As a team accustomed to getting down and dirty on a nightly basis, DeLaSalle looked at Wednesday’s Class 3A quarterfinal against St. Paul Central as a chance to stretch its legs a bit.

Which the Islanders did, showing off a transition game like a Sunday-go-to-meeting suit and running to an 81-48 victory over the Minutemen at Williams Arena to advance to Thursday’s semifinals.

“We knew St. Paul Central liked to run and our guys we more than happy to get the opportunity,” DeLaSalle coach Dave Thorson said.

Playing its trademark in-your-face defense, the Islanders never let Central, which upset St. Paul Johnson in the Section 4finals, get the idea than another upset was possible. They turned turnovers into quick baskets and built a 38-17 halftime lead.

“No question our guys love to play on the bigger floor [at Williams],” Thorson said. “It allows us to get the ball out and up the floor faster. Three hard strides and we’re there.”

The preponderance of easy shots was reflected in DeLaSalle’s shooting statistics. The Islanders shot 70.2 percent from the floor (33-of-47), with junior Sacar Anim and senior center Reid Travis leading the charge. Anim made 8 of 10 field goal attempts to lead the team with 21 points while Travis converted 9 of 11 and finished with 20.

Despite the comfortable victory, Thorson said there is still room for improvement.

“I thought we turned the ball over too much,” he said. “I think we can play better.”

Scary thought for the rest of the Class 3A field.

First report

DeLaSalle didn’t take any chances against St. Paul Central, racing out to a 23-6 first half lead and cruising past the Minutemen 81-48 in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena.

St. Paul Central had played the role of giant-killer by ousting top-seeded St. Paul Johnson in the Section 4 finals. DeLaSalle didn’t give Central a chance to do the same, shooting 67 percent in the first half en route to a 38-17 halftime lead.

Sacar Anim led DeLaSalle with 21 points and Reid Travis added 20. Rayeon Williams scored 11 points for Central. 

The Islanders will continue pursuit of their third consecutive Class 3A championship Thursday at Target Center against either Orono or Marshall.

JIM PAULSEN


Photo gallery: DeLaSalle vs. St. Paul Center