Lions Finish Second in 3A
by Erik Shupe
March 22, 2010
The Minneapolis Lions traveled to Hutchinson this week to participate in the class 3A State Tournament. The Lions carried a 19-4 record and an 8 game win streak into the tournament. The Lions were the 6 seed and paired with the 3 seed Southwestern Heights (20-3) in the first round. Southwestern Heights had a well balanced starting five featuring a big front line (6’7, 6’5, 6’4) as well as a good shooting guard and one of the best point guards in the state.
Both teams got off to a hot start as Heights went inside early to their 6’7 post and he responded with 5 first quarter points. As the Lions defense struggled to adjust early to the Heights attack, the offense kept them in it as all five Minneapolis starters worked to pull the Lions within two 13-15 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw the Lions defense adjust and put the clamps on Heights. Minneapolis took away the inside game completely, holding the Mustangs to just seven points. With the defense in place the offense continued to crank out points as the Lions held a 28-22 advantage at the half.
The Lions came out of the half with another good defensive quarter holding their opponent to just 9 points. The Mustangs played solid defense of their own and at the end of three Minneapolis had added just one point to their advantage ~ a 38-31 lead. The fourth quarter found the Lions in familiar territory. Throughout the season the Lions established double digit leads only to have their opponents claw back into the game. Again the boys established a 13 point lead early in the fourth only to see the Mustangs quickly close it to 7 points. This time the Lions responded. Behind a gritty defense and great free throw shooting, the Lions lengthened their lead the rest of the way en route to a 64-47 first round victory.
In the semi-finals the Lions would face another outstanding opponent in KC Christian. The Panthers featured an even more talented starting five than the first round opponent with a bevy of outside shooters and a front line that went 6’4, 6’6, and 6’8. The Lions would not be intimidated and sent a message early jumping out to a 16-8 first quarter lead. The second quarter saw KC Christian battle back, but it was clear that the Lions were in control of the contest. Behind a physical man to man defense and an efficient offense, the Lions took another lead into half time up 28-20. The Lions continued to extend their lead and by the end of the third quarter the Lions were up 45-32. The Panthers resorted to a press in the fourth quarter hoping to get back in the game, and for a moment it appeared they might. However, the boys settled down and quickly reestablished control of the game scoring a couple of easy lay ups and hitting free throws down the stretch for a 62-46 victory.
Two games and two double digit victories put the upstart Lions in the Championship game against defending champs odds on favorite Wichita Collegiate. The Spartans had laid waste to nearly every team they had met the last two years. Featuring a starting 10 that were athletic, tall, and great shooters, the Spartans figured to be quite a challenge. The Lions entered the contest wanting to create a half court grinding type of game. Unfortunately, that would not happen. Using a smothering full court man to man trapping defense, the Spartans quickly established the frenetic pace the Lions wished to avoid racing out to a 25-5 first quarter lead. The Lions were able to slow it down considerably in the second, but the damage was already done as the Spartans took a 41-25 lead at the half. The Lions came out in the third and quickly established a 6-0 run of their own, but the press and three point shooting of the Spartans put to rest any hope of a come back. The Lions continued to play hard, but in the end the deep and talented Spartans proved to be too much. Collegiate captured their third state title in four years with a 72-32 victory. The loss brought an end to a phenomenal run by the Lions in which they won 10 straight games, often times against much larger and in some cases favored opponents. The 21-5 season and State Championship runner-up will go down as one of Minneapolis’ finest seasons, making the 2009-2010 team one of the all time greats in Minneapolis High School basketball history.
I personally want to thank the boys for their incredible effort throughout the year. I often asked them to be uncommon--to put their own needs behind that of the team, to give an effort that was their best, and to establish trust among each other by doing what was asked when it was asked. They did these things everyday without question, and achieved great things because of it. I count myself truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with them. And to our entire community, parents, fans, and student body, I know I speak for our entire team in thanking you for your tremendous support. Even the few times when we weren’t the best team on the floor we always had the best fans. It was an honor to represent our community that we all care so much about. Thank you.
| Player | SW Heights Points | KC Christian Points | Wichita Collegiate Points |
| Casy Arganbright | 15 | 8 | 8 |
| John Darrow | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Kyler Macy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andrew Yoxall | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| Grayson George | 26 | 24 | 1 |
| Garrett Daugherty | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Logan Wedel | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Garrett Pounds | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyrel Owens | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dylan Crosson | 6 | 11 | 5 |
| Keegan McCullick | 11 | 9 | 7 |
| Charlie Lynn | 0 | 0 | 0 |
