Hopkins 59 Chaska 54(OT) – Five Things to Know

<p>Third ranked Hopkins and second ranked Chaska went into overtime last night with Hopkins prevailing by five.  Here are Five Things to Know!</p> <p><strong>One.  Defense</strong>.   Last night the defense was well ahead of the offense.  One of the biggest reasons that Chaska and Hopkins win league titles year after year is the discipline the teams play with, and they are tough.  Hopkins scored 59 points on 17 of 46 shooting (37 percent) while the 54 points for the Hawks came from 18 of 49 shooting (also 37 percent).  </p> <p>Some of the best players on the floor simply couldn’t get free to make shots.  [player_tooltip player_id="532600" first="Luke" last="Strazzanti"] was 3 of 9, [player_tooltip player_id="774803" first="Jack" last="Frick"] was 2 of 9, [player_tooltip player_id="957132" first="Xavier" last="White"] shot 1 of 7, [player_tooltip player_id="774778" first="Tristan" last="Lee"] was 2 of 8, and Max Wilson was 2 of 9.  If you wanted to score last night you had to battle, which is why [player_tooltip player_id="567064" first="Spencer" last="Goetz"] and [player_tooltip player_id="774738" first="Jaelen" last="Treml"] were the game’s most efficient scorers (both are tough).  </p> <p>Down the stretch and in overtime, the defensive efforts from Hopkins made the difference in the win (that and big foul shots from [player_tooltip player_id="774778" first="Tristan" last="Lee"] and Jarrett Brenlynd).  Brenlynd and Treml both did fantastic jobs keeping the ball from the middle of the floor and forcing the ball to the baseline into the help.  With [player_tooltip player_id="850704" first="Elvis" last="Nnaji"] there consistently to take away the final approach, Chaska found themselves in bad spots where they couldn’t make plays.  In a game where defense shined, those late game defensive plays from Brenlynd and Treml made the difference. </p> <p><strong>Two. [player_tooltip player_id="774738" first="Jaelen" last="Treml"]</strong>.  Treml ended up being the game MVP.  In a contest that was a constant physical struggle, Treml’s late game three pointer, boards in traffic, and defensive efforts were key to the victory.  Just about everybody had to fight through frustration last night and nobody did it better than Treml who forced little and continued to play at a higher level than anybody else.  He scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting including three threes, he dropped down from his guard/wing spots to grab eight boards, and most importantly moved his feet all night taking away Chaska drives and open shots for their top shooters.  A nice showing for the Hopkins senior. A scholarship player for sure. </p> <p><strong>Three</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="567064" first="Spencer" last="Goetz"]</strong>.  The only Chaska player that was able to consistently get a good look in space was Spencer.  Why?  He out-worked others.  Goetz was the player that put his shoulder down and physically moved an opponent to get to a spot.  Hopkins had a terrible time keeping Spencer off the offensive glass so there was a couple putbacks.  Also, Goetz played the four spot for Chaska meaning he was able to out-muscle or out-quick whomever Hopkins had at the spot allowing him to get free for a couple mid-range jumpers and a couple attack finishes.  Spencer forces little though as he helped get others going with a team high four assists while scoring his game high 17 points on 7 of 13 shooting.  Spencer has the look of a tough minded four year MIAC contributor. </p> <p><strong>Four. The Prospect Listing</strong>. Top ten prospects from these two teams in my mind after watching last night’s game?  </p> <ol> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="850704" first="Elvis" last="Nnaji"] of Hopkins (Jr) - Dealt with foul trouble, made some key plays but foul trouble took him out (7pt/6rb)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="957132" first="Xavier" last="White"] of Hopkins (Sr) - Had one of his tougher games shooting poorly although he passed the ball well in half one</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774738" first="Jaelen" last="Treml"] of Hopkins (Sr) - A top game discussed above</li> <li>Max Wilson of Hopkins (Soph) - Continues to struggle to finish this season but has great potential</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="532600" first="Luke" last="Strazzanti"] of Chaska (Sr) - Leads Chaska in scoring at 15 a game but Hopkins defended him well </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="567064" first="Spencer" last="Goetz"] of Chaska (Sr) - Played one of his best games of the season last night</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774803" first="Jack" last="Frick"] of Chaska (Sr) -  Had shot well this year coming into last night</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="850714" first="Brady" last="Nicholson"] of Chaska (Jr) - Brady had a good first half but not as good in half two, had 8 points, 9 boards</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774778" first="Tristan" last="Lee"] of Hopkins (Sr) - Was the guy creating plays late in half two, scored 14 mostly because his 9 of 12 foul shooting</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="774852" first="Jack" last="Hernandez"] of Hopkins (Sr) - Has played well this year, rougher game last night</li> </ol> <p><strong>Five. Coach Novak for 900</strong>! I entered the metro high school basketball world like all other ambitious young coaches, "I am going to work hard, teach these kids, and we are going to beat everybody including Hopkins!"  The drive to be good then meant a dislike for that top school.  Excuses were made for why Hopkins is better as opposed to the actual reasons of why a team like Hopkins is the best, flowed from my mouth.  In 2005-06 while at Henry Sibley I was a part of a staff coaching against Coach Novak for the first time and my thoughts of course were "he gets all the calls because of the way he talks to the refs, that’s unfair" and then of course we got beat.  </p> <p>Then when I met Coach Novak and actually talked to him the first time I thought "wow, he’s not so bad, but I still hate Hopkins".  As the years went by I of course found myself sitting next to Coach Novak at random high school games and AAU games.  The more I got to know Coach the more I respected and admired him as a coach, and then as a person.  Years went by and I was coaching for teams that played Hopkins regularly and of course when Hopkins arrived at the gym it was always fun to say hello to Coach Novak and of course Coach Kenny Novak Sr. </p> <p>Respect took place of anger.  Understanding took place of a truly confused young man.  And a appreciation for the Coach developed followed by an appreciation for the person.  Congrats Coach Novak! </p>