Apple Valley Rolls Over St. Michael-Albertville

The Class AAAA second-seeded Apple Valley Eagles jumped to a 20-point lead at the half and never looked back in their 70-57 opening state tournament game against the Knights of St. Michael-Albertville on Wednesday.
Six-foot-5 sophomore Gary Trent Jr. collected 14 of his 20 points in the first half for Apple Valley (28-2) and three other Eagles had 10 points. Jackson Greenwaldt led the Knights with 21 points.

Apple Valley was two of 10 from three-point range and St. Michael-Albertville was eight of 17. The Eagles scored 14 points at the free throw line. Trent was a very efficient seven of 13 from the field and five of 6 at the charity stripe.

The Knights finished their season 24-6 and trailed 40-20 at the half. They never really threatened in the second half.

Seven-foot junior Brock Bertram was in some foul trouble for Apple Valley and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, 6-foot-6 junior Cameron Kirksey had 10 first-half points and five rebounds, and 6-foot-5 senior Riley Parham came off the bench for 10 points and five rebounds in 17 high-energy minutes.

The Eagles now play fellow South Suburban member Lakeville North. Shakopee, also out of that league, is in the other semifinal against unbeaten Champlin Park.

KDHL's 67th consecutive year of baseline-to-baseline coverage of the tournament continues Thursday through Sunday. Roy Koenig and I will be at the Target Center for the Class AAAA and Class AAA semifinal games tomorrow and the Class AA and Class A semis on Friday. The four state championships will be broadcast Saturday. Games can also be heard at kdhlradio.com and by downloading the free Radio Pup app on your favorite mobile device.