Photos by Tim Kolehmainen
After losing a huge senior class that helped lead the program to consecutive state tournaments, it's been a learning year for St. Cloud Tech. Saturday night at the 5th annual Border Battle, it looked like the kids are all right.
Junior Alex Matchinsky poured in 30 points and freshman Andy Foley chipped in with 19 as the Tigers (6-12) roared past Baldwin-Woodville (11-4) by a 71-57 margin.
"It was a good team effort all around," said Matchinsky. "Everybody just did their thing. Defensively it could have been better, but offensively we've really been clicking the last few games."
Matchinsky knocked in 18 points before intermission as the Tigers built up a 34-21 halftime lead. Foley came alive after the break, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the final 18 minutes.
"All we worried about was ourself," said Tech coach Mike Trewick. "We told our kids if they just play hard, good things will happen."
Baldwin-Woodville also awakened at the break, but could not make up the first-half deficit. The Blackhawks' Tyler Heitmann had 20 points to lead his team, while Ryan Benoy scored all 15 of his points in the second half. They were the only two players in double figures for Baldwin-Woodville.
St. Cloud Tech coach Mike Trewick
Player of the game
Tech's Alex Matchinsky
Alex Matchinsky, St. Cloud Tech
Matchinsky, a junior guard, helped spark the St. Cloud Tech offense with a game-high 30 points as the Tigers beat Baldwin-Woodville, 71-57. He was equally deadly before intermission, as he tallied 18 points in the first half, and afterwards, as he had 12 more in the final 18 minutes. Matchinsky was successful at drawing contact, as he was 13-of-17 from the free throw line.
St. Cloud Tech's Alex Matchinsky
The 2011 Border Battle is set for Saturday, Jan. 29, at St. Cloud Tech High School. The fifth annual event features six teams from Minnesota going head-to-head with six from Wisconsin.
What's at stake? Bragging rights between the two states.
Minnesota got the best of Wisconsin in 2010, five games to none and leads the overall series 12-8.
Fans who can't get to St. Cloud Tech High School Saturday have another outlet to watch their favorite teams! Webcast America will be broadcasting the entire Border Battle right here.
Game Statistics
Score by half:
St. Cloud Tech 34-37--71
Baldwin-Woodville 21-36--57
St. Cloud Tech: Matchinsky 30, Foley 19, Baker 10, Laudenbach 6, Zwinner 4, Heysse 2.
Baldwin-Woodville: Heitmann 20, Benoy 15, Alme 8, Addyman 4, Stoffel 3, Larson 2, J. Weyer 2, Aileru 2, D. Weyer 1.
St. Cloud Tech vs. Baldwin-Woodville
Border Battle -- Saturday, Jan. 29 at St. Cloud Tech
Photos from this event can be ordered from http://photo21.dotphoto.com
Please check back tomorrow for galleries on that site, or contact Tim at tim@BreakdownSportsUSA.com
2011 Border Battle
| Time | MN | WI |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. | Tartan | Seymour |
| 1:15 p.m. | Rocori | Manitowoc Roncalli |
| 3:00 p.m. | St. Cloud Cathedral | LaCrosse Aquinas |
| 4:45 p.m. | Hopkins | Madison East |
| 6:30 p.m. | St. Cloud Apollo | Rice Lake |
| 8:15 p.m. | St. Cloud Tech | Baldwin-Woodville |
Border Battle news
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- By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports Media 05/01/2024, 2:15pm CDT
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- By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports Media 05/17/2020, 9:45am CDT
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- By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports Media 04/17/2019, 1:00pm CDT
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- By Breakdown Staff 03/20/2018, 9:00am CDT