In a battle between two of Minnesota’s most promising big men, Race Thompson led No. 11-4A Robbinsdale Armstrong past Rocky Kreuser and No. 6-3A Totino-Grace 73-67 on Tuesday night at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley.

Thompson scored a team-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in the winning effort. The 6-foot-8 junior displayed his offensive versatility, scoring inside while also draining long-range jumpers and finding his teammates for easy looks. According to head coach Greg Miller, it’s Thompson’s well-roundedness that makes him such a threat for the Falcons.

“[Race Thompson’s skill as a distributor] is very important,” Miller said. “We try and get him the ball in different spots: the block, the elbow, we let him be point guard sometimes because we trust that he will make good decisions—he’s been doing that since the fourth grade. He’s been able to play out on the perimeter and in the post.”

Totino-Grace (9-8, 3-7) led for the majority of the contest before relinquishing the lead for good midway through the second half. The Falcons (11-5, 9-1) outscored the Eagles by 11 points in the second period, turning a five-point halftime deficit into a six-point victory. With the win, Armstrong swept the two-game season series.

Thompson didn’t quite match his offensive output from the last time he battled Totino-Grace (an 85-81 victory on January 14th) when he scored 36 points and recorded 11 rebounds, but the strong play of senior guards Isaiah Rollins (15 points) and Davonte Saeed-El (15 points, four rebounds, three steals) was enough to carry the Falcons to victory.

“I thought the defensive effort, especially in the first ten minutes of the second half when we held them to six points, was a big deal for us. We had great energy, the defense pressured the guards, and I think our veteran seniors with Race Thompson took over the game and handled the pressure really well—we got good shots,” said Miller.

For the Eagles, Tuesday’s game was merely the latest in a line of disappointing outcomes, as they have lost 7 of their last 8. Despite a career-high 32 points from North Dakota State commit Rocky Kreuser, Totino-Grace only managed 26 total points in the second half and Kreuser, a senior center, netted 15 of those.

For Kreuser, any satisfaction he might have taken from his standout performance was erased by the defeat.

“I’m definitely not satisfied with our performance,” he said. “It might be a season high or whatever but we didn’t come out with a W tonight so that’s what we’ve gotta keep working toward. As for myself, I just have to keep working and keep my teammates more involved.”

Still, Kreuser enjoyed the challenge of competing against one of the Twin Cities’ finest young players in Thompson.

“It’s great [going up against Thompson]. That’s all you want playing high school basketball is to play against the best competition. Luckily we play in a conference where we can play against the best competition every night. He’s one hell of a player and I’m glad I got to play against him,” said Kreuser.

Tuesday’s game was billed as a heavyweight bout between two of the best young bigs in the Twin Cities. With the stat lines each of them posted, few left the Totino-Grace gym disappointed. Even the other players were impressed.

“That’s amazing [watching Thompson and Kreuser go at it],” said Saeed-El. “It’s just like, two huge guys battling on great teams.”

Robbinsdale Armstrong looks to maintain the momentum when Park Center visits on Thursday. Totino-Grace, meanwhile, will try to get back in the win column on Friday when on the road at Spring Lake Park.

Robbinsdale Armstrong (11-5, 9-1) recovered from a sluggish first half to defeat No. 6-3A Totino-Grace 73-67 at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley on Tuesday night.

Junior center Race Thompson paced the No. 11-4A Falcons with a tremendous all-around effort. The junior scored 20 points and had six rebounds, four assists, a steal and three blocks in the win.

Senior guards Isaiah Rollins and Devonte Saeed-El chipped in with 15 points each for Armstrong. Saeed-El added three steals.

Trailing for the entire first half, the Falcons outscored the Eagles by 11 points in the game’s second period to clinch both the win and a sweep of the two-game season series. Armstrong had previously defeated Totino-Grace 85-81 on Jan. 14th.

Senior center and North Dakota State commit Rocky Kreuser led the Eagles with a season-high 32 points along with five rebounds.

Charlie Jacob had 15 points, six rebounds, while Nathan Kavolak contributed 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for Totino-Grace. 

The Eagles (9-8, 3-7) are reeling, having lost 7 of their last 8 contests.

Robbinsdale Armstrong will take the court again on Thursday, hosting Park Center. Totino-Grace, meanwhile, will travel to Spring Lake Park on Friday.