Archive for the ‘5th Grade’ Category

Boys 5B action!

Monday, March 31st, 2008

St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Anoka Tornadoes
1st Game

Park ran into a tornado, falling to the Anoka Tornadoes 66-15.

Demarcus Turnage led Park with 6 points, Josh Messick added 4, Alex Hanson 2, Parker Bretl 1, and Park added two points on an Anoka technical foul.

Click to watch Demarcus hit a free throw! 

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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Forest Lake
2nd Game

In a complete reversal of their first tournament game, Park throttled Forest Lake, 32-14.

“Our players put on a clinic,” said coach Jeff Daiker.

Indeed, they did. Park beat Forest Lake to every loose ball, dominated the offensive and defensive boards, and ran their offense like a group of old veterans.

Demarcus Turnage was hot early, scoring 8 of Park’s first 10 points; the other two points came on a basket by Alex Hanson.

Up 10-2, Parker Bretl hit two jumpers for a 14-2 lead, and Nick Harkness hit a long jumper for 16-2 lead.

Josh Messick scored off a nice pass from Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts, then they ran the same play and it worked again and the scored was 20-2! Harkness hit a jumper at the buzzer for a 22-2 half-time lead.

Forest Lake scored the first basket of the half, then Turnage scored off a nice pass from Bretl for a 24-4 lead.

Forest Lake scored four points in a row to cut Park’s lead to 24-8, but Brelt hit a runner to push the lead back to 18.

After a Forest Lake basket, Turnage made a steal and layup and the score was 28-10.

Down the strech, Messick hit a nice bank-shot, and Hanson hit a nice shot off the glass with his left hand for a 32-14 final.

Stats
#34 Demarcus Turnage —12 pts, 4 steals, 3 rebounds
#23 Josh Messick —6 pts, 8 rebounds
#13 Parker Bretl —6 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
#24 Alex Hanson —4 pts, 3 rebounds
#10 Connor Hannon —2 pts, 1 rebound
#35 Nick Harkness —2 pts, 3 rebounds
#33 Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts—2 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
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Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 @ SLP S.H.
Park Boys 5B vs. Buffalo

Although the 5B boys didn’t win, they played one of the most exciting game of the tournament for any Park team, losing 26-21 to a fine Buffalo club.

What made the game so exciting? Park, down several players due to illness, played the entire game with five players! “The Iron Five” did Park proud!

The first half was fantastic. Josh Mesick put Park up 2-0 on a short jumper, before Buffalo scored the next six points. Alex Hanson hit a long bomb, and then scored inside, tying the game at 6-6. Buffalo scored the next four points, then Demarcus scored on a fast-break to pull within two. After a Buffalo free throw, Demarcus Turnage made a steal, then hit a driving, running hook shot to cut the Buffalo lead to one. With second left in the half, Buffalo hit a baseline jumper, and, who else, Demarcus nailed another runner to end the half with Park trailing by a single point.

Buffalo hit a free throw early in the second half, then Demarcus hit a floater to again pull Park within one.

With 12 minutes to play, Buffalo scored inside, but Nick Harkness hit a shot from just inside the three-point arc cut the lead to one again. Buffalo scored again, but Demarcus was fouled going to the hoop (that’s where he’s always going!), and he hit one of two to make the scored 19-17 Buffalo!

Chaska scored on a three-point play to go up by five, but Demarcus scored again and the score was 22-19 with two minutes left.

Buffalo scored again, but so did…Demarcus, and the score was 24-21 with 30 seconds left. Park missed a three-pointer, and Buffalo added one more basket to make the final 26-21.

Although Demarcus carried the offensive load with 13 points (with 6 rebounds and 5 steals), all five players were outstanding (and tired).

Nick Harkness scored 2 and grabbed 8 rebounds with 3 steals; Josh Mesick scored 2 and grabbed 4 rebounds and 2 steals; Jerry Somiaiah went scoreless, but had 5 rebounds and 2 steals; and Alex Hanson scored 4 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals!

Congratulations to Coach Daiker and his Iron Five

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Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 @ SLP J.H.
Boys 5B vs. Woodbury

Park lost a tough game in second-round action, 34-21.

Demarcus was hot in the first half, scoring 5 pots, Conner added 2, and Nick 2, but Park trailed 18-9 at the half.

Park battled back in the second half, and threw a scare into Woodbury! Down 20-10 a few minutes into the half, Nick hit a long jumper that seemed to get Park going. Conner nailed a jumper, then hit a runner on the next possession to pull Park to whint 8, 24-16. Parker scored on a 12-foot jumper to pull park within 6 with four minutes remaining, 24-18! After a Woodury basket, Demarcus was fouled and hit one of two to pull Park within 7, but Park went cold, and Woodbury scored the next four points before Demarcus scored off an offensive rebound, Park’s last basket.

Demarcus led with 9 pts, Conner 6, Nick 4, Parker 2. The rebounding was excellent, with Demarcus grabbing 6, Josh 4, Conner 4, Nick , Parker 2, Alex 3, Jan 2, and Jerry 1.
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Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High, 10am
Park Boys 5B vs. Jordan
1st Tourney Game

Anytime you play a basketball game against a team full of Jordans, you’re in trouble! Though they didn’t have the real MJ on their roster, Jordan had some good players, and beat the home team, 43-16.

Park got down 19-0 before Demarcus rebounded his own miss and dropped in a jumper. A minute later, Demarcus ran a replay, scoring off his own miss, to pull Park to 19-4, and then he nailed a long jumper with a few seconds left in the half, and Park went into the half down by fifteen, 19-6.

Park slumped early in the second half, and trailed 29-6, before Nick H. nailed a bomb from just inside the arc.

Connor got into the scoring column when he scored off an offensive rebound, then Nick nailed another long jumper, pulling Park within 19, 33-12. Parker Bretl had a steal and layup to bring Park within 17, but Jordan went on a 10-2 run to end the game, 43-16. Park’s last basket came on a great move and basket by Demarcus, who hung in the air like, well, Air Jordan, before hitting a fadeaway!

Stats:
Demarcus led Park with 8 points, he grabbed 5 rebounds, had 3 steals and 1 block.
Nick Harkness: 4 pts, 3 rebounds.
Connor Hannon: 2 pts, 3 steals.
Parker Bretl: 2 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Josh Mesick: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Alex Hanson: 4 rebounds
Jerry Somiaiah: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts: 2 rebounds, 1 steal.
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Boys 5A

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

Saturday, 2/23/08 @ Roseville Tournament
SLP 5A vs. Anoka

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Park lost to a strong Anoka team, with a strong center, 33-22, Saturday afternoon.

Anoka’s center was Nicholas Kjos’s height, but with 50 additional pounds, and he was hard to stop when he got the ball near the basket! Kjos and Nierengarten both worked hard to contain him, but with Wes Johnson and Kyle Nordstrom absent, Park had only six players and ran out of gas in the second half.

Justin Nierengarten and Tommy Burnett each scored early in the first quarter, but trailed 10-4 before the fans got comfy in their seats.

Joe Burnley hit Kjos with a nice pass for a layup, Nierengarted scored on a fast break, and Burnley found Nierengarten for a nice open 10-foot jumper to tie the game at 10-10.

Burnett went from New York to L.A. (coast-to-coast) for a layup and the score at the half was 12-12.

Nierengarten got Park fired up when he took a charge early in the second half, but Anoka’s mini-Shaq hit a leaner to take a 14-12 lead. Nierengarten hit a floater to tie the game, then made a steal and layup for Park’s first lead of the game!

Anoka went on a 3-0 run to go ahead 17-16, but Burnett hit a layup to five Park back the lead. Anoka’s mini-Charles Barkley (same guy!) hit two baskets in a row to end the third quarter, and Anoka held a 21-18 lead.

Park’s Iron 6 was exhausted by the fourth quarter. Burnett hit a short jumper, then hit a layup assisted by Kjos who made the pass while lying on the floor! Those were the only points Park could muster and they lost by 11.

Stats:
Tommy Burnett—10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Justin Nierengarten—10 points, 2 rebounds
Nicholas Kjos—2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Jordan Ewings—2 rebounds, 3 steals
Eli Brimacomb—1 rebound, 1 steal
Joe Burnley—3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Westside Boosters
1st Game

In a thrilling game, Park beat Westside by one point, 31-30.

Tommy Burnett and Joe Burnley led Park with 6 points each, Wes Johnson added 5, Kyle Nordstrom 4, Nicholas Kjos 4, Justin Nierengarten and Jordan Ewings 2 each.
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Fridley
2nd Game

Park got up early, but ran out of gas at the end of the game, falling to Fridley, 28-20.

Wes Johnson scored off the opening tap, and Park got on top right away. Fridley used a full-court press, but Park’s passing was excellent, and its defensive intensity through the roof, which led to some easy baskets.

Jordan Ewing’s block led to a Nicholas Kjos bank-shot, then Tommy Burnett scored off a break to go up 6-1. Johnson stole an errant Fridley pass, then dished to Justin Nierengarten for a lay-up and a 8-1 lead. Burnett hit a free throw, then hit a 10-foot jumper, followed by an Eli Brimacomb free throw and the lead was up to 12-1!

Fridley finally got their act together, their shots started to fall, and Park’s lead started to shrink. Fridley pulled to 12-6 on a hoop inside, then Ewings hit a free throw to push the lead back to seven, 13-6. Fridley hit two free throws in the last minute of the half, and the score was 13-8 at the intermission.

After a Fridley basket to open the second half, Kjos made one of two free throws for a 14-10 lead. Fridley scored to make it 14-12, then Burnett stole the ball, did a shake ‘n’ bake down court for a layup, and a 16-12 lead. Fridley hit a layup, then Ewings hit Nierengarten for a basket inside and an 18-14 lead, but Fridley scored the next six points and led 20-18 with 9:20 left.

Brimacomb hit a Magic Johnson baby hook off the glass to tie the game, 20-20, with 6:00 left, but after Fridley dropped their press down deep in the paint, forcing Park to shoot from outside, the home team’s shots stopped dropping, and Park went scoreless over the last four minutes. Fridley scored the last eight points of the game, and the game ended 28-20.

Burnett was the offensive star of the game with 7 points, and Johnson (5 steals) and Kjos (4 blocks) were the defensive standouts.

Stats:
Tommy Burnett—7 pts, 3 rbounds, 3 steals
Justin Nierengarten—4 pts, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Nicholas Kjos—3 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks
Eli Brimacomb—3 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Wes Johnson—2 pts, 5 steals, 2 rebounds
Jordan Ewings—1 pt., 2 steals, 1 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist
Kyle Nordstrom—2 rebounds, 1 steal
Joe Burnley—2 steals, 1 rebound
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Urban Stars
3rd Game

Park beat the Urban Stars in a basketball game with a softball score, 14-13, and took third place honors.

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Park Boys 5A vs. Chaska
3rd Place Game

Park thumped Chaska, 36-16, to take 3rd place honors Sunday.
Park dominated in every facet of the game, rebounding well, and beating Chaska up the court for easy baskets, and led at the half 20-8. Kyle and Eli both had 6 points at the half, Wes Johnson 2, Justin 2, Jordan 2, and Joe Burnley 2.

The second half was more of the same, and about half-way through the half the Chaska team’s heart just wasn’t in it, and seemed to be waiting for the clock to run out.

Kyle, who had a terrific tournament, led Park with 10 points, Eli added 9, Justin 7, Wes Johnson 5, Joe 3, and Jordan 2. Tommy Burnett, though not in the scoring column, had a fine game with 5 rebounds and 2 fine assists.
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Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High
Boys 5A vs. Woodbury

Park was beaten by an excellent team Saturday night, falling to Woodbury, 41-22.

Park’s shots weren’t dropping in the first half, as they could only muster eight total points. Kyle, playing like a man possessed, scored six of the eight (along with 7 rebounds), and Wes Johnson scored the other two.

In the second half, Woodbury went up 33-8 before Kyle hit a long jumper to make it 33-10. Johnson followed with a jumper of his own, and Joe hit one of two free throws to pull Park to within 22, and there would be no historic comeback on this night.

Tommy “Never Say Die” Burnett took a charge to fire up Park, and then scored on a nice drive on Park’s possession. Kyle, Eli, and Joe hit jumpers down the stretch to make the final 41-22.

Now, I don’t work for Chevrolet, but if I could choose a “Chevy Player of the Game,” and give him a new Corvette, the keys would go to Kyle, and not just because he has the same name as I do!

How does he grab so many rebounds?

“I don’t know,” said Kyle. “I just get ‘em.”

Kyle led park with 10 points, and, though he’s one of the shorter players on the team, grabbed 13 rebounds. Burnett (4 pts), Johnson (4 pts), Burnley (3 pts), Eli (2 pts), Justin (3 rebounds), and Jordan (2 steals) played great ball, too!
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Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High
Boys 5A vs. St. Anthony

I’m not sure what Saint Anthony is the patron saint of, but it might be comebacks, because they almost pulled out a huge one!

Park dominated—I mean DOMINATED—the first half, outscoring St. Anthony 23-6. Park pushed the ball up, hit most of their layups, while St. Anthony couldn’t throw the ball into Lake Harriet.

Justin led at the half with 8, Wesley 5, Eli 5, Kyle 3, Tommy 1, and Joe 1. The defensive highlight of the half was a block—yes, a block—by four foot-something Tommy Burnett!

Joe hit a jumper, and Burnett hit a layup to put Park up 27-6, and Park seemed to relax, thinking, like everyone in the stands, that the game was over. Unfortunately, St. Anthony didn’t know the meaning of the word “quit” (my gosh, every computer has a dictionary on it!).

All of a sudden, everything St. Anthony shot went it, and the lead started to shrink, and shrink, and shrink. With two minutes left, Park’s lead had been cut from 21 to 6! Joe hit one of two free-throws for a 29-22 lead, then Johnson hit a 15-foot jumper to put Park up 31-22, and St. Anthony hit a three-pointer as time ran out for a 31-25 final.

In the second half, Park scored only 8 points, (Joe 3, Wes 2, Burnett 2, Justin 1), but their strong first half was enough to win!
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Friday, November 16, 2007 @
Coon Rapids High School
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Elk River Black

Plain and simple, Park got beat by a better team Friday night, falling, 52-20.

Park trailed 30-6 at the half, and it didn’t seem that Elk River could miss a shot, though most of them were lay-ups! In the second half, Park played better. Trailing 48-14, Wes Johnson hit a nice driving runner, but Elk River answered with a 15-footer. Eli Brimacomb hit a 12-footer, and, of course, Elk River scored on another long jumper. Tommy Burnett hit a lay-up to make the score 52-20, and the game, mercifully, came to an end a moment later.

“[Elk River] was bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic,” said coach Curtis Olufson. “We couldn’t handle their press, which hurt us. I’d grade our defense a ‘C’ because sometimes we helped out, and sometimes we didn’t.”
Johnson was injured during the last two minutes of the game, but should be able to shake it off for the next game. “One of their guys was setting a pick, and he stepped on my foot,” said Johnson.
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Saturday, November 17, 2007
@ Coon Rapids H.S.
Second round game
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Elk River White

Park nipped a fine Elk River team, 24-23, to make it to the consolation game on Sunday afternoon.
“Burnley had a breakout game. His best game ever,” said coach Curtis Olafsun
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Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Woodbury
First Tournament Game

It seems that all of the 5th grade team’s games are close ones, doesn’t it? In a squeaker, Park won their first round game, over Woodbury, 21-20.

“We win a lot of those close games,” observed a philosophical Tommy Burnett.

The game was tied 8-8 at the half, with Ely the leading scorer with 4, Jordan Ewings 2, Nick Kjos and Justin Nieregarten 1.

Wes Johnson put Park ahead as the second half opened, going coast-to-coast like a knife through butter and hitting a layup. After a Woodbury basket, Tommy “Don’t call me Johnny” Burnett nailed a jumper from just inside the arc to make the score 12-10.

Both teams went cold for almost five minutes, with Park’s highlights during the drought being impressive rebounds by Ewings, Kjos, and a great steal by Kyle.

Woodbury hit two free throws to tie the game, then went ahead, 14-12, with a nice pass and layup.

With 6:46 remaining, Johnson nailed a runner inside to tie the game at 14, then Nieregarten grabbed a big rebound and fed Johnson for a layup to put Park back in front, 16-14.

“We kept constant pressure on Woodbury,” said Coach Olafson. “And that led to a lot of turnovers and easy baskets.”
Woodbury’s center scored inside to tie the game, but Ely was fouled and hit both ends of a one-and-one for a two point Park lead.

With 1:54 in the game, Woodbury was fouled and also made both free throws, but Ely was fouled again and hit one of two to give Park the slimmest of leads, 19-18.

After a Woodbury turnover, Johnson found Justin for a layup and a three point cushion. Park wouldn’t let Woodbury get off a three-pointer, so Woodbury fed the ball inside for two and, again, Park clung to a one-point lead, 21-20. Woodbury fouled Park with 15.9 seconds left, and Park missed the front end of the one-and-one, but Jordan gobbled up the rebound, and Park ran out the clock on a great game.

“We were a little bit nervous until Jordan got the rebound at the end,” said Wes Johnson.
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Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Orono Spartans
Second Tournament Game

Park’s fifth grade A’s finally lost a close game, this one a 40-31 thriller versus Orono.

Joe Burnley scored Park’s first basket on a short jumper, and Wes Johnson hit a runner to tie the game at 4-apiece, then Orono hit a layup and both team started a scoring slump that lasted almost seven minutes.

Burnley hit a basket to tied the game at six, but Orono went on a 10-6 run to end the half, with Park’s baskets coming from Justin Nierengarten (two jumpers), Eli Brimacomb, and another Johnson runner. The score at the half was 16-14 Orono.

Park came out like gangbusters in the second half, with Nierengarten nailing a bomb from just inside the arc, then hitting a driving layup to tie the game at 18.

Orono scored the next seven point before Tommy Burnett hit a nice runner to pull within 5, 25-20. We had a game!

Both teams started heating up on offense, with Wes hitting from outside, Nicholas Kjos hitting from the paint, Justin nailing a runner, and Burnett hitting from 15 feet to make the score 31-28 with 2:45 left in the game. Park fouled Orono on two straight possessions, and Orono made 3 of 4 free throws to expand their lead to 34-28, then Orono made a steal and layup to go up by 8 with under a minute left.

Burnett was left open beyond the arc, and he nailed a three to pull within five, but Orono score the last two baskets and the game ended 40-31.
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Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ Coon Rapids H.S.
Consolation Championship Game
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A Boys vs. Elk River Red

Question: When does a two-point lead seem almost insurmountable?
Answer: In a 5th grade basketball game.

I’ll get to that later. Park trailed to Elk River, 25-12, early in the third quarter, but Park put a lid on their basket, and Elk River didn’t score again! Park chipped away at Elk River’s lead, and with seven minutes left in the game trailed by two, 25-23. Then Park missed, and Elk River missed. Wash, rinse and repeat for six minutes and 50 seconds!

With 10.5 second left, Wesley Johnson was fouled, and he went to the free throw line, with a chance to tie the score. For those of you who have never watched a fifth grade basketball game, hitting two free throws is the equivalent of me hitting a hole in one, or me running a 4.3 forty, or me taking a good picture (you get the idea). Well, Johnson calmly hit both shots, and when the clock ran out, much to the chagrine of the refs, we went to overtime!

Elk River’s drought continued in overtime, and Park’s shooting amazed everyone. Johnson hit a runner to put Park up two, then Justin Nieregarten nailed a freebie to give Park a three-point cushion. Joe Burnley hit a lay-up with a minute left, then hit two free-throws a few seconds later (I’m telling you, that never happens!). Ely Brimacomb was fouled and hit both of his free throws (seriously, this doesn’t happen), and Tommy Burnett hit a free throw (seriously!) to make the final score 36-35.

Burnley and Johnson led Park in scoring with 10 each, Brimacomb and Justin Nierengarten tallied five, Burnett four, and Nicholas Kjos two.

Great Game!
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Boys 5B Basketball

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Anoka Tornadoes
1st Game

Park ran into a tornado, falling to the Anoka Tornadoes 66-15.

Demarcus Turnage led Park with 6 points, Josh Messick added 4, Alex Hanson 2, Parker Bretl 1, and Park added two points on an Anoka technical foul.

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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Forest Lake
2nd Game

In a complete reversal of their first tournament game, Park throttled Forest Lake, 32-14.

“Our players put on a clinic,” said coach Jeff Daiker.

Indeed, they did. Park beat Forest Lake to every loose ball, dominated the offensive and defensive boards, and ran their offense like a group of old veterans.

Demarcus Turnage was hot early, scoring 8 of Park’s first 10 points; the other two points came on a basket by Alex Hanson.

Up 10-2, Parker Bretl hit two jumpers for a 14-2 lead, and Nick Harkness hit a long jumper for 16-2 lead.

Josh Messick scored off a nice pass from Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts, then they ran the same play and it worked again and the scored was 20-2! Harkness hit a jumper at the buzzer for a 22-2 half-time lead.

Forest Lake scored the first basket of the half, then Turnage scored off a nice pass from Bretl for a 24-4 lead.

Forest Lake scored four points in a row to cut Park’s lead to 24-8, but Brelt hit a runner to push the lead back to 18.

After a Forest Lake basket, Turnage made a steal and layup and the score was 28-10.

Down the strech, Messick hit a nice bank-shot, and Hanson hit a nice shot off the glass with his left hand for a 32-14 final.

Stats
#34 Demarcus Turnage —12 pts, 4 steals, 3 rebounds
#23 Josh Messick —6 pts, 8 rebounds
#13 Parker Bretl —6 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
#24 Alex Hanson —4 pts, 3 rebounds
#10 Connor Hannon —2 pts, 1 rebound
#35 Nick Harkness —2 pts, 3 rebounds
#33 Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts—2 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
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Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 @ SLP S.H.
Park Boys 5B vs. Buffalo

Although the 5B boys didn’t win, they played one of the most exciting game of the tournament for any Park team, losing 26-21 to a fine Buffalo club.

What made the game so exciting? Park, down several players due to illness, played the entire game with five players! “The Iron Five” did Park proud!

The first half was fantastic. Josh Mesick put Park up 2-0 on a short jumper, before Buffalo scored the next six points. Alex Hanson hit a long bomb, and then scored inside, tying the game at 6-6. Buffalo scored the next four points, then Demarcus scored on a fast-break to pull within two. After a Buffalo free throw, Demarcus Turnage made a steal, then hit a driving, running hook shot to cut the Buffalo lead to one. With second left in the half, Buffalo hit a baseline jumper, and, who else, Demarcus nailed another runner to end the half with Park trailing by a single point.

Buffalo hit a free throw early in the second half, then Demarcus hit a floater to again pull Park within one.

With 12 minutes to play, Buffalo scored inside, but Nick Harkness hit a shot from just inside the three-point arc cut the lead to one again. Buffalo scored again, but Demarcus was fouled going to the hoop (that’s where he’s always going!), and he hit one of two to make the scored 19-17 Buffalo!

Chaska scored on a three-point play to go up by five, but Demarcus scored again and the score was 22-19 with two minutes left.

Buffalo scored again, but so did…Demarcus, and the score was 24-21 with 30 seconds left. Park missed a three-pointer, and Buffalo added one more basket to make the final 26-21.

Although Demarcus carried the offensive load with 13 points (with 6 rebounds and 5 steals), all five players were outstanding (and tired).

Nick Harkness scored 2 and grabbed 8 rebounds with 3 steals; Josh Mesick scored 2 and grabbed 4 rebounds and 2 steals; Jerry Somiaiah went scoreless, but had 5 rebounds and 2 steals; and Alex Hanson scored 4 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals!

Congratulations to Coach Daiker and his Iron Five

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Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 @ SLP J.H.
Boys 5B vs. Woodbury

Park lost a tough game in second-round action, 34-21.

Demarcus was hot in the first half, scoring 5 pots, Conner added 2, and Nick 2, but Park trailed 18-9 at the half.

Park battled back in the second half, and threw a scare into Woodbury! Down 20-10 a few minutes into the half, Nick hit a long jumper that seemed to get Park going. Conner nailed a jumper, then hit a runner on the next possession to pull Park to whint 8, 24-16. Parker scored on a 12-foot jumper to pull park within 6 with four minutes remaining, 24-18! After a Woodury basket, Demarcus was fouled and hit one of two to pull Park within 7, but Park went cold, and Woodbury scored the next four points before Demarcus scored off an offensive rebound, Park’s last basket.

Demarcus led with 9 pts, Conner 6, Nick 4, Parker 2. The rebounding was excellent, with Demarcus grabbing 6, Josh 4, Conner 4, Nick , Parker 2, Alex 3, Jan 2, and Jerry 1.
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Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High, 10am
Park Boys 5B vs. Jordan
1st Tourney Game

Anytime you play a basketball game against a team full of Jordans, you’re in trouble! Though they didn’t have the real MJ on their roster, Jordan had some good players, and beat the home team, 43-16.

Park got down 19-0 before Demarcus rebounded his own miss and dropped in a jumper. A minute later, Demarcus ran a replay, scoring off his own miss, to pull Park to 19-4, and then he nailed a long jumper with a few seconds left in the half, and Park went into the half down by fifteen, 19-6.

Park slumped early in the second half, and trailed 29-6, before Nick H. nailed a bomb from just inside the arc.

Connor got into the scoring column when he scored off an offensive rebound, then Nick nailed another long jumper, pulling Park within 19, 33-12. Parker Bretl had a steal and layup to bring Park within 17, but Jordan went on a 10-2 run to end the game, 43-16. Park’s last basket came on a great move and basket by Demarcus, who hung in the air like, well, Air Jordan, before hitting a fadeaway!

Stats:
Demarcus led Park with 8 points, he grabbed 5 rebounds, had 3 steals and 1 block.
Nick Harkness: 4 pts, 3 rebounds.
Connor Hannon: 2 pts, 3 steals.
Parker Bretl: 2 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Josh Mesick: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Alex Hanson: 4 rebounds
Jerry Somiaiah: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts: 2 rebounds, 1 steal.
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5th Grade Boys Basketball

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

Saturday, 2/23/08 @ Roseville Tournament
SLP 5A vs. Anoka

Park lost to a strong Anoka team, with a strong center, 33-22, Saturday afternoon.
Anoka’s center was Nicholas Kjos’s height, but with 50 additional pounds, and he was hard to stop when he got the ball near the basket! Kjos and Nierengarten both worked hard to contain him, but with Wes Johnson and Kyle Nordstrom absent, Park had only six players and ran out of gas in the second half.
Justin Nierengarten and Tommy Burnett each scored early in the first quarter, but trailed 10-4 before the fans got comfy in their seats.

Click on Thumbnails to Enlarge!
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Joe Burnley hit Kjos with a nice pass for a layup, Nierengarted scored on a fast break, and Burnley found Nierengarten for a nice open 10-foot jumper to tie the game at 10-10.

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Burnett went from New York to L.A. (coast-to-coast) for a layup and the score at the half was 12-12.

Nierengarten got Park fired up when he took a charge early in the second half, but Anoka’s mini-Shaq hit a leaner to take a 14-12 lead. Nierengarten hit a floater to tie the game, then made a steal and layup for Park’s first lead of the game!

Anoka went on a 3-0 run to go ahead 17-16, but Burnett hit a layup to five Park back the lead. Anoka’s mini-Charles Barkley (same guy!) hit two baskets in a row to end the third quarter, and Anoka held a 21-18 lead.

Park’s Iron 6 was exhausted by the fourth quarter. Burnett hit a short jumper, then hit a layup assisted by Kjos who made the pass while lying on the floor! Those were the only points Park could muster and they lost by 11.
Stats:
Tommy Burnett—10 points,
3 rebounds, 1 steal

Justin Nierengarten—10 points,
2 rebounds

Nicholas Kjos—2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Jordan Ewings—2 rebounds, 3 steals

Eli Brimacomb—1 rebound, 1 steal

Joe Burnley—3 rebounds, 2 assists,
1 steal
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Anoka Tornadoes

1st Game

Park ran into a tornado, falling to the Anoka Tornadoes 66-15.
Demarcus Turnage led Park with 6 points, Josh Messick added 4, Alex Hanson 2, Parker Bretl 1, and Park added two points on an Anoka technical foul.
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5B vs. Forest Lake
2nd Game

In a complete reversal of their first tournament game, Park throttled Forest Lake, 32-14.

“Our players put on a clinic,” said coach Jeff Daiker.

Indeed, they did. Park beat Forest Lake to every loose ball, dominated the offensive and defensive boards, and ran their offense like a group of old veterans.

Demarcus Turnage was hot early, scoring 8 of Park’s first 10 points; the other two points came on a basket by Alex Hanson.

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Up 10-2, Parker Bretl hit two jumpers for a 14-2 lead, and Nick Harkness hit a long jumper for 16-2 lead.

Josh Messick scored off a nice pass from Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts, then they ran the same play and it worked again and the scored was 20-2! Harkness hit a jumper at the buzzer for a 22-2 half-time lead.
Forest Lake scored the first basket of the half, then Turnage scored off a nice pass from Bretl for a 24-4 lead.

Forest Lake scored four points in a row to cut Park’s lead to 24-8, but Brelt hit a runner to push the lead back to 18.

After a Forest Lake basket, Turnage made a steal and layup and the score was 28-10.

Down the strech, Messick hit a nice bank-shot, and Hanson hit a nice shot off the glass with his left hand for a 32-14 final.
Stats
#34 Demarcus Turnage —12 pts, 4 steals, 3 rebounds
#23 Josh Messick —6 pts, 8 rebounds
#13 Parker Bretl —6 pts, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
#24 Alex Hanson —4 pts, 3 rebounds
#10 Connor Hannon —2 pts, 1 rebound
#35 Nick Harkness —2 pts, 3 rebounds
#33 Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts—2 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds
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Click on thumbnails to enlarge!
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Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008 @ SLP S.H.
Park Boys 5B vs. Buffalo

Although the 5B boys didn’t win, they played one of the most exciting game of the tournament for any Park team, losing 26-21 to a fine Buffalo club.

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What made the game so exciting? Park, down several players due to illness, played the entire game with five players! “The Iron Five” did Park proud!

The first half was fantastic. Josh Mesick put Park up 2-0 on a short jumper, before Buffalo scored the next six points. Alex Hanson hit a long bomb, and then scored inside, tying the game at 6-6. Buffalo scored the next four points, then Demarcus scored on a fast-break to pull within two. After a Buffalo free throw, Demarcus Turnage made a steal, then hit a driving, running hook shot to cut the Buffalo lead to one. With second left in the half, Buffalo hit a baseline jumper, and, who else, Demarcus nailed another runner to end the half with Park trailing by a single point.

Buffalo hit a free throw early in the second half, then Demarcus hit a floater to again pull Park within one.

With 12 minutes to play, Buffalo scored inside, but Nick Harkness hit a shot from just inside the three-point arc cut the lead to one again. Buffalo scored again, but Demarcus was fouled going to the hoop (that’s where he’s always going!), and he hit one of two to make the scored 19-17 Buffalo!
Chaska scored on a three-point play to go up by five, but Demarcus scored again and the score was 22-19 with two minutes left.

Buffalo scored again, but so did…Demarcus, and the score was 24-21 with 30 seconds left. Park missed a three-pointer, and Buffalo added one more basket to make the final 26-21.

Although Demarcus carried the offensive load with 13 points (with 6 rebounds and 5 steals), all five players were outstanding (and tired).

Nick Harkness scored 2 and grabbed 8 rebounds with 3 steals; Josh Mesick scored 2 and grabbed 4 rebounds and 2 steals; Jerry Somiaiah went scoreless, but had 5 rebounds and 2 steals; and Alex Hanson scored 4 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals!

Congratulations to Coach Daiker and his Iron Five!

If you want to see a video of Demarcus sinking a free throw, click here!
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Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 @ SLP J.H.
Boys 5B vs. Woodbury

Park lost a tough game in second-round action, 34-21.
Demarcus was hot in the first half, scoring 5 pots, Conner added 2, and Nick 2, but Park trailed 18-9 at the half.

Park battled back in the second half, and threw a scare into Woodbury! Down 20-10 a few minutes into the half, Nick hit a long jumper that seemed to get Park going. Conner nailed a jumper, then hit a runner on the next possession to pull Park to whint 8, 24-16. Parker scored on a 12-foot jumper to pull park within 6 with four minutes remaining, 24-18! After a Woodury basket, Demarcus was fouled and hit one of two to pull Park within 7, but Park went cold, and Woodbury scored the next four points before Demarcus scored off an offensive rebound, Park’s last basket.

Demarcus led with 9 pts, Conner 6, Nick 4, Parker 2. The rebounding was excellent, with Demarcus grabbing 6, Josh 4, Conner 4, Nick , Parker 2, Alex 3, Jan 2, and Jerry 1.
______
Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High, 10am
Park Boys 5B vs. Jordan
1st Tourney Game

Anytime you play a basketball game against a team full of Jordans, you’re in trouble! Though they didn’t have the real MJ on their roster, Jordan had some good players, and beat the home team, 43-16.

Park got down 19-0 before Demarcus rebounded his own miss and dropped in a jumper. A minute later, Demarcus ran a replay, scoring off his own miss, to pull Park to 19-4, and then he nailed a long jumper with a few seconds left in the half, and Park went into the half down by fifteen, 19-6.

Park slumped early in the second half, and trailed 29-6, before Nick H. nailed a bomb from just inside the arc.

Connor got into the scoring column when he scored off an offensive rebound, then Nick nailed another long jumper, pulling Park within 19, 33-12. Parker Bretl had a steal and layup to bring Park within 17, but Jordan went on a 10-2 run to end the game, 43-16. Park’s last basket came on a great move and basket by Demarcus, who hung in the air like, well, Air Jordan, before hitting a fadeaway!
Stats:
Demarcus led Park with 8 points, he grabbed 5 rebounds, had 3 steals and 1 block.
Nick Harkness: 4 pts, 3 rebounds.
Connor Hannon: 2 pts, 3 steals.
Parker Bretl: 2 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Josh Mesick: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Alex Hanson: 4 rebounds
Jerry Somiaiah: 2 steals, 2 rebounds
Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts: 2 rebounds, 1 steal.
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Sunday, December 2, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
Park Boys 5h Grade B vs. Eagan
Third Tournament Game-Friendship Game

Some say that the New York Giants Bobby Thompson’s homer to win the 1951 National League pennant was sports “shot heard ‘round the world.” Well, step aside, Bobby. Step aside for Alex Hanson!

Park’s game against Eagan was evenly matched, and the first half ended in an 11-10 Eagan lead. In the second half, Park came out with a lot of defensive intensity, and the shots that were rimming out in the first half started to fall.

Early in the second half, Park took the lead, and the game see-sawed back and forth, with Park clinging to a lead that fluctuated between two and four points.

With three minutes remaining, Eagan went on a run to go up by two, and, with two minutes left in the game, Parker Bretl was fouled going to the basket.. Bretl swished the front end of the one-and-one to pull Park to within one. A few seconds later, Connor Hannon was fouled, and he also hit one of two from the line to tie the game at 22 with under a minute to play. On Park’s next possession, the Orioles missed a shot from outside, but Hanson ripped the rebound away from two Eagan defenders, and put a shot up and in to give Park a two point lead, 23-21!

With under a minute, Eagan had a flurry of shots, and Park fought for, and finally grabbed, the rebound. Eagan committed a foul and Park added another free throw and the clock ran out on a 24-21 win.

“It was a big victory [and] all our players contributed,” said Coach Jeff Daiker. “Defensively, the kids began to understand the concept and importance of team defense. Our stingy defense allowed us to get into transition, where we drew a lot of fouls in the second half.”
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Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
Park 5th Grade B vs. Woodbury
Second Tournament Game

Park continues to improve, but still were looking for their first win of the year, losing to Woodbury 30-14.

The first half had few offensive highlights, with Connor Hannon hitting two jumpers and Demarcus Turnage hitting a free throw, while Woodbury scored twenty.

The second half was a different story, with Park playing great on both ends of the court, and Woodbury only outscoring Park 10-9 in the half.

Parker Bretl had a great three point play when he hit a free throw after being fouled on a layup, then Conner scored on a terrific drive. Josh Mesick grabbed an offensive rebound and tossed one in off the glass, and Park’s last basket was on a terrific play by Demarcus when he weaved through three defenders and nailed a runner.

Park played great defense in the second half, and rebounded like crazy with Nick leading the way with five.

Every game, Coach Jeff Daiker’s crew seems to improve and as soon as they can play a whole game like they did in this game’s second half, they will start winning some big games!

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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Westside Boosters

1st Game
In a thrilling game, Park beat Westside by one point, 31-30.
(continued below)Tommy Burnett and Joe Burnley led Park with 6 points each, Wes Johnson added 5, Kyle Nordstrom 4, Nicholas Kjos 4, Justin Nierengarten and Jordan Ewings 2 each.
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St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Fridley

2nd Game
Park got up early, but ran out of gas at the end of the game, falling to Fridley, 28-20.

Wes Johnson scored off the opening tap, and Park got on top right away. Fridley used a full-court press, but Park’s passing was excellent, and its defensive intensity through the roof, which led to some easy baskets.

Jordan Ewing’s block led to a Nicholas Kjos bank-shot, then Tommy Burnett scored off a break to go up 6-1. Johnson stole an errant Fridley pass, then dished to Justin Nierengarten for a lay-up and a 8-1 lead. Burnett hit a free throw, then hit a 10-foot jumper, followed by an Eli Brimacomb free throw and the lead was up to 12-1!

Fridley finally got their act together, their shots started to fall, and Park’s lead started to shrink. Fridley pulled to 12-6 on a hoop inside, then Ewings hit a free throw to push the lead back to seven, 13-6. Fridley hit two free throws in the last minute of the half, and the score was 13-8 at the intermission.

After a Fridley basket to open the second half, Kjos made one of two free throws for a 14-10 lead. Fridley scored to make it 14-12, then Burnett stole the ball, did a shake ‘n’ bake down court for a layup, and a 16-12 lead. Fridley hit a layup, then Ewings hit Nierengarten for a basket inside and an 18-14 lead, but Fridley scored the next six points and led 20-18 with 9:20 left.

Brimacomb hit a Magic Johnson baby hook off the glass to tie the game, 20-20, with 6:00 left, but after Fridley dropped their press down deep in the paint, forcing Park to shoot from outside, the home team’s shots stopped dropping, and Park went scoreless over the last four minutes. Fridley scored the last eight points of the game, and the game ended 28-20.

Burnett was the offensive star of the game with 7 points, and Johnson (5 steals) and Kjos (4 blocks) were the defensive standouts.

Stats:
Tommy Burnett—7 pts, 3 rbounds, 3 steals
Justin Nierengarten—4 pts, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Nicholas Kjos—3 pts, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks
Eli Brimacomb—3 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Wes Johnson—2 pts, 5 steals, 2 rebounds
Jordan Ewings—1 pt., 2 steals, 1 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist
Kyle Nordstrom—2 rebounds, 1 steal
Joe Burnley—2 steals, 1 rebound
_____

St. Louis Park Tournament
Jan. 26-27, 2008
Boys 5A vs. Urban Stars

3rd Game

Park beat the Urban Stars in a basketball game with a softball score, 14-13, and took third place honors.

_____
_____
Park Boys 5A vs. Chaska
3rd Place Game

Park thumped Chaska, 36-16, to take 3rd place honors Sunday.
Park dominated in every facet of the game, rebounding well, and beating Chaska up the court for easy baskets, and led at the half 20-8. Kyle and Eli both had 6 points at the half, Wes Johnson 2, Justin 2, Jordan 2, and Joe Burnley 2.

The second half was more of the same, and about half-way through the half the Chaska team’s heart just wasn’t in it, and seemed to be waiting for the clock to run out.

Kyle, who had a terrific tournament, led Park with 10 points, Eli added 9, Justin 7, Wes Johnson 5, Joe 3, and Jordan 2. Tommy Burnett, though not in the scoring column, had a fine game with 5 rebounds and 2 fine assists.
______________________
Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High
Boys 5A vs. Woodbury

Park was beaten by an excellent team Saturday night, falling to Woodbury, 41-22.

Park’s shots weren’t dropping in the first half, as they could only muster eight total points. Kyle, playing like a man possessed, scored six of the eight (along with 7 rebounds), and Wes Johnson scored the other two.

In the second half, Woodbury went up 33-8 before Kyle hit a long jumper to make it 33-10. Johnson followed with a jumper of his own, and Joe hit one of two free throws to pull Park to within 22, and there would be no historic comeback on this night.

Tommy “Never Say Die” Burnett took a charge to fire up Park, and then scored on a nice drive on Park’s possession. Kyle, Eli, and Joe hit jumpers down the stretch to make the final 41-22.

Now, I don’t work for Chevrolet, but if I could choose a “Chevy Player of the Game,” and give him a new Corvette, the keys would go to Kyle, and not just because he has the same name as I do!
How does he grab so many rebounds?

“I don’t know,” said Kyle. “I just get ‘em.”

Kyle led park with 10 points, and, though he’s one of the shorter players on the team, grabbed 13 rebounds. Burnett (4 pts), Johnson (4 pts), Burnley (3 pts), Eli (2 pts), Justin (3 rebounds), and Jordan (2 steals) played great ball, too!
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Saturday, January 5, 2008 @ SLP JR. High
Boys 5A vs. St. Anthony

I’m not sure what Saint Anthony is the patron saint of, but it might be comebacks, because they almost pulled out a huge one!

Park dominated—I mean DOMINATED—the first half, outscoring St. Anthony 23-6. Park pushed the ball up, hit most of their layups, while St. Anthony couldn’t throw the ball into Lake Harriet.
Justin led at the half with 8, Wesley 5, Eli 5, Kyle 3, Tommy 1, and Joe 1. The defensive highlight of the half was a block—yes, a block—by four foot-something Tommy Burnett!

Joe hit a jumper, and Burnett hit a layup to put Park up 27-6, and Park seemed to relax, thinking, like everyone in the stands, that the game was over. Unfortunately, St. Anthony didn’t know the meaning of the word “quit” (my gosh, every computer has a dictionary on it!).

All of a sudden, everything St. Anthony shot went it, and the lead started to shrink, and shrink, and shrink. With two minutes left, Park’s lead had been cut from 21 to 6! Joe hit one of two free-throws for a 29-22 lead, then Johnson hit a 15-foot jumper to put Park up 31-22, and St. Anthony hit a three-pointer as time ran out for a 31-25 final.

In the second half, Park scored only 8 points, (Joe 3, Wes 2, Burnett 2, Justin 1), but their strong first half was enough to win!
_______
Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
St. Louis Park 5th Grade B vs. St. Michael-Albertville
First Tournament Game

You don’t have to believe me, but Park played a fine game, though they lost to St. Mike-Albertville, 40-8, in first round action. There was no question that St. Mike’s had the superior club, and may have been playing down, but Park showed plenty of heart, and played hard for all 40 minutes.

St. Mike’s scored the first 8 points of the game before Demarcus Turnage stole an errant pass and went coast-to-coast for a layup. St. Mike’s scored the next 8 points, and led at the half 16-2. Though Park didn’t score much in the first half, they had a half-dozen shots rim out, and Connor Hannon and Josh Mesick each had two big rebounds.

The second half didn’t start out great for Park, with St. Mike’s scoring the first 18 points, but with 8:00 left Park stepped up their game and played their opponents dead even. Parker Bretl hit one of two after being hacked, then Jerry Somiaiah grabbed a rebound in traffic and fed Bretl who was fouled again, and he, again, hit one of two. Hannon nailed a bomb from just inside the arc to pull Park closer, and Turnage weaved through three defenders and kissed one off the glass as the clock ran out.

Turnage led all Park scorers with 4, Bretl and Hannon added 2 each. Alex Hanson, Somaiah, Nick Harkness, and Jan Carlos Liz-Fonts all played great defense, despite giving up about three inches per man.

“We improved 100 percent over the last game,” said Coach Jeff Daiker. “I was proud of everyone’s effort.”
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Friday, November 16, 2007 @
Coon Rapids High School
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Elk River Black

Plain and simple, Park got beat by a better team Friday night, falling, 52-20.

Park trailed 30-6 at the half, and it didn’t seem that Elk River could miss a shot, though most of them were lay-ups! In the second half, Park played better. Trailing 48-14, Wes Johnson hit a nice driving runner, but Elk River answered with a 15-footer. Eli Brimacomb hit a 12-footer, and, of course, Elk River scored on another long jumper. Tommy Burnett hit a lay-up to make the score 52-20, and the game, mercifully, came to an end a moment later.

“[Elk River] was bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic,” said coach Curtis Olufson. “We couldn’t handle their press, which hurt us. I’d grade our defense a ‘C’ because sometimes we helped out, and sometimes we didn’t.”

Johnson was injured during the last two minutes of the game, but should be able to shake it off for the next game. “One of their guys was setting a pick, and he stepped on my foot,” said Johnson.
___________________________
Saturday, November 17, 2007
@ Coon Rapids H.S.
Second round game

St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Elk River White
Park nipped a fine Elk River team, 24-23, to make it to the consolation game on Sunday afternoon.
“Burnley had a breakout game. His best game ever,” said coach Curtis Olafsun.
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Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Woodbury
First Tournament Game

It seems that all of the 5th grade team’s games are close ones, doesn’t it? In a squeaker, Park won their first round game, over Woodbury, 21-20.

“We win a lot of those close games,” observed a philosophical Tommy Burnett.

The game was tied 8-8 at the half, with Ely the leading scorer with 4, Jordan Ewings 2, Nick Kjos and Justin Nieregarten 1.

Wes Johnson put Park ahead as the second half opened, going coast-to-coast like a knife through butter and hitting a layup. After a Woodbury basket, Tommy “Don’t call me Johnny” Burnett nailed a jumper from just inside the arc to make the score 12-10.

Both teams went cold for almost five minutes, with Park’s highlights during the drought being impressive rebounds by Ewings, Kjos, and a great steal by Kyle.

Woodbury hit two free throws to tie the game, then went ahead, 14-12, with a nice pass and layup.
With 6:46 remaining, Johnson nailed a runner inside to tie the game at 14, then Nieregarten grabbed a big rebound and fed Johnson for a layup to put Park back in front, 16-14.

“We kept constant pressure on Woodbury,” said Coach Olafson. “And that led to a lot of turnovers and easy baskets.”

Woodbury’s center scored inside to tie the game, but Ely was fouled and hit both ends of a one-and-one for a two point Park lead.

With 1:54 in the game, Woodbury was fouled and also made both free throws, but Ely was fouled again and hit one of two to give Park the slimmest of leads, 19-18.

After a Woodbury turnover, Johnson found Justin for a layup and a three point cushion. Park wouldn’t let Woodbury get off a three-pointer, so Woodbury fed the ball inside for two and, again, Park clung to a one-point lead, 21-20. Woodbury fouled Park with 15.9 seconds left, and Park missed the front end of the one-and-one, but Jordan gobbled up the rebound, and Park ran out the clock on a great game.
“We were a little bit nervous until Jordan got the rebound at the end,” said Wes Johnson.
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Saturday, December 1, 2007 @ St. Louis Park Jr. High
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A vs. Orono Spartans
Second Tournament Game

Park’s fifth grade A’s finally lost a close game, this one a 40-31 thriller versus Orono.

Joe Burnley scored Park’s first basket on a short jumper, and Wes Johnson hit a runner to tie the game at 4-apiece, then Orono hit a layup and both team started a scoring slump that lasted almost seven minutes.

Burnley hit a basket to tied the game at six, but Orono went on a 10-6 run to end the half, with Park’s baskets coming from Justin Nierengarten (two jumpers), Eli Brimacomb, and another Johnson runner.
The score at the half was 16-14 Orono.

Park came out like gangbusters in the second half, with Nierengarten nailing a bomb from just inside the arc, then hitting a driving layup to tie the game at 18.

Orono scored the next seven point before Tommy Burnett hit a nice runner to pull within 5, 25-20. We had a game!

Both teams started heating up on offense, with Wes hitting from outside, Nicholas Kjos hitting from the paint, Justin nailing a runner, and Burnett hitting from 15 feet to make the score 31-28 with 2:45 left in the game. Park fouled Orono on two straight possessions, and Orono made 3 of 4 free throws to expand their lead to 34-28, then Orono made a steal and layup to go up by 8 with under a minute left.

Burnett was left open beyond the arc, and he nailed a three to pull within five, but Orono score the last two baskets and the game ended 40-31.

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Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ Coon Rapids H.S.
Consolation Championship Game
St. Louis Park 5th Grade A Boys vs. Elk River Red

Question: When does a two-point lead seem almost insurmountable?
Answer: In a 5th grade basketball game.

I’ll get to that later. Park trailed to Elk River, 25-12, early in the third quarter, but Park put a lid on their basket, and Elk River didn’t score again! Park chipped away at Elk River’s lead, and with seven minutes left in the game trailed by two, 25-23. Then Park missed, and Elk River missed. Wash, rinse and repeat for six minutes and 50 seconds!

With 10.5 second left, Wesley Johnson was fouled, and he went to the free throw line, with a chance to tie the score. For those of you who have never watched a fifth grade basketball game, hitting two free throws is the equivalent of me hitting a hole in one, or me running a 4.3 forty, or me taking a good picture (you get the idea). Well, Johnson calmly hit both shots, and when the clock ran out, much to the chagrine of the refs, we went to overtime!

Elk River’s drought continued in overtime, and Park’s shooting amazed everyone. Johnson hit a runner to put Park up two, then Justin Nieregarten nailed a freebie to give Park a three-point cushion. Joe Burnley hit a lay-up with a minute left, then hit two free-throws a few seconds later (I’m telling you, that never happens!). Ely Brimacomb was fouled and hit both of his free throws (seriously, this doesn’t happen), and Tommy Burnett hit a free throw (seriously!) to make the final score 36-25.

Burnley and Johnson led Park in scoring with 10 each, Brimacomb and Justin Nierengarten tallied five, Burnett four, and Nicholas Kjos two.

Great Game!
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