A balanced scoring attack and a second half 21-2 run helped propel the Chesterton Academy Knights to a 61-50 win over the Groves Academy Griffins in the Pod 4 Semifinals of the 2019 Twin Cities Athletic Conference Boys Basketball Tournament Thursday in St. Louis Park.
Nick Maiers would begin the scoring for the Griffins with a three pointer :11 into the game. Adam Niskanen would strike first for the Knights as he scored their first four points. Groves Academy would also get a four point scoring run form center Sam Goldstein. Chesterton Academy would forge ahead on a 6-0 run, including a basket from Mitch Laxen. The lead would change hands throughout the first half. Eric Halpin would put the Knights ahead on a three point play and the Griffins would regain the lead as Gabe Gordon hit his second shot from Highway 100. Niskanen would score to cut the lead to one and Joe Grogan would connect to put Chesterton Academy back in front. The lead would be short lived on Nick Maiers second three pointer and Groves Academy would lead at halftime 28-24.
In the second half, the Knights would shine as they capitalized on the Griffins turnovers and missed shots by going on a 21-2 run to put them in the lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Goldstein would be the bright spot for Groves Academy, scoring on runs of four consecutive points but they weren't able to cut the Knights lead as nine players would tally for Chesterton Academy.
The Knights were led Laxen and Niskanen with 12 points apiece. Goldstein would lead the Griffins with 23 points and Gordon, who wore number five instead of his usual uniform number three added 11 points.
Chesterton Academy improved their record to 13-6 and will play in the fifth place game on Saturday, March 2 at noon at Hiawatha Collegiate High School in Minneapolis. Groves Academy fell to 5-16 and will play for seventh place, also on the 2nd at 10 AM at Hiawatha Collegiate.
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