STAR OF THE NORTH GAMES

Full Tournament Results

June 27-29

St. Paul, MN

Competing Teams:

Minnesota Xplosion go 4-1 and finish in 2nd place

The Star of the North Games '08 got underway Friday night.  Minnesota Xplosion would be playing the entire weekend shorthanded.  Michael Rovansek and Steve Bailey would be unavailable all weekend, Brent Walker out in the Friday night game with a knee injury not to return all weekend, Starck and Ghizoni missing the Saturday night game, Kuledge and Webber missing both Sunday games.  With Xplosion having two full weekends off, the team was very anxious to hit the hardwood.

Xplosion 80     Farmington 75

Jordan Reibling going to the rim

First up would be Farmington.  Xplosion got out to a quick start gaining a 10 point lead and maintaining it and more thru halftime.  Josh Pella was the assist man in this game having a total of 10.  Halftime score was 44-27 behind 13 first half points from Jordan Reibling.  Farmington made a few runs in the second half and at one point came within 4 points but the Xplosion defense was too much as they were able to hang on for a 80-75 win.  Jordan Reibling picked up his first double double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.  Jack Ghizoni had 17 points, Rick Starck with 14 and Dillon Hager chipped in 11.

Xplosion 68     Rochester Shock 58

Rick Starck finishing strong

The second pool game was played on Saturday against Rochester Shock.  Xplosion picked up right where they left off on Friday night.  Rick Starck played a tough game underneath making post moves and finishing strong all game.  Xplosion up by 13 at the half, 38-25.  All game steals were plentiful as the team racked up 13 total in the game to go with 27 boards.  A small rally by the Shock pulled them to with 4 points but again, defense prevailed as Xplosion was able to go on a run of their own, stopping the ball at the defensive end and converting on the offensive end.  Final score, 68-58.  Rick Starck finished with 20, Josh Pella and Jordan Reibling each with 12 and Jack Ghizoni had 11.

Xplosion 55     Elk River 33

Jordan Reibling scoring early in the game

With the two previous wins, Xplosion takes first in their pool and advances to the championship bracket.  Quarter finals game would be against Elk River.  Xplosion got off to a slow start allowing uncontested baskets and found themselves down 2-10 right out of the gate.  A quick timeout for regrouping was called and defensive adjustments were made.  Out of the timeout, Xplosion worked hard at both ends of the court.  Blair Dittrich worked the post working the ball inside scoring 8 points in the first half helping lead the charge.  Josh Pella dropped all 9 of his points in the first half also.  After a nice push, halftime score was 34-25 Xplosion.  The rout continued in the second half as Jordan Reibling scored 17 of the teams 21 points closing out Elk River 55-33.  Jordan Reibling lead all scorers with 25, Josh Pella had 9 and Blair Dittrich finished with 8.

Xplosion 75     Mustangs 70

Jack Ghizoni hitting the jumper

Minnesota Xplosion advanced to the semi-final game with the win over Elk River and would have to play the Mustangs.  A very fast and strong team comprised of all-stars from the Hiawatha Valley Conference.  The Mustangs beat Tartan by 2 in the previous game.  This game was back and forth the entire game with runs by both teams.  Jack Ghizoni played very tough at both ends of the court.  Ghizoni, Pella and Reibling combined for 32 of Xplosion's 38 first half points while Rick Starck worked the boards.  Jordan Reibling hit a three off an inbounds play right before the end of the half giving the Xplosion a 38-35 lead.  Second half was a very physical battle.  Rick Starck and Josh Pella continued to crash the boards as Ghizoni and Reibling worked their offensive game in the second half.  Xplosion built a 12 point lead but the Mustangs had one more run in them.  Between some turnovers and nice transition buckets, Mustangs were able to pull to within 4 with 1:30 on the clock.  With the win at their fingertips, Xplosion would be determined to not let the game get away and was able to hold on for a 75-50 win.  Jack Ghizoni and Jordan Reibling each had 22 points.  Josh Pella had 14 points and 13 rebounds, another double double.  Rick Starck pulled down 9 rebounds.

Xplosion 78     Centennial 83

Josh Pella driving the lane thru a pack of Cougar defenders

Championship game would be against the 4-0 Centennial Cougars.  Centennial would be playing with their entire varsity squad which includes super soph Tony Gerding of the 43 Hoops.  The Cougars had a 17 point win over White Bear Lake and Spencer Cummings of Howard Pulley and a 2 point win over P-E-M Bulldogs in the semi's.  Centennial came out running, pushing the ball up the court and hitting all their shots.  Xplosion worked hard for the buckets they could get and would give up easy baskets at the other end.  Halftime score was 41-52.  Not giving up, Xplosion put it all on the line.  Josh Pella and Rick Starck worked the glass and pushing the ball up the court to the open man.  Slowly over the course of the second half, Xplosion chipped away at the Cougar lead narrowing it to a 4 point game with 1:45 in the game.  With no other option but to foul, in an attempt to get the ball back, Centennial made their free throws and baskets were traded.  Xplosion outscored the Cougars 37-31 in the second half but that wouldn't be enough.  Final score was 78-83 with 5 of 7 players scoring in double digits.  Josh Pella had a fabulous game with 24 point and 12 rebounds giving him his 9th double double of the season.  Jack Ghizoni finished with 16, Rick Stark with 14 points and 7 rebounds, Jordan Reibling had 12 and Blair Dittrich 10.

On a side note: Mustangs beat P-E-M Bulldogs 68-64 showing that all of the final 4 teams were very competitive and played very well.

Next up for the Minnesota Xplosion is the Best Buy Twin Cities Summer Classic.  With over 20 teams from around the country coming to Minnesota for the "Live" period, the tournament should be very solid.

Images courtesy of Leroy Reibling