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Minnehaha Academy boys use basketball title to drive rebuilding

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune, 12/17/13, 7:07PM CST

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Minnehaha Academy’s first state title is motivating this year’s untested but promising squad.


SPA's Ryan Peacock and Minnehaha's Dane Birkeland wrestle for the ball during the second half of Friday night's game. ] (Matthew Hintz, 121313, Minneapolis)

 

Graduation. It’s the great equalizer in high school and college sports, a time limit on talent that ends dynasties yet at the same time gives hope.

The 2012-13 Minnehaha Academy boys’ basketball program was far from a dynasty but it had one incredible season, winning the school’s first boys’ basketball state championship with a senior-dominated lineup.

“It was the best season in our history,” coach Lance Johnson said.

This year, the Redhawks are pretty much starting over. Only two members who saw playing time for the Class 2A state champions — seniors Jahleel Davis and Dane Birkeland — are back and neither started.

The rest of the lineup consists of upperclassmen who have waited patiently to get their shot and talented youngsters dripping with promise.

Replacing a team of champions is a challenge that Johnson looks forward to tackling.

“Last year was more managing a group of seniors, which can be harder,” he said. “Coaching this group is not more work, but it’s a different kind of work. There’s more teaching involved. But the fun part is their cap may be higher.”

Last Friday, the Redhawks (1-2) played host to St. Paul Academy and Summit School, a team they had defeated by double digits twice last season. With a minimally experienced starting lineup — seniors Davis, Thomas Ostrem and Joe Elmquist joined by junior guard Kyle Kispert and freshman point guard Simeon Davis — the Redhawks struggled with shot selection and often were out of position to rebound effectively. The Spartans turned a modest early lead into a 19-point first-half advantage.

But the signs of future success weren’t far away.

Simeon Davis ran the point with aplomb. Jake Richardson, a slick, slashing sophomore wing, and JaVonni Bickman, a 6-5 forward showing heady play and low-post skills beyond those of an eighth-grader, provided excitement. Freshman forward Joevon Walker, who is 6-5 and might be the team’s most naturally talented player, didn’t play due to illness.

Behind the younger Davis, Richardson and Bickman, Minnehaha rallied in the second half, tying the score at 42 and again at 44. But late turnovers and missed shots doomed the comeback in the 53-47 loss.

“It’s a unique blend because there are older boys here who are terrific leaders, but they lack experience,” Johnson said. “And there are younger boys who haven’t played a lot. We’re dealing with a roster of 15 kids who have played very little varsity basketball.”

That dilemma, however, is mitigated by the Redhawks’ desire to get better. A state championship can go a long way in getting younger players to buy into a rough maturing process.

“It’s rough because of all the younger players, but I think we can get back to state if we just come together,” Jahleel Davis said. “Coming off that state championship, they do listen, but they are still a little naive.”

Johnson, in his 10th season, knows his team is going to take a few lumps early. He’s willing to let that happen, all in the name of long-term improvement.

“These kids are willing to lose,” he said. “They know they’re learning.”

Said Simeon Davis, “I don’t expect us to win most of our games. I expect us to be up and down, maybe half-and-half. But by the end, I expect us to win our section and go back to state.”

In order to toughen up his young team, Johnson didn’t attempt to soften the schedule.

“We didn’t adjust it,” he said. “We might struggle a little bit, but in a couple of years, we’ll have to have a good schedule for some of these kids.”

For the time being, the defending champs are finding the going tough.

Another close loss Saturday, this time to Cannon Falls, dropped the Redhawks to 1-4. They didn’t lose their fourth game last season until late January.

“It’s a maturity thing,” Johnson said. “It’s all about maturing.”

 

Jim Paulsen • 612-673-7737

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