It was a total team effort Tuesday night for the Avail Academy Valor as eight players scored including three with 18 points that helped lead the Fridley based school to a 87-53 rout of the Groves Academy Griffins in St. Louis Park.
The game opened with back and forth scoring as the game was tied at two and four, with Alfie Galle scoring the Griffins first four points. Mitchell Pfeiffer would hit a three pointer to help lead a 5-0 run to put the Valor ahead. Defense would also be a factor as Josiah Schaap block Gabe Gordon's shot. Schaap would also help Avail Academy take the lead as he hit three shots from Webster Ave. Pfeiffer would also add to the offensive attack with five straight points. Even the Valor bench was a big value in the first half as Brayden Ritzema hit a couple of three pointers. The bright spot for Groves Academy would be Galle, who began the Griffins scoring with six straight points and also scored four in a row as Avail Academy led 45-34 at halftime.
Pfeiffer would begin the second half scoring with a free throw :11 into the half and Schaap would hit his fifth three pointer to spark the Valor on a 4-0 run. Joey Ritzema would score four consecutive points and Christian Swenson would also connect to put Avail Academy on an 8-0 run. There was some good news for the Griffins with the return of Josh Lightowler, who missed the Community of Peace Academy game due to an injury. Emory Harden and Robert Hall remained sidelined with injuries. Foul trouble would plague Pfeiffer who picked up his fourth foul with 8:43 to go but Avail Academy would send the game into running time with two runs of four straight points from Micah Clark and five straight from reserve Davis Nelson.
Pfeiffer, Schaap and Clark led the Valor with 18 points apiece. Joey Rizema added a dozen. The Griffins were led by Galle with 29 points. He was the only Groves Academy player in double figures.
Avail Academy improved their record to 8-6 and will travel to Twin City Academy/Great River on Thursday, January 30 at 7:30 PM. Groves Academy fell to 4-12 and will also be in action on the 30th as they head to St. Paul to face Hmong Academy at 6 PM.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Community of Peace Academy Tigers Clobber Groves Academy Griffins
The Community of Peace Academy Tigers were touched by an angel Thursday night as Angel Sanchez scored 23 points to lead the St. Paul based school to a 94-71 win over the Groves Academy Griffins in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins were shorthanded due to injuries to starters Emory Harden, Josh Lightowler and Robert Hall so head coach Peter Shutte had to bring up a number of players from the junior varsity team as well as give a couple of reserves an opportunity to start. One was Daniel Schoenfelder, who began the game with a three pointer and scored the Griffins first five points. The Tigers would get their first four points from Johntay Olive and they would later vault into the lead that they wouldn't relinquish. They would go on a 9-0 run late in the first half that would include a three point play from Chris Williams and the Tigers quickness and inside game were the key in a 49-28 halftime lead.
Sanchez would get the second half going for the Tigers, scoring :23 into the half. They would start the second half on a 4-0 run following a basket from Osa Osasumwen. Gabe Gordon would start a 5-0 run for Groves Academy. The Griffins offensive bright spot would be Alfie Galle, who would score 10 straight points, most of them coming in the post. Though Groves Academy got within 11, that included an 8-0 run, they couldn't get the margin down to single digits. Gordon would hit two consecutive three pointers and Sanchez would also hit from Highway 100 as the Tigers would pull further away at the end.
Other players in double figures for Community of Peace were Olive with 20 points and Osasumwen with 17. Groves Academy was led by Galle with 34 points. Gabe Gordon added 12 and Nick Lang, starting his first varsity game scored 11 points.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-7, ending a three game losing streak and Groves Academy fell to 4-10. They did get a win via Venture Academy forfeit on Wednesday.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, January 28. Community of Peace Academy heads to Minneapolis to face the Hiawatha Academy Wolves at 7 PM and Groves Academy hosts the Avail Academy Valor at 5 PM.
The Griffins were shorthanded due to injuries to starters Emory Harden, Josh Lightowler and Robert Hall so head coach Peter Shutte had to bring up a number of players from the junior varsity team as well as give a couple of reserves an opportunity to start. One was Daniel Schoenfelder, who began the game with a three pointer and scored the Griffins first five points. The Tigers would get their first four points from Johntay Olive and they would later vault into the lead that they wouldn't relinquish. They would go on a 9-0 run late in the first half that would include a three point play from Chris Williams and the Tigers quickness and inside game were the key in a 49-28 halftime lead.
Sanchez would get the second half going for the Tigers, scoring :23 into the half. They would start the second half on a 4-0 run following a basket from Osa Osasumwen. Gabe Gordon would start a 5-0 run for Groves Academy. The Griffins offensive bright spot would be Alfie Galle, who would score 10 straight points, most of them coming in the post. Though Groves Academy got within 11, that included an 8-0 run, they couldn't get the margin down to single digits. Gordon would hit two consecutive three pointers and Sanchez would also hit from Highway 100 as the Tigers would pull further away at the end.
Other players in double figures for Community of Peace were Olive with 20 points and Osasumwen with 17. Groves Academy was led by Galle with 34 points. Gabe Gordon added 12 and Nick Lang, starting his first varsity game scored 11 points.
The Tigers improved their record to 4-7, ending a three game losing streak and Groves Academy fell to 4-10. They did get a win via Venture Academy forfeit on Wednesday.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday, January 28. Community of Peace Academy heads to Minneapolis to face the Hiawatha Academy Wolves at 7 PM and Groves Academy hosts the Avail Academy Valor at 5 PM.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Two Wins in a Row for Groves Academy Griffins
Building on the momentum of Monday's win over the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans, the Groves Academy Griffins got 28 points from Alfie Galle that led them to a 71-62 win over the Hmong College Prep Academy Warriors Tuesday night in St. Louis Park.
The Warriors got the early lead when Wei Lai Vang scored on a lay up off the opening tip. Gabe Gordon would strike first for the Griffins to tie the game. There would be dueling three pointers to tie the game at five as Sufang Yang would score for Hmong Academy and Gordon for Groves Academy. Gordon would hit another shot from Highway 100 as he scored the Griffins first eight points. The Groves Academy offensive output in the first half wasn't all Gordon. Galle would heat up with four straight points and Danny Berthoud, who got the start due to the late arriving Jake Lightowler also tallied. Emory Harden would also contribute. Even the Griffins bench was productive with Jake Anderson scoring on a field goal. The Warriors would come close to two on Sufang yang's three pointer but the Griffins would go on a 13-2 run that included five straight points from Gordon. Groves Academy led at halftime 35-27.
Elijah Vang would begin the second half scoring for the Warriors :15 into the half. Galle would score four consecutive points for the Griffins. Elijah Vang would hit a three pointer that brought Hmong Academy within six but Galle would go on a tear, scoring five straight points, including a three point play. The Warriors did have some offensive life in Calvin Yang who would hit six three pointers in the game but it wouldn't be enough to spark a comeback as both head coaches, Alex Letran of Hmong Academy and Peter Shutte of Groves Academy gave their reserves an opportunity to play.
Gordon would be the only other player in double figures for Groves Academy, scoring 20 points. Elijah Vang led Hmong Academy with 22 points and Calvin Yang added 18.
The Griffins improved their record to 3-8 and head to Bloomington on Thursday, January 16 to face the United Christian Academy Thunder at 7 PM. The Warriors fell to 0-8 and will also be in action on the 16th as they host Twin Cities Academy/Great River at 6:30 PM.
The Warriors got the early lead when Wei Lai Vang scored on a lay up off the opening tip. Gabe Gordon would strike first for the Griffins to tie the game. There would be dueling three pointers to tie the game at five as Sufang Yang would score for Hmong Academy and Gordon for Groves Academy. Gordon would hit another shot from Highway 100 as he scored the Griffins first eight points. The Groves Academy offensive output in the first half wasn't all Gordon. Galle would heat up with four straight points and Danny Berthoud, who got the start due to the late arriving Jake Lightowler also tallied. Emory Harden would also contribute. Even the Griffins bench was productive with Jake Anderson scoring on a field goal. The Warriors would come close to two on Sufang yang's three pointer but the Griffins would go on a 13-2 run that included five straight points from Gordon. Groves Academy led at halftime 35-27.
Elijah Vang would begin the second half scoring for the Warriors :15 into the half. Galle would score four consecutive points for the Griffins. Elijah Vang would hit a three pointer that brought Hmong Academy within six but Galle would go on a tear, scoring five straight points, including a three point play. The Warriors did have some offensive life in Calvin Yang who would hit six three pointers in the game but it wouldn't be enough to spark a comeback as both head coaches, Alex Letran of Hmong Academy and Peter Shutte of Groves Academy gave their reserves an opportunity to play.
Gordon would be the only other player in double figures for Groves Academy, scoring 20 points. Elijah Vang led Hmong Academy with 22 points and Calvin Yang added 18.
The Griffins improved their record to 3-8 and head to Bloomington on Thursday, January 16 to face the United Christian Academy Thunder at 7 PM. The Warriors fell to 0-8 and will also be in action on the 16th as they host Twin Cities Academy/Great River at 6:30 PM.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Groves Academy Griffins Rout MN State Academy for Deaf Trojans
To paraphrase a line from a Mamas and the Papas song, Monday was so good to the Groves Academy Griffins as Alfie Galle scored 16 points to lead them to a 72-34 drubbing of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins broke out of the starting gate by scoring the game's first 13 points, starting with a three pointer from Gabe Gordon :18 into the game. The Trojans, who made the trip up I-35 from Faribault, were on a 3:48 scoring drought that ended on a free throw from Brenden Dow. Dow, a sophomore on a team without any seniors was the primary source of the MSAD offense. The only other player to tally for the Trojans was was Karsen Schroeder. Groves Academy had a distinctive height advantage against MSAD, whose tallest players Christopher Ninneman and Shawn Ketchum stood six feet. and they used their athleticism and their ability to box out on the offensive boards to lead 35-6. Not all of the offense was inside the lane. They would get two more three pointers from Gordon and Josh Lightowler would hit from Lake St. The Griffins also got bench scoring from Jake Anderson to spark a 5-0 run and lead 46-16.
The Trojans would come to life in the second half as they started on a 4-0 run with baskets from Schroeder and Dow. But the Griffins would forge even further ahead with an 8-0 that also included four straight points from Lightowler. MSAD would be assessed a technical foul due to an incorrect number entered in the scorebook. It would also send Orlando Bush to the free throw line for two shots and he made one of two from the line. Anderson would put the Griffins on a 4-0 run that sent the game into running time.
Dow would lead the Trojans with a game high 28 points. Nine players would score for the Griffins. In addition to Galle, three other players would score in double figures. Lightowler scored 15 and Gordon and Daniel Schoenfelder added 11 points apiece.
Groves Academy senior Robert Hall turned 18 on Monday.
The Griffins improved their record to 2-8 and host Hmong Academy College Prep on Tuesday, January 14 at 6 PM. The Trojans fell to 0-5 and host Chesterton Academy on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 PM.
The Griffins broke out of the starting gate by scoring the game's first 13 points, starting with a three pointer from Gabe Gordon :18 into the game. The Trojans, who made the trip up I-35 from Faribault, were on a 3:48 scoring drought that ended on a free throw from Brenden Dow. Dow, a sophomore on a team without any seniors was the primary source of the MSAD offense. The only other player to tally for the Trojans was was Karsen Schroeder. Groves Academy had a distinctive height advantage against MSAD, whose tallest players Christopher Ninneman and Shawn Ketchum stood six feet. and they used their athleticism and their ability to box out on the offensive boards to lead 35-6. Not all of the offense was inside the lane. They would get two more three pointers from Gordon and Josh Lightowler would hit from Lake St. The Griffins also got bench scoring from Jake Anderson to spark a 5-0 run and lead 46-16.
The Trojans would come to life in the second half as they started on a 4-0 run with baskets from Schroeder and Dow. But the Griffins would forge even further ahead with an 8-0 that also included four straight points from Lightowler. MSAD would be assessed a technical foul due to an incorrect number entered in the scorebook. It would also send Orlando Bush to the free throw line for two shots and he made one of two from the line. Anderson would put the Griffins on a 4-0 run that sent the game into running time.
Dow would lead the Trojans with a game high 28 points. Nine players would score for the Griffins. In addition to Galle, three other players would score in double figures. Lightowler scored 15 and Gordon and Daniel Schoenfelder added 11 points apiece.
Groves Academy senior Robert Hall turned 18 on Monday.
The Griffins improved their record to 2-8 and host Hmong Academy College Prep on Tuesday, January 14 at 6 PM. The Trojans fell to 0-5 and host Chesterton Academy on Thursday, January 16 at 6:30 PM.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Hiawatha Collegiate Wolves Wallop Groves Academy Griffins
Thursday night was the first home game for the Groves Academy Griffins since the calendar changed to 2020 and it got off to a rough start with Jessye Lewis Jr. scoring a game high 38 points to lead the Hiawatha Collegiate Wolves to a 78-41 rout off the Griffins in St. Louis Park.
Lewis Jr. would score the Wolves first seven points, including a three pointer :28 into the game. Hiawatha Collegiate would start the game on a 12-0 run as the Griffins were on a scoring drough for the first 7:09 of the first half. The drought would end on Alfie Galle's basket and Groves Academy would get balanced scoring from five players. But it wasn't enough to contained the high powered Wolves offense that saw Lewis Jr. hitting from Minnetonka Blvd. and Jaheim Houts dazzled the throng with a one handed jam late in the first half that helped Hiawatha Collegiate lead 39-15 at halftime.
The second half would begin the same way as the first as Lewis hit a three pointer :32 into the half. The Wolves would go on an 8-0 run until Josh Lightowler scored to end it. Gabe Gordon would be a bright spot in the Griffins offense as he hit a three pointer and freshman Emory Harden would also tally to spark a 5-0 run. But it was a tale of two freshman for Hiawatha Collegiate, Lewis Jr. and Houts. Lewis Jr., who was coached by the father of Minnehaha Academy's super athlete Jalen Suggs converted consecutive three pointers and Houts played a tremendous inside game as he blocked a number of Groves Academy shots. Houts would also got another jam as the game headed into running time due to the large margin. It would also give Griffins head coach Peter Shutte an opportunity to put in the reserves.
Other players in double figures for the Wolves were Houts with 20 points Lamar Wright added 10. The Griffins were led by a pair of Gs, Galle and Gordon who had 14 points apiece.
Hiawatha Academy improved their record to 7-1 and heads to St. Paul on Friday, January 10 to face the Christ's Household of Faith Lions at 7 PM at the Salvation Army Gym. Groves Academy fell to 1-8 and hosts the Minnesota Academy for the Deaf Trojans on Monday, January 13 at 5:30 PM.
Lewis Jr. would score the Wolves first seven points, including a three pointer :28 into the game. Hiawatha Collegiate would start the game on a 12-0 run as the Griffins were on a scoring drough for the first 7:09 of the first half. The drought would end on Alfie Galle's basket and Groves Academy would get balanced scoring from five players. But it wasn't enough to contained the high powered Wolves offense that saw Lewis Jr. hitting from Minnetonka Blvd. and Jaheim Houts dazzled the throng with a one handed jam late in the first half that helped Hiawatha Collegiate lead 39-15 at halftime.
The second half would begin the same way as the first as Lewis hit a three pointer :32 into the half. The Wolves would go on an 8-0 run until Josh Lightowler scored to end it. Gabe Gordon would be a bright spot in the Griffins offense as he hit a three pointer and freshman Emory Harden would also tally to spark a 5-0 run. But it was a tale of two freshman for Hiawatha Collegiate, Lewis Jr. and Houts. Lewis Jr., who was coached by the father of Minnehaha Academy's super athlete Jalen Suggs converted consecutive three pointers and Houts played a tremendous inside game as he blocked a number of Groves Academy shots. Houts would also got another jam as the game headed into running time due to the large margin. It would also give Griffins head coach Peter Shutte an opportunity to put in the reserves.
Other players in double figures for the Wolves were Houts with 20 points Lamar Wright added 10. The Griffins were led by a pair of Gs, Galle and Gordon who had 14 points apiece.
Hiawatha Academy improved their record to 7-1 and heads to St. Paul on Friday, January 10 to face the Christ's Household of Faith Lions at 7 PM at the Salvation Army Gym. Groves Academy fell to 1-8 and hosts the Minnesota Academy for the Deaf Trojans on Monday, January 13 at 5:30 PM.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Centennial Cougars Christen Renovated Rink With Win
Thursday night was opening night at the renovated Centennial Sports Arena in Circle Pines and the Centennial Cougars got a hat trick from Tommy Carls and his brother AJ added a goal and assisted on three others to help beat the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars 5-3.
Both teams would tally in the first period. The Brothers Carl collaborated on the first goal when Tommy rebounded AJ's shot on the right side of the next to put the Cougars ahead. The Jaguars would tie the game following a five on three situation that came up empty. They would still be on the power play with Centennial's Henry Bartle serving a tripping penalty and they cashed in on Martin Olson's goal from just outside the right faceoff circle.
It looked like the score wouldn't change in the second period. Wrong. Tommy Carls scored his second goal in front of Jefferson netminder Basil Kamsheh to put Centennial ahead. Jefferson would tie the game at two when Jack Mickelson went top shelf with :57.2 left in the period.
The Jaguars would take their first lead of the game in the third period on Tyler Noble's rebound goal. But the lead for the Bloomington school playing in its 50th season didn't last long. Henry Bartle would tie the game at three, scoring on a left side rebound. There was also some rough stuff that looked like a fight to the far right of the Jefferson goal but nobody got a game misconduct. Instead, three players served a two minute roughing minor penalty and neither team was on the power play. Centennial would take the lead :11 later as Tommy Carls got the hat trick. Jefferson head coach Mike Terwilliger pulled Kamsheh for a sixth attacker and the Cougars cashed in when a loose puck bounced off the side boards and was headed toward the net like traffic driving down Lexington Ave. AJ Carls got in the puck's path and sent it to the net with :17.1 to clinch the win.
Centennial improved their record to 4-7 and will hos the Blaine Bengals on Saturday, January 4 at 3 PM at the Centennial Sports Arena. Jefferson fell to 5-7 and will return to the Bloomington Ice Garden on Tuesday January 7 to host the East Ridge Raptors at 7 PM.
Both teams would tally in the first period. The Brothers Carl collaborated on the first goal when Tommy rebounded AJ's shot on the right side of the next to put the Cougars ahead. The Jaguars would tie the game following a five on three situation that came up empty. They would still be on the power play with Centennial's Henry Bartle serving a tripping penalty and they cashed in on Martin Olson's goal from just outside the right faceoff circle.
It looked like the score wouldn't change in the second period. Wrong. Tommy Carls scored his second goal in front of Jefferson netminder Basil Kamsheh to put Centennial ahead. Jefferson would tie the game at two when Jack Mickelson went top shelf with :57.2 left in the period.
The Jaguars would take their first lead of the game in the third period on Tyler Noble's rebound goal. But the lead for the Bloomington school playing in its 50th season didn't last long. Henry Bartle would tie the game at three, scoring on a left side rebound. There was also some rough stuff that looked like a fight to the far right of the Jefferson goal but nobody got a game misconduct. Instead, three players served a two minute roughing minor penalty and neither team was on the power play. Centennial would take the lead :11 later as Tommy Carls got the hat trick. Jefferson head coach Mike Terwilliger pulled Kamsheh for a sixth attacker and the Cougars cashed in when a loose puck bounced off the side boards and was headed toward the net like traffic driving down Lexington Ave. AJ Carls got in the puck's path and sent it to the net with :17.1 to clinch the win.
Centennial improved their record to 4-7 and will hos the Blaine Bengals on Saturday, January 4 at 3 PM at the Centennial Sports Arena. Jefferson fell to 5-7 and will return to the Bloomington Ice Garden on Tuesday January 7 to host the East Ridge Raptors at 7 PM.
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