Annandale Pulls Off MSHSL Class 2A Boys Basketball Upset

The Annandale Cardinals defeated top seed Minneapolis North Community 60-49 Saturday in a awesome display of defense against the talented Polars.

Annandale (31-2) was the #3 seed by the coaches involved in the tournament. The Cardinals won 29 games in a row, ended with #3 QRF and were rated #8 by Minnesota Basketball News who had Caledonia rated #1.  The Warriors finished with a #2 QRF (Quality Results Formula) at the end of the regular season.

Minneapolis North (27-7) was rated #2 by MBBN with the #1 QRF.

The Polars averaged 81 points per game during the season while the Cardinals defense held opponents to an average of 46 points.

Annandale used the same defensive formula while knocking off #2 seed Caledonia in the Semifinals Friday night.

Rebounding edge was 32-20 for Annandale.  Minneapolis North led early.  Trailed at the half 30-23.  There were 2 lead changes and 3 ties.

Poor three point shooting for Minneapolis North Community in the first half (1 for 9) continued in the second half (2 for 10).

Annandale never trailed in the second half.

A look at the final statistics shows the Polars scored 20 points off turnovers, 9 fast break points.

The Cardinals were 6 of 14 from three point range (42.9%), 8 of 13 from the free throw line while holding Minneapolis North Community to 3 of 19 (15.8%) shooting from beyond the arc.

The Polars were 4 of 8 from the free throw line.

Senior 6'1 Hawkin Miller was efficient offensively (6 of 9 from field) (5 of 5 from free throw line) leading the Cardinals with 18 points, 6 rebounds.  Senior 6'6 Robert Olson had 16 points, 7 rebounds.

Senior 6'7 Brady Spaulding primarily handled the ball against pressure and scored 13 points with 6 assists.

The Polars were led by senior 6'0 Demeiko Anderson and classmate 6'2 Willie Wilson each with 14 points

Annandale Head Coach Skip Dolan in his 26th season (427-214) gets his first state title going up against the winningest coach in state tournament history (winning percentage wise. 90.9%)

Minneapolis North Community Head Coach Larry McKenzie in his 24th year (481-166) (had lost three games total at state previously).  Coach McKenzie has six state titles under his oversight.  Four in a row from 2000 to 2003 with Minneapolis Patrick Henry and back to back 2016 and 2017 at Minneapolis North.

It should be noted Minneapolis North Community starter sophomore 6'0 Zashon Rich broke his hand in their opening state tournament game Tuesday.

Here is a link to the MSHSL All-Tournament Team for each class.

Caledonia Warriors rolled in the Third Place contest 74-58 over Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta.  Senior 6'2 Eli King finished his remarkable career with 35 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 8 steals.

The most remarkable aspect of that statistical line in my mind is the fact he was 1 for 1 from the free throw line and 0 for 4 from three point range.

King is a Mcdonald Award finalist along with Prince Aligbe of Minnehaha Academy, Braeden Carrington from Park Center, Alonzo Dodd of South St. Paul and Tre Hollomon of Cretin-Derham Hall.

The Warriors led from start to finish despite going 5 for 20 from three point territory.

Minnehaha Academy beat Pequot Lakes 79-56 for the Consolation Championship.

Aligbe poured in 32 points in just under 29 minutes.

This is interesting to know.