The physicality and intensity of Caledonia-Minneapolis North football games played out on the hardwood Wednesday.

Caledonia used 9- and 10-point runs in the first half and then held off a late-charging Minneapolis North for a 60-55 victory in a Class 2A semifinal at Target Center.

“It was absolutely a battle,” Caledonia coach Brad King said. “We are fortunate to get to play them every year. It’s a fun rivalry.”

Caledonia (23-1) scored the first 10 points while the Polars had seven turnovers in the opening 4 minutes, 34 seconds. The Warriors later used a 9-0 run to lead 25-14 after North (15-2) had closed within two points. They led by nine points at halftime.

“We were really good defensively,” King said. “Our defense was spot-on the majority of the day.”

In the second half the Warriors led by six to 13 points until the waning minutes. Senior forward Sam Privet’s layup made it 43-30 with 11:30 left.

North turned up the defensive pressure in the final six minutes, closing within 55-53 with 51 seconds left after back-to-back baskets by senior forward Davon Townley. He finished with a game-high 19 points.

“We wanted to stay aggressive,” King said. “It’s hard to hold the ball against that kind of pressure. We got some good looks, but our shots just didn’t fall.”

Caledonia’s Andrew Kunelius and North’s Andre Gray traded a pair of free throws before Privet made three of four free throws in the final 12 seconds to preserve the Warriors’ victory.

The Polars missed a layup with four seconds left and trailing by three. They also had a costly turnover with 28 seconds left and down two points.

Senior guard Austin Klug led the Warriors with 14 points. Juniors Jackson Koepke scored 13 points and Ja’Shon Simpson added 11 points.

The Warriors advance to the finals for the fourth time, having won the title in 1997.

“I’ve never seen a group that better exemplifies the word team,” King said. “It’s a great group that is interchangeable.” 

Caledonia and Minneapolis North are accustomed to butting heads on the football field. The physicality moved to the hardwood Wednesday.

Caledonia used nine- and 10-point runs in the first half, then held off a late charging Minneapolis North for a 60-55 victory in a Class 2A semifinal Wednesday at Target Center.

The Warriors advanced to the finals for the fourth time, having won the title in 1997.

Caledonia (23-1) scored the first 10 points while the discombobulated Polars were turning the ball over seven times in the opening 4 minutes, 34 seconds. The Warriors later used a 9-0 run after North closed the margin to two points to regain control at 25-14. They led by nine points at halftime.

The Warriors maintained leads of  six to 13 points throughout much of the second half. Senior forward Sam Privet’s layup made it 43-30 with 11:30 left.

North turned up defensive pressure in the final five minutes and it paid off. It closed within 55-53 with 51 seconds left after back-to-back baskets by Devon Townley. He had a game-high 19 points.

Privet made three of four free throws in the final 12 seconds to preserve the victory.

Check back later for more on the game.