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Blake triumphs over host St. Croix Prep in Class 2A skirmish

By Blaze Fugina, SportsEngine, 02/02/21, 6:15PM CST

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Four Bears, led by Gabe Ganz who had 17 points, posted double-digit scoring totals in the victory.

Blake’s Gabe Ganz takes a jump shot from beyond in the arc in the first half during the Bears' 71-57 triumph over the previously undefeated Lions.  Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Blake’s Gabe Ganz takes a jump shot from beyond in the arc in the first half during the Bears' 71-57 triumph over the previously undefeated Lions. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Few high school programs can relate to the disheartening way Blake’s season ended last March.

The Bears had just completed a 68-59 victory over Rockford to earn a spot in the Class 2A, Section 5 championship game to be played against top-seeded Minneapolis North on March 13 at St. Cloud State University.

But who can forget what happened next? The COVID-19 pandemic led to the shuttering of sports, and life in general for most Minnesotans. The disappointment of not knowing what could have happened next was tough for the prep players.

“We were really clicking. I thought we had a great chance of beating North,” said senior Gabe Ganz, who scored 17 points in the Bears’ 71-57 defeat of St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater on Tuesday. “But COVID hit, and we couldn’t play. So we’re looking to bring that momentum into this season.”

The Bears’ Robert Grace IV goes for the layup late in the first half Tuesday during Blake's 71-57 defeat of St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Bears’ Robert Grace IV goes for the layup late in the first half Tuesday during Blake's 71-57 defeat of St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

First Report

Blake’s deep roster continues producing results, as the Bears remain undefeated following a 71-57 victory over St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater on Tuesday evening.

Four Bears (6-0) players finished with double-digit point totals, helping hold off the Lions, ranked No. 8 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Gabe Ganz led No. 6-2A Blake in scoring with 17 points, including a 13-point first half where the senior knocked down a trio of three-pointers to help the Bears to a 39-32 halftime lead. Theo Liu added 14 points for the Bears, while Robert Grace IV tallied 12 points and Grayson Okoronkwo chipped in 11.

Andrew Howard spearheaded the offense for St. Croix Prep (6-1) with a game-high 22 points. Teammate Teige Lethert had 15 points and Peyton Gremmels contributed 10.

The Lions’ Addison Metcalf goes for a layup in the second half, only to be denied by Blake defenders. The Lions fell 71-57 to the Bears on Tuesday at home. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Lions’ Addison Metcalf goes for a layup in the second half, only to be denied by Blake defenders. The Lions fell 71-57 to the Bears on Tuesday at home. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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