Minnesota Playoff Central: Three More State Bound
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Last night three more state tournament tickets were punched: RTR, Eden Valley-Watkins, and Alexandria. Here is all you need to know from Wednesday night! Playoff Central. In what was likely the biggest game of the evening, RTR knocked off Dawson-Boyd…
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Continue ReadingLast night three more state tournament tickets were punched: RTR, Eden Valley-Watkins, and Alexandria. Here is all you need to know from Wednesday night!
Playoff Central. In what was likely the biggest game of the evening, RTR knocked off Dawson-Boyd meaning RTR is headed back to state. It was the third match-up of the season between the teams and the second game that RTR won in the series, this time 63-55. RTR can lean on a number of guys for point production and last night it was senior Aiden Wichmann Aiden Wichmann 6'2" | PG RTR | 2023 State MN scoring 26 points with seven rebounds countering the 24 points and 11 rebounds from sophomore Brayson Boike Brayson Boike 6'8" | PF Dawson Boyd | 2025 State #326 Nation MN . Big man Drew Werkman Drew Werkman 6'4" | PF RTR | 2024 State MN had a double-double of ten points and ten boards.
Also punching their ticket to state later that night in the same building was Eden Valley-Watkins. EVW won 75-72 and what was truly special about this win was that the Eagles are making their first trip to state in boys basketball history! And when teams make it to state for the first time it’s a special, special thing so congrats to Coach Jacob Anderson, his staff, and his players!
The third team going dancing from Wednesday was the Alexandria Cardinals. Alex and St. Cloud Tech played their long awaited and anticipated third game of the season and Alexandria won 56-44 led by 17 points from Grayson Grove Grayson Grove 6'9" | PF Alexandria Area | 2024 State #171 Nation MN .
Upset City. Every year there is a really good team that people didn’t quite see coming and kind of floats under the radar and I think we found that team. Border West improved to 25-2 defeating BBE 51-49 and stopping the Jags from a second straight state appearance. Senior Dylan Bainbridge led the Bucs with 20 points and Border West (stocked with players from Wheaton Herman Norcross who had high expectations) got up early and held on for the one score lead.
The Big Stage. The big stage is the massive match-up between the experienced Orono Spartans and the young and talented Benilde-St. Margaret’s squad playing their third game of the year against one another. It’s a game at Chanhassen High School and that massive amount of stands may not even contain the excitement.
Looking for two? You have two options: Mayo Civic Center and Minnesota State-Mankato. At the Civic Center you get Stewartville versus Winona and the Lakeville battle of North versus South. As for the Taylor Center, you get Cedar Mountain versus Mankato Loyola followed by Minnesota Valley Lutheran against Maple River.
Top Performers. Senior Ethan Williams Ethan Williams 6'3" | SF Deer River | 2023 State MN scored 29 points and led Deer River over Mountain Iron-Buhl. Deer River will play Cherry on Friday for state. Cherry beat Northland led by the 24 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists of Isaac Asuma Isaac Asuma 6'3" | PG Cherry | 2024 State #102 Nation MN .
Buffalo guard Nate Dahl Nate Dahl 6'0" | PG Buffalo | 2023 State MN had 21 leading Buffalo past Bemidji by 30 points.
Adam Jenkins Adam Jenkins 6'9" | C Moorhead | 2023 State MN had a double-double leading Moorhead over Brainerd 77-70. Jenkins had 23 points and 13 rebounds to overcome the 30 from John Pecarich John Pecarich 6'2" | SG Brainerd | 2023 State MN .
Tip of the Hat to the Career. Several high quality players finished their careers last night starting with Mountain Iron-Buhl’s Asher Zubich Asher Zubich 6'1" | PG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2023 State MN , a northern Minnesota playmaker that scored big and created even more.
Another shooter that filled it up throughout his career was Alec Wake Alec Wake 6'2" | PG Northland | 2023 State MN of Northland, one of the best three point shooters in the state.