State Tournament: Thursday’s Top Talkers
Thursday was an exciting, memorable day at the state tournament but the Columbia Heights win took center stage.
- Columbia Heights was able to defeat do you DeLaSalle meaning that the Islanders will not win a title for the first time in seven years. It was a special moment for their program.
- The big plays: The Jarvis Wright three point makes and backdoor cut finish, The Christian Kelly free throws they were game winners, in the Quentin Hardrict steal and sit ending the game. These were the memorable plays, as was the Wendell Mathews three point putback.
- Calvin Wishart. I’ll bet there are a lot of high majors and top mid majors wishing he was their player of the future right now. We as basketball people must remember that guys can get better during your senior year and Calvin has done that. Just the way he rebounds with more effort and everybody is vastly important not to mention the way he scores in big numbers. 29 & 19 today to move Delano on over Austin.
- The Rushford-Peterson vs Cass Lake-Bena ending was another classic this week. The Trojans hit the buzzer beater to send into overtime and the Panthers made the defensive play to win the game. Noah DeLaPaz scored 15 to lead.
- In a physical, exciting game, Daniel Oturu led the CDH Raiders to the state title contest with one of his more physical low post performances of the year. He had 24 points, a dozen boards, and five blocks and a Gopher recruits playing for the title.
- Apple Valley won the season series with Lakeville North earning their second win over the Panthers in three tries. Tre Jones missed a triple double by three assists and got himself to the foul line for half of his 16 points. The Eagles will now face the Raiders in the state championship game that most predicted at the start of the year.
- Tyler Wahl was again fantastic. High major programs starting to make phone calls about him because he does so much. he’s a top defender with great footwork and great closeouts plus he plays point guard and is a phenomenal passer. Tyler scored 17 points on minimal shot attempts and led his team in rebounding.
- Wherever it may be, Hardrict’s play in the last two games on the big stage will have some level of college coaches talking. His control of pace as well as his attack has been fantastic.
- North Woods smashed that glass slipper like an angry group of bears. Heritage Christian hadn’t seen anything like that group of shooters is year and Cade Goggleye had a cool 23 before he sat and chilled. North Woods and Mayer Lutheran were totally dominant.
- Ryan Larson of CDH did a lot of special things this evening. Scored six times in the first half when his team needed it is they didn’t get in a rhythm but then when the team had a rhythm he made all the right reads and passes so his teammates could have high percentage shots. That’s what you want in a point guard. Ryan’s team is winning games and he’s making a statement.
- File Garrett Kern’s name under the “better talent than people know” category. Scored 26 taking the best effort from Hinckley-Finlaysion. RTR moves on.