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Champlin Park pulls away from Robbinsdale Armstrong to finish off a perfect regular season

By Ben Farber, SportsEngine, 03/03/17, 7:00AM CST

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All five starters scored in double figures as the Rebels outpaced the resilient Falcons.




Champlin Park senior Theo John goes up for the basket against Robbinsdale Armstrong. The Rebels defeated the Falcons 85-75 and finished the regular season undefeated. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine


Champlin Park showed why the Rebels are ranked as the top boys basketball team in the state by Minnesota Basketball News on Friday night. Tied 38-38 at halftime, the No. 1-4A Rebels rallied to an 85-75 victory over visiting No. 9-4A Robbinsdale Armstrong in Champlin. With the win, Champlin Park locked down a perfect 26-0 record (19-0 in conference) and recorded its second undefeated season in the last three years.

“It says how great of kids and families we have in our programs,” Rebels head coach Mark Tuchscherer said regarding his team’s historic campaign. “I’ve coached a lot of these guys’ older brothers over the years. They’re dedicated to the game, dedicated to playing for each other and with each other as a team.”

Champlin Park attacked with a balanced offensive approach that led to all five starters scoring in double figures, led by McKinley Wright’s 25 points.

In addition to leading the Rebels in scoring, Wright added 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the first half, with frequent fouls bringing constant stoppage in the action. Neither side being able to find a groove proved advantageous for the visiting Falcons, who did not allow Champlin Park to go on any sustained runs. Armstrong even led at times during the first half.

In the second period, however, Champlin Park pulled away. Senior wing D.J. Hunter exploded for 13 second-half points and Wright upped his productivity, going for 14 points, nine boards and four assists in the game’s latter 18 minutes.

Numerous dunks by future Marquette Golden Eagle Theo John rattled the rim and brought the roars from the Champlin Park crowd on senior night.

Posting a well-rounded performance of 17 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, John was complimentary of the fans that have supported him and his team for the last four years.

“It’s amazing to know we’re undefeated again this year. But we know this isn’t the last game and we have to focus on the next game,” said John.

While John and Wright receive most of the headlines, Champlin Park’s historic season would have been impossible without a tremendous cast of role players surrounding their two stars.

“Our seniors and the guys who come off the bench are outstanding. It’s not just two guys. It takes a team to win a tough game like this and to accomplish our goals,” said Tuchscherer. “We’re seeing that this season and we’ve got a lot of work to do still.”

“We’re deep,” said Wright. “We have tons of guys who come off the bench and contribute in so many ways. It doesn’t have to be scoring. It could be defense, loose balls, knocking down free throws at the end of the game.”

Champlin Park’s role players bared their teeth on Friday, putting forth a dominant performance in the biggest game of their season. Seniors Brian Smith (15 points), Marcus Hill (13 points) and D.J. Hunter (16 points) were all instrumental in the victory.

“It’s truly a family. Teams say they’re a family but we talk about it a lot. We say ‘1, 2, 3, family’ when we bring it into the huddle. I’ve talked to the boys about, if we’re going to say family we have to mean it. And they look me in the eye and I know that we really are a family,” said Tuchscherer.

Senior guard Davonte Saeed-El led Armstrong with 22 points in the defeat. Senior wing Gabe Hostetler added 13 points and standout junior big man Race Thompson posted 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks for the Falcons (18-8, 15-4), who finished second behind Maple Grove in the Northwest Suburban Conference’s West Division.

Champlin Park now gears up for another run at the state title. Two seasons ago, when the Rebels were also undefeated, they fell to Apple Valley by three points in the state championship game. This year, however, the Rebels are convinced they can win the whole thing.

Wright, after putting the finishing touches on a season worthy of the state’s Mr. Basketball award, uses his team’s prior shortcomings as motivation.

“We’re here to prove something. We remember what happened two years ago. People say we choke every year. This year, we’re going to prove them wrong,” he said.

Champlin Park enters postseason play as the clear favorite to capture the Class 4A state championship and their players and coaches are optimistic about their chances. Given the way the season has gone so far, that optimism has certainly been earned.


Robbinsdale Armstrong senior Davonte Saeed-El brings the ball up court. Saeed-El finished with a team-high 22 points in the 85-75 loss to Champlin Park Friday night. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First Report

Champlin Park achieved its second undefeated season in the last three years by toppling Robbinsdale Armstrong 85-75 at Champlin Park High School on Friday night.

All five starters tallied double figures in scoring for the Rebels, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, on senior night. Dayton commit McKinley Wright led the way with 25 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Marquette-bound Theo John scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.

D.J. Hunter poured in 16 points, Brian Smith netted 15 points, and Marcus Hill added 13 points for Champlin Park (26-0, 19-0) in the win.

No 9-4A Robbinsdale Armstrong (18-8, 15-4) played a solid game, but could not match the Rebels’ firepower. The Falcons kept the score close for most of the contest, including going into halftime tied 38-38.

Davonte Saeed-El led Robbinsdale Armstrong  with 22 points and Gabe Hostetler added 13 for the Falcons.



Champlin Park's Brian Smith attempts to create a little separation from Robbinsdale Armstrong senior Isaiah Rollins. Smith had 15 points for the Rebels. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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