In The End It Was All Pella

CP 67 – Centennial 65

The Rebels who survived a scare from the night before take on conference rival Centennial with a number of college scouts and a nice crowd on hand for the late start.

The Rebels start their usual starting lineup when after about 4 minutes they make a line change, yep five substitutes for the entire starting five. The Rebel subs actually play better than the starters do as Hager scores and Reibling (pictured) knocks down two deep 3 pointers, timeout CP 18-16.

Brian Sarvela (15 points for the game) is singlehandedly keeping the Cougars in the game with a number of put backs and short shots. The Rebels team speed starts to become apparent as the get a couple of delay break out baskets as Zimmermann makes 1 of 2 free throws for a CP 25-22 lead. The Rebels run continues as Pella gets a break out dunk and Duberry is fouled as he scores attacking the basket, his missed free throw makes the score 29-22 lead with 2 minutes left and it looks like the Rebels are about to open this one up. The Cougars weather the storm as Pella scores to end the half 33-28 CP. Very clean 1st half as both teams only had 6 team fouls.

The 2nd half starts and Kuck gets lose for a long 2 and the score is 35-32 CP with 15 minutes left. The teams play pretty even over the next 7 minutes, CP 48–42 with eight minutes left when Centennial goes on a mini run 50-48 CP. The Rebels collect themselves, Reibling hits another 3 pointer and the Rebels extend their lead to 56-51with 2:40 left.

Centennial won’t go away as they pound away on the boards for 2nd and 3rd shots and closes the score to 58-56 with 1:15 left. Centennial who sat and watched the Rebels miss a number of free throws yesterday starts the fouling game. Duberry who played very limited minutes makes his 2 free throws and Davis closes the game going 4 for 4. Centennial makes a very long uncontested 3 pointer to end the game 67-65 CP.

In a championship game that Duberry gets the okay to play five minutes before the tap, Hager fills in and scores a career high 12 points, Reibling comes in and knocks down some 3’s, you have a five man substitution change out 4 minutes into the game, made free throws on intentional fouls at the end of the championship game and Pella’s continued tournament dominance, the Rebels have a performance to be proud of as they display their team speed, versatility and depth.

Davis, Zimmermann and Pella (pictured) were named to the all tournament team with Pella leaving with the well deserved tournament MVP trophy. Pella only scored 3 points in the tournament opener against St Anthony’s as that game was turned over to the subs in an 82-34 blowout. He put the Rebels on his back for game 2 in their OT victory over Washburn as he scored 22 points on a variety shots (2 of 3 from the arch). Pella led the Rebels again in the championship game with 15 points in which he had some Centennial run stopping baskets and a nice break out dunk before the half.

The Box:
Davis 9
Duberry 4
Hager 12
Pella 15
Reibling 14
Williamson 5
Zimmermann 8

Of Note:

• Davis plays great defense on Knuck (12 points)
• Duberry plays limited minutes
• Hager steps in for Duberry and scores a career high 12 points
• Reibling goes 4 for 6 from the arch for a career high 14 points
• The Rebels winning streak goes to 3

Up Next Centennial

The Rebels take on conference rival Centennial Wednesday 12/30 for the tournament championship at 8:15pm. The Cougars defeated Minnehaha Academy in the tournament's other semi final game.

CP 77 - Washburn 76 (OT)

The Rebels jump out to a 15-8 lead with all five starters scoring. The Millers go on a 6-2 run to cut the lead to 17-14. The Millers ball pressure seems to be giving the Rebels trouble as they look to settle down.

With the score 30-29 with about a minute left before the half Davis leaks out and goes in for an apparent breakaway layup when a Miller player runs him down and from some angles it looks like an undercut and intentional foul. The refs don’t see it this way as Davis makes 1 of 2 free throws for a Rebel 31-29 lead. The Rebels add another free throw for a 32-29 lead. Duberry takes a couple of hard shots and falls, plays limited minutes and goes into the locker room looking query.

Washburn knocks down two 3 pointers and the Rebels go into a 1-3-1 zone. Pella answers with a 3 of his own as the Rebels lead 37-35 and Washburn calls timeout with 14 minutes to play. The Millers return to the floor and proceed to knock down four wide open 3 pointers against the Rebels 1-3-1 zone and take the lead and look as if they are ready to blow this one open.

The Rebels go back to their man to man defense and claw back into the game with four straight defensive stops. Zimmermann is fouled going to the basket and makes 1 of 2 free throws to cut the Miller lead to 55-54 with 5 minutes left.

The Rebels regain the lead 61-59 on a Williamson put back with 3 minutes left in the game. On a loose ball that sends Duberry and the Miller’s Thomas hard to the floor the call goes against Duberry who struggles to get back up, Thomas makes both free throws and the Rebels lead 62-61. This is the 3rd straight questionable call that goes the Millers way, timeout Washburn.

With the score tied at 67 with a minute left, Duberry is fouled and proceeds to miss both free throws. The Millers come down and don’t convert, rebound and timeout Rebels with 37 seconds left. The Rebels score and the Millers answer with 3 seconds left, 69 all, timeout Rebels. Duberry speeds the ball up court and kicks out to Zimmermann who misses a 3 point attempt from the left side, OT here we come.

The Rebels win the tap as Pella attacks the basket and is fouled, he makes 1 of 2. The Millers don’t score as Zimmermann is fouled and makes 1 of 2 for a 71-69 CP lead. The teams traded baskets; Walker’s steal leads to another 1 of 2 free throws from Pella, 75-74 CP with 29 seconds left. Williamson with a HUGE put back and the Rebels look like this one might be over with seconds left. The Rebels play great defense on the perimeter and don’t allow the Millers a 3 point shot look as they make a two foot basket with 2 seconds left in the game. In a game full of twist, the Rebels were able to hold on or should I say hold off the Millers for the win in overtime 77-76.

The Rebels have four starters in double digits with Pella leading the way with a season high 22 points as they extend their winning streak to 2 games and are now 3-2.

The Box:
Davis 16
Duberry 14
Gibson 2
Hager 2
Pella 22
Williamson 4
Zimmerman 17

Of Note:

• The Rebels were 27 of 41 from the free throw line.
• Duberry who played sparingly after his two hard crashes to the floor doesn’t look probable for tomorrow’s championship game
• The Rebels second OT game this year
• Williamson's 4 points were the Rebels BIGGEST points of the game
• Zimmermann shoots 17 free throws
• Pella goes 8 for 10 from the line (some huge ones in OT)

Up Next The Washburn Millers

The Rebels take on the Washburn Millers Tuesday December 29th at 6:30pm at Bethel University in one of the tournaments semi-final games. The Millers are a tough guard oriented team that like to spread the floor and attack the basket from the wings, look for Jr. Clarence Thomas (#25) to be their go to guy and leading scorer. They also like to bring full court pressure and look to score off of it. The Millers made some clutch plays and free throws in the last two minutes of their 1st round game to hold on and knock off Maple Grove 69-63.

The Minnehaha Academy Redhawks takes on the Centennial Cougars in the tournaments other semi final game at 8:15pm.

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Day 1 of the 2009 Holiday Tournaments

So after a return from The Old Kingdom where the Crown Prince and I saw one of the top sophs in the country and gambled away the kingdom's wealth (legally, not on the games boys and girls), a 4 AM wakeup call returned me to The Kingdom for day 1 of this year's Minnesota holiday tournaments (for me)


Game 1: St. Anthony vs Champlin Park (Olive Garden Holiday Classic at Bethel)

Story of this one was shooting. St. Anthony 2-24 FGs in the first half, star Josh Pratt finishes 1-12 after making his last attempt with 12 minutes left. By that time this one is way out of hand. Champlin Park rolls in surprisingly big fashion 82-34 after leading by 45-10 at the half. Aaron McCrossan with 11 points to lead St. Anthony. Brandon Davis and DeAndre Williamson lead the Rebels with 16 and 14 points respectively.
 
Click here to read the entire article.

ST ANTHONY TOOK ON CHAMPLIN PARK IN THE BOYS’ BASKETBALL OLIVE GARDEN HOLIDAY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

In the first game in the Bethel Holiday tournament, St. Anthony took on Champlin Park. Champlin Park was able to get off to a big lead to begin the game. Being down 12-0, St. Anthony called their first time out to settle down the team.

With 13:06 left in the first half, St. Anthony scored their first basket of the game. They started of flat. They were not making shots that they were putting up.

Champlin Park was able to keep the ball moving around the three point arch in the first half. They were getting shots from all around the perimeter.

Champlin Park started out strong and really played hard. They had a commanding 45-10 lead at half time.

In the first half St Anthony shot 2-24, 8.3% from the field where Champlin Park shot 59.4% from the field.

In the second half Champlin Park came out on fire. They were able to keep knocking down shots. St Anthony was never in this game. They had a very difficult time making shots throughout the game.

Jasper Duberry played well for Champlin Park I thought. He really went after the ball on both ends of the court. He played tough defense.

In a game that was very one sided from the get go Champlin Park was able to come away with the 82-34 victory over St Anthony.

Click here to visit Stevens site.

CP 82 - St Anthony 34

The Rebels stop the bleeding and their two game losing streak as they dismantle the St Anthony Huskies. The Rebels run out to a quick 12-0 lead and never let up as they go into the locker room at the half 42-10. The Rebels keep the pedal to the medal and defeat the Huskies 82-34 behind 16 points from Brandon Davis and 14 points from D’Andre Williamson (pictured). The Rebels cleared the bench early and often as 11 Rebels scored.

The Minnehaha Academy Redhawks takes on the Centennial Cougars in the tournaments other semi final game at 8:15pm.

The Box:
Davis 16
Doe 2
Duberry 8
Hill 3
Hager 5
Pella 3
Reibling 9
Sandstad 8
Walker 4
Williamson 14
Zimmerman 10

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12 Games of Christmas

Game #9 #4AA Minnehaha vs Champlin Park (Bethel Championship), December 30th

Both of these teams have a pair of losses to ranked opponents as Minnetonka was ranked when they defeated Champlin Park. A couple of interesting matchups in this one. Minnehaha's Taylor Hanson (pictured) vs Champlin Park's Kyle Zimmermann in a battle up front. Hanson is bigger and stronger, but Zimmerman is really crafty despite being undersized. In the backcourt, Minnehaha's Parker Hines goes up against Jasper Duberry of the Rebels. Minneapolis Washburn and Robbinsdale Armstrong are early round games that these teams will have to get past.

Click here to read the entire article.

Up Next St. Anthony Village Huskies

The Rebels take on the Huskies (3-2) in their 1st round game of the 29th annual Olive Garden Bethel Holiday Tournament on Monday December 28th at 1pm at Bethel University.

The Huskies feature the sharp shooting Josh Pratt who is averaging 16 points a game. Look for the Huskies to run Pratt thru a number of screens to get him open looks as well as a very effective high pick and roll play with post player Derek Jahner. The Rebels, who are on a two game losing streak, will not have played for 16 days.

Click here for the tournament bracket.

Click here for the Huskies team page.

Sports Prep Zone by Our Varsity

Elijah Sabah of Spring Lake Park is a holdover from last winter's state tournament team. Photo by Roxanne Yelle

Sports Prep Zone by Our Varsity

Iowa men's basketball: Anthony Tucker suspended indefinitely after arrest | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register

Iowa men's basketball: Anthony Tucker suspended indefinitely after arrest desmoinesregister.com The Des Moines Register

Osseo Falls At Minneapolis South Last Night

Click here.

Benilde over Holy Angels

The Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights advance to 4-0 Thursday evening with their win over the Academy of Holy Angels Stars. The 84-60 win was a strong one as the Red Knights are playing very well early in the season.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Who is number 5 ?

T.J. Okafor Makes Preps List

Okafor is ranked #69 on The Minnesota Prep Top 2011 Prospect List.

Click here to read the entire list.

Troubled White Leaves Gophers

Click to read the article and see his departing video.

Tip Off Classic Player Notes

Ryan James
MinnesotaPreps.com Senior Writer

College programs sent out numerous coaches this weekend to check out talent at the Breakdown Tip-Off Classic. Facing tough competition most players stepped up their performances and the games were so well played that three of them went to OT, two more were decided with buzzer beaters, and three more were close from start to finish.

Division one schools present included representatives from Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, Cal Poly, North Dakota, Bucknell, and others. Division two coaches in the building included reps from UM-Crookston, Northern State, MSU-Mankato, and others. Below are quick thoughts on several players at the event.
 
PLAYER NOTES 2010

Jasper Duberry - Duberry had a stretch of three straight made jumpers including two three-pointers plus his basket attack was as tough as ever. He scored a game high 22 points.

Click here to read the entire article.

Very Interesting Stat

After 3 games, Dillon Hager, who has played limited minutes so far this season is #2 in the conference in steals with 9.

The Breakdown Tip Off Classic, Cretin-DH 82, Champlin Park 80 2OT

Photo by Dave Hill, http://davehill.photostockplus.com/

Game Review

GopherHole.com - Seantrel Henderson's recruitment, through the eyes of his parents

GopherHole.com - Seantrel Henderson's recruitment, through the eyes of his parents

On Saturday with 18 seconds left Henderson made 1 of 2 free throws to give CDH the 82-80 win over the Rebels..

Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com

Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com



Back-to-back losses precede Rebels 16-day break
BY NICK CLARK - SUN NEWSPAPERS

Champlin Park senior Josh Pella drives with the ball during the Rebels' 82-80, double-overtime loss to Cretin-Derham Hall Saturday, Dec. 13, in The Breakdown's Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka High School.

CDH 82 - Champlin Park 80

The Rebels blow another double digit lead and fall to CDH in double OT.

The Box:
Davis 12
Duberry 22
Hager
Pella 15
Sandstad 2
Walker 1
Williamson 14
Zimmerman 14

Cretin-Derham Hall -- Tillman 19, Kelly 17, Montero 16, Henderson 9, Owusu 7, Barrett 4, Smith 3, Hannen 3, Neuman 2, Koller 2

Up Next Cretin-Derham Hall

The Rebels take on the #4 ranked Raiders in the The Breakdown's Boys Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka at 7:45pm. The Rebels need to bounce back from their 2nd half slide last night against #2 Minnetonka. The Rebels will have to find a way to deal with nations best football player in the HUGE Seantrel Henderson.

Tale of Two Halves in Tonka

Tale of Two Halves in Tonka

Minnetonka 72 - Rebels 65

The team put up a great effort tonight ... story to come.

The Box:
 Davis 8
Duberry 15
Hager 2
Pella 10
Reibling 3
Williamson 6
Zimmerman 21

Can't Make It To The Game Tonight ... Catch It Live on Foxpreps

Click here to view the game live at 7pm.

Up Next Minnetonka

Friday night (7:15pm tip) our #5 Rebels travel to #2 Minnetonka to avenge their last season opening home game lost to the Skippers. The Skippers defeated the Rebels last December 80 (Theisen 31, Duberry 16) -72 in a game that the Rebels led most of the way.

The Skippers, who will be missing three of their senior starters (Cole Stefan, Tor Anderson and Leonard Glass) do to disciplinary reasons, are still a talented team without them and are always tuff on their home court.

The Rebels defeated Moundsview in their home opener Tuesday night 71-55 as Kyle Zimmermann had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assist. Come on over to Minnetonka and help cheer our Rebels to victory in one of their biggest games of the year!

Other games that conference teams are playing tonight:
Roseville vs. Coon Rapids at Stillwater, 5:45 pm
Spring Lake Park vs. Centennial at Centennial, 7:00 pm
St. Francis vs. Blaine at Blaine, 7:00 pm
Park Center vs. Wayzata at Wayzata, 7:15 pm
Maple Grove vs. Hopkins at Hopkins, 7:15 pm
Anoka vs. Cambridge-Isanti at Cambridge-Isanti, 7:30 pm

Breakdown Tip-Off Classic Preview

Ryan James
December 10, 2009
MinnesotaPreps.com Senior Writer

The Breakdown Tip-Off Classic is now two days away and today's preview brings us to the games in the east gym of Minnetonka High School. As you can see each match-up brings a theme like talented bigs going at one another, top teams from a certain classes facing off, an instate versus outstate themed match-up, and more.

7:45 Champlin Park vs. Cretin-Derham Hall
With Seantrel Henderson banging in the middle, Clay Horne producing with athleticism from the four, Elliot Owusu much improved at small forward, Gus Gehlen stroking from the wing, and Raijon Kelly creating offense in the backcourt this team has the pieces. Especially considering the depth is quality senior players and sophomores with vast potential.

So considering all that can Champlin Park take it to them in week one? You better believe it. The Rebels are deep, agile, skilled, and tough. The biggest problem they will have is dealing with Seantrel and Clay's size. But if you are going to go into a game with a smaller power forward who has to defend bigs Kyle Zimmerman would be a nice guy to take with you. The lefty is as active as they come, he won't quit on any play, and he can take defenders away from the cup to hit shots. Plus he has adequate help in senior D'Andre Williamson and junior T.J. Okafor.

While the Rebels have to stop the Raider frontcourt size the Raiders have to control the Champlin Park guards and wings. Jasper Duberry runs the point and if Kelly isn't quite set to play exclusive point guard (he's a dynamic scoring guard who plays good point as well) he will have quite a challenge in Jasper. Plus the Rebels have a quality shooter in Jordan Reibling plus the energetic Josh Pella. Pella, a wing, led the team in field goal percentage, rebounding, assists, and steals last year and was second in blocks, third in scoring, and started every game.

Recruiting Note: Teams interested in Duberry include Carroll University, Carroll College, Oberlin, and Viterbo.

Click here to read the entire preview.

Player Profile - Eric Sanstead

Sanstead is the tallest Rebel this year at 6’7. He will have an immediate presence in the lane on the offensive and defensive boards. He’s a shot alter and gets his hands on a lot of balls. Eric is good at putting shots back, staying active in the lane and has great touch around the basket. Eric can also step out and hit the short range shot.

No. 1 Oklahoma Wesleyan Still No. 1 in NAIA Division II Men's Basketball - NAIA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

No. 1 Oklahoma Wesleyan Still No. 1 in NAIA Division II Men's Basketball - NAIA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Saint Mary's University Athletics - SMU's 53-point 2nd half falls just short

Saint Mary's University Athletics - SMU's 53-point 2nd half falls just short

Pat Freeman scores 4 points.

Postgame Video With CP Coach Mark Tuchscherer

Michael J. Much
MinnesotaPreps.com Publisher

Champlin Park Head Coach Mark Tuchscherer has led the Champlin program for the last four years. This year he has nine seniors on the squad. They all have significant Varsity and JV minutes. Jasper Duberry, Kyle Zimmerman and Josh Pella have established themselves as top varsity players for the last couple of seasons and this is their year to shine. When this trio is on the floor everything clicks.

Champlin seems to have achieved a good balance in the AAU/Varsity relationship. Most of Champlin's kids play AAU ball but they also play three summer tournament as a team and participate in fall leagues as a team. This is not always an easy task to accomplish with the pull on kids to spend the off-season playing on all-star teams and playing traveling ball. If a program can balance this approach it can give the team an extra edge in terms of experience and seasoning.

Champlin Park played well against Mounds View. They built a big lead early and rotated in eleven players. Coach Tuchscherer feels that he can go that deep on a regular basis with his nine experienced seniors. Champlin is a team that has built its game around defense and with so many bodies to throw in the game they can keep their kids fresh and put tremendous pressure on the opposition. Their disciplined defense did well to keep the fouls under control last night and that is key when intensity is king.

This is the strongest team the Rebels have fielded for several years and it will be interesting to see how far they advance. They are definitely a program to watch this season.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Champlin Park Defeats Moundsview

December 9, 2009
Michael J. Much
MinnesotaPreps.com Publisher









Jasper Duberry scrambles in the corner

Champlin Park is one of the larger schools in the metro. They have a huge pool of athletes to draw from in fielding teams. This season it looks like the pool is well stocked. Champlin Park defeated visiting Mounds View Tuesday evening 71 to 55. They played eleven players over the course of the evening. Champlin returns nine seniors this year and many of them will see time on the floor.

The core players for the Champlin Park Rebels are Duberry who scored 11 this evening, Pella who put 16 on the board and Zimmerman who lead with 23. Davis and Hager add 11 and 8. The Rebel dominated when their top three were on the court and led early in the game with three time the Mustangs scores, that dropped to double the scores as Champlin increased their substitutions. Champlin led 31 to 17 at the half.

Click here to read the entire article.

Kyle Zimmermann, Welcome To My House

Champlin Park 71 - Moundsview 55

On a cold blistery night in which Minnesota had its first significant snow of the season, Kyle Zimmermann had a warm welcoming for the Moundsview Mustangs. The Rebels who have been itching and waiting for their first game of the season opened the game with 12-3 run and you could tell things where only going to get worse for the Mustangs. Clicking on all cylinders the Rebel pushed the score to a 19-8 lead with 7 minutes left in the 1st half which forced the Mustangs to call a timeout. This lead caused the beginning of some mass substitutions that would continue thru-out the game. Behind Zimmermann, the Rebels continued to make things happen and end the 1st half 31-17.

The Rebels continue to have their way with the Mustangs as they go on a 15-7 run to push the score to 46-24 with 11 minutes to go as the mass substitutions continue. Jordan Van Eps who is playing with 4 fouls scores 6 straight points as the Mustangs go on a 17-9 run to cut into the Rebels leads and all of the sudden we have a game.

The Mustangs go into a full court press and seem primed to push the Rebels and make the game closer. Rebel head coach Mark Tuchscherer reinserts his starting lineup as Duberry settles the team down by getting Zimmermann going again and scoring a basket himself, game over.

The Rebels bench looked even deeper tonight as they played 11 players. The Rebels had three other players reach double digits after Zimmermann’s 24 point 9 rebound effort (see box below) as the first unit worked well together though Williamson struggled and was replaced a few times with Hager.

The Mustangs where led by junior Jordan Van Eps who scored 24 points as he single handedly brought the Mustangs back in the 2nd half on a variety of shots. The Van Eps Zimmermann match up was as good as the one they had during the summer when Van Eps’ 43 Hoops team took Zimmermann’s summer team TNL into overtime before losing that game. Van Eps showed that he is clearly one of the best juniors in the state.

The Box:

Champlin Park

Davis - 11

Duberry - 11

Hager - 8

Pella - 16

Williamson - 2

Zimmermann - 23

Moundsview:

Anderson - 2

Hoium - 7

Hultberg - 11

Kuduk - 2

Perten - 3

Porter - 4

Sharpe - 2

Van Eps - 24

Of Note:

• 
  
  The Rebel Bench
  
• 
  
  Junior point guard Teddy Gibson plays some meaningful minutes
  
• 
  
  Duberry squashes any knee injury stories
  
• 
  
  Davis is 2 for 3 from the arch
  
• 
  
  Zimmermann who was 1 rebound away from a double double had 5 assist
  
• 
  
  Pella with 6 steals
  
  
  

kare11.com | Twin Cities, MN | Video: Cougar spotted in Champlin

kare11.com Twin Cities, MN Video: Cougar spotted in Champlin

The Rebels Open The Season Tuesday Against Moundsview @ Home

The Mustangs won the Suburban East conference last year with a 14-2 record. They where 20-7 overall.

Other conference member games Tuesday night:

Wayzata vs. Blaine at Blaine, 7:00 pm
Maple Grove vs. Robbinsdale Armstrong at RA, 7:15 pm
Centennial vs. Forest Lake at Forest Lake, 7:30 pm
Buffalo vs. Coon Rapids at Coon Rapids, 8:00 pm

Boys Tip Off Classic

Champlin Park will be among Minnesota’s elite boys’ basketball teams next week when it competes in The BREAKDOWN’S Tip Off Classic at Minnetonka High School.

The event, being billed as “the most historic boys’ high school basketball event in the state,” will be held on Saturday, December 12th. A dozen games, which will feature a mix of big and small schools, will be played in two Minnetonka High School gyms.

Champlin Park, ranked 5th in the Class AAAA preseason poll, will face 4th ranked Cretin-DH in the tipoff classic. That game will be played in Minnetonka’s east gym as the night cap at 7:45pm.

Many of the top players and teams in Minnesota will play in the seventh annual BREAKDOWN Tip Off Classic. It will feature more than 110 college prospects, including 30 who are being looked at by Division I schools.

Among those top players are Rebels Jasper Duberry, Josh Pella and Kyle Zimmermann.

Twenty teams in the tipoff classic are among the top 15 in the state in respective classes and three (Hopkins, Benilde-St. Margaret’s and New London Spicer) are considered preseason number 1’s.

Other statistics for this season’s tipoff classic are:

• Thirty potential Division I players, including nine who have already signed or given verbal commitment;
• Nearly 70 players with college scholarship potential;
• At least 110 players with college basketball possibilities;
• Eleven players who have already scored 1,000 career points;
• Twenty of the Breakdown’s Fab 40 seniors;
• Nineteen of the Breakdown’s Fab 40 juniors;
• Twelve of the Breakdown’s Top 30 underclassmen;
• Two dozen coaches who have led a combined 63 teams to the state tournament;
• Twenty-five state championships in the past 15 years by participants;
• Team from 15 different sections and 17 different conferences;

The tipoff classic begin in 2004. Coordinators of the event say the goal is to showcase teams from across the state to provide unique, competitive match-ups that might not otherwise be seen.

The schedule for this year’s tipoff classic is as follows:

Minnetonka East Gym
11:00 a.m. - Sibley East (#5AA) vs. Waconia
12:45 p.m. - Columbia Hgts. (#7AAA) vs. Staples-Motley (#7AA)
2:30 p.m. - DeLaSalle (#3AAA) vs. Osseo (#4AAAA)
4:15 p.m. - Braham (#8AA) vs. Minnehaha Ac. (#3AA)
6:00 p.m. - Mpls. Patrick Henry (#6AAA) vs. Minn. Transitions (#3A)
7:45 p.m. - Champlin Park (#5AAAA) vs. Cretin-D.H. (#4AAAA)

Minnetonka West Gym
9:45 a.m. - Sebeka (#4A) vs. New London Spicer (#1AA)
11:30 a.m. - Mpls. North vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville (#2AA)
1:15 p.m. - Minnetonka vs. Braham (girls)
3:00 p.m. -Lakeville South vs. Benilde St. Margaret’s (#1AAA)
4:45 p.m. - Henry Sibley (#3AAAA) vs. Cloquet
6:30 p.m. - Hopkins (#1AAAA) vs. Tartan (#6AAAA)
8:15 p.m. - Minnetonka (#2AAAA) vs. Chaska (#7AAAA)

Rebels Very Impressive Today @ the Benilde Scrimmages

The Rebels where very impressive today in their scrimmages as they took on: Stillwater, Benilde, St Michael, Hopkins and Breckenridge. The team played very well and I would say they came out a head on all games. I had not seen them play for over a month, so it was fun to see the level they are playing at this early in the season.

Minnesota Basketball News Preseason Poll

CLASS AAAA
1. Hopkins; 2. Minnetonka; 3. Tartan; 4. Henry Sibley; 5. Stillwater; 6. Chaska; 7. Champlin Park; 8. Cretin-Derham Hall; 9. St. Cloud Tech; 10. Osseo

CLASS AAA
1. Benilde-St. Margaret’s; 2. De La Salle; 3. St. Paul Johnson; 4. Columbia Heights; 5. St. Cloud Apollo; 6. Willmar; 7. Minneapolis Henry; 8. Grand Rapids; 9. Winona; 10. St. Thomas Academy

CLASS AA
1. Plainview-Elgin-Millville; 2. New London-Spicer; 3. Crosby-Ironton; 4. Staples-Motley; 5. Pequot Lakes; 6. Minnehaha Academy; 7. Morris; 8. Sibley East; 9. Braham; 10. La Crescent

CLASS A
1. MACCRAY; 2. Ellsworth; 3. Minnesota Transitions; 4. Sebeka; 5. Maranatha Christian; 6. Chisholm; 7. Cass Lake-Bena; 8. Park Christian (Moorhead); 9. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey; 10. Goodhue.

Saint John's University - SJU Hosts Carleton for Saturday Matinée

Saint John's University - SJU Hosts Carleton for Saturday Matinée

Leathernecks to open Summit League competition with NDSU Thursday - The Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks

Leathernecks to open Summit League competition with NDSU Thursday - The Official Athletics Site of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks

Men’s Basketball Opens MIAC Play With 55-46 Win At Carleton | Gustavus Adolphus College

Men’s Basketball Opens MIAC Play With 55-46 Win At Carleton Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Mary's University Athletics - MBB GameDay Online at Macalester

Saint Mary's University Athletics - MBB GameDay Online at Macalester

YouTube - Coach Landrum previews MBB vs. Macalester

YouTube - Coach Landrum previews MBB vs. Macalester

MIAC men's basketball preview: St. Thomas again the favorite; St. John’s picked 2nd | sctimes.com | St Cloud Times

MIAC men's basketball preview: St. Thomas again the favorite; St. John’s picked 2nd sctimes.com St Cloud Times

Lady Rebels Drop Their Opener To Rogers

I was able to see the Champlin Park girls basketball home opener against Rogers. CP started Ashley Metcalfe (12), Natalie Kapphahn (12), Kate Darnell (10), Alyse Kaml (11) and Rachel Leitz (12). The 19 girl Champlin roster had nine sophomores on it.

The game gets off to a very slow start and there is really no flow to the game. Half way thru the 1st half CP leads Rogers 12-9. Neither teams offense is effective as can be expected in a season opener. CP 21 - Rogers 13 in a very sloppy 1st half. Rachel Leitz with a couple of half ending 3's for CP.

Varsity boys basketball players Jasper Duberry, Dillon Hager and Eric Sanstead in attendance along with football all-star Brandon Marquartd who is passing on basketball this season.

Rogers miss a ton of chip shots and lay ups but still start the second half with a 10-0 run to take the lead 23-21 using a full court press and trapping defense. CP brings in another sophomore, Melanie Hill, who is able to handle the Roger pressure and is effective on the defensive end as she makes a couple of steals to get CP back in the game (look for Hill to get more minutes going forward as she is able to do the 4 D’s … dribble, drive, dish and defend while playing with a lot of confidence) and keep Rogers close.

Arianna Fuller (another sophomore) makes a 3 and is fouled ... they count the basket as a 2 and NOBODY notices it as she misses the free throw as the Rebels temporarily claw back in the game. Fuller is a talented sometime too aggressive sophomore guard who will defintelitely make a name for herself once she gets a better understanding of the game.

Roseville 35 - CP 31 with 2 minutes left as the lady Rebels get no closer and go on to lose 42-34.

Fun to watch a girl’s game as all I ever see is boys games. I was surprised with the number of unforced turnovers and the lack of height for both teams, however, I was very impressed with Rogers full court press as they got steal after steal and used this defense as their offense.

Kudos to sophomore Hannah Marthaler who saw some meaningful minutes in the first half off the bench as she was effective but looked as if she wasn’t expecting to play and played great defense.

Not a great shooting performance from the lady Rebels overall (from the floor or free throw line) and the number of turnovers they had didn’t help. Fuller and Hill at the guards for the next 3 years will be frightening for other teams as one or both will easily be all conference players by their senior years.

CONGRATS to Rogers on getting the win!

MN Basketball News - Prep Boys Preview

Duberry and Pella named to the Top 100 List.

The team was ranked 7th in Class 4A and 10th in the Power Poll.