Minnesota Playoff Central: Let The Games Begin
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It’s March Madness and with that comes Minnesota Playoff Central, our daily look about what happened the night before, what is coming up, and honoring those top players who saw their careers come to a close. Southeastern Minnesota got started…
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Continue ReadingIt’s March Madness and with that comes Minnesota Playoff Central, our daily look about what happened the night before, what is coming up, and honoring those top players who saw their careers come to a close. Southeastern Minnesota got started quicker than the rest of the state.
Playoff Central. The top eight seeds in Section 1A and Section 1AA have all made the elite eight without an upset setting up excellent quarterfinals at the Mayo Civic Auditorium and Mayo Civic Arena this coming Monday and Tuesday. It’s the place where a basketball fan will surely want to be.
Upset City. It was a small upset but the 17 beat the 16 when Glenville-Emmons defeated Houston led by 14 from Weston Anderson. The GE season was ended last night though when they lost to Goodhue 84-43 in the 1/16 game. Adam Poncelet Adam Poncelet 6'3" | SG Goodhue | 2023 State MN scored 22 points for the winners.
We also had an upset in the 8/9 game when Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda beat Adrian/Ellsworth by ten points. Sawyer Drent led his team with 20 points. HLOF now get top ranked RTR in their next playoff game.
The Big Stage. Tonight Section 2A takes center stage with their sub-section quarters starting in both the north and the south. It’s five pigtail games with the higher seed earning the home games.
Top Performers. Hayfield talent Isaac Matti Isaac Matti 6'1" | SG Hayfield | 2023 State MN scored three threes and put up 29 points as Hayfield, who got the three seed in 1A, defeated Wabasha-Kelogg 58 to 39.
Aiden Johnson Aiden Johnson 6'6" | PF Legacy Christian Academy | 2023 State MN scored 25 leading Cannon Falls over Winona Cotter.
Carter Todd Carter Todd 6'4" | SF La Crescent | 2023 State MN scored 24 leading La Crescent-Hokah over Blooming Prairie 81-59.
Buay Koak Buay Koak 6'4" | SG Lyle-Pacelli | 2023 State MN made 9 of 12 shots scoring 21 points leading Lyle/Austin Pacelli over Kingsland.
Aaeron Stevens had 22 and took a quick seat as PEM won their first playoff game 89 to 43.
Colton Steberg hit seven threes pushing Kenyon-Wanamingo into the quarters past. Schaeffer Academy
Tip of the Hat to the Career. Sometimes playoff schedules lead to some very early exits even to good teams. Lanesboro won 17 games this year but they lost to Rushford-Peterson in the 8/9 game. This means near 20 point per game scorer John Prestemon John Prestemon 6'0" | PG Lanseboro | 2023 MN had his season come to a close. It may seem odd that a 17 game winner is out before most teams have even played a playoff game AND they won a game before the loss, but that is how this set up. Prestemon was a multi-year all league player and had a really strong career.