Cretin-Derham Hall’s six seniors have a mission to end the season at the Target Center.

But a trip to Minneapolis isn’t the only goal these Raiders have set their sights on.

“Our focus is to win the state championship,” guard Donnell Gresham said after being asked if heading back to state is a goal.

Gresham and the other seniors showed just how focused they are as the group combined to score 77 points in a 88-83 win over St. Paul Johnson in the East Metro Showdown at St. Paul Johnson High School on Saturday.

Guard Joe Rosga finished with 27 points, while forward Sam Neumann had 25 and Gresham added 23 for Cretin-Derham Hall, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. Forward Frank Delaney had two points for the Raiders. Guards Johnnie Gores and Seamus Dickson are the other seniors but neither scored in the game against the Governors.

Rosga and Neumann each average 20.2 points per game to lead Cretin-Derham Hall in scoring. Rosga is shooting 39 percent from behind the three-point line and leads the team in assists (72) and steals (45). Neumann, who his hitting 41 percent of his three-point attempts (36-for-87), averages a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game. 

Gresham has played in only nine games but is averaging 11.7 points per game.

Cretin-Derham Hall coach Jerry Kline Jr. said Rosga, Neumann and Gresham are three of the best players in Minnesota.

“I’ll take those three and put them against any three in the state,” Kline said. 

He also said his team’s goal is to return to the tournament and the six seniors have the experience to lead Cretin-Derham Hall back. 

“They’re solid, steady, stable, clutch performers,” Kline Jr. said.

Cretin-Derham Hall reached the Class 4A state tournament last year, where it lost to Shakopee 62-56 in the third-place game. Rosga went 5-for-7 from behind the three-point line and finished with 22 points and Gresham finished with 15 points and eight rebounds in the loss. Neumann chipped in 12 against the Sabers.

This is the second year a majority of the senior have played together and the team has better chemistry than last year, Gresham said. 

The Raiders’ plan to prepare for a long postseason run includes a schedule loaded with some of the top teams in the state, including former St. Paul City Conference rival St. Paul Johnson. which is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A.

“We knew it was going to be a great game, which is why we wanted to play these games in nonconference and we’re going to face this (type of competition) in playoffs time,” Kline said. “St. Paul Johnson has great pride and tradition.”

Whether Gresham and Neumann finish their high school careers as a state champions has yet to be determined, but the pair are taking their games to the next level. Gresham is headed to Northeastern University, while Neumann going to Montana. 

Gresham said his decision to go to Boston was based on academics.

“My mom wanted me to go to a high academic school, and I wanted to study finance,” Gresham said.

Rosga has not signed with a school, but Kline said he is confident the senior will play college basketball next year.

It's the same self-assurance that has Kline - and the rest of the Raiders - eyeing a state tournament title run.

Senior guard Joe Rosga scored 27 points as Cretin-Derham Hall defeated St. Paul Johnson 88-83 in the final game of the East Metro Showcase at St. Paul Johnson high school Saturday afternoon.

Senior forward Sam Neumann finished with 25 points and senior guard Donnell Gresham had 23 for the Raiders, who are ranked No. 8 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. 

Cretin-Derham Hall (15-3) pushed the pace from the start of the game, and three-point baskets from Gresham helped the Raiders take a 25-17 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the first half.

The No. 2-3A Governors (13-3) narrowed the score to 34-29 at halftime behind the play of junior guard Andre Smith and senior forward Eric Elliot, who combined for 19 first-half points.

Rosga and Neumann kept St. Paul Johnson at bay for most of the second half. The pair provided the offense as expanded Cretin-Derham Hall's lead to 62-46 midway through the second half.

The Governors, however, rallied late and closed the gap to five points with 44 seconds to play on a three-point from junior center Savon Parker. But the Raiders' defense stiffened in the final seconds, and Cretin-Derham hall escaped with the victory.

Elliot finished with a game-high 28 points, while senior guard Jalen Mobley had 17 and Smith added 10 for St. Paul Johnson.  

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