“They were clearly ready to play tonight,” Ware said. “They looked quick, they looked fast and they were getting to loose balls. I think they absolutely outplayed us in the first half.”

The Pirates (23-1, 16-1) headed into the locker room down 31-28. They knew Maple Grove was going to give them a tough test. But the better team took over in the second half, as the top ranked team in Class 4A showed why they’re worthy of that ranking. 

“I think we respected the game and played the right way in the second half. We were more patient, we shared the ball a little more and offensively we scored, then we were able to turn around and get our defense set and play a little better in the second half defensively as well,” Ware said. 

Braeden Carrington was a big part of the second-half success. He got in early foul trouble, forcing him to the bench for longer than usual in the first half. While that may have thrown him off his rhythm a little bit, he came all the way back with 17 of his game-high 23 points coming in the second half. 

“For me, I know my team expects me to make shots,” Carrington said. “I know I’ve got to keep shooting and eventually they’ll fall. I trust myself enough.” 

While his shooting and scoring stand out, Ware mentioned it was his unselfish play that helped the entire team get into a groove offensively. 

“First half he’s unselfish, and he gets guys the ball because if all five players on the court are offensive threats, then clearly he’s going to find his spots, and then you’ll lose him and that’s when he strikes,” he said. 

The Pirates have now won 11 games in a row, and this was the closest any of those wins have been. It’s hard to ever say one team is definitively the best in the state, but Park Center has a strong case. 

Despite all of that success, Ware knows sticking to the fundamentals and playing the game the right way on every play is what’s going to lead to more success when it really matters.

“We’re necessarily not trying to play against the opponent, we’re trying to play against the game. What’s the game telling us to do? Make the right play, play hard regardless of who the opponent is, regardless of if you think you’re going to come in and win the game or not, but just play possession by possession and play against the game,” he said.