Groves Academy Griffins End Three Game Losing Streak

Sam Goldstein was golden for the Groves Academy Griffins, scoring 22 points and blocking four shots to lead them to a 60-55 win over the Hmong Academy Warriors Friday night in St. Louis Park.

Goldstein began the scoring for the Griffins :31 into the game.  Benson Zhong would open the Warrior scoring to tie the game at two.  Kenson Yang would also tally to put Hmong Academy ahead.  Groves Academy would go on a 5-0 run that included a three pointer from Robert Hall.  Kenson Yang and Kyu Vang would hit a couple of shots from Lake St. but the tide would turn for Groves Academy when it was discovered that Devin Lee was not entered in the official scorebook, so Hmong Academy was assessed a technical foul and it would send Gabe Gordon to the free throw line where he would hit both free throws.  Gordon would later go to the bench after he picked up his third foul with 6:14 left in the first half. Goldstein would pick up the slack, also on defense as he block two shots.  Noah Yager would tie the game at 23 and Groves Academy would lead at halftime 26-25.

The Warriors would vault into the lead in the second half on Kensen Vang's fourth three pointer.  Goldstein would score to tie the game at 28 and Yager would hit a three pointer to put the Griffins ahead.  No matter how close Hmong Academy would get, they would lose two players who picked up their fifth fouls.  Kensen Yang and Kyu Vang would foul out but the Warriors would get help from their when Weelai Vang would hit four straight points.  Groves Academy would also get bench help from Jake Anderson and he would also be the key to the Griffins putting the Warriors away by converting four three pointers.

Anderson was the only other Groves Academy player in double figures, scoring 11 points.  Kensen Vang led Hmong Academy with 23 points.  Other Warriors in double figures were Weelai Vang with 12 and Kyu Yang added 11.

The Griffins ended their three game losing streak and improved their record to 4-10.  They will head down I-35 to Faribault on Tuesday, January 29 to take on the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans at 5:30 PM.  The Warriors fell to 2-11 and will also be in action on the 29th, hosting Hiawatha Collegiate at 7 PM.