Ten Best: Maple Grove vs Apple Valley

Maple Grove lived in front of the basket all night scoring 103 points led by 32 from Tywhon Pickford.  The Crimson had too many weapons for the Eagles to cover. The Maple Grove second half shot chart was dot upon dot in the lane with three or four sprinkled around the arc.  They made everything in front of the rim as the Eagles defense was stretched thin early and was too tired to make a run late. Tre Jones made 13 of 20 shots for a game high 35 points and four of their other players scored between 8 and 10 points.  That said, Tywhon Pickford scored 32 points, Brad Davison 29 points, Jack Hutchison 17, and Ryan Bredensteiner scored a dozen.  There was just too many weapons in Crimson as they shot 61 percent. <strong>MVP:  Tywhon Pickford.  </strong>Every Crimson shot was a lay-up or a feet set jumper and Pickford had the most making 13 of 17 looks, all four of his treys, and all his foul shots.  His 32 points was scored in front of Tulane and he showed range on his jumper in doing it.<strong>  </strong> <strong>Best Offensive Performance:  Tre Jones.  </strong>The Eagles got 35 points from Jones on 13 of 20 shooting plus he made all eight of his foul shots.  Not to mention Jones often had to go through three guys to get shots off.  Tre tried to get others the looks they needed but the team couldn’t keep up with Maple Grove’s 60 plus percent shooting. <strong>Best Defensive Performance: Defense?  No.  </strong>In a losing effort the Crimson still allowed Apple Valley to shot 56.4 percent from the floor.  They did what they needed to but it wasn’t like their defense was outstanding.  And Apple Valley, they allowed 60 plus percent shooting.  The floor was wet though so that had something to do with. <strong>Best Guy Off the Bench: Nathan Macho.  </strong>Came off the bench to score ten points and hit a couple shots for the balanced Eagles scoring.<strong>  </strong> <strong>Best Under the Radar Performance:  Ryan Bredensteiner. </strong> Fantastic tough guy effort from Ryan who at a tough 6-foot-4 scored 15 points.  Ryan is that guy who is always in movement.  He cuts, he screens, he screens and cuts, he tries to take charges, and does everything his team needs to win.  Bubba Horton did that too. <strong>Best Underclassmen: None.  </strong>No underclassmen played<strong>. </strong> <strong>Best Story to watch Moving Forward: Who is #2? </strong> It was Apple Valley but Maple Grove knocked them off.  Is it Maple Grove?  They lost to Park Center.  PC lost to Wayzata?  Maybe it should be the Trojans.  Lakeville North?  They lost to Apple Valley.  Hopkins?  Lost to Minnehaha Academy tonight who doesn’t have their stud center and that is their second loss.  Tartan?  They are good, no Ls.  Tough call, find out on Tuesday. <strong>Best Aspect of the Environment:   Offensive Shootout.  </strong>The next time they play the game will be different.  The floor won’t be so wet and there is no way the teams shoot 61 percent and 56.5 percent in the next game so what will happen will be interesting.  When would they play again?  State tournament! <strong>Best Prospect</strong>: <strong>Tre Jones</strong>.  He’s the five star talent in the game and he played like it.  He was frustrated at times as his team couldn’t defend the way they needed to to get the win but he was still very good. <strong>Other:  Jack Hutchison.  </strong>Scored his 17 points on five of ten shooting plus made 7 of 10 foul shots.  Made a couple timey baskets, passed the ball well, and I thought he did a good job moving his feet to contest the many Eagle shooters.