Royce White and Trent Lockett help Royals take showdown between state's top two teams.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

By Matt Krumrie

MaxPreps.com

Starting Five

1. Hopkins Holds off Henry Sibley: In a match-up of the state’s two top teams, Hopkins showed why it is ranked No. 1 in the state with a 77-66 win over No. 2 Sibley Friday in front of 2,800 fans at the Sibley gym in Mendota Heights. Hopkins stars Royce White and Trent Lockett led a balanced attack with 13 points each, while teammate Marcus Williams added 12. Sibley was led by Mike Bruesewitz with 15 points and Maurice Hernandez with 15. Hopkins led 43-33 at halftime in a game that featured six players who have signed with Division I programs, including White (Minnesota), Lockett (Arizona State) and Bruesewitz (Wisconsin).

2. Champlin Park Challenging in Northwest Suburban: Osseo entered the season as the favorite in the Northwest Suburban Conference, and so far, the Orioles are living up to expectations at 3-0 in the conference and 9-1 overall. One team that could be ready to challenge in the conference race is Champlin Park. The Rebels defeated Blaine 75-73 Tuesday to move to 3-0 in the conference (7-4 overall). The Rebels lead the conference in points per game at 72.6 and have a balanced attack led by Scott Theisen (16.4 points per game), Kyle Zimmermann (15.2), Jasper Duberry (14.1), Josh Pella (11.3) and Tyler Munneke (7.7). In that win against Blaine Zimmermann scored 25 and Duberry 20 to lead the Rebels, who face Osseo Thursday evening.

3. Owatonna Rolling: Owatonna appears to be one outstate threat teams will have to deal with this year. The Huskies improved to 5-0 in the Big Nine and 8-2 overall with a 63-48 win over Rochester John Marshall Tuesday. Kyle Melcher scored 13 points and had 11 rebounds, Spencer Busho scored 11, Taylor Steinbauer 9 and Vaughn Thada 8. The Huskies are tied for first in the Big Nine Conference with Mankato West, the top-ranked team in 3A. Owatonna is ranked No. 8 in 4A. The two teams square off for the first time Friday in Mankato.

4. Awesome Blossom Playing Awesome: Blooming Prairie remains on top of the Gopher Conference with a 65-45 win over J-W-P this week. Cooper Nelson scored 15 points to lead BP, who improved to 5-0 in the conference and 8-1 overall. Matt Zellmer scored 14 and Israel Clark 12 in the win for BP.

5. Cooper Cruising: Nine games, nine wins for the Robbinsdale Cooper basketball team. Led by Rodney Williams (15.9 points per game), a Minnesota recruit and one of the most high-flying players in the country, Cooper is far from one dimensional. Other key players for the Classic Lake title contenders include Kenquane Brown (15.2), Quincey Bethea (13.1) and Joe Bright (13.3).