McKinley Wright turned a frustrating first half into a fulfilling second, lifting Champlin Park to a 75-68 victory over DeLaSalle in Breakdown Sports Tip-Off Classic Saturday at Minnetonka.
Wright, a senior guard whose all-around play was a key element to the Rebels’ Class 4A runner-up finish in 2014-15, battled DeLaSalle’s exasperating defense and his own issues in the first half, scoring just seven points and turning the ball over four times as the Islanders built a 38-34 halftime lead.
“It was mostly me,” said Wright. “I had to pick myself up.”
He did, scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the second half, finishing with a double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.
“He had a tough first half,” Champlin Park coach Mark Tuchscherer said. “We got some different sets for him in the second half and things flowed a lot better.”
With just three regulars back from last year, Wright said he felt it was important to his team that he play well in the second half. “We have a lot of guys still learning,” Wright said. “This was a big victory for us, a confidence-builder.”
Champlin Park stayed close in the first half on the back of 6-8 junior post Theo John. John had 14 points, including 10 from the free throw line. He finished with 22 points and was a perfect 13-for-13 form the line.
“He has worked so hard on improving,” Tuchscherer said. “His focus on is all on getting better.”
Four-time defending Class 3A champion DeLaSalle suffered its second loss in as many nights. The Islanders lost 67-54 to Atascocita (Tex.) Friday at St. Paul Johnson. The Islanders (1-2) have played all three of their games this season on neutral courts. Sophomore Gabe Kalscheur led the Islanders with 30 points but had just five in the second half.