Richfield vs Washburn sections

Washburn (14-10) vs Richfield (15-11)

This game features match of some of the top talent in the 2013 class. This will be one of the first times that Richfield is the higher seed and is the favorite to win. Both these teams are located in south side of Minneapolis and the crowd is hyped for this section opening game.

Richfield wins the tip off

Washburn leads 5-4 early over Richfield with 16:00 left in the first

Nick Anderson is off to a good start 5 fast points, Washburn up 14-11 with 12:00 left in the first half

Washburn up 17-13 on Richfield with 10:00 left in the first half

Jeff Jones and Jawann Ross exchanging big 3s, Washburn up 19-15 with 8:00 left in the first half

Richfield calls T.O. down 23-20 with 5:58 left in the first half

Washburn leads 31-25 with 4:00 left in the first half

Richfield calls T.O. down 36-26 with 2:19 left in the first half

Washburn leads at halftime 41-29

Washburn calls T.O. up 45-38 with 12:47 left in the second

Jawann Ross ties the game at 52 up and takes the lead 54-52 for Richfield on the next possession with 8:30 left in the second

Richfield has the lead up 61-58 with 6:00 left in the second

Richfield holding the lead up 63-58 with 4:00 left in the game

Washburn calls T.O. down 67-60 with 1:14 left in the game

Richfield gets the comeback win 69-63

Game Review 
This game was up for grabs as both teams had a chance to pull the first round section win. Richfield came back and held on for a well earned win. Washburn led most of the game but shots were not falling in the second half and could not hold Richfeild back. Richfield outscored Washburn 40-22 in the second half.  Once Richfield got the lead in the second half they would not let go, they made their free throws and sealed the game.

Richfield This was a complete team win for Richfield as they got big contributions form all their key players. Jawann Ross 21pts really was turned up for this game leading Richfield in scoring with 5 makes from deep and big plays to get the win. Deshawn Jones 14pts and Louis Williams 14pts had a solid performances. Ed Guyton 15pts had big impact getting second chances points and holding Washburn to one shot on the boards. Patrick Dembley 5pts gave Richfield solid time at the point. This was a solid team win for Richfield.. 

Washburn Washburn did not give away this game as they fought to the end. Offensive production became a big problem in the second half and left the Millers short of the win, losing in the first game in sections for the first time since 2005 season. Nick Anderson 17pts could not carry Washburn to the win going out in the first game. Jeff Jones 18pts had great game leaving it all on the floor and making big plays. 
Washburn needed more production from Evan Shepherd as he finishes the game with 3 points. This game was reflective of the season they have had this year.

Maranatha @ Washburn

#14 Marantha (18-1) vs Washburn (10-8) 

These teams are on two different paths as Washburn is having a down year after reaching the State Championship game last year. While Maranatha is looking like one of the best teams in the state, after failing to even make section finals last season with top seed in the section.This game features two great match-ups. One of dynamic senior points guards Nick Anderson and Garrison Gillard. The second match up of two talented class. Top15 MYSM 2015 shooting guards Grantham Gillard and Even Shepherd.    

Washburn wins the tip-off

Grantham Gillard hits from deep to start the game for Marantha up 3-0

Washburn takes the lead back up 7-5 with 14:00 left in the first half

Marantha and Washburn exchange the lead 19-15, Marantha up with 10:00 left in the first half

Nick Anderson takes the lead back for Washburn with a make from deep 25-22 with 6:32 left in the first half

Washburn with a small lead over Marantha 27-25 with 4:00 left in the first half

Maranath calls T.O. down 33-28 with 1:55 left in the second half

Washburn up at halftime 36-32

Jeremiah Hanson gets the score of the second for Maranatha, Washburn up 36-34

Washburn goes on a 11-6 spurt to go up 45-40 with 14:00 left in the second half

Maranatha calls T.O. down 47-40 with 13:45 left in the second half

Marantha comes out the T.O. on point and go on a 8-2 run led by Isaiah Hanson

Washburn calls T.O. up 49-48 with 10:22 left in the second half

Close game Washburn up 55-53 with 6:00 left in the game

Washburn calls T.O. up 62-58 with 2:46 left in the game

Maranatha calls T.O. down 66-63 with 39 sec left in the game

Washburn misses from the line

This game is going to O.T. 68 up

Grantham gets fouled on the drive, makes 2/2 from the line 70-68

 Nick Anderson hits a 3 ties at 71, Washburn and Maranatha 73 up

Grantham Gillard seals the game at the line making 6 of 6 on the last 3 possessions of the game

Maranatha gets a well earned win 79-73

  Game Review This game was really good. As both teams came in thinking they should win this game. Washburn had the momentum the majority of the game but Maranatha never back down or let down and made the right plays. Maranatha won the turnover battle 12-10 over Washburn in the close game. Maranatha out scored Washburn 11-5 in over time. This was won and lost at the free throw line. Washburn was up 66-60 with less then 1:00 left in regulation.

Maranatha  This was truly a team win for Marantha. Isaiah Hanson 24pts made big shoots down the stretch as Marantha pulled back into the game to tie it up for the overtime victory.Garrison Gillard 18pts 5ast was not on his A game offensively but made up by making plays for others and on defense. Jeremiah Hanson 11pts made a big 3 at the end of regulation and had a solid game. Josh Goldschmidt has hard time playing against Washburn guards.  Gramtham Gillard 21pts 3ast 4reb prove the he can score against more athletic teams and win games from the free throw line. Maranatha gets a win that assures they will be the #1 seed through sections and the State tournament.   

Washburn  Washburn played a solid game but gave this one away. Washburn got good contributions from the team with 4 players in double digit scoring  Nick Anderson, Even Shepherd with 13pts Noah Scarver 10pts and Jeff Jones 14 who kept them in the game in the first half. Washburn could have sealed the win if Nick Anderson made his free throws.This was just another close lose in a not so good season.

Cooper @ Washburn

#28 Cooper (1-1) vs #18 Washburn (2-2)

This is a game that people have been waiting for and its a packed house at Washburn High school for this early season metro match-up featuring some of the metro's top talent. Rashard Vaughn one of the nations top players in the 2014 class, faces Minneapolis most talented program and one the states top guards Nick Anderson.

Cooper wins the tip-off out of bonds turnover Washburn ball

Washburn gets the first score with a 3 from Evan Shepherd to start the game

Rashard Vaughn comes down court hits a 16 footer for Cooper's first score, 3-2 Washburn up

Washburn with 2 makes from deep up 6-5 on Cooper with 15:40 left in the first half

Cooper turns defense to offense and takes their first lead of the game 7-6 with 14:50 left in the first half

Both teams exchange the lead Cooper up 11-9 with 12:00 left in the first half

Washburn goes on a 15-2 run led by Jeff Jones, up on Cooper 24-13 with 7:30 left in the first half

Washburn holding the lead and 5 players have made from deep up 30-18 with 4:45 left in the first half

Cooper returns the run from Washburn with a 16-5 run of their own to end the first half down 35-34

Nick Anderson hits a 3 from deep to start the second half  Washburn up 38-34

Washburn starts the second half on a 8-1 run, Cooper calls T.O. down 43-35 with 15:50 left in the second half

Both teams are turning it up on offense as Lavar McCullough and Nick Anderson trade baskets Washburn up 50-38 with 14:28 left in the game

Washburn calls T.O. up 53-38 with 13:48 left in the second half

Darrious Denson and Marques Gray for Cooper creating second chances on offense and keeping Washburn to one and done on that last few possessions 55-44 Washburn up with 9:15 left in the second half

Cooper cuts the lead to single digits down 62-53 Marques Gray with above the rim tip with 6:00 left in the game

Cooper goes on a 11-2 run and  Lavar McCullough ties it up at 64 with 2:30 left in the game

Billy Kellogg hits a big 3 to take Cooper's first lead since the first half 67-64 with 2:00 left in the game

Taron Pickford with makes 2 critical free-throws Cooper up 69-65 with 1:00 left in the game

Even Shepherd hits from behind the arc 72-68 Cooper up with 42 sec left in the game

Cooper gets the comeback win over Washburn 73-68

Game Review 
Cooper: Cooper gets it's second close win in two days over Wayzata and Washburn. Cooper played the games from behind most of the game, but when the game was close Cooper had ball control and made the shots down the stretch. Clutch play by freshman point guard Taron Pick 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. Darrious Denson 14 pts and Marques Gray 8pts for Cooper creating second chances on offense and keeping Washburn to one and done on in the second half had a impact. Lavar McCullough 11pts and Billy Kellogg 12pts 14 of that in the second half. Rashard Vaughn with a solid performance 24 pts.

Washburn: Washburn held the lead for most of the game, but cooled of towards the end. Washburn made 7 three pointers in the first half and 5 in the second half if that make 7 in the second half they win. Nick Anderson 21 pts 4 threes, Evan Shepherd 11pts 3 threes Jeff Jones 12 pts 2 threes. You live by the trey die by the trey and Washburn plays that style right now.The return of senior F/C Noah Scarver payed diva dins on the glass and getting some scoring inside to help create balance for this jump shooting Washburn Squad.     

Eden Prairie @ Washburn Season Opener

#7 Eden Pairie (0-0) vs #17 Washburn (0-0)



Eden Prairie wins the Tip-off and scores on their first possession with a free throw 1 of 2 by Andre Wallace

Washburn gets their first lead of the game with a 3 from Even Shepherd go up 3-1 with 17:05 left in first half

Both teams and playing aggressive on defense Washburn up 5-4 with 14:45 left in first half

Eden Prairie goes on a 9-0 run and takes the lead 13-5, Washburn takes T.O. with 13:05 left in the first half

Washburn in return goes on a 6-0 run to close the gap 13-11 with 10:00 left in the first half led by Jeff Jones with back to back drives to the rim, Eden Prairie calls T.O.

Washburn takes the lead back 18-17 with 6:30 left in the first half more from Jones

Eden Prairie goes on a 7-1 run led by Anthony Anderson to take the lead  24-18 with 4:00 left in the first half

Washburn goes 5-3 run to close the half down 27-23 to Eden Prairie (Half Time)

Eden Prairie starts the second half the same way they started the game Andre Wallace at the line  29-23

Washburn and Eded Prairie trade baskets as Eden Prairie keeps lead 29-25 with 16:40 left in second half

Washburn calls T.O. falling behind 35-27 with 14:56 left in the second half

Eden Prairie starts the half on a 18-6 run and have pushed the lead out 44-29 with 11:45 left in the game

Washburn can't keep up the scoring pace of Eden Prairie as Sam Johnson hits 3 from deep in 5 possessions and Andre Wallace gets back on track Eden Prairie up big 52-26 with 8:17 left in the second half

Anthony Anderson staying aggressive and Washburn going cold from deep with most of their starters out T.O. Washburn 57-40 with 6:49 left in the game

Eden Prairie seems to have it in the bad as the maintain their lead as the game is falling out of reach
for Washburn 64-47 with 3:00 left in the game.

Eden Prairie gets the season opening win over Washburn 73-56

Game Review

Eden Prairie: Eden Prairie played a solid game on both  ends on the floor and got a drama free win over a top program. Eden Prairie beat up on Washburn  the boards and was the more physical team. Andre Wallace did not look his self for 3 quarters of the game and had a sub-par game. Anthony Anderson was a big part of this win for EP taking it to the rim and getting to the line with 27 big points.
(Eden Prairie did miss Grant Shaffer in the half court offense and play-making.)

Washburn: Washburn settled for to many jumpers and had a bad night from behind the arc. Jeffery Jones(15pt) was the only player who was going to the rim for Washburn. Washburn did not press the pace of the game consistent enough to force in Eden Prarie into mistakes. Washburn did not have the kinda game a team needs to beat a top 10 team in this game. Team rebounding must be a focus.
(Nick Anderson was super off for the opener Washburn will need his complete game to win against their rough schedule.)

Metro Youth Sports Media Top 15 Minnesota Class 2015 Rankings

Class: 2015 It seems to only get better for the talent level in Minnesota. The class of 2015 is packed with high caliber basketball talent. The 2015 class have had a major impact on Minnesota High school basketball this season. If you don't know who some these guys are you been sleep and soon will wake up.


1) Alex IIIikainen   C  6’9 Grad Rapids – A dominate post player with a good  motor and instincts. Was the second best player on a really good team, that made it to the state tournament. Alex can finish around the rim over other front court players, has the ability to pass out the post and make plays for others plays with in the offense. Alex is one of the best post players in the state regardless of class. Averaged 17.0 points 10.6 rebounds and shot FG % 61 this season.

2) Jarvis Johnson  PG 6’1  De La Salle – High caliber point guard skills. Crafty point, playmaker, plays under control, has elite use change of speed and direction to set up his defender up.. Has the ability to collapse the defense off the dribble and can make plays for others around the rim and on the perimeter. Plays with in the offense, can create off the dribble to penetrate and has explosiveness around the rim. Championship point guard as a freshman, Only the 3rd freshmen to start varsity for De La Salle. All-State-Tournament team and the only freshman in the state rank in ESPN’s Top 100 in the class of 2015.

3) Sam Neumann SF/SG  6’4  Cretin Derham-Hall-  High caliber basketball IQ. Sam’s a elite shooter with, solid wing and guard skills. Works well in the offense, spaces and runs the courts well. Has the ability to find the open space in half court and on the break behind the arc. Can take over a game with when hot Versatile scorer average 14.2 points, scored in double figures 21/27 games and scored in every game this season.

4) Marshawn Wilson PG/SG  6’2  Tartan-  Explosive athlete, aggressive on both ends of the court. A true combo guard package. Solid ball handling, perimeter shooting, court vision, scores instincts and dynamic finishing. Marshawn has an elite first step and elevation to beat defenders an score in the half court. Averaged 9.1 points and scored in double figures 13/24 games this season. Can guard multiple positions and one of the best perimeter defenders in the class. Played in every varsity game this season and was a impact player.

5) Sacar Anim  SF/SG  6’4  De La Salle- Absolute stud, dynamic athlete with a complete wing package, athleticism, size, physical tools and skills.  Has solid perimeter shooting skills and ball handling. Started junior varsity and play some varsity on state championship team. Explosiveness and upper body strength to post, drive and finish in the half court. Can guard multiple positions and is the most versatile defender in the class.

6) Andrew Grosz  PG  6’0 Minnetonka-  Speedy Crafty, plays with in the offense and thrives in the open court. Average 9.2 points off the bench, has a high basketball IQ with good playmaking ability and instincts. Has the ability to turn it on when needed and be a scorer. Was a major contributor to a good varsity team. Runs the offense well and will score if left open.

7) Joey Witthus  F  6’3 Chanhassen-  Versatile forward, with good energy and instincts. Plays well with in the offense and is aggressive on both sides of the ball. Can finish around the rim and in traffic with some solid moves in the post. Stared varsity all year and was one of there better players on a good team.

8) JT Gibson  PG 6’1  Champlin Park- A high caliber, scoring point guard with the ability to make plays for others. Played in every varsity game this season. Solid perimeter shooting and ball handling. Moved up the depth chart all year ended the season playing starter minutes. Can be a breakout scorer, scored 20 plus 3 times when given the minutes.

9). Donnell Grisham  PG  6’0  Tartan- Pure point guard, makes playing point guard look easy. Solid ball handling and perimeter shooting.  Moved up the all season dominated freshman and the majority of junior varsity games. Excels at pushing the ball up court and is a dynamic playmaker. One of the most balanced point guards in the class. Has the ability to make other players better.

10) Evan Shepherd  SG  6’3 Minneapolis Washburn – Lean, long, athlete, veritable wing player with solid guard skills. Plays well with the offense, but also can be a high caliber scorer. Started every junior varsity game this season, for a team that was dominate. Averaged over 16.0 a game in junior varsity games and was add to the varsity roster when the junior varsity season ended.
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11) Bjorn Broman  PG/SG  6’0  Lakeview Christian Academy- High energy player, that plays both sides of the ball. Bjorn at his best is a pure point guard and is a better athlete then his older brother Anders. Has good play making ability, solid ball handling and court vision.  Averaged 13.2 points 9.4 assets 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 steal a game this season. Play at a high level all season being a major contributor to a successful team’s basketball season.

12)  Mohammad Lawal  PG/SG 6’2   Breck-  Prototype combo guard skill set. High caliber scorer, who can get past the first defender, and break down the defense off the dribble. Can finish around the rim in traffic and solid perimeter shooting. Average 13.5 points this season, scored in double digits 18/28 games and 20 plus points 6 times. Plays aggressive on both sides of the ball. Can run the offense and has solid play making ability. Started varsity all year for a young team that also suffered from some injuries.

13) Jerome Dixon  SG  6'0  Armstrong- Athletic and fast, intense player high energy on both sides of the ball. Jeromee is excellent perimeter shooter and can finish above the rim in traffic. Moved up all season starting on the freshmen team and ending the season on the varsity. Has a dynamic shooting guard skill set.

14) Grantham Gillard G  6’2  Maranatha Christian Academy-  Athletic and strong, with solid wing and guard skills. Has all the athleticism and physical tools to dominate other guards with his size. Thrives in the open court and finishing on fast break. Played junior varsity for the few games, and end the season averaging 10.0 points 2.5 asset in the sectional playoffs.    

15)  Marty Hill G  6’0  Champlin Park  –  Crafty point guard with high basketball IQ. Has the ability to beat his defender of the dribble. Solid perimeter shooting and perimeter defender. Has all the skills to play varsity, but not sure why he never was moved up this season.


Don’t Sleep:Jayson Edwards-Benidle St. Margret's, Kobe Critchley-Roseville, Aroine Farrar-Roosevelt, Jalen Mobley-Johnson, Jacob Hansen-Chaska, John Warren-FAIR, Grant Long-Wayzata, Tracy Brown-St.Louis Park, Kevin Gleason-Washburn, Graydon Kulick-Breck, Chris Buckley-Henry, Trenton McCarthy-Holy Angles, Matt Anderson-Stillwater, Kwaka Bodom-Breck, Eric Elliot-Johnson, Justin Dahl-Holy Family, Evan Nolan-Armstrong,