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Mobley powers Johnson past Eden Prairie

By MN Basketball Hub, 12/17/13, 11:00PM CST

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Junior Jalen Mobley overcomes foul trouble to score 35 points for Governors


St. Paul Johnson junior Jason Mobley, left, scored 35 points in Tuesday's win over Eden Prairie. Photo by Peter E. Russell

One sudden burst was all it took.

In a game played at a frantic pace from start to finish, it was St. Paul Johnson riding the back of Jalen Mobley and using a late second-half run to convert the major upset on the road.

The Governors (6-1) were fueled by Mobley’s 35-point outburst and the solid all-around play of Peirre Conwell (12 points, 11 rebounds). They also used stifling full-court defense to cause havoc in Eden Prairie’s backcourt all night.

Johnson made its run as soon as Mobley -- relegated to the bench after picking up his fourth foul -- returned. Momentum swung as soon as Mobley returned, and he knew he he had the hot hand.

“I think I had a beautiful game today.” Mobley said. “Playing with four fouls, you have to play the same way you play the whole game. It was no thing. I just had to play.”

Johnson (6-1) led 45-38 heading into halftime, but the Eagles' Grantham Gillard (25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) and Andre Wallace (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) led a charge that saw Eden Prairie (2-2) leading by nine with just under 10 minutes remaining.

But Johnson stuck with its plan, picking up numerous fouls while forcing plenty of turnovers as it tried to contain the Eagles’ talented backcourt.

“The game was a fast-paced game.” Johnson senior Peirre Conwell added. “That’s Johnson basketball. They played right into our style and it worked out well for us.”

When asked what defenseive adjustments the Govenors needed to make as Eden Prairie made its run, Conwell was straight to the point.

“We just needed to keep pressing and keep the pressure up. That’s what we do at Johnson.”

Both Conwell and Mobley knew how big this win was, but they aren’t satisfied yet. Mobley spoke of the end-goal for the Governors.

“This is a huge game for us. We think we can make it to state," he said.

Conwell also didn’t mince words. He wore a big smile on his face when asked about the impact of the win.

“This is the biggest win of the season for sure. We just need to keep pushing on and not underestimate anybody.”

-- Alec Kinsky

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