Cretin-Derham Hall's Trejuan Holloman (5) goes up for a dunk against Maple Grove Thursday evening in the Class 4A semifinal matchup at Target Center. Photo: Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine
Sitting with a 4-4 record in early February, the Cretin-Derham Hall boys’ basketball coaching staff installed a new offensive identity, prioritizing pace and patience.
Players bought in. What followed was 14 victories in the next 15 games, including a 54-42 dismantling of Maple Grove on Thursday in the Class 4A boys’ basketball state tournament semifinal.
The Raiders (18-5) earned their first championship game appearance since winning the 2018 state title.
Cretin-Derham Hall’s defense and methodical offense conspired to hold the Crimson to 21.3 points below its season average. Maple Grove (13-10) trailed 29-16 at halftime and never made a strong run to close the gap.
Cretin-Derham Hall rolled past Maple Grove 54-42 in the first Class 4A semifinal played at Target Center.
With the victory Thursday, the Raiders (18-5) earned their first championship game appearance since winning the 2018 state title. They play at 8 p.m. Saturday against either Shakopee or Wayzata.
Maple Grove (13-10) trailed 29-16 at halftime and never made a strong run to close the gap. The Cretin-Derham Hall defense caused much of the trouble, holding the Crimson 21.3 points below its season average.
The Raiders' Trejuan Holloman led his team in scoring with 18 points.
Check back later for more on the game.