I’m sick of every top kid leaving and everyone state-wide applauding them and kissing feet and hands while they walk out the door to bring wins somewhere else.

“Yay! Great job! Thanks for leaving us here, fucked! We don’t want to make deep runs in the NCAA tournament! Duke REALLY needs you!”

Call me an asshole if you want to. I’m done praising kids who leave. Blame Pitino or the state or whatever. At the end of the day, where is all of that MN pride we’re all supposed to have so much of? 

You could have been a hero here and set a future example for kids statewide. “Hero” isn’t even a strong enough word. To kids around Minnesota… you’d be a god. Instead, you’re just another one-and-done at Duke.

 I’m not wasting another breath for another kid who doesn’t have time for us.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

In just over a year’s time, Minnesota will be home to NCAA Basketball’s Final Four. In regards to the 2018 version, the city of San Antonio is preparing to embrace the Mount Rushmore of collegiate hoop teams.

Well, hosting that major sporting event should be a much better time than the recent, Eagle fan infested, Super Bowl. The way I see it, March Madness is the GOAT.

Assuming those do or die games are the proverbial Tom Brady, today’s action from the Target Center play’s the role of Peyton Manning:

With half of Saturday’s Minnesota Boys’ Basketball Tournament Championship games already in the bag, let’s take a look at tonight’s AAA and AAAA Championship Bouts. (We are hoping to have some recaps for all games later tonight/tomorrow morning)

Class AAA: Columbia Heights H.S. vs. Delano H.S. (5 PM)

Columbia Heights (22-6) is fresh off of a two point victory over top-ranked DeLaSalle (25-4). Their nail-biter defeat of the six-time defending Class AAA champions shocked the world tens of thousands of people.

Now, the Hylanders square off against the Calvin Wishart led Delano Tigers (20-11). Wishart’s 29 points and 19 rebounds propelled his school’s semifinal upset over last year’s runner-up, Austin High School.

Calvin Wishart (@CalvinWishart) Delano 2018 Senior, Class 3A semi final Vs Austin

Wishart had 29 pts (7/18 FG 5/11 3s 10/15 FT), 19 boards, 7 assists, 4 stls

Delano beat Austin 80-68 to advance to the 3A State Champ Game Vs Columbia Heights#PrepHoops @NorthstarHoops #mshsl pic.twitter.com/0fqR3bwhCa

— StreetHistory (@streethistory) March 24, 2018

Wait, what? 19 rebounds? The Senior guard is listed at 6’1″. That’s some Russell Westbrook type shit. After entering the tournament unranked, whether or not the scrappy Georgia Southern commit and his teammates can complete their Cinderella Story remains to be seen.

Whoever walks away with this one, it will be that school’s first-ever basketball crown.

Class AAAA: Cretin-Derham Hall H.S. vs. Apple Valley H.S. (8 PM)

Unlike when kids pick teams at recess, today’s games will be saving the best for last. The battle of the big boys will feature Minnesota’s Class of 2018’s two best players.

Daniel Oturu

After tonight, Daniel Oturu’s next official game will come with a Maroon and Gold jersey. The soon-to-be Gopher, who’s coming off a beast-mode performance, will lead Cretin-Derham Hall in their quest to dethrone the defending champions, Apple Valley Eagles (27-4).

Tre Jones

Tre Jones, the Star Tribune Player of the Year, is looking to end his absurdly decorated high school basketball career on top. In the event you aren’t familiar with the future Duke Blue Devil, here’s some literature guy’s blog thingy:

Tre Jones representing Minnesota at the McDonalds All-American game

?: @TheJohnnyMN https://t.co/Q6LWzBQghF

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) January 18, 2018

Currently, most of America’s brackets are more busted than Ricky Rubio’s jump shot. If you’re salty over knowing nothing about college basketball (that’s a joke. it’s been absolute madness), give your blood pressure a break and watch some high school competition.

They will be airing on KSTC Ch. 45.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

I enjoy referring to Timberwolves’ Guard and Apple Valley High School alum, Tyus Jones, as “Minnesota’s Youngest Son.” Unfortunately, there are a couple of problems with that nickname. First and foremost, no one else seems to appreciate it. Second of all, he has a younger brother, Tre. The moniker contradicts the hell out of itself.

Tre Jones, like his older sibling was, is a high school basketball superstar. If that isn’t evident (it should be pretty damn evident) by his 8th overall national ranking in the 2018 class or commitment to Duke, it is by his latest “Golden Archievement“. It was announced earlier this week that the 6’3″ guard was named as a McDonald’s All-American.

The McDonald’s All-American team consists of 24 high school basketball seniors from throughout the country. The organization puts the two dozen elite athletes on different rosters for an all-star game and skills competition that leaves the NFL’s Pro-Bowl in the dust. This year’s contest will take place on March 28th in Atlanta.

The Coach K commit becomes the 13th player in Minnesota history to receive this honor. Like his younger brother, Tyus Jones was also named a McDonald’s All-American. A gentlemen you might recognize by the name of Karl-Anthony Towns joined his now Wolves teammate as part of 2014’s class.

Along with KAT, the three other players in the above picture, Tyler Ulis, Jahlil Okafor, and Myles Turner are all currently in the NBA.

Currently, Jones and his Apple Valley teammates are ranked 5th in Minnesota’s Class 4A. He is averaging 25.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. I know, right? EATING. The Eagles will look to repeat as state champions come March.

Tyus Jones left some large shoes for his brother to fill. As you can tell, Tre has failed to disappoint. Minnesota’s newest McDonalds All-American is already half-way down his older brother’s path to success. Why fluctuate from a proven gameplan:

• Win High School State Championship
• Commit to Duke
• Earn McDonalds All American Honors
• Win NCAA National Championship
• Earn Final Four MVP Honors
• Get Drafted into the NBA

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com