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Holmgren's triple-double powers Minnehaha Academy past previously undefeated Minneapolis North

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 03/10/21, 9:45PM CST

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The 7-1 prized recruit led the Redhawks' 82-47 victory with 22 points, 12 blocked shots and 11 rebounds.


Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren (34) blocked a shot by Minneapolis North High School Marcus Owens (23) in the first half. Photo: RENÉE JONES SCHNEIDER • renee.jones@startribune.com

Trailing by 20 points to Minnehaha Academy early in the second half, Minneapolis North was seeking a spark and turned to fearless junior point guard Rio Sanders.

The 5-10 Sanders used his entire repertoire of staccato stop-and-start moves to create an opening in the lane and attack the basket, releasing a soft floater toward the hoop.

Suddenly the long, sinewy arm of Chet Holmgren appeared almost from nowhere, extending its way above the ball, stuffing the shot before it reached its apex.

Denied.

A single moment in the Redhawks’ 82-47 thrashing of the previously undefeated Polars, but one that perfectly illustrates the difficulties opponents face when going up against Minnehaha Academy.

You can work and work to generate offense, and even find a good shot, but Holmgren’s defensive presence is always there. It’s a last line of defense that plays havoc with a team’s fundamentals and, just as importantly, its psyche.

“That was absolutely the key to the entire game,” Minnehaha Academy coach Lance Johnson said. “We’re long and athletic and we have a tendency to give up too much dribble penetration and we have to rely on Chet in the back to block shots, but that’s a pretty good problem to have.”

While the 7-1 Holmgren has been the focal point of most of the attention paid to Minnehaha Academy this season, the game Wednesday was clearly his party.

It began even before tipoff, when he was awarded the Naismith Trophy, given to the most outstanding high school basketball player in the country by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club.

He then proceeded to go out and post a triple-double, with 22 points, 12 blocked shots and 11 rebounds.

Holmgren downplayed the award, preferring to talk about the victory.

“It’s a great award,” he said. “I’m more focused on team accolades. We’re focused on winning state, and this is my last year, so all my energy is going into that.”

Holmgren, the nation's top college basketball recruit, showed off the versatility that helped him win the award, often bringing the ball up court and playing as a defacto point guard. He made his long-range shooting prowess evident, hitting two three-pointers, including one just as time ran out in the first half. The basket bumped the Redhawks' lead to 21 points and douse what spark North had left.

“I just go into every game trying to do whatever I can do to help our team win, ” Holmgren said. “Whether that’s blocking shots, knocking down shots, spacing the floor, rebounding, whatever I can do to make a difference for our team.”

Freshman guard Mercy Miller had 16 points for the Redhawks (12-1). Junior forward Prince Aligbe, back on the court after a week’s absence dealing with a leg injury, added 14 points and a healthy dollop of energy to the lineup.

Sanders had 12 points to lead North (10-1).

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