Spring Great Lake Shootout

19th Annual Spring Great Lakes Shootout - Menomonie, WI

March 21-22

Minnesota Xplosion traveled to Menomonie, WI to play in the Spring Great Lake Shootout, one of many tournaments included in the Shootout Series.

The first game of the spring season was against Fast Break and Xplosion came out looking like it was the first game. After getting in a deep hole early, the Xplosion went into the half down 33-23 with even scoring from the entire team. The second half picked up considerably as a comeback was in the making behind Michael Rovansek's 11 second half points, 15 for the day. After pulling to within 1, the Fast Break were able to hold off the Xplosion 55-50. Other top scorers were Josh Pella and Brent Walker with 7 points a piece. Josh Pella also pulled down 10 rebounds showing his dominant ability around the basket.

Game two verse Lake Superior followed just a few hours later and it seems the Minnesota Xplosion reverted back to the way they played in the first half of the earlier game, sluggish. The defense seemed to be there but the offense was nowhere to be found. At half the Xplosion was down 22-15. The second half played out the same as again the Xplosion shooters struggled to find their shot. Josh Pella tried to carry the team by scoring all of his 9 points in the half but it wasn't enough. Dyami Starks and Lake Superior proved to be too much and the final score was 48-31. The loss put the Xplosion's record at 0-2. High Scorers for the game was Anthony Webber with 11, Josh Pella finished with 9 and Dillon Hager with 5.

Saturday couldn't come soon enough after 2 quick losses to start the season. Up next was the Rim Rattlers. Not happy with the previous days performance, Minnesota Xplosion came out fast taking a 10-2 lead. 7 of the 10 teammates scored in the first half and the Xplosion took a 36-24 lead into halftime. The Rim Rattlers came out in the second half ready to play. After closing the gap and getting to within 5 the Rim Rattlers couldn't pull it off as the Xplosion proved the stronger opponent winning 57-51. Anthony Webber pulled down 7 rebounds and scored 10 points in a big effort. Mike Rovansek lead all scorers with 12, Jordan Reibling had 11 and Brent Walker had 10.

Because of the way the pools were set up and the loses the previous day, the Xplosion would play the Rim Rattlers again the same day. This time, the Rim Rattlers were determined to not play from behind as they came out much more prepared. A quick couple transition baskets early put the Rattlers up by as many as 13 points early in the first half and left the Xplosion in a familiar position again...playing from behind. A big three point shot from Austin Leabo was the turning point in the first half along with 2 big buckets from Eric Sandstad. As the halftime buzzer went off, the Xplosion had pulled to within 1, down 24-25. The Minnesota Xplosion continued right where they left off coming out with tight defense and lots of different looks on offense. Josh Pella and Anthony Webber both had 7 rebounds a piece along with Eric Sandstad's 8 second half points. Blair Dittrich, Austin Leabo, Dillon Hager, Rich Starck and Eric Sandstad stood strong as they held off a comeback attempt by the Rattlers. Xplosion wins the rematch 51-46 improving their record to 2-2. Eric Sandstad was high scorer with 10 followed by Josh Pella's 8, Jordan Reibling's 6 and Brent Walker's 6.