NHR Playoff Central: March 14
It’s almost time for teams to start punching tickets to the state tournament. We are one day away. But first there is a night of semi-finals left to play. NHR Playoff Central.
The Big Stage. Anoka-Ramsey College for Section 4A. I feel like most eyes will be on 4A where Minnesota’s top senior prospect Jericho Sims, headed to Texas, will lead Cristo Rey Jesuit against small school powerhouse Minneapolis North. Cristo Rey has the best player on the floor but North has the most top guys. Can Sims have a performance for the ages and get his team a huge upset?
Also tonight is Prairie Seeds Academy vs Heritage Christian. A match-up of top ten teams in Class A. A match-up that many in Class A have been waiting a long time for. Who is better? Let’s find out! It’s a chance for Brian Robinson, one of the best players that isn’t talked about much, to show what he can do. Zach Johansen and CJ Woda are known MIAC committed kids for Heritage Christian and a top pair to deal with.
Upset City? No! Because Cleveland has had two straight years that included long runs without wins people hear their names a lot. CMC knocked off Cleveland last night 70-50 because they are the better team (they beat them by 13 just a week a half ago too). It’s not an upset. Last night was a great win for Cedar Mountain-Comfrey pushing their record to 27-2. Next up? Springfield who beat Mountain Lake by three scores last night and beat CMC by 16 earlier in the year.
Jordan vs NRHEG. With Fairmont beating WEM that opened the door for a Jordan vs NRHEG match-up that many are excited to see. NRHEG had to fight to the final buzzer to beat Fairmont who had two chances to win late but couldn’t complete. Junior Benji Lundberg put the game away with eight points late in the game. Now the Class AA stars battle of Oakley Baker vs Jimmy Vollbrecht is set. Get a ticket!
Let’s Play a Game! There are many section semi-finals tonight and each needs a theme. Let’s be honest and let’s have fun.
5AAAA. The Race for Second Place! Upsets can always happen and I’m sure that the Osseo and Park Center winner feels they can do it but I just don’t see these teams touching Champlin Park (who plays Mounds View tonight.
5A. That’s our spot! Browerville went to state last year and was one of the main picks to be a Class A contender. They’ve had losses and Nevis has taken the lead as the team to beat in this section. Browerville has Kimball, Nevis has Verndale. Then, assuming they finish, they get each other.
8A. Game Four. Cass Lake-Bena and Red Lake are playing for the fourth time this year. Red Lake has won the previous games 80-63, 85-73, and 99-56. And as far as this section goes, if you win this game you are likely going to state.
5AA. The Strong Survive. Holy Family is battle tested by their schedule so they beat Brooklyn Center and now take on a young Breck team with talent this is coming together. The winner there plays the favorite which will be the Watertown-Mayer vs Annandale victor. These two are playing for the third time this year and they’ve split the series. Annandale is deeper and tougher, but the Royals have the most talented guy in Trae Berhow plus the guys around him are playing well.
6AA. Will the Dragons Rain on the Cathedral Parade? By Rain I mean rain threes. Pine City is getting a lot of attention for their style of play and they way they play gunning triples might be the only way to deal with Schaefer & Plombon. Expect Michael and Mitchell to both have big double-doubles, as long as Pine City doesn’t have one of “those nights”. Melrose is undefeated and plays Sauk Centre. Will we get Cathedral and Melrose again?