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Champlin Park downs Park Center in overtime to claim state tournament berth

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 03/25/21, 5:00PM CDT

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The Rebels, led by Joshua Strong who scored a game-high 26 points, overcame the Pirates to return to state for the first time since 2017.

Champlin Park's Joshua Strong goes up for two points Thursday night in the Class 4A, Section 5 final. Strong had a game-high 26 points, helping the Rebels beat Park Center 69-63 in overtime. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Champlin Park's Joshua Strong goes up for two points Thursday night in the Class 4A, Section 5 final. Strong had a game-high 26 points, helping the Rebels beat Park Center 69-63 in overtime. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

If you want to know just how much it took out of Champlin Park to win the Class 4A, Section 5 final on Thursday night, a look at one Rebel player during the net-cutting celebration after the game provides the answer.

One Champlin Park player, already out of uniform, sat hunched over in a chair alone, cuddling the team’s section championship trophy like a pillow.

Though the Rebels were the section’s top seed, Champlin Park didn’t have an easy ride to make this year’s state tournament, as rival Park Center fought the Rebels tooth and nail throughout Thursday’s game. Despite blowing a 16-point lead, and going into overtime, the Rebels managed to prevail on home court to win 69-63.

Though the Rebels (21-0) had a double-digit lead, and the Pirates came out early and led by as many as nine points, it was hard to believe the game would result in being a lopsided affair. 

Champlin Park and Park Center, Northwest Suburban Conference foes, played twice during the regular season. On Feb. 17, Champlin Park came away with a 81-78 win in overtime. A few weeks later, the teams met again and the Rebels won 72-66 to sweep Park Center in their regular-season series.

“Our boys know our section is not easy,” said Champlin Park coach Mark Tuchscher. “There are some big-time schools here. You expect the best from a great opponent like Park Center.”

Champlin Park’s Francis Nwaokorie completes a layup Thursday night as part of his 16-point performance in the Rebels' 69-63 defeat of Park Center at home to win the Class 4A, Section 5 final. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

Champlin Park’s Francis Nwaokorie completes a layup Thursday night as part of his 16-point performance in the Rebels' 69-63 defeat of Park Center at home to win the Class 4A, Section 5 final. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

First Report

Champlin Park and Park Center faced off for the third time this season on Thursday, and just like the first two matchups, the game came down to the final minutes. And for the third time this year, the Rebels found a way to come out ahead, as top-seeded Champlin Park defeated the third-seeded Pirates 69-63 in overtime at Champlin Park High School to capture the Class 4A, Section 5 championship.

Each team got ahead during the early stages of each half. The Pirates (15-6) connected on the first punch, jumping ahead 14-5 to start the contest. Park Center’s early success was dictated by the play of junior guard Braeden Carrington. He had a team-high 12 points in the first half and finished with a team-best 22 points. 

The Rebels (21-0) punched back, courtesy of senior guard Joshua Strong. He knocked down four three-pointers in the first half and had 20 points in the opening 17 minutes. He was held to six points the rest of the game, however, en route to his game-high 26 points.

The Pirates slowly fought their way back in the second half, despite trailing by as many as 16 points. Senior Jalen Cook led the attack with 15 points in the half and finished with 18 points. 

Senior forward Francis Nwaokorie, however, stepped up for the Rebels, dropping 12 points after a four-point first half. 

Park Center eventually took the lead in the second half but gave it back. Then, with two seconds remaining on the scoreboard, Carrington was fouled on his way to the basket. His two free throws sent the game to overtime tied at 63.

Champlin Park stepped up in the extra session on the defensive end, keeping the Pirates scoreless in bonus time. Four different Rebels players knocked down free throws in the extra four minutes to secure the victory.

With the win, Champlin Park is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2017, when the Rebels finished runner-up to Apple Valley in Class 4A.

The Pirates’ Braeden Carrington (4) had 22 points Thursday in the Pirates' 69-63 loss to Champlin Park in the Class 4A, Section 5 final at Champlin Park High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Pirates’ Braeden Carrington (4) had 22 points Thursday in the Pirates' 69-63 loss to Champlin Park in the Class 4A, Section 5 final at Champlin Park High School. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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