Hayfield Thrives B-B-E Survives in State Basketball Semifinals

The Hayfield Vikings are back in the Class A Minnesota High School Boys Basketball title game. The Vikings defeated the Cherry Tigers 72-61 today at Williams Arena in Minneapolis..

Cherry sophomore 6'2 Isaac Asuma tried to put his team on his back scoring 36 points with 6 three point baskets, going 14 of 20 from the field.

The Vikings key to victory clearly was having four players in double figures. 5'11 junior Ethan Pack led the team with 19 points, 7 from the free throw line on a day when Hayfield struggled mightily to hit them.

The Vikings were 14 of 29 from the so-called charity stripe while the Tigers were 4 of 7.

Cherry had 11 three point baskets in the game. Hayfield finished with 4.

Senior 6'0 Easton Fritcher got in some foul trouble early but played well anyway scoring 18 points, hauling in 12 rebounds, with 5 assists. Junioir 6'1 Isaac Matti had the primary duty of guarding Asuma on defense and pitched in 16 points.

Sophomore 6'4 Zander Jacobson added 15 points, 8 Brownsdale Auto Body rebounds and 3 assists.

Senior 5'9 Kobe Foster added 4 points and may have delivered one of the biggest baskets of the game late when Cherry was frantically trying to get back into the game.

He drilled a three point bucket from the corner.

Hayfield opened the game with an 8-2 lead. Cherry took a timeout and proceeded to go on a 10-0 run with Asuma draining threes like he was shooting them in his driveway.

The Vikings saw Cherry get a 7 point lead, then motored ahead with some terrific interior passing . Hayfield led at the half 32-26.

There were 4 lead changes and two ties in the game. Our Cash Wise Foods and Pharmacy Delivery of the Game was hard to determine so we chose Easton Fritcher's double-double, Zander Jacobson's near double-double, Ethan Pack for his 7 of 11 performance from the free throw line.

Hayfield will play Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in the Class A State Championship game 11:00 a.m. Saturday on KDHL 920 AM, 97.9 FM, FREE KDHL app.

The Jaguars came from behind late to defeat the New Life Academy Eagles 55-53 in a thrilling game that had 9 lead changes, 4 ties.

B-B-E is 28-4 on the season. Hayfield 31-2. It is going to be a very physical game.

The Jaguars had three players score in double digits. Junior 6'3 Kaden Pieper 15 points, 7 rebounds. Sophomore Luke Dingmann 15 points, 7 rebounds and senior 6'4 Ashton Dingmann 11 points 8 rebounds.

The difference in the game was exceptional free throw shooting by B-B-E with 13 of 16 while New Life Academy of Woodbury was 3 for 3.

Hayfield's interior passing in their win was fun to watch. Belgrade-Berooten-Elrosa uses their athleticism to drive to the basket but like the Vikings are capable of making three point baskets.

In a bit of a KDHL area connection, Jaguars Head Coach Chris Anderson is married to Kenyon-Wanamingo graduate Kristina Lurken. She is the Head Coach of the B-B-E girls basketball team which was one step from state this year also.