LILA Dragons Down Groves Academy Griffins

A strong second half from Strom Norcross who had a game high 31 points to lead the Lakes International Language Academy Dragons to a 67-55 win over the Groves Academy Griffins Friday night in St. Louis Park.

Blake Strand opened the first half scoring for the Dragons, scoring on a put back :25 into the game.  Sam Goldstein would tie the game for the Griffins.  Norcross, one of five sophomores to start for LILA, would score six of the Dragons first seven points.  He would also score eight consecutive points, most of them in the post.  There would be good news for Groves Academy as Larry Mohamed would score to cut the lead to two and tie the game on a pair of free throws.  A lay up from Goldstein would vault the Griffins into the lead.  LILA would regain the lead on a 4-0 run.  But it was Goldstein, along with Mohamed and Noah Yager who were playing their final regular season home game, that would be the Griffins dominant inside force in the first half.  Goldstein would score eight straight points to put Groves Academy ahead and they would lead at halftime 22-19.

Alfie Galle would open the scoring for the Griffins, scoring :30 into the half.  Angel Garcia Silva would hit the game's first three pointer for the Dragons after neither team hit any from Minnetonka Blvd. in the first half.  Garcia Silva and Norcross would help Dragons go on an 11-0 run to put LILA ahead.  But Groves Academy would regain the lead on Goldstein's basket and then things would begin to unravel.  Mohamed would shoot the ball into the wrong basket.  Following the game, the basket was credited to Garcia Silva.  Turnovers would plague the Griffins and Norcross would go on a run where he would score 10 straight points.  There would be some life for Groves Academy when Robert Hall would hit a three pointer that cut the lead to eight.  The Dragon bench would be productive when Strand and Max McDonough picked up their fifth fouls.  Grant Schwidder would also score on a jumper and the lead would stay in double figures.

Garcia Silva was the only other Dragon in double figures, scoring 14 points.   Goldstein led the Griffins with 24 points and Mohamed added 15.

LILA improved their record to 8-10 and will host the Shattuck-St. Mary's Sabers on Tuesday, February 19 at 7 PM. Groves Academy fell to 4-12 and they will also be in action on the 19th as they head up Highway 10 to Ramsey to face the PACT Charter Panthers, also a 7 PM start.