Minnesota Playoff Central: Upset City!

We really have something big for you today in Upset City as a couple top ten ranked squads in Northern Minnesota have been knocked out of the playoffs. Find out more in Minnesota Playoff Central

Playoff Central. In one of the biggest games of state qualifying week Maple River knocked off LCWM 64-53 led by 22 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks from 6’7 senior big Hayden Niebuhr Hayden Niebuhr 6'7" | C Maple River | 2023 State MN . Senior point guard Mason Schirmer Mason Schirmer 5'9" | PG Maple River | 2023 State MN had 16 points and four assists as Maple River won the sub-section. This was the third meeting between the teams and they had split the games but this time the 6th ranked (in the state) Maple River beat 4th ranked LCWM.

Upset City 1. Third ranked Cass Lake-Bena had split one score games with Fertile-Beltrami this year so last night’s game was more of a 50-50 affair than people were aware of (outside of the area). And Fertile-Beltrami was 21-6 headed into the game so this was not a huge upset. But it was the third ranked team in the state going down on a buzzer beater meaning a stop state title contender is done for the season. Ryan Van Den Einde hit the game winner giving Fertile-Beltrami a second one point win over the Panthers this year.

Upset City 2. Barnesville senior Tate Inniger scored 18 points with six rebounds leading his 18-8 team over Perham who is currently ranked tenth in the state. Perham played the second half without point guard Alex Ohm which took away their point guard and sharp shooter. Barnesville sophomore Gannon Bolgrean had a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double.

The Big Stage. The big game of the night is Wayzata versus Hopkins as we will get the first entrant into the 2023 state tournament. Wayzata dominated the first two games by a combined 51 points so they are a big favorite this evening to grab bid one.

Top Performers. Six-foot-3 Benjamin Pearson of Minnesota Valley Lutheran scored 26 points countering the 31 from Braeden O’Neil and giving MVL a 73-72 win earning the sub-section title (and a date with Maple River for state).

Owen Leach Owen Leach 6'6" | SF Dillworth Glyndon-Felton | 2023 State MN scored 37 points leading DGF over East Grand Forks 75-62 to a big win. DGF takes on Barnesville this Wednesday.

Spencer Lindow scored 22 for Nevis hitting five threes and pushing his team into the next round over Swanville.

Tip of the Hat to the Career. We have a nice list of players that had great careers who deserve a special honor after their careers ended last night. Here is our group:

Zach Anderson Zach Anderson 6'6" | SF Martin County West | 2023 State MN of Martin County West

Soren Anderson Soren Anderson 6'4" | SF Perham | 2023 State MN of Perham

Ian Fahje Ian Fahje 6'8" | C Pelican Rapids | 2023 State MN of Pelican Rapids

Alex Ohm of Perham

Braeden O’Neil of Norwood Young America

Micah Thompson Micah Thompson 6'6" | SF Perham | 2023 State MN of Perham

Zach Wells of LCWM