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.