Making trips to the Class 3A state tournament has become commonplace for DeLaSalle, which earned its fourth in a row after defeating Fridley 64-46 in the Class 3A, Section 3 championship at Coon Rapids High School on Friday.

This victory, however, felt different for Islanders coach Dave Thorson. 

“In particular, this was special to me because of the five seniors,” Thorson said.

Guards Jarvis Johnson and Eli Brimacomb and forwards Sacar Anim, Jeffrey Daubanton and Joshua Collins have made their mark on DeLaSalle's program, including this season as they guided the Islanders to a 20-4 regular-season record and the No. 1 spot in Minnesota Basketball News’ final Class 3A rankings. 

Anim finished the regular season leading the team in scoring at 24 points per game. Johnson (12.1 ppg) and Collins (10.3) were second and third, respectively, while Daubanton (6.5 ppg) was fifth. Brimacomb’s contributions came on defense.

Thorson recalled how Daubanton was in fourth grade when he started going to DeLaSalle basketball camps, and the Islanders’ coach had only positive things to say about the other four seniors.

“Sacar and Jarvis have been like sons to me. Eli Brimacomb and Josh Collins have done such a great job,” Thorson said.

The quintet powered DeLaSalle to three more victories in the section playoffs, including the top-seeded Islanders’ defeat of the second-seeded Tigers.

Anim finished with a game-high 22 points and Collins had 15 in the victory. Johnson added eight points.

Thorson also contributed in the victory. Numerous times Thorson screamed at his team “Compete!” and told fans to cheer, encouraging them to “bring it on!”

Flashing back to when he was in fourth grade, Daubanton said not much has changed when it comes to Thorson and basketball.

“He always brings it, all the time. He gets us going in the game,” Daubanton said.

Thorson, however, said neither he, nor any individual Islanders’ player serves as his team’s primary motivation.

“It’s the legacy, tradition and culture of DeLaSalle basketball,’ he said.

That culture begins with the seniors, Daubanton said. 

“There’s a leadership role you have to take on, you have to set a good example for the younger guys because they look up to you, so when I leave and the other seniors leave, they’re prepared for next year,” Daubanton said.

Several seniors are continuing their playing careers next season, including Johnson, who is headed to Minnesota, and Anim, who committed to Marquette just a few weeks ago. 

“It feels good to get the decision over with,” Anim said.

Recruiting announcements are big news, but there is no story bigger than Johnson’s return to the court after recovering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease that almost killed him in 2010. 

“I’m just grateful to be playing,” said Johnson, who added it’s an unbelievable feeling to be heading to state for the fourth time.

And the seniors want to capture a fourth state title before ending their playing days at DeLaSalle.

“Yes that’s the plan,” Anim said.

A plan that was formulated back in ninth grade.

“Freshman year at tryouts, we came together and said we’re going to win four in a row,” Anim said.

Confidence will be key as the Islanders attempt to achieve their goal. However, Thorson is taking a more subdued tone.

“Hopefully we can defend our state championship,” Thorson said. 

Senior forward Sacar Anim scored 22 points to lead top-seeded DeLaSalle to a 64-46 victory over second-seeded Fridley in the Class 3A, Section 3 championship game at Coon Rapids High School on Friday.

The victory sends the Islanders (23-4), ranked No. 1 by Minnesota Basketball News, back to the state tournament, where they’ve won the last three Class 3A titles.

DeLaSalle senior forward Joshua Collins scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half.

Jarvis Johnson’s slam dunk early in the game got the Islanders fired up. The senior guard finished with eight points.

Junior guard Samm Jones had eight points and sophomore forward Goanar Mar finished with six for DeLaSalle

Senior guard Josh Huna led the Tigers (17-8) with 15 points and nailed back-to-back threes just before halftime to help trim the Islanders’ lead to 34-21.

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