Granite City Classic: Main Event Edition
Champlin Park/Wayzata The Champlin Park/Wayzata battle was blow for blow with ten future college basketball players on the court at all times. Ryan Lindberg of Wayzata threw the first big punches hitting three early treys but Brian Smith countered with…
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Continue ReadingChamplin Park/Wayzata
The Champlin Park/Wayzata battle was blow for blow with ten future college basketball players on the court at all times. Ryan Lindberg of Wayzata threw the first big punches hitting three early treys but Brian Smith countered with three of his own. The Trojans then got three scores from Jack Sowada but the best player of the half was McKinley Wright who scored six times in face-up attacks including a buzzer beating trey giving the Rebels a 30-26 halftime lead.
The second half was a fight. More like a battle royal. There were about nine scrums, three or four elbows thrown, some tackles, and a field goal was a rare thing. Austin Slater was one guy who stood up to the challenge but down the stretch the man that took care of business once again was McKinley Wright. In the final five minutes he scored four field goals, had a big assists, and then put the game away with a two hand throw down. Champlin Park won 56-49.
What We Learned
- McKinley Wright takes care of business down the stretch. Another game where he was the difference in the final moments. Took the game over.
- Austin Slater stepped up and played like a man. He fought and battled for 11 second half points including a contested three over Theo John. Every basket was a fight and he was Wayzata’s top second half fighter.
- This was a “the strong survive” game. That’s why Parker Hlavacek of Wayzata and Aaron Kloeppner were on the floor at the end. Guys like Mello Adkins and Ty Gelinske too.
- Theo John can hit free throws. John had all of those foul shots at the Tip Off Classic and then hit two big foul shots late in this game.
- Brian Smith gets buckets at the arc. Yes the young man is small, that’s obvious. But you have to guard him or he will dagger you. Brian countered some early Wayzata scores.
- Ryan Lindberg is a candidate for 6th man of the year. Comes off the bench and always produces. Hit three long jumpers to give his team a nice early kick.
- Jack Sowada has to be pointed out in a game plan. Led the Trojans in scoring crafting baskets with off ball movement into a catch and produce.
- Gavin Baumgartner is a more versatile player than we knew. His game is growing and this is something that we’ve seen in the three Trojan viewings this year.
- Mello Adkins is a strong role player for Champlin. And a willing role player. He knows his role and he can be more valuable than a skill guy because he’s a constant worker.
- Theo John may not have had impressive offensive numbers but his low post shot blocking provided four blocks and a lot of Wayzata players stopped going at him. People will look at offense but he was one of the defensive MVPs.
- Oh, McKinley Wright gets it done at the end of games. One of the toughest players out there and I needed to say it again. Had to be said again.
Apple Valley/Maple Grove
Playing in front of a packed house at St. Cloud State the first half between Apple Valley and Maple Grove was a game of “can you top this”. Maple Grove stars Brad Davison and Reed Nikko each scored to get a 4-0 lead but Apple Valley went on an 11-0 run with two scores each from Cameron Kirksey and Gary Trent Jr. Maple Grove tied it up soon after with an 11-4 run as Brad Davison was the first to enter double figures. Gary Trent Jr wasn’t far behind him hitting for 18 in the first half but the man he was defending Tywhon Pickford scored 15 as well so it was for the most part two guys countering one another. In the backcourt Davison had more points than Tre Jones but Tre created more scores for his teammates than Brad did. Maple Grove took a 36 to 35 lead into the half.
If the first half was “can you top this” I don’t know what to call the second half and overtime. The best way to say it was the game was outstanding. A game of the year candidate. There were excellent performances by several players starting with Gary Trent Jr producing his team high 26, Tre Jones scoring several late tough buckets and knocking down huge foul shots, Cameron Kirksey stepping forward to be another consistent point producer, and Brock Bertram scoring three crucial buckets in overtime taking advantage of space when Reed Nikko had fouled out (excellent calls from Coach Goring). The Eagles won and a big reason for that was their balance.
Maple Grove was right there and had Reed Nikko not fouled out it would have been even more fun in overtime. Tywhon Pickford scored a game high 31 including two incredible threes down the stretch and Brad Davison scored 28 which included three extending attacks at the rim amidst contact. The Crimson were right there with the Eagles until their big man was on the bench.
What We Learned
- The Eagles won because they were more balanced. Cameron Kirksey was a vital third scorer all game and Brock Bertram gave them an edge at the start of overtime. What they did with Jones and Trent gave them the win.
- Coach Goring had two very important decisions that changed the game. His timeout in the second half that led to a four score run for the Eagles and then the play calls sending the ball down to Bertram for scores after Nikko fouled out. Also liked how he switched some of the defensive match-ups.
- Tywhon Pickford is close to or on the same level as the stars around him tonight. He is leading his team in scoring and tonight exploded for 31 points going against Trent and Kirksey. First he slashed to score and then at the end he was making hotly contested threes with a high degree of difficulty.
- Tre Jones is tough as nails. He took some hits tonight and got up and made free throws when others would have cried about it to anybody that would listen. Tre made all nine foul shots, scored 23 points, had seven assists, grabbed five boards.
- Brad Davison reminds me more and more of Marc Sonnen every day. Not just because they are the same size and blonde, but because they score on the attack, they hit jumpers on the move with regularity, they are great passers and quality ball handlers. Brad’s late attacking scores were quite memorable.
- Cameron Kirksey has several D1s wondering if they should offer him. Two more will be here tomorrow. He gave them more to think about with 20 points and nine rebounds in a big game.
- Gary Trent Jr has that star factor. Kids asking for autographs after the game, the nasty crossover step back buckets, four made treys, 26 points in all.
- Reed Nikko may have had a slight edge on Brock Bertram when he was on the floor but Bertram got the last laugh cause he stayed on the floor and had 12 points and 13 rebounds while Nikko had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
- Tip of the cap to Jared Martinson scoring in overtime in a tough spot and Jack Hutchison had a couple big scores late on his way to nine points.
- This was a state tournament caliber game. Hope they play again at state.