East Ridge (13-3) led longer than Wayzata throughout the game and was paced by a game-high 17 points by another future Tommie, senior 6-5 forward Kendall Blue. Wayzata banded together to make timely plays and free throws in a 59-55 comeback win.

“We knew we were going to be a bit smaller than them, but our guard play really stepped up tonight,” said senior co-captain guard Drew Berkland, who had five points. “Our juniors really stepped up, played really good games.”

Tibbits is the team’s second-leading scorer with 12 points per game. He was limited to two points at halftime with his team trailing 31-27 following a buzzer-beating layup by East Ridge’s Charlie Bern.

The Trojans opened the second half on a 6-0 run capped by a Tibbits' transition layup that forced a Raptors' timeout. The junior guard began to find his groove, scoring 14 in the second half to finish with a team high 16. He was a marksman from the free-throw line down the stretch, including hitting two with 14 seconds left to seal the final score.

One of Wayzata’s losses this season came when Bjerke was out with an illness. The Trojans fell at Eden Prairie 60-53 on Jan. 25.

The Trojans dug in to find a more favorable result this time playing without Bjerke.

“This team’s been through a lot since the state championship last year, a lot in the last week. I’m very, very proud to be their coach and very proud of the way they played tonight,” Wayzata coach Bryan Schnettler said. “We’ve got some guys who stick together. They really have grown close and I think you can say they truly love each other.”

Spencer Hall also played a crucial role for Wayzata. The junior scored 14 points and used his athleticism to make plays on both ends of the court. A cut for a wide open layup in the final minute was a crucial play.

“They’re the defending state champs. Their attention to detail is fantastic, they have an edge they played with,” East Ridge coach Josh Peltier said. “That’s why we play these games, so our guys know they’ve got to learn quick. I think the biggest thing is playing elite teams like them is it’s a different speed. There’s got to be more urgency, and tonight I don’t think we had that urgency.”

Blue was held to four points in the first half. He found the urgency to keep his team in the game when Wayzata threatened to go up big. The Trojans never led by more than five points.

“Like coach said in the locker room, urgency. We’ve got to cut better, take care of the ball better,” Blue said. “I think we all played well, they just outworked us at the end. They’re the defending state champions, but if we play them again, I think we can win.”

Blue lamented not getting the opportunity to square off with Bjerke in a battle of versatile forwards who can spread the floor. Barring a rematch at the state tournament, it will have to wait until the practice courts at the University of St. Thomas.

“Me and him are really close friends,” Blue said. “I like his game a lot. He’s a stretch four, can shoot the ball from deep.”

Bjerke was still in attendance, serving the team in any way he could. That includes acting as perhaps the world’s tallest water boy, bringing beverages to players in the huddle.

He’s coming off a 19-point performance that led Wayzata past Minnetonka on Jan. 28. Bjerke is on the Minnesota Mr. Basketball watch list with Blue.

“Carter’s a great kid, he’s an unbelievable teammate. I told him even though you aren’t on the floor, your impact is still huge for us,” Schnettler said. “Be our vocal leader, talk guys through the scout and make sure you’re still leading like if you’re playing 30 minutes like you normally do. He had a huge role.”

Peltier and Schnettler were teammates at St. Thomas from 2007-10 and have a long relationship centered around the game they love. Schnettler is the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s all-time leading three-point shooter.

“Josh and I are very good friends. We’ve coached together and have been close for a long time and played at St. Thomas, as well,” Schnettler said. "He’s done a hell of a job with this program and with kids like Kendall. It’s going to be really fun to watch Kendall and Carter play as an alum.”