Mall of America Classic

Mall of America Classic

Mall of America Classic - St. Paul, MN

Hosted by: Grass Roots Hoops

April 12-13, 2008

1st Place

Minnesota Xplosion finished 4-0 at St. Bernard's High School and capped it off with a win against 43 Hoops. With a 16 minute running clock, games were short and scores were low.

Xplosion's first game was against Concordia Bulldogs. The team was made up of the next years Varsity team minus Zach Towle of Pulley and a few others that had ACT testing. The "X" got out to an early lead and took it into the half, 24-10. The second half went much the same as the final was 43-23, Xplosion. Brent Walker and Anthony Webber finished with 8 points a piece and Josh Pella had 7. Anthony Webber also had 4 blocked shots.

Game 2 was against Team Train. With a 37-7 lead at half, Xplosion backed off in the second half and finished with a 61-19 win. Jordan Reibling had 12 points, Anthony Webber 11 and Dillon Hager 8. Josh Pella pulled down 7 rebounds.

Sunday was game 3 and it would be Concordia, round 2. This time, they had their players back from the ACT testing and would be ready to go. With balanced scoring, Xplosion held a 20-19 lead at halftime. As the game continued, Josh Pella continued to pull down rebounds, 7 overall, and Jordan Reibling dropped 2 three balls in an effort to hold off Concordia. As the clock ran down, the Xplosion pulled out the win, 43-40. Jordan Reibling had 12, Mike Rovansek dropped 11 (4-5 from the line) and Josh Pella with 7.

The final game of the tournament would be 43 Hoops. Being significantly outsized, Minnesota Xplosion had no other option but to play a zone defense and it worked. With a quick start, Xplosion went up 11-1 behind good ball movement, outside shooting and a defense that would not allow the ball inside. At the half, Xplosion lead 19-8. 43 Hoops made adjustments in the second half and slowly chipped away at the Xplosion lead. #21 for 43Hoops became the go-to man as he became redhot from the outside scoring 12 points in the second half and closing to within 1 point. A tough defensive stance with 35 seconds in the game and forcing 43 Hoops to throw up a 3 point prayer that wouldn't go sealed the win for Xplosion. Final....28-27. Josh Pella scored 9 points, Jordan Reibling finished with 8 in a very low scoring, defensive finale.

Next Up....ECI Spring Preview in Wahpeton, ND

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