The Minnesota boys basketball postseason is in full swing. Here is a look at some key developments around the state:
STARTING FIVE
1. Top Teams Turn It On: So far so good for Hopkins and Henry Sibley, the state’s top-ranked teams in 4A. Hopkins advanced to the Section 6, 4A championship game against Wayzata Tuesday with a 102-55 win over Minneapolis North Friday. Royce White scored 20 points and Raymond Cowels 19 for Hopkins. Sibley advanced to the Section 4 semifinals with a 85-53 win over White Bear Lake as Chris Halvorson scored 23 points and Mike Bruesewitz 21 in the win. Halvorson went over the 1,000-point mark in his career in the win.
2. Rogers Pulls Off Upset: Rogers pulled off one of the bigger upsets so far this postseason, defeating Monticello, the No. 1 seed in 3A, Section 5 Saturday. The Magic were ranked No. 9 in the state but couldn’t stop Rogers guard Ryan Heyer, who had 28 points in the win. Heyer entered the game averaging 13.1 points per game. Rogers, now 17-11, features four players averaging double figures, including Heyer (15.1), Tony Cain (15.4), Max Wessel (13.2) and Burke Lendl (10.7).
3. Montevideo Upsets MACCRAY: MACCRAY entered Saturday’s game 23-1 and ranked No. 6 in the state in 2A. That magical season came to an end Saturday at the hands of Montevideo, who pulled off a 61-53 win over MACCRAY in the 2A, Section 3 semifinals. Among the key players for Montevideo this season have been Jeff Jerve, Brett Bergeson, Ryan Boike and Eric Brandon. Montevideo now plays Windom Area Thursday at Southwest State for the section title.
4. Eden Prairie Moves On: On a night when most of Eden Prairie was celebrating the school’s first ever state championship in boys hockey, the No. 6-ranked Eden Prairie boys basketball team picked up its 20th win of the season with a 86-73 win over Chaska in the 4A, Section 2 playoffs. Brett Ervin scored 28 points in the win over the Hawks, and teammate Ethan Wragge added 25 to lead the Eagles.
5. Stewartville Sneaks By Lourdes: In a Class AA, Section 1 West Subsection final on Friday Stewartville, the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 1 seed Rochester Lourdes 57-53. Mike Orte scored 11 points for the winners, and his 3-pointer with 26 seconds left broke a 52-52 tie for the winners. Derek Robey added 15 points and Tom Gisler 12 for Stewartville. Sean McGrath had 17 points for Lourdes in the loss.
THREE TO WATCH
1. Tartan vs. Woodbury: These two teams face off in 4A, Section 4 semi-finals Tuesday. Tartan is ranked No. 7 in the state in 4A and led by Northern Iowa recruit Marc Sonnen. Woodbury is on a roll after finishing 11-14 in the regular season. The Royals are paced by leading scorer Nick Quicksell (17.4 ppg), Bo Schiffler (16.8), Sam Swanson (11.2) and Ernest Dorsett (11.6).
2. Jefferson’s Alipate Brothers: Moses and Marcus Alipate scored 16 points each to help Bloomington Jefferson to a 74-65 upset over Edina, No. 8-ranked team in the state, Saturday. Jefferson, 18-7, plays Eden Prairie for a trip to the state tournament Tuesday.
3. Sibley East: Henry Sibley gets all the recognition in the big school class, but Sibley East is a threat in 2A. Led by Marshall Bjorklund’s 22 points, SE defeated Watertown-Mayer 74-58 to advance to the Section 5 semifinals.
TWO HOT TOO HANDLE
1. T.J. Oakes, Jordan: Oakes poured in 40 points to lead Jordan past Breck 80-70 Saturday night. Oakes averages 23.3 points a game for the Hubmen.
2. Dylan Rodriquez, Blaine: Blaine advanced to the 4A, Section 7 semifinals behind 32 points from Dylan Rodriquez in a 77-70 win over Coon Rapids. Billy Giddings scored 15 points and Jesse Briggity added 13 for the Bengals in the win.