As the month of December ran out of days, simultaneously signaling the coming of a New Year, the Champlin Park boys basketball team was running out of options.
Leading up to the last day of 2008, the Rebels had played six games with just two wins to show for it.
The last of those losses in a 90-71 showing against Hopkins, the state's best team and one that has been mentioned as possibly the best high school team ever in Minnesota.
Leading up to the last day of 2008, the Rebels had played six games with just two wins to show for it.
The last of those losses in a 90-71 showing against Hopkins, the state's best team and one that has been mentioned as possibly the best high school team ever in Minnesota.
Regardless, Champlin Park needed to pick a direction. They could curtail and pack in the rest of the season, or they could use the remaining days of 2008 to get better.
A month later, their choice is obvious. Starting with a 78-50 win over Irondale New Year's Eve, the Rebels have won seven of their last eight ball games, including five of six in Northwest Suburban Conference play.
"Since we played Hopkins, we've been a different team mentally," said head coach Mark Tuchscherer. "The biggest thing has been our defensive intensity. We lost by 20, but we brought some intensity, and I think some of the kids realized we could play with those guys. Ever since then, our defensive intensity has been outstanding."
There has been one hiccup in the form of a 75-54 loss to Osseo, but that setback has a lot in common with each of Champlin Park's defeats.
All five losses have come against teams that at the time were rated in the top-10 of Class 4A.
Osseo has been ranked fifth most of the year, Hopkins is the clear No. 1, and there have also been a pair of setbacks to No. 8 Wayzata and another to defending state champion Minnetonka.
But other than those games, Champlin Park's been perfect.
"We are winning the games we should win, and we've lost a couple close games with those ranked teams," Tuchscherer said. "We are happy with where we are at."
And they are happy on both ends of the court. Tuchscherer alluded to the defensive effort, and offensively, Champlin Park has four players averaging in double figures, and two more scoring at least five points a night.
"That's a good thing," said senior guard Scott Theisen, who at 17.4 points per game leads the team in scoring. "We have so many scorers on the team, and when we play certain teams, they can't just shut down on person. It's a benefit for us that we have five players that can get double figures any given night."
Out of that group, Theisen was expected to score. As was junior forward Kyle Zimmerman (14.3 points per game) and junior guard Jasper Duberry (12.8).
Junior Josh Pella is a different story though. He played mainly on the junior varsity last year, but in his first year at the varsity level, he's netting 10.6 points a night, is also the conferences top rebounder and is second in the league in steals.
"He kind of does everything," Tuchscherer said. "He's Mr. Utility. His goal every night is 10 and 10, and he's been getting that on a consistent basis."
Likewise, the Rebels have been winning just as consistently as of late, and that could continue.
They beat Andover 46-43 Friday, Jan. 23 to move to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in the Northwest Suburban. This week, they were scheduled to play at Park Center Jan. 27 before hosting Anoka Jan. 30. From there, the Rebels will face Elk River, Centennial and Maple Grove before settling into a rematch with Osseo at home on a night (Friday, Feb. 13) known for the unknown.
And if Champlin Park's current trend continues, that game could be for a share of first place in the conference.
For a team that plays just two seniors, that would be frightening.
"I know, but we aren't thinking about Osseo yet," Theisen said. "That would be our goal though; run a bunch off before we get to them and hopefully win one there and have a split for first."
A month later, their choice is obvious. Starting with a 78-50 win over Irondale New Year's Eve, the Rebels have won seven of their last eight ball games, including five of six in Northwest Suburban Conference play.
"Since we played Hopkins, we've been a different team mentally," said head coach Mark Tuchscherer. "The biggest thing has been our defensive intensity. We lost by 20, but we brought some intensity, and I think some of the kids realized we could play with those guys. Ever since then, our defensive intensity has been outstanding."
There has been one hiccup in the form of a 75-54 loss to Osseo, but that setback has a lot in common with each of Champlin Park's defeats.
All five losses have come against teams that at the time were rated in the top-10 of Class 4A.
Osseo has been ranked fifth most of the year, Hopkins is the clear No. 1, and there have also been a pair of setbacks to No. 8 Wayzata and another to defending state champion Minnetonka.
But other than those games, Champlin Park's been perfect.
"We are winning the games we should win, and we've lost a couple close games with those ranked teams," Tuchscherer said. "We are happy with where we are at."
And they are happy on both ends of the court. Tuchscherer alluded to the defensive effort, and offensively, Champlin Park has four players averaging in double figures, and two more scoring at least five points a night.
"That's a good thing," said senior guard Scott Theisen, who at 17.4 points per game leads the team in scoring. "We have so many scorers on the team, and when we play certain teams, they can't just shut down on person. It's a benefit for us that we have five players that can get double figures any given night."Out of that group, Theisen was expected to score. As was junior forward Kyle Zimmerman (14.3 points per game) and junior guard Jasper Duberry (12.8).
Junior Josh Pella is a different story though. He played mainly on the junior varsity last year, but in his first year at the varsity level, he's netting 10.6 points a night, is also the conferences top rebounder and is second in the league in steals.
"He kind of does everything," Tuchscherer said. "He's Mr. Utility. His goal every night is 10 and 10, and he's been getting that on a consistent basis."
Likewise, the Rebels have been winning just as consistently as of late, and that could continue.
They beat Andover 46-43 Friday, Jan. 23 to move to 9-5 overall and 5-1 in the Northwest Suburban. This week, they were scheduled to play at Park Center Jan. 27 before hosting Anoka Jan. 30. From there, the Rebels will face Elk River, Centennial and Maple Grove before settling into a rematch with Osseo at home on a night (Friday, Feb. 13) known for the unknown.
And if Champlin Park's current trend continues, that game could be for a share of first place in the conference.
For a team that plays just two seniors, that would be frightening.
"I know, but we aren't thinking about Osseo yet," Theisen said. "That would be our goal though; run a bunch off before we get to them and hopefully win one there and have a split for first."
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Pictures courtesy of Michael Much of MN Photo Net. Your Source for Minnesota High School, Varsity, and AAU sports action photography for Basketball, Football and Basball. Visit the www.mnphotonet.net galleries and order your Prep and Varsity high resolution prints for home delivery today.
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