Shootout shows best of Minnesota hoops

Fans searching for the best basketball in Minnesota could leave the Target Center satisfied on Saturday. And here's a hint: The Timberwolves were nowhere to be found. The 13th annual Gatorade Timberwolves Shootout, a six-game exhibition, featured the top four teams in Minnesota (Hopkins, Henry Sibley, Cooper and St. Cloud Tech), the best team in Wisconsin (Madison Memorial) and several players committed to Division I colleges. The two best teams in Minnesota played games in the opposite ends of the competitive spectrum. No. 1 Hopkins (8-0) ran through Lake Geneva (Wis.) Badger (2-5) 79-41 in a game that utilized a running clock for the last nine minutes, while No. 2 Henry Sibley (7-1) lost in a tight 67-64 battle to Wisconsin's No. 1 team, Madison Memorial (6-0). Jeronne Maymon, a 6-7 forward committed to Marquette, scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Spartans, While Vander Blue, a junior guard signed with Wisconsin scored 16. Another Wisconsin signee, Mike Bruesewitz, led Henry Sibley with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Warriors led 60-57 with 4:40 left in the second half, but turned the ball over to lose control of the game. Hopkins, on the other hand, didn't have much of a fight on its hands Saturday. The Royals led 50-15 at half and were able unload their bench as 15 of their players scored. Royce White, who was being watched by his future coach at the University of Minnesota, Tubby Smith, led the Royals with 15 points. Justin Bowers led Badger with 13 points. Henry Sibley will host Hopkins Friday night in the most highly anticipated match of the season. In the lone interstate matchup of the day, No. 3 Cooper (6-0) beat No. 10 Eden Prairie (7-3) 57-50. Another Gopher recruit, Rodney Williams, led the Hawks with 16 points and teammate Kenquane Brown added 11. Eden Prairie's Brett Ervin scored 17 points. No. 6 ranked Osseo (6-1) didn't get much of a challenge in a 73-43 win over Sioux Falls Roosevelt. Gonzaga bound forward Sam Dower scored 22 points for the Orioles, while Aaron Anderson added 19. The Rough Riders were led by junior Iowa signee Cody Larson's 14 points. No. 2 (Class AA) Pelican Rapids (8-0) also made quick work of their competition with a 87-56 win over Cloquet (3-6). Tydan Storrusten scored 29 points and Eric Shulstad added 27 to lead Pelican Rapids. Chad Calcatterra led Cloquet with 21 points.