NHR Playoff Central: First Big Upset
There have been some upsets this March, but no state title contender had been knocked out, until last night. It’s Playoff Time!
Upset City! Why was Wayzata beating Hopkins an upset last night? Let’s count the ways: 1) Hopkins was the number one ranked team in state, 2) Hopkins beat Wayzata by 26 just a month ago sweeping the regular season series, 3) Hopkins lost one game all year while Wayzata was 15-11, 4) Wayzata lost six of their last nine to finish the regular season, 5) Hopkins is bigger and has more experienced talent.
BUT, last night the Trojans were better. And last night Wayzata – after missing on the state tournament for so many years the trophy they had was found to have extinct wood – secured their spot in state for the second straight season. Why? For one Coach Schnettler ranks with the states best. But also, you can not count out Jacob Beeninga, ever. EVER. We’ve seen this young man have so many big games against top competition that you just can’t count his team out. And he made all 11 foul shots and scored 30 while the opposing Hopkins lead guard Blaise Beauchamp had five. That is a huge reason why Wayzata is going to state. That and because guys like Drew Galinson once again did their jobs in the way that Schnettler has coached them to.
The Big Stage. Tonight is the biggest section night of the year. Big games everywhere. It starts with Orono vs DeLaSalle, the game we have been waiting for since the new sections were announced forever ago. Orono vs DeLaSalle is the most anticipated game of the year, and its tonight! Cretin-Derham Hall vs East Ridge is also tonight. Some of the luster of the contest has been lost with Kendall Brown out but it will still be a great atmosphere. Then you have Perham vs Breckenridge. Perham is the only undefeated team in the state while Breckenridge has Noah Christensen, the 6-foot-8 junior that has grown into the hottest recruiting name of the week. Byron vs Caledonia is huge, Waseca vs Mankato East is two top five teams in Class AAA, Cal Wishart leads Delano vs Willmar, Columbia Heights faces Mahtomedi, and so many others. Tonight is THE night.
Best Win of the Year. The St. Cloud Cathedral season long resume has some good games on it, but not many good wins. They have lost just about every big game this year. Until last night when the Crusaders controlled Melrose in the playoffs for the second straight season. Now the Michael & Mitchell Story continues tomorrow when they face Eden Valley-Watkins. That means Cathedral is one game away from being where they planned to be and that they have learned from the close losses.
Cinderella! All year the question has been, who on earth is going to win Section 4A. Let’s be honest, it’s not a very good section. It really wasn’t a story UNTIL it became a huge story headlined by the glass slipper. No more Minneapolis North, no more Cristo Rey, no more Maranatha, the door is open! And after a nine win season, Heritage Christian is a game away from state after knocking off CHOF. They are Cinderella right? No. They are the sequel, Cinderella 2. Cinderella this year is Mounds Park Academy. A team that has lost so many games I don’t want tell you what their recent records have been. But Mounds Park Academy beat preseason favorite Prairie Seeds Academy 93-88 in double overtime on Tuesday. Mounds Park Academy won six games this year and they are now 9-19 this season. Playing for State!!!!