Zimmerman returns, Rebels win; Basketball team takes playoff opener, 71-58

BY NICK CLARK

(Created: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 5:14 PM CDT)

Champlin Park senior Kyle Zimmerman returned after missing most of the last three weeks with an ankle injury, and it was as if he never left.

Zimmerman scored 16 points, matching teammates Brandon Davis' output as both led all scorers in the Rebels 71-58 win over Spring Lake Park in the Class 4A, Section 5 quarterfinals Friday, March 12.

Josh Pella added 13 for the Rebels, and both Dillon Hager and Jasper Duberry pitched in with 11 as second-seeded Champlin Park moved into the section semifinals.

The Rebels were scheduled to face third-seeded Osseo Tuesday, March 16 at Rogers High School. Top-seeded Cooper also advanced into the section semi's, and the Hawks will get No. 4 seed Mounds View in the other Section 5 semifinal.

The section final will be played at 7 p.m. Friday, March 19 at Rogers.