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Tip Off Classic recap: Lakeville North vs. Mpls North

By Ryan James, Northstar Hoops Report, 12/13/14, 2:45PM CST

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The Breakdown Tip Off Classic had produced excitement in every game so far including a pair of overtime thrillers.  As fun as that was, the up and down action as well as the talent on the floor when Lakeville North played Minneapolis North took the level play to another level. 

The Polars picked up full court the entire time which speed up the game but the execution often resulted in Panther forwards scoring at the rim after the pressure was broken.  Carter Brooks, Isaac Brooks, and Connor Flack each scored several field goals at the rim using a single dribble to complete.  The Panthers also did a strong job getting the ball in the middle of the lane where the Brooks dup as well as Flack both were able to face up and make plays.

On the other side of the court Isaac Johnson used the Breakdown Tip Off Classic to show the state of Minnesota that not only does he handle some, defend a lot, rebound actively, slash for scores, and make transition plays regularly, he can also shot some.  Or shall we say, a lot.  The Polar sophomore knocked down four first half treys plus scored around the basket twice for 18 first half points.   Isaac’s shooting was the difference in the Polars grabbing a 38-37 lead at the break.  Ahzerik Rodgers also had a good half for the Minneapolis school.

Cal Pesola, Drew Stewart, and David Lindstrad all hit early second half treys and North opened the biggest lead of the game at 50-42.  Every one of those shots was on a kickout from the post as the North Polars converged on the middle hard leaving shooters all the space they needed to hit shots.  Problem for Lakeville was that when they didn’t hit shots they were giving up transition opportunities constantly.  The Polars scored back to back on the break including a fifth Isaac Johnson trey.

Coach Larry McKenzie took a timeout and moments after clearing the heads of his team, McKenzie’s Polars closed the gap from ten to two points with Tyler Johnson scoring twice and then JaQuan Sanders-Smith going baseline for a Polar finish bringing the score down to 62-60.

What Lakeville North did a quality job with late was making box-out hits.  North Polars had three or four guys attacking long boards but the Panthers did a great job making physical rebounding hits and limiting the Polars to one shot.  Up a single score late, Cal Pesola sunk a three off a David Linstrand pass that opened the advantage to six points (73-67) with just under three minutes to go.

A physical game continued to get more and more physical down the stretch forcing the officials to make some tough whistles.  Tyler Johnson made a difficult shot and was knocked to the ground but surprisingly no whistle. Moments later Jamil Jackson stole a pass and wen the other way but Pesola stood his ground and took a charge that looked to be the correct call but tough to tell.  Either way, the Panthers held a 78-73 lead with a minute to go.  From there Lakeville held on by making foul shots putting the game away 83-76.

Statistics

Score by half: Lakeville North 37-46--83, Minneapolis North 38-38--76

Lakeville North: Cal Pesola 10, David Lindstrand 11, Carter Brooks 20, Isaac Brooks 7, Connor Flack 12, Drew Stewart 7, Marquise Walker 11, Nathan Reuvers 5

Minneapolis North: DJ Hunter 4, Az Rodgers 11, Jaquan Sanders-Smith 6, Tyler Johnson 23, Jamil Jackson 2, Odell Wilson IV 10, Isaac Johnson 20

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