By Matt Krumrie
MaxPreps.com
Fab Five
The Target Center in Minneapolis was the place to be when it comes to Minnesota boys basketball last weekend. The Gatorade Shootout was held at the home of Minnesota Timberwolves. Here is a look at some of those results, highlights and storylines, as well as some news and notes from girls basketball from around the state;
1. Minnetonka Loses: Minnetonka,
Minnesota's top-ranked big school team, lost its first game of the season to
California's Campbell Hall, 90-61. The Skippers were overmatched by Campbell Hall, which was led by UCLA recruit Jrue Holiday. Holiday scored 30 points and added 13 rebounds and six assists in the win. Anthony Tucker led
Minnetonka with 14 points.
2. Hopkins Wins: Minnetonka lost, but rival Hopkins, ranked No. 2 in the state, defeated traditional national power Dematha Catholic of Hyattsville, Md. Hopkins forward Raymond Cowles led the Royals with 26 points, while teammate Trent Lockett added 16 in the win. DeMatha was led by Naji Hibbert and Josh Selby, who combined to score 49 of DeMatha's 66 points.
3. Cass-Lake Bena Loses: Cass-Lake Bena, the top-ranked team in Class 1A and 2007 state runner-up, lost to White Station of Memphis, 99-68. White Station was led by sophomore Joe Jackson, considered one of the top 10 sophomores in the nation, with 29 points.
4. Girls Hoops: St. Paul Central, Minnesota's defending big school girls state champions, were on the short end of a 66-51 loss to California's Long Beach Poly High, the preseason No. 1 team in the nation in one national poll.
5. National Free Throw Mark Broke: The Red Wing girls basketball team set a national record for free throw attempts in a single game in an 80-74 win over Holy Angels Tuesday. The previous state record of 60 was set by Sauk Centre in 2006, while the national record of 67 was set by Arkansas' Rivercrest Wilson High in 1996. Kim Hovey led Red Wing with 24 points, and teammate Brittany Lewis added 21 in the win. Holy Angels committed 50 fouls in the game and had five players foul out. Red Wing struggled from the line, however, converting only 36 of the 74 attempts.
Three To Watch
1. Stillwater: The Ponies showed they are a serious contender in the Suburban East Conference with a 54-50 win over Cretin-Derham Hall Tuesday. Stillwater (9-1), gave Cretin (8-1) its first loss of the season. Stillwater had three players in double figures. Joe Mergens led the way with 16 points, Joel Armstrong had 15 and Aaron Anderson 11 in the win.
2. Mitchell Primus, Swanville: Swanville is 7-3 on the season, and the 6-foot-11 Primus is a big reason why. The senior is averaging 11.2 points per game, 10.8 rebounds and 6 blocks per game. He had a season-high 11 blocks against St. John's Prep Dec. 13 and is shooting 70 percent from the field on the season.
3. Kevin Lochner, Spring Grove: The 6-5 senior is a monster down low, and is averaging 23.6 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game for 9-1 Spring Grove. He has season highs of 33 points and 19 rebounds in one game.
Two Hot Too Handle
1. Dylan Rodriquez, Blaine: The junior forward scored 31 points in a 73-51 win over Centennial Tuesday. He had 18 points in a 79-67 loss to Eden Prairie Friday. Rodriquez is averaging 19.3 points per game for the 3-6 Bengals, and teammate Billy Giddings is averaging 18 points per game.
2. Benilde-St. Margaret's : It's been a good week for Benilde-St. Margaret's and Wisconsin recruit Jordan Taylor. Saturday at the Gatorade Shootout the Red Knights defeated Madison's Memorial High 71-56. Taylor had 15 points, six assists and four steals in the win. Tuesday, the Red Knights defeated Columbia Heights 92-76, and Taylor led the way with 31 points to become the school's boys basketball career scoring leader. BSM is a title contender in the North Suburban Conference and a threat in Class 3A. Taylor has received plenty of help from teammate Armand Battle along the way. Battle scored 15 points against Memorial Saturday, and added 29 in the win Tuesday. Together Taylor and Battle form one of the top tandems of any team in the state.
Inside The Numbers
91 - Free throws Red Wing and Holy Angels combined to shoot in their girls basketball game where Red Wing set a national record for attempts in a game with 74.
30 - Points Orono freshman Jordan Smith scored in a 69-56 win over Glencoe-Silver Lake Tuesday.
28 - Points Smith scored in the first half.
18.9 - Points perg ame averaged by Spring Lake Park'sTaylor Hall.
18.9 - Points per game averaged by St. Cloud Cathedral's Adam Theis.
11.8 - Rebounds per game by Josh Figini of Chisago Lakes - tops among East Metro players.
5 - Three-pointers Orono's Smith made in the game.