Tuesday’s Best: Minnewaska Area is back at it

<p>Minnewaska Area graduated four starters and has a new line-up but the results haven't changed.  Three road games, three victories. </p> <p>The Lakers returned Grant Jensen and some bench support including 6-foot-7 Shawn Carsten but there are a lot of new faces in this Minnewaska Area line-up.  Pitfalls were expected early, especially considering that the first three games were on the road. Instead, Minnewaska Area is 3-0. </p> <p>First they went to Redwood Valley and won 58-49 followed by a 58-54 win over Sauk Centre.  Then came New London-Spicer.  Top 25 level player in the state in Brandon Adelman and several other talented players that began the year at 9th in state.  It was a sub-section final rematch that went to double overtime, and Minnewaska Area won 63-61.</p> <p>Grant did what Grant does, played an intelligent game scoring 14 and making sure the ball found it's way to teammates in high percentage areas.  Then he went back on defense to lead a unit against one of the state's better players (Adelman).  Jensen was joined by the 14 points from fellow senior Jack Blevins who neared a double-double.  Carsten scored ten, 5-foot-9 senior guard Ryan Amundson put up a dozen, and junior forward Jack Barkehim joined the other four in double figures scoring five times. </p> <p><strong>Mayo and The Madsens Earn a Big Win</strong></p> <p>Rochester Mayo juniors Gabe Madsen and Mason Madsen both have offers from Northern Iowa (among many other places).  After an embarrassing 28 point loss to Minnetonka at the Tip Off Classic, the Spartans dusted themselves off and earned a big win over ranked Austin (Mayo is 2-0 in Big Nine play).  And the Madsens did this while staff from Northern Iowa looking on Tuesday.</p> <p>Gabe Madsen recorded a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds while brother Mason Madsen scored 22 with seven boards.  This was a big momentum win for Mayo who has the talent to win several of their upcoming games and carry a 7-1 or 6-2 record into the New Year.  Mayo underachieved a but last year going 13-14.  What's next for them?  NHR is excited to follow close. </p> <p><strong>Tip-ins</strong></p> <p>In the loss to Austin, Medi Obang made nine three-pointers and scored 33 points. Agwa Nywesh also had 33. </p> <p>St. Cloud Tech knocked off Willmar in the Cards season opener. The Tigers were led by 6-foot-6 Jared Yeager who scored 18 points in the paint plus junior guard Kedrik Osourah had 14.</p> <p>WEM junior guard Grant McBroom scored a game high 23 points and the Bucs crushed NRHEG 64-33.  NRHEG is still winless while WEM is undefeated.  The revenge tour is moving as WEM has also hammered Cleveland earlier in the year. </p> <p>After all those losses to Orono over the years it must of felt so good for Mound-Westonka to pick up an 18 victory.  With four guys in double figures including the 21 from Jameson Sexton. </p> <p>Chanhassen continues their hot start.  Carson Hollowaty made sure that a Storm win over New Prague was coming as he scored 26 for the game.  The Storm is now 4-0 and new names keep popping up.  6-foot-4 senior forward Tyson Hansen scored 13. </p> <p>Look at Eagan beating Hastings 72-68.  The Raiders were the team that many thought would surprise but talented junior Kurt Ohlhues led with 17.</p> <p>Judson Chea scoring 18, Austin Jentzen 15, and Kale Hosleton scoring five times, that was STMA knocking off Maple Grove. </p>