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East Ridge holds off Hopkins in season-opening tilt between Class 4A's top programs

By John Wagner, SportsEngine, 12/01/18, 7:00AM CST

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Kendall Brown scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half for the Raptors, who outlasted the Royals on Saturday.


East Ridge sophomore Kendall Brown goes up for a dunk in the second half against Hopkins. Brown had 26 points to lead the Raptors in their 74-65 victory over the Royals at the Breakdown Big 12 Classic in St. Paul. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Kendall Brown played well in the first half of East Ridge's season-opening contest against Hopkins.

But he found another, higher, level in the second half to help lead the Raptors to a 74-65 victory in the Breakdown Big 12 Classic played at Cretin-Derham Hall High School Saturday.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to lead East Ridge, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A in Minnesota Basketball News's preseason poll, to the win over the No. 2-4A Royals.

"In the second half we just tried to get him the ball and give him space," East Ridge coach Bryce Tesdahl said of Brown. "It was cool to see him take control of a game as a sophomore."


East Ridge's Patrick Lynott drives for a layup against Hopkins Saturday night at the Breakdown Big 12 Classic. The Raptors proved to be too much for the Royals in a 74-65 victory. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First report

A big second half by Kendall Brown lifted East Ridge to a 74-65 victory over Hopkins in the Breakdown Big 12 Classic played at Cretin-Derham Hall High School Saturday.

The sophomore scored 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to lead the Raptors, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News' preseason poll, to the win over No. 2-4A Hopkins in the season opener for both schools.

Courtney Brown, Kendall's older brother, had 17 points for East Ridge (1-0) while Ben Carlson had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Zach Zebrowski added 13 points and four steals for the Raptors.

Zeke Nnaji, a University of Arizona commit, finished with 20 points and eight rebounds to lead Hopkins (0-1). Jalen Dearring had 17 points, Andy Stafford 14 and Dane Zimmer 11 for the Royals.


Hopkins senior Zeke Nnaji had 20 points in the Royals' 74-65 loss to East Ridge Saturday night. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

The MN Basketball Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only. 

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