Quantcast
skip navigation

Holy Family Catholic wins physical matchup against Minneapolis North for Class 2A, Section 5 title

By Ethan Olson, SportsEngine, 03/17/23, 4:00PM CDT

Share

Kole Hanson had the shooting touch, leading the Fire with 29 points.

Holy Family's Kole Hanson (5) looks to get a shot off through the arms of defender Zashon Rich in the first half. Hanson scored a game-high 29 points helping the Fire to a 75-63 win over Minneapolis North. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Holy Family Catholic's Kole Hanson (5) looks to get a shot off through the arms of defender Zashon Rich in the first half. Hanson scored a game-high 29 points helping the Fire to a 75-63 win over Minneapolis North. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

The emotions ran high all game long at Si Melby Hall on Friday night. Going into the Class 2A, Section 5 final, the matchup of Holy Family Catholic and Minneapolis North promised fast offense and aggressive defending. Despite starting the night on the back foot, the Fire showed their grit, winning 75-63. 

“We’ve been preaching since day one, it’s going to take an emotionally tough team to get through our section and they showed it tonight,” said Fire coach Joe Burger.

Passion from both teams determined the pace of the game all night. And that pace was on one setting—lightning quick. Both teams ran the break early and often, which led to a 41-31 score line at halftime in favor of the Fire. Despite this, it was the Polars who determined the tempo early. 

The combination of senior Larry Perkins and junior Zashon Rich was a dangerous one, especially in the first half. The two forwards got the Minneapolis North crowd buzzing early with some high-flying dunks and open threes on the break. Perkins would finish the game with a team-high 18 points, while Rich put up 15 of his own. 

Collin Mulholland (12) sends off a short jump shot over a Minneapolis North defender. Mulholland tallied 12 points hleping Holy Family to the Class 2A, Section 5 title at Augsburg College on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Collin Mulholland (12) sends off a short jump shot over a Minneapolis North defender. Mulholland tallied 12 points helping Holy Family Catholic to the Class 2A, Section 5 title at Augsburg College on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First report

The matchup between Holy Family Catholic and Minneapolis North promised to be a fiery matchup between two teams that love to push the pace. Spectators got that and more at Si Melby Hall on Friday night as the Fire won 75-63.

The Fire were not afraid to run the break, and it was to the benefit of junior Kole Hanson. The guard was on target throughout the night, and his hot shooting led him to finish with a game-high 29 points. His scoring certainly helped the Fire (27-2) at an important time, when leading scorer Boden Kapke fouled out with over eight minutes left in the game. 

The Polars found some form in the second half, even pulling the score back to even with minutes to play. But their lack of three-point shooting and fouls added up, and the Polars (21-9) couldn’t overcome their mistakes despite some hot offense.

The Fire have clinched the Class 2A, Section 5 title as they head on to the state tournament. 

Zashon Rich (5) lays the ball up under the reach of Collin Mulholland (12) in the second half. Rich scored 15 points for the Polars. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Zashon Rich (5) lays the ball up under the reach of Collin Mulholland (12) in the second half. Rich scored 15 points for the Polars. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

The MN Basketball Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only. 

Basketball Hub Headlines

Feed for https://www.startribune.com/sports/index.rss2