Minnesota Playoff Central – Cristo Rey Has Their Day
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Cristo Rey Jesuit entered the season the favorites to win Section 4AA. It may have been a rocky trip at times but they are now in position to accomplish their goal of a state tournament after knocking off undefeated, unbeaten St. Croix Prep.
The Big Stage. Tonight there are a number of double headers but the one that may have the most eyes on it will be played at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Fifth ranked Minneapolis North faces an up and coming Marantha Christian team that has won 10 of their 11 games including a win over Cristo Rey. That game will be followed by Rockford vs Blake, a match-up of size against a smaller but quicker team. Rockford and Blake played last summer in a near full line-up summer game and Rockford won. Rockford is also the two seed small favorite in the game.
Upset City! St. Croix Prep came into Tuesday with an undefeated record but went home 26-1 defeated by Cristo Rey Jesuit. James Sommer James Sommer 6'3" | PG Cristo Rey Jesuit | 2020 State MN attacked the basket off screens and caught to attack in prime spots for his 25 points (11 of 12 at the foul line). He was aided by the 23 points and eight boards of Derek Burgess Derek Burgess 6'4" | SG Cristo Rey | 2021 State MN as well as the 13 points, nine boards, and six assists of Erick Burgess Erick Burgess 6'4" | SG Cristo Rey | 2021 State MN . Next up is Concordia Academy, a team that beat Cristo Rey in a one score game earlier in the year.
Right on Schedule. Few teams in Minnesota have played as good of team basketball this year as 10th ranked Spring Lake Park has. The Panthers have won 19 of 22 games and last night they had four players in double digits in a 21 point win over Champlin Park. Minnesota State-Moorhead signed guard Gabe Myren Gabe Myren 6'3" | SG Spring Lake Park | 2020 State MN exploded for 33 points leading his team to an eye-opening performance. Park Center (ranked 8th in the state) knocked off Mounds View so it will be PC vs SLP in the title game. Park Center has defeated Spring Lake Park twice already this season.
Tip of the Hat to the Career. We will give you a starting five from last night (seniors who played their last game on Tuesday). Today we tip our hat to the following players for a strong basketball career:
- Thomas Gebhardt Thomas Gebhardt 6'4" | SG Mounds View | 2020 State MN of Mounds View
- Daniel McCarrell Daniel McCarrell 6'2" | SG St. Croix Prep | 2020 State MN of St. Croix Prep
- Davy Hosea Davy Hosea 6'0" | PG Apple Valley | 2020 State MN of Apple Valley
- Mason Klett Mason Klett 6'6" | PF Apple Valley | 2020 State MN of Apple Valley
- Cooper Olson Cooper Olson 6'7" | PF Champlin Park | 2020 State MN of Champlin Park
Where’s the Czar? Watching a double header!
1st 5AAAA semi is in the books. Park Center def Mounds View 60-39 (was once 36-31). Dain Dainja 17 pts, David Ijadimbola 14, DT Frierson 12, Josh Brown 11 with 3 triples for PC. Dylan Wheeler 15 for Mounds View
— Twin Cities Hoops Czar (@tchoopsczar) March 10, 2020
In 2nd 5AAAA semi Spring Lake Park dominates 2nd half to beat Champlin Park 80-59. They’ll play Park Center at Rogers in Friday night. Gabe Myren 33 pts. Devon Moore 11
— Twin Cities Hoops Czar (@tchoopsczar) March 11, 2020