A tough No. 5-2A Lake City team put the brakes on Mahtomedi’s high-octane offense at the Rochester Rotary tournament over the holiday break. The No. 3-3A Zephrys averaged 89-plus points per game over a 4-0 start, including a 101-point outing on Dec. 18 at South St. Paul, before a 77-75 loss to White Bear Lake on Dec. 20. And then Lake City stamped a 71-58 loss on the Zephyrs last Thursday.
Now, coming off three consecutive losses, the Zephyrs (4-3, 1-0) must contend with Tartan, which has surrendered just 48.5 points per game this season. Can No. 3-3A Mahtomedi rebound on its home floor against a Tartan squad that has outscored its opponents 555-388?
Mahtomedi was one of only three teams to beat Tartan last year. To do it this year, it'll need a great showing from more than 6-6 junior guard J’Vonne Hadley and his 28.4 points per game. Zac Centers (13.3 ppg) and Devin Melzer (11.0 ppg), both seniors, and junior Luke Ricker (10.0 ppg) are the primary candidates to compliment Hadley's production.
Tartan (7-1, 1-0), led by senior Antwan Kimmons (23.0 ppg), is riding a seven-game winning streak following a 74-67 loss at Edina on Dec. 8. Junior guard Joseph Kearney (10.9 ppg) is the Titans' only other player averaging double figures in scoring.