the Blake Bears. The second ranked team in Class AA has not lost a game since they lost to their Section 6AA rival the Edina Hornets on November 13. The Bears will battle the Holy Family Catholic Fire who is on a three game unbeaten streak.
Wrapping up the Gold Division quarterfinals is the third ranked team in Class A, the Proctor-Hermantown Mirage and last year's Class AA runner up the Centennial Cougars. The Cougars have struggled since losing Gabby Hughes and Anneke Linser to graduation and head coach Kristi King left ot be an assistant coach with the University of St. Thomas women's hockey team.
The other four divisions will be playing at the Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine. In the Silver Division, could there be an All Duluth final as the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers and the Duluth Northern Stars are entered in the field. There's also Spring Lake Park, Buffalo, Delano, Cambridge-Isanti-Mora-Pine City. Bloomington Jefferson and Rochester Lourdes. The Bronze Division has the Red Wing Wingers, a perennial Class A power that has gone 4-5 since a 0-4 start. There are also two Open Division brackets. The American division has three Wisconsin teams. They are Green Bay Area, University School of Milwaukee and the Cap City Cougars from Madison. It's all outstate teams in the American Division that features the "Battle of the Cardinals" in the quarterfinals as Fairmont faces Luverne.
Now to the boys. Where have all the top teams in the Gold Division gone? Down to only four. It will be a round robin event featuring the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the Hill-Murray Pioneers, the Burnsville Blaze and the Centennial Cougars. The only ranked team in the division is Hill-Murray, ranked 10th in Class AA.
A perennial Class A power is in the Silver Division, the Breck Mustangs. The Mustangs are off to a slow 3-5 start as they face the Hudson Raiders in the quarterfinals. The St. Louis Park Orioles are also entered as they will take on the Minneapolis Novas in their quarterfinal game.
Two teams that play their home games at the Super Rink could meet in the Bronze Division semifinals. The Totino-Grace Eagles open up quarterfinal play against the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks and the Mounds View Mustangs battle the Holy Angels Stars. The lower bracket has the St. Paul Academy Spartans and the Spring Lake Park Panthers followed by the Rogers Royals and the University School of Milwaukee.
In the Open Division (which the author of this blog will be at the Public address mike for the December 29 quarterfinals), There could be a lot of orange and black in Rink 2 as the Princeton and Marshall Tigers open the day's festivities. The second game will be a Metro East Conference battle featuring the Simley Spartans and the Henry Sibley Warriors. Looking at the lower bracket, the Pine City Area Dragons take on the Southwest Christina/Richfield Stars and the Bloomington Kennedy Eagles conclude the day against the Chisago Lakes Wildcats.
Girls division finals take place at Ridder Arena Wednesday, December 28 and the boys finals Tuesday, January 1, also at Ridder. Plenty of hockey action coming up. Hopefully, the weather picture won't be a winter storm.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Princeton Tigers Crush Columbia Heights Hylanders
The holidays will be happier for Jon Stimmler as he scored 18 points to lead the Princeton Tigers to a 80-49 win over the host Columbia Heights Hylanders Friday night.
The Hylanders, who lost to Delano in last year's Class AAA championship game, broke out of the starting gate on a 5-0 run that also included a three pointer from Amir Davis. Columbia Heights showed outstanding ball control in the early going as Jordan Jones was adept as switching hands on a dribble. The Tigers would get on the scoreboard on a basket from Adam Williams and a three pointer from Calvin Peterson. Peterson would hit another shot from Central Ave. There would also be dueling three pointers from Davis and Reilly O'Neill before Tate Laabs put Princeton ahead. But the Hylanders would stay close as the game would be tied at 14, 16, 18 and 20. Princeton, ranked second in Class AAA would take the lead on Cody Miller's basket and Peterson would hit his third three pointer of the game. He also would play the post well as he got into position following a nifty one handed bounce pass from Cody Alickson that resulted in a score. The Tigers would lead 33-22 at halftime.
Princeton would increase their lead as they would open the second half on a 10-0 run. Columbia Heights would start Spencer Alvarez, a 6'5" freshman who didn't play in the first half to try to slow down the 6'7" Stimmler but the Tigers would pull away. Alickson would pick up a couple of second half assists. The first came after he missed an inside jumper and Laabs boxed out toward the right side of the basket and rebounded the ball and tallied. Alickson's second assist would be an inside pass to O'Neill for two points. Laabs would score a three point play and Alickson would hit a three pointer to put the Tigers ahead by 30 as both teams utilized their reserves with the game decided.
Other players in double figures for the Tigers were Peterson with 14 points, including four three pointers and O'Neill with 11. The Hylanders were led by Davis, who also had 18 points and Kaich Ogul added 12.
Princeton head Brett Cloutier was interviewed following the game and described the key to the Tigers hot start. "We got a group of kids who are binding to their roles and they're hungry."
According to Cloutier, Stimmler has drawn interest from MIAC schools St. John's and Augsburg.
Cloutier also mentioned what it would take to return to the state tournament for the first time since 1932. Last year, the Tigers won 20 games after a seven win season the year before. "We're trying to get 1% better every day," he said.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-0 and will return to action on Friday, December 28 as they will participate in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud. Their first game is against the Rocori Spartans at 4 PM at St. Cloud Apollo High School. The Hylanders fell to 2-3 and will head down Highway 52 to play in the Rochester Rotary Classic December 27-29. On the 27th, they will take on the Hutchinson Tigers at 2:45 PM at the Mayo Civic Auditorium.
The Hylanders, who lost to Delano in last year's Class AAA championship game, broke out of the starting gate on a 5-0 run that also included a three pointer from Amir Davis. Columbia Heights showed outstanding ball control in the early going as Jordan Jones was adept as switching hands on a dribble. The Tigers would get on the scoreboard on a basket from Adam Williams and a three pointer from Calvin Peterson. Peterson would hit another shot from Central Ave. There would also be dueling three pointers from Davis and Reilly O'Neill before Tate Laabs put Princeton ahead. But the Hylanders would stay close as the game would be tied at 14, 16, 18 and 20. Princeton, ranked second in Class AAA would take the lead on Cody Miller's basket and Peterson would hit his third three pointer of the game. He also would play the post well as he got into position following a nifty one handed bounce pass from Cody Alickson that resulted in a score. The Tigers would lead 33-22 at halftime.
Princeton would increase their lead as they would open the second half on a 10-0 run. Columbia Heights would start Spencer Alvarez, a 6'5" freshman who didn't play in the first half to try to slow down the 6'7" Stimmler but the Tigers would pull away. Alickson would pick up a couple of second half assists. The first came after he missed an inside jumper and Laabs boxed out toward the right side of the basket and rebounded the ball and tallied. Alickson's second assist would be an inside pass to O'Neill for two points. Laabs would score a three point play and Alickson would hit a three pointer to put the Tigers ahead by 30 as both teams utilized their reserves with the game decided.
Other players in double figures for the Tigers were Peterson with 14 points, including four three pointers and O'Neill with 11. The Hylanders were led by Davis, who also had 18 points and Kaich Ogul added 12.
Princeton head Brett Cloutier was interviewed following the game and described the key to the Tigers hot start. "We got a group of kids who are binding to their roles and they're hungry."
According to Cloutier, Stimmler has drawn interest from MIAC schools St. John's and Augsburg.
Cloutier also mentioned what it would take to return to the state tournament for the first time since 1932. Last year, the Tigers won 20 games after a seven win season the year before. "We're trying to get 1% better every day," he said.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-0 and will return to action on Friday, December 28 as they will participate in the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud. Their first game is against the Rocori Spartans at 4 PM at St. Cloud Apollo High School. The Hylanders fell to 2-3 and will head down Highway 52 to play in the Rochester Rotary Classic December 27-29. On the 27th, they will take on the Hutchinson Tigers at 2:45 PM at the Mayo Civic Auditorium.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Lemke to Retire from St. Croix Lutheran Football
It's the end of an era in West St. Paul when Carl Lemke decided to retire after 23 years as head coach of the St. Croix Lutheran football team.
Before he came to the West St. Paul school, he coached at Martin Luther Academy in New Ulm in 1968. He also heading football programs in Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Lutheran Academy in Milwaukee and Martin Luther Preparatory School in Prairie du Chien.
In addition to coaching the Crusaders, Lemke also was St. Croix Lutheran's activities director, a position he retired from in 2015.
Under Lemke's leadership, St. Croix Lutheran has played in eight state tournaments and won two state Class AAA championships in 2011 and 2013. The 2013 Class AAA final was a back and forth affair against the New London-Spicer Wildcats that the Crusaders won 48-44 as they racked up 426 rushing yards. St. Croix Lutheran also played in the 2016 and 2017 state Class AAA title games but they came up short, losing to Rochester Lourdes and Pierz.
Lemke also entered the record books in 2018 when he won his 300th career game on September 28 against the Minneapolis Washburn Millers 28-14. He's the seventh coach in Minnesota high school football history to reach that milestone.
Next season, the Crusaders football program will be led by Adam Frey. Can he help the West St. Paul school return to US Bank Stadium and compete for another Class AAA title in 2019?
Before he came to the West St. Paul school, he coached at Martin Luther Academy in New Ulm in 1968. He also heading football programs in Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Lutheran Academy in Milwaukee and Martin Luther Preparatory School in Prairie du Chien.
In addition to coaching the Crusaders, Lemke also was St. Croix Lutheran's activities director, a position he retired from in 2015.
Under Lemke's leadership, St. Croix Lutheran has played in eight state tournaments and won two state Class AAA championships in 2011 and 2013. The 2013 Class AAA final was a back and forth affair against the New London-Spicer Wildcats that the Crusaders won 48-44 as they racked up 426 rushing yards. St. Croix Lutheran also played in the 2016 and 2017 state Class AAA title games but they came up short, losing to Rochester Lourdes and Pierz.
Lemke also entered the record books in 2018 when he won his 300th career game on September 28 against the Minneapolis Washburn Millers 28-14. He's the seventh coach in Minnesota high school football history to reach that milestone.
Next season, the Crusaders football program will be led by Adam Frey. Can he help the West St. Paul school return to US Bank Stadium and compete for another Class AAA title in 2019?
First Win for Mounds Park Academy Panthers
To quote the rock group Steely Dan, "Go back Jack and do it again." That's what Jack Paulson did Tuesday night as he scored 23 points to lead the Mounds Park Academy Panthers to a 72-44 rout of the Groves Academy Griffins in St. Louis Park.
It was the first win of the season for the St. Paul based school that snapped a five game losing streak.
The Griffins got off to a solid start in the first half as center Sam Goldstein scored six straight points. He would score eight of Groves Academy's first 10 points with the other two coming from Larry Mohamed. But there would be no first half shut out as Paulson put the Panthers on the board 3:22 into the game. MPA would then go on an 8-0 run that was ended by Goldstein, who showed some outstanding inside play in the early going. The Panthers offense would heat up like a hot air balloon as Ben Nippolt would put MPA ahead with a pair of three pointers and a three point play, A basket from TaeVion Wilkins would spark another 8-0 Panther run. The Griffins were hit with foul trouble when Nick Maiers picked up his third personal with 5:44 left in the half. Maiers changed his uniform number from 52 to 51 because he needed a bigger sized jersey. MPA would forge further ahead on Nippolt's third three pointer and Fruchterman and Paulson would also tally as the Panthers led at halftime 36-21.
It would take a while for the second half scoring to begin as Gabe Gordon would open the scoring for the Griffins 1:08 into the half. But it was Paulson who would dominate the second half as he would help MPA put the Griffins away with jumpers and outstanding inside shooting. Nippolt would hit his fourth three pointer of the game and the Panther bench also contributed, including a three pointer from Ayoub Mahamoud. Groves Academy lost the bulk of their offense late in the game when Mohamed picked up his fifth foul.
Other players in double figures for the Panthers were Nipport with 19 points and Parker law with 10. The Griffins were led by Goldstein with 21 points and Mohamed added 15.
MPA improved to 1-5 and will host their holiday tournament December 27 & 28. Groves Academy fell to 2-4 and will play their final game before the holiday break on Thursday, December 20 as they head back to Forest Lake to take on Lakes International Language Academy at 6 PM.
It was the first win of the season for the St. Paul based school that snapped a five game losing streak.
The Griffins got off to a solid start in the first half as center Sam Goldstein scored six straight points. He would score eight of Groves Academy's first 10 points with the other two coming from Larry Mohamed. But there would be no first half shut out as Paulson put the Panthers on the board 3:22 into the game. MPA would then go on an 8-0 run that was ended by Goldstein, who showed some outstanding inside play in the early going. The Panthers offense would heat up like a hot air balloon as Ben Nippolt would put MPA ahead with a pair of three pointers and a three point play, A basket from TaeVion Wilkins would spark another 8-0 Panther run. The Griffins were hit with foul trouble when Nick Maiers picked up his third personal with 5:44 left in the half. Maiers changed his uniform number from 52 to 51 because he needed a bigger sized jersey. MPA would forge further ahead on Nippolt's third three pointer and Fruchterman and Paulson would also tally as the Panthers led at halftime 36-21.
It would take a while for the second half scoring to begin as Gabe Gordon would open the scoring for the Griffins 1:08 into the half. But it was Paulson who would dominate the second half as he would help MPA put the Griffins away with jumpers and outstanding inside shooting. Nippolt would hit his fourth three pointer of the game and the Panther bench also contributed, including a three pointer from Ayoub Mahamoud. Groves Academy lost the bulk of their offense late in the game when Mohamed picked up his fifth foul.
Other players in double figures for the Panthers were Nipport with 19 points and Parker law with 10. The Griffins were led by Goldstein with 21 points and Mohamed added 15.
MPA improved to 1-5 and will host their holiday tournament December 27 & 28. Groves Academy fell to 2-4 and will play their final game before the holiday break on Thursday, December 20 as they head back to Forest Lake to take on Lakes International Language Academy at 6 PM.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Groves Academy Griffins Close Out Kaleidoscope Comets
After a slow start, the Groves Academy Griffins got their offense "N-Sync" as Larry Mohamed scored 22 points to lead them to a 64-55 win over the Kaleidoscope Charter Comets Thursday night in St. Louis Park.
Based in Otsego, located between Rogers and Elk River, Kaleidoscope is in it's first season of varsity athletics under the auspices of the Minnesota State High School League.
Both teams couldn't find the basket early in the first half. The Comets erased the zeros on the blue and red scoreboard on Jacob Donnett's basket 1:18 into the game. Kaleidoscope would go on a 7-0 run until Gabe Gordon hit a three pointer for the Griffins with 13:04 left in the half. The Groves Academy offense warmed up like a car running in subzero weather as they would go on a 16-0 run and it looked like they would dominate the game. But there are 36 minutes in a regulation Minnesota varsity basketball game and it would be the Comets turn to trim the Griffins margin as Donnett was on a roll scoring eight straight points. Groves Academy did not have a lot of height in the lineup due to the absence of senior center Sam Goldstein but Alfie Galle, who filled in for Goldstein did a fine job in the forward spot, even on defense as he had a nice inside block. Kaleidoscope would vault into the lead late in the half on a pair of three pointers from Donnett and the comets led at halftime 27-26.
In the second half, Gordon began the scoring with a three pointed that sparked the Griffins on an opening 7-0 run to start the half. Donnett, who had 22 first half points, was not heard from much in the second half as Groves Academy tightened their defense and started to build a lead. But the comets held close as there were several ties at 33, 40, and 45. The fouls would start to pile up for the Comets and the Griffins would be shooting free throws that would widen the lead as Kaledoscope looked to foul to prevent Groves Academy from stalling. And the Griffins would cash in from the line. Mohamed would also clinch the game with five straight points that included a three point play.
Kaleidoscope head coach Chris Buerman is in his first season coaching the Comets after leading the Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs to five consecutive trips to the state tournament, including two Class A second place finishes in 2015 and 2016. He mentioned about why he left Maranatha to build the Kaledoscope boys program.
" It was an opportunity to start from scratch and go back to boys. We expect to see growth pretty fast from this group."
Donnett led Kaleidoscope with 29 points. AJ Kargel was the only other Comet in double figures, scoring 16 points. The only other Griffin to reach double figures was Gordon with 15 points.
The Griffins evened their record at 2-2 and play their first road game on Friday, December 14 at 5:45 PM as they head to Forest Lake to take on North Lakes Academy. The Comets fell to 1-4 and return to action on Wednesday, December 19 as they host Lincoln International at 6:30 PM.
Based in Otsego, located between Rogers and Elk River, Kaleidoscope is in it's first season of varsity athletics under the auspices of the Minnesota State High School League.
Both teams couldn't find the basket early in the first half. The Comets erased the zeros on the blue and red scoreboard on Jacob Donnett's basket 1:18 into the game. Kaleidoscope would go on a 7-0 run until Gabe Gordon hit a three pointer for the Griffins with 13:04 left in the half. The Groves Academy offense warmed up like a car running in subzero weather as they would go on a 16-0 run and it looked like they would dominate the game. But there are 36 minutes in a regulation Minnesota varsity basketball game and it would be the Comets turn to trim the Griffins margin as Donnett was on a roll scoring eight straight points. Groves Academy did not have a lot of height in the lineup due to the absence of senior center Sam Goldstein but Alfie Galle, who filled in for Goldstein did a fine job in the forward spot, even on defense as he had a nice inside block. Kaleidoscope would vault into the lead late in the half on a pair of three pointers from Donnett and the comets led at halftime 27-26.
In the second half, Gordon began the scoring with a three pointed that sparked the Griffins on an opening 7-0 run to start the half. Donnett, who had 22 first half points, was not heard from much in the second half as Groves Academy tightened their defense and started to build a lead. But the comets held close as there were several ties at 33, 40, and 45. The fouls would start to pile up for the Comets and the Griffins would be shooting free throws that would widen the lead as Kaledoscope looked to foul to prevent Groves Academy from stalling. And the Griffins would cash in from the line. Mohamed would also clinch the game with five straight points that included a three point play.
Kaleidoscope head coach Chris Buerman is in his first season coaching the Comets after leading the Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs to five consecutive trips to the state tournament, including two Class A second place finishes in 2015 and 2016. He mentioned about why he left Maranatha to build the Kaledoscope boys program.
" It was an opportunity to start from scratch and go back to boys. We expect to see growth pretty fast from this group."
Donnett led Kaleidoscope with 29 points. AJ Kargel was the only other Comet in double figures, scoring 16 points. The only other Griffin to reach double figures was Gordon with 15 points.
The Griffins evened their record at 2-2 and play their first road game on Friday, December 14 at 5:45 PM as they head to Forest Lake to take on North Lakes Academy. The Comets fell to 1-4 and return to action on Wednesday, December 19 as they host Lincoln International at 6:30 PM.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Bethany Academy Eagles Ground Groves Academy Griffins
The Bethany Academy Eagles cut to the chase Tuesday night as Chase Bixel scored a game high 27 points to lead the Bloomington based school to a 69-54 win over the Groves Academy Griffins Tuesday night in St. Louis Park.
Larry Mohamed opened the first half scoring for the Griffins :24 into the game and Sam Goldstein would tally to put Groves Academy on a 4-0 run. Seth Peters would put the Eagles on the board and score four straight points before Gabe Gordon would hit from Lake St. But it was Bixel who would fill up the Bethany Academy shot chart as he scored 10 straight points from various spots on the floor. The Griffins would get a pair of three pointers from Gordon and Nick Maiers to go on a 6-0 run. Bixel would display some more outstanding shooting as he scored four straight points to even the score at 21. Goldstein's inside basket would put Groves Academy ahead and Gordon would increase the lead with his third three pointer. The Eagles would go on a 4-0 run before Maiers would hit his second three pointer as the Griffins led 29-27. The lead wouldn't last as Thomas Anderle would score a three point play to put Bethany Academy ahead. Foul trouble would plague the Griffins late in the first half when Robert Hall picked up his third foul with :54.6 left in the half. The Eagles led 40-31 at halftime.
Bethany Academy would come out on fire in the second half as Peters, Kaeden Kotula and Bixel would open the scoring on a 6-0 run to widen their lead. There would be a bright spot for Groves Academy as they tried to cut the margin as Mohamed would score seven straight points. The Eagle bench would also contribute as Isaac Krug would hit a three pointer. The Griffin bench would help cut the lead to 10 on Josh Lightowler's basket but Bethany Academy would pull away as Bixel would hit a pair of late free throws following a technical foul on the Griffin's Noah Yager with :34.3 remaining in the game.
Peters was the only other Eagle in double figures, scoring 15 points. Mohamed led the Griffins with 19 points. Gordon added 12.
Bethany Academy head coach Nathan Schroeder coached last season at Math & Science Academy. He replaced long time head coach and activities director Jeff Ray. Assistant coach Steve Dahlen played for the Eagles in 1999.
The Eagles won their third straight game to improve their record to 3-1. They will return to action on Friday, December 14 against the Chesterton Academy Knights in Edina. The Griffins fell to 1-2 and wrap up their four game homestand on Thursday, December 13 against the Kaleidescope Charter Rockets. The Rockets are coached by former Maranatha Christian Academy head coach Chris Buerman.
Larry Mohamed opened the first half scoring for the Griffins :24 into the game and Sam Goldstein would tally to put Groves Academy on a 4-0 run. Seth Peters would put the Eagles on the board and score four straight points before Gabe Gordon would hit from Lake St. But it was Bixel who would fill up the Bethany Academy shot chart as he scored 10 straight points from various spots on the floor. The Griffins would get a pair of three pointers from Gordon and Nick Maiers to go on a 6-0 run. Bixel would display some more outstanding shooting as he scored four straight points to even the score at 21. Goldstein's inside basket would put Groves Academy ahead and Gordon would increase the lead with his third three pointer. The Eagles would go on a 4-0 run before Maiers would hit his second three pointer as the Griffins led 29-27. The lead wouldn't last as Thomas Anderle would score a three point play to put Bethany Academy ahead. Foul trouble would plague the Griffins late in the first half when Robert Hall picked up his third foul with :54.6 left in the half. The Eagles led 40-31 at halftime.
Bethany Academy would come out on fire in the second half as Peters, Kaeden Kotula and Bixel would open the scoring on a 6-0 run to widen their lead. There would be a bright spot for Groves Academy as they tried to cut the margin as Mohamed would score seven straight points. The Eagle bench would also contribute as Isaac Krug would hit a three pointer. The Griffin bench would help cut the lead to 10 on Josh Lightowler's basket but Bethany Academy would pull away as Bixel would hit a pair of late free throws following a technical foul on the Griffin's Noah Yager with :34.3 remaining in the game.
Peters was the only other Eagle in double figures, scoring 15 points. Mohamed led the Griffins with 19 points. Gordon added 12.
Bethany Academy head coach Nathan Schroeder coached last season at Math & Science Academy. He replaced long time head coach and activities director Jeff Ray. Assistant coach Steve Dahlen played for the Eagles in 1999.
The Eagles won their third straight game to improve their record to 3-1. They will return to action on Friday, December 14 against the Chesterton Academy Knights in Edina. The Griffins fell to 1-2 and wrap up their four game homestand on Thursday, December 13 against the Kaleidescope Charter Rockets. The Rockets are coached by former Maranatha Christian Academy head coach Chris Buerman.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Mohamed and Maiers Lead Groves Academy Griffins to First Win of Season
Larry Mohamed and Nick Maiers are to Groves Academy Basketball as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were to the 1961 Yankees.
Wednesday night, the Griffins M&M combination combined for 32 points to lead the Griffins to a 53-38 win over the Academy for Science and Agriculture Eagles in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins broke out of the starting gate early when Gabe Gordon scored the game's first basket :22 into the first half. Mohamed would use his outstanding speed that included a couple of drives to the post that accounted for six straight points en route to a 9-0 run. Jake Colestock would put the Eagles on the board to end the opening run. AFSA would be charged with a technical foul because two players were not entered in the official scorebook. In many cases, the home book is the official book and since the two players were not listed on AFSA's side, it would send Josh Lightowler to the free throw line. Though he missed one of the two free throws, the Griffins would also benefit from Maiers, who would hit four of his five three pointers in the first half. The Eagles would try to catch up as they went on an 8-0 run that included a basket from Nebel Walton, who was one of six players added to the AFSA roster. But Groves Academy would double up AFSA 36-18 when Noah Yager would hit a three pointer. The Eagles ended the first half on a 5-0 run and the Griffins led at halftime 36-23.
The second half got off to a slow start in the scoring department as both teams were cold from the floor in the early going. The Eagles opened the scoring on a free throw from Nate Lundy 1:22 into the half. It would be more than 2:30 before a shot went through the net as Maiers hit his fifth shot from Minnetonka Blvd. It wasn't just Mohamed and Maiers who carried the offense on this chilly Wednesday night. Senior center Sam Goldstein would score six consecutive points and also made an outstanding play on defense when he blocked Colestock's shot. As Groves Academy pulled away from AFSA, head coach Peter Shutte went to his bench and gave reserves Danny Berthoud and Ethan Ellertson some playing time.
Mohamed led the Griffins with 17 points and Maiers added 15. Goldstein was also in double figures, scoring 10 points. Colestock led the Eagles, also scoring 17 points. Lundy contributed 10 points.
Olivia Thomas was a reserve player for AFSA, a rare case of a girl player on a boys team. She joined the boys varsity as a result of the Vadnais Heights based school dropping the girls program due to low numbers.
Groves Academy improved their record to 1-1 and will host the Bethany Academy Eagles on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 PM. AFSA fell to 0-1 and will head to St. Paul to face the Hmong College Prep Academy Warriors on Thursday, December 6 at 7 PM.
Wednesday night, the Griffins M&M combination combined for 32 points to lead the Griffins to a 53-38 win over the Academy for Science and Agriculture Eagles in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins broke out of the starting gate early when Gabe Gordon scored the game's first basket :22 into the first half. Mohamed would use his outstanding speed that included a couple of drives to the post that accounted for six straight points en route to a 9-0 run. Jake Colestock would put the Eagles on the board to end the opening run. AFSA would be charged with a technical foul because two players were not entered in the official scorebook. In many cases, the home book is the official book and since the two players were not listed on AFSA's side, it would send Josh Lightowler to the free throw line. Though he missed one of the two free throws, the Griffins would also benefit from Maiers, who would hit four of his five three pointers in the first half. The Eagles would try to catch up as they went on an 8-0 run that included a basket from Nebel Walton, who was one of six players added to the AFSA roster. But Groves Academy would double up AFSA 36-18 when Noah Yager would hit a three pointer. The Eagles ended the first half on a 5-0 run and the Griffins led at halftime 36-23.
The second half got off to a slow start in the scoring department as both teams were cold from the floor in the early going. The Eagles opened the scoring on a free throw from Nate Lundy 1:22 into the half. It would be more than 2:30 before a shot went through the net as Maiers hit his fifth shot from Minnetonka Blvd. It wasn't just Mohamed and Maiers who carried the offense on this chilly Wednesday night. Senior center Sam Goldstein would score six consecutive points and also made an outstanding play on defense when he blocked Colestock's shot. As Groves Academy pulled away from AFSA, head coach Peter Shutte went to his bench and gave reserves Danny Berthoud and Ethan Ellertson some playing time.
Mohamed led the Griffins with 17 points and Maiers added 15. Goldstein was also in double figures, scoring 10 points. Colestock led the Eagles, also scoring 17 points. Lundy contributed 10 points.
Olivia Thomas was a reserve player for AFSA, a rare case of a girl player on a boys team. She joined the boys varsity as a result of the Vadnais Heights based school dropping the girls program due to low numbers.
Groves Academy improved their record to 1-1 and will host the Bethany Academy Eagles on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 PM. AFSA fell to 0-1 and will head to St. Paul to face the Hmong College Prep Academy Warriors on Thursday, December 6 at 7 PM.
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