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2A quarterfinal: Minneapolis North too much for Moose Lake-Willow River

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 03/31/21, 1:45PM CDT

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The taller Polars pulled away in the second half of a 71-40 victory.

There was simply too much of too many things for Moose Lake-Willow River to overcome in their 71-40 loss to Minneapolis North in the Class 2A quarterfinals.

There was big-game experience. The Rebels were making just the second state tournament appearance in team history Wednesday at Osseo High School. For the Polars, it was their 23rd, six of them ending with state championships, a program comfortable in the state tournament spotlight.

Moose Lake-Willow River came in as the highest-scoring team in the field, averaging more than 83 points per game, with a proclivity for shooting threes. But the Rebels aren’t big, with one starter reaching 6-3.

North (15-1) countered with four starters at least that tall, led by a pair of 6-7 interior forces in Davon Townley and Marcus Owens. Together, Townley and Owens controlled the lane, combining for 27 points in the paint, rugged rebounding and rim protection whenever Moose Lake would venture into their territory.

“Me and Davon, we are both around the same height and they don’t really have the height to compete with us,” Owens said.

A year ago, the Polars were section champs and stood poised for another state tournament appearance when the opportunity was stolen by COVID-19.

“We have unfinished business,” Owen said.

Coach Larry McKenzie said last year’s disappointment was a driving force all season. “What a difference a year makes,” he said. “We’re glad, masks and all, for the opportunity to compete and play for a title.”

Townley, who has signed to play football at Penn State, said he was tired hearing people say his best basketball days were behind him. He had something to prove, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the first half, setting the tone for the game.

“Davon, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s like a man on a mission,” McKenzie said.

Said Townley. “A lot of people been saying I’m done with basketball now that I’m committed to playing football. I’m still a hooper. I want to show them what I can do. It’s retribution, really.”

Joining Townley and Owens in scoring in double-figures were Andre Gray, with 12 points off the bench, and De’Meiko Anderson with 11.

Matt Olson led Moose Lake-Willow River (18-4) with 19 points.

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