Wednesday's prep boys basketball playoff games

Today’s prep boys basketball playoff games
HERMANTOWN (24-5) VS. ST. PAUL JOHNSON (25-3)
What: Class AAA state tournament quarterfinal
When: Approximately 2 p.m.
Where: Williams Arena, Minneapolis
Outlook: Hermantown is playing in the first state tournament in program history and opposes second-seeded St. Paul Johnson. The Hawks, unseeded, do it with depth, an active and physical defense and the one-two combo of Kole Zuidmulder (20 points and 12 rebounds per game) and Thomas Madison (16.4 ppg, 5.2 assists per game), both of whom are career 1,000-point scorers. Madison shoots about 47 percent (56 for 120) from the 3-point line, while Nate Soumis is at 46 percent (46-100) and Zuidmulder a tick over 40 percent (34-84). The rotation runs 10 or 11 deep. Hermantown has won seven straight following a 61-50 loss vs. Chisago Lakes Area on Feb. 7, a defeat the Hawks avenged in the Section 7AAA final. Zack Brendon (7.6 ppg) had the game-winning bucket in that 50-48 triumph. Hermantown has good size. … St. Paul Johnson, riding a 12-game winning streak, is making its 12th tournament appearance. The Governors, like Hermantown, average more than 80 points a game. Jalen Mobley (17.2 ppg, 5.3 apg), Eric Elliott (12.2 ppg) and Andre Smith (11 ppg) lead the way. St. Paul Johnson, out of Section 4AAA, is built on speed.
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5
Twitter: @Louiesg3
Tickets: Adults, $14; students, $9
Quotable: “They’re fast, long and athletic. They go hard to the basket and finish great around the rim. We know we have our work cut out for us. But we have good team defense, good help, good rebounding and our height inside might cause some problems.” - Hermantown coach Joe Schmitz
 
ESKO (23-7) VS. ST. CROIX LUTHERAN (28-2)
What: Class AA state tournament quarterfinal
When: Approximately 6 p.m.
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis
Outlook: Defending champion Esko reloaded after graduating 1,000-point scorers Kory Deadrick, Marc Peterson and Casey Staniger. The unseeded Eskomos didn’t get any favors when the bracket was unveiled, drawing the top-seeded Crusaders from West St. Paul. After watching film of today’s opponent, Esko coach Mike Devney said: “Their team is very similar to us” in terms of size and style. Devney is coaching in his sixth state tournament - the first two came with Carlton. Defense is a big reason why as the Eskomos allow just 46.7 points per game. That number was 28 in a Section 7AA title-game victory over Barnum. On the other end, Esko fires away from the 3-point line, with 207 makes from beyond the arc. Aaron Olson (15 points per game) and Jaxson Turner (13.2) lead the way, though contributors are many, including Nate Johnson (9.5) and Adam Trapp (8.9). Trapp, the first freshman ever to start for Devney, is a 7-foot handful inside. Derek Pantsar (38 for 87), Olson (59-145) and Elijah Mattinen (41-102) all connect at better than a 40-percent clip from the 3-point line. Turner (5.4 assists per game) is a lightning-quick point guard and a ball-hounding defender. This is Esko’s fifth tournament appearance. … St. Croix Lutheran is in its second tournament. The Crusaders, out of Section 4AA, set a program record with 24 regular-season victories. They have won 10 in a row. Trenton Krueger, the team’s tallest player at 6-6, averages 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per night. The numbers are almost identical for Ade Lamu (16.3, 8.3). Despite a roster that isn’t overwhelmingly big, St. Croix Lutheran is an excellent rebounding team. According to the Minnesota State High School League media guide, the school attracts students from around the globe, averaging more than 100 international students from 17 countries each year.
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5
Twitter: @Louiesg3
Tickets: Adults, $14; students, $9
Quotable: “They don’t have any experience at Target Center and we have three players that have played on that floor and know the feeling of it, so I think that is a big help.” - Esko’s Olson
LOUIE ST. GEORGE III, NEWS TRIBUNE