NHR Scout: Mounds View edges Centennial
I take in my first sampling of section action at Mounds View, a hop off Highway 694 where the Mustangs host the Centennial Cougars. My last viewing of MV was at the Bethel holiday event, where Czar and I saw…
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Continue ReadingI take in my first sampling of section action at Mounds View, a hop off Highway 694 where the Mustangs host the Centennial Cougars. My last viewing of MV was at the Bethel holiday event, where Czar and I saw them mount and win a wild comeback against Mahtomedi. My one and only time watching Centennial was at Breakdown in Tonka, so I’m fairly familiar with both squads. Alex Facon is in for Centennial after being inactive the first part of the year.
Centennial goes up early, but a Zeke Thompson dunk brings Mounds View back within 1, 12-11. Centennial then reels off a nice run to go up 27-14, prompting a MV timeout. Halftime score is 33-24 with 11 points for McGreal; MV’s scorer Nate Albers has 8, Zeke has 9 for the Mustangs.
As hard as Centennial tried to put this game away, MV stuck in there. Zeke Thompson was sharp defensively, turning turnovers into fast break points on the other end several times. After a quick scoring spurt, MV capitalized and trimmed the lead to just one, 45-44 after a McMillan 3-point play. This one stays very close as the MV crowd getes very loud. Tyler Peterson draws his fourth foul fighting through a screen to his dismay. An Albers floater takes the lead away from the Cougars at the six-minute mark, 52-51.
Baskets become hard to come by in the final minutes. Tyler hits a 3 to go up 58-56, then a controversial charge call against Zeke Thompson keeps the momentum with Centennial. Mustangs foul Cougars’ shakiest shooter and get the ball back 30 sec, down 4. Thompson gets fouled and hits both… it’s 62-60. Lyden makes one to 63-60, Albers hits a MASSIVE three out of the timeout and we go to overtime, 63-63!
After lots of ball control, McGreal misses a shot at the hoop that would have been the advantage, but Swenson hits for MV on the other end. McGreal cursing his hands. Two Facon FTs go in. Tied with 40 seconds left, Zeke drives wildly and draws a foul, making both FT. Same sequence repeated, Facon scores and Zeke goes to the line, only he misses the first. Makes the second and a Centennial timeout.
Centennial ball, 12 seconds left in OT. Get a bucket but MV makes their FTs on the other end. MV wins 69-67 in OT.
Player Notes
Zeke Thompson, Mounds View — I had barely walked into the gym before Zeke stole the ball and grabbed a nice dunk in transition. Showed some range in the first half too, hitting from deep once. Tenacious and aggressive across the court with a nose for the hoop. Feasted on the fast break. Finished with an impressive 29 points, mostly off slashing on the right side.
Josh McGreal, Centennial — He’s a name that you might not know yet, but he will be on D3 and possibly D2 radars as soon as this spring once he hits the traveling circuit. A big body who is assertive and has a second jump. Helped stave off a MV comeback early with a strong and-one take to the rim and a clean FT finish. 11 pts in the first to lead everyone. MV had nobody with the size to defend McGreal tonight; finished with 15.
Tyler Peterson, Centennial — Nice to see him back and thriving for Centennial after a few nasty injuries. You wish it wouldn’t happen to such a nice kid. Just when I’m thinking he’s having a quiet night, he hits a turn-around in the paint and then hits a 3 up top, provoking an MV timeout. 10 pts in the first. Picked up his fourth foul at the worst possible time, right when MV was mounting a comeback. Really nice composure handling the ball under pressure. Stepped up to the line late and proved why he’s one of the state’s best shooters. Tough way to end a career. 21 pts.
Alex Facon, Centennial — I’m just now realizing that it’s the first time I’ve seen Facon play. He’s got a great frame and moves well. I don’t think he took a shot in the first, pretty quiet. Long wingspan, reminds me of Marty Hill in frame. His first shot to my knowledge was a second half dunk in transition that looked very, very easy. Smooth FT motion that was reliable in late action. Made a few more close buckets in overtime.
Matt Robinson, Centennial — Junior who gets a lot of tick for Centennial. Nice, high-arcing shot that will get better with confidence. Solid post-entry passes that led to some high-percentage scores.
Nick McMillan, Mounds View — This kid is a ballhawk. He knows when to jump a pass in transition and he capitalized on the other end when MV needed it most. Looks like he could almost be Albers’ little brother. He was sniping 3s in the game I saw him play at Bethel, more subdued tonight but still a big factor.
Elliot Lyden, Centennial — Was targeted late as the guy Mustangs wanted to foul, but made just enough not to lose in regular time, if that makes sense. Confident with the ball, just needs to tune up his free throw shooting to become a reliable option.
Nate Albers, Mounds View — The hero of the game. Nate came off a drawn-up inbounds play and cashed a 3 from the top of the arc when MV needed to tie late in regulation. He’s made big shots before, but this was right up there with his best. Besides that moment, he totaled a somewhat quiet 18 points with Gustavus’ head coach watching.