Crimson Season Ends in Battle with Cooper

Section 5AAAA has been regarded as one of the best in the state, so the 4/5 matchup at MGSH had elements of what makes this game great.

Maple Grove beat Cooper two months ago in the finals of a holiday tournament. The ticket line stretched outside Door D all the way to the street as everyone wanted to see this one. The Crimson student body was large and loud. The assembled included Tyus Jones, Andre Wallace, John Sobaski, The Czar, an assistant from Kansas, Flip Saunders, and Tubby Smith. In addition, metro basketball junkies crowded in to watch the Hawks and Crimson get after it.

The speed and intensity was not that of an ordinary game.

Jake Wieneke and Erik Olson got off early as Wieneke had good melt on a three and then found Olson as the Percheron ran the floor. Cooper countered as their back court was able to drive to the hole. Olson's hoop and the harm gave him 15 points in the first 10 minutes. The Crimson led 24-20 with 8 left in the first half. But Cooper came back with a 7-0 run late in the half that included a throw down by Rashad Vaughn that picked up the intensity another notch. This was not a game for boys. The halftime score was 39-33.

Early in the second half Maple Grove had a great start as Wieneke hit from distance and Jake Palmer had the student section going crazy as the home team led 42-41. Olson continued to pound the glass grabbing offensive rebounds or finished with assists from Brycen Wojta. Cooper went cold for a spell, but the Crimson were colder as they struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 3 for 21 for the game. Senior Austin Paul was sick and Cooper had no bench support as fatigue set in for both teams. But down the stretch Cooper was able to get to the line or create chances off the dribble and led 67-56 with 5 to play.

The final was 78-67 Hawks.

Wieneke finished with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Olson had a career high 33 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.He finished the season with a 71 blocks, setting a school record with his swat of Vaughn on second half layup. He also set a school record for FG's in a game with 15.

When a game is over everyone is sad as games, seasons and careers all come to a close. As the players came out of the locker room, and paraded by college coaches lining the hallway, they were greeted by their friends, parents, former teammates, and teammates from other sports who hung around to support the Crimson. Sometimes high school students get some bad ink or reputations, but the scene after this game demonstrated what is right with these young men.

I make note of this because it went unnoticed by the large crowd who had already left the gym. Tonight I write this not only as a Crimson fan but also a proud dad. This is the most humble group of kids I have ever encountered. Rocky Hager used to say, "if you are good, you don't have to tell anybody, people will find out." Ask any of these seniors, and they would unanimously say they couldn't have achieved their success without their faith, teammates, coaches, community support, or fans. While they did great things on the court, I am confident they will also make great husbands and fathers. In the big picture, that is what this is all about. Go Crimson...