Champlin Park 75 - Coon Rapids 66 ___>12-8

OKAFOR CLOSES THE DOOR ON THE CARDS
The Cards had a 12 point lead fade away in the second half, as the Champlin Park Rebels outside shooters chipped away and get the lead late in the game. Catch all the exciting action on CTN Sports Channel 15.

CONGRATS TO THE BIG GUY AS WELL!
Earlier in the day Okafor was named to the Pioneer Press Second Team All-Defensive Team.
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Let's get to the game ...
Here we go again … let’s dig ourselves another hole so that we can watch ourselves climb out of it. This seems to be the new theme for the Rebels. In their defense last night, the Rebels watched shot after shot go half way down and come out and were lucky to be down only five points 37-32 at the half.

The Rebels who started the second half with cold shooting and turnovers (13 for the game) which helped the Cardinals build a 12 point lead, got a deep 3 from Calvin Nolte (who had a great game considering some questionable calls that kept him in foul trouble) that seemed to ignite the offense. Jasper Duberry and Ty Jesinoski sandwiched a couple of break out baskets around a 3 point bomb by Theisen (6 for 10 on 3's) and the Rebels were back in the game and forced Coon Rapids to call a timeout. After the timeout (5:04 left in the game) the Rebels stepped up their defense and shot after shot began to fall for them. Kyle Zimmermann knocked down 2 free throws and Theisen hit a deep 3 from the top of the key with 2 minutes left to put the Rebels up for good. The Rebels outscored Coon Rapids 43-29 in the second half.

The Rebels pushed their winning streak to 5 games and have won 8 of their last 9 while sending their second place conference record to 10-3. The Rebels travel to Centennial on Friday who they beat pretty easily earlier in the season, however, the Cougars upset Elk River last night 81-78 behind 22 points by sophomore Tony Gerding.

The Box: Fuller 6, Duberry 13, Nolte 13, Jesinoski 9, Theisen 20, Okafor 8, Zimmermann 6.