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Tuesday showdown: Chaska vs. Shakopee

By Brian Jerzak, Star Tribune, 02/28/11, 1:58PM CST

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Jake White and Chaska look to clinch the Missota on Tuesday


Chaska's Jake White averages almost 24 points per game. Star Tribune file photo

As the boys basketball regular season winds down there are conference titles are still up for grabs. Chaska has had a hold on the top spot in the Missota most of the year, but right on the Hawks' heels the whole season has been Shakopee. Back two games with two to play, if Shakopee wants to duplicate the football team’s conference championship Tuesday night is a must win for the Sabers.

A month ago these teams met and Shakopee pulled a bit of an upset by going on the road and taking down the Hawks in their own gym 61-58. The Sabers were down three at the half, but came back strong in the second. They held Chaska senior forward Jake White, who averages almost 24 a game, to 16 points.

Both teams had three guys score in double digits, but Shakopee senior guard Dylan Ulferts stepped up his game in the victory. Ulferts scored 16 points – four above his season average -- and grabbed seven rebounds, his second highest total of the year.

Since that loss, Chaska has been on a tear. The game against the Sabers was the last time the Hawks have tasted defeat. That is a string of seven games, including a home win over highly rated Eden Prairie. On the other hand, since the upset of Chaska, Shakopee lost two of its’ next three to fall back in the conference race. Lately the Sabers have gotten back on track and won their last four to get back into the race.

Not only does this game feature the two top teams in the conference, it also features the top three scorers in the Missota. Most people know about White, but teammate Ross Travis, White’s senior running mate in the front court, is averaging nearly 17 points a game. Shakopee’s leading scorer, undersized senior center Jason Perkins, is less than a point per game behind Travis.

If Shakopee is going to sweep their conference rival and make Chaska sweat out one more game to wrap up the conference, the key will likely be who is able to step up – like Ulferts did in the first game – and support the stars.

Update: Click here to see the box score from Chaska's 65-55 victory.