Crimson Boys Basketball Makes Late Rally, Lose in OT to Rebels

The Maple Grove Senior High boys basketball team got off to a fast start on Feb. 8 at Champlin Park High School.

Behind James Morris’ 14 first half points, the Crimson boys team led 39-29 with a minute to play in the first half.  However, a turnover and a three point field goal by Champlin at the buzzer gave the Rebels a spark they took into halftime.

Freshmen JT Gibson played a solid second half as Champlin Park outscored the Crimson 20-9 after the break. Maple Grove was able to attack the Rebel’s zone defense and Brycen Wojta’s three pointer tied the game with less than four minutes to play. However, Matt Juneau’s pair of three point plays kept the Crimson at bay. With less than a minute to play, Jake Wieneke’s steal and layup cut the lead to one. After a make and a missed Rebel free throw, Morris drove the length of the court to score with five seconds to play. 

Overtime featured a series of turnovers by both teams and a lengthy delay for blood cleanup. Dan Butorac’s two free throws cut the lead to one with 23 seconds to play. 

With nine seconds to play, and down by three, Wojta’s contested shot was long as the Crimson fell to 8-6 in Northwest Suburban Conference play. 

Morris finished with 32, and Wieneke 14. The Crimson host Armstrong on Friday, Feb. 10.