Crimson Get Back on Track Behind Olson and Wojta

The Crimson came out with their A game as they executed right off the bat and kept Centennial off the boards. Erik Olson's three point play got him off early and it was a sign of things to come. Austin Paul hit two big shots to make it 19-12, but Pierre Roddy made a few steals and hoops and suddenly it was tie. There must have been a lid on both baskets near the end of the first half as both teams had good looks, but couldn't knock down the shots.

Centennial's Dan Becken had two buzzer beaters in this game, which ties a record held by many.  His floater at the buzzer made it 29-27 at the break.  He hit another shot at the last buzzer that was more impressive. It might have been the shot to beat one of his sisters in HORSE. 

There was high drama at halftime.  It was down to Bryce Johnson and Mitch Rekstad in the final.  Two time defending champion Evan Skaja was out so a new 3 point contest winner was a sure thing.  But it was ova when Rekstad hit a cold blooded 3;  That was the second biggest event, running a close second to the introduction of the snow days royalty.

After the half, Olson scored 4 quick points as Brycen Wojta was able to get into the spaces and drop some dimes. Wojta who leads the state in assists,ended up with 7 to go with his 18 points.  The Crimson however had their good outside shooting go south as they were 3-15 from outside the arc.  Waste Management should have sponsored this game and used Olson as their ad man.  He was picking up the trash in the form of loose balls, and offensive rebounds and scoring.  His tip-in of a missed shot and Eliot Kane's layup gave MG a lead they would never give up.

When Quinn Pederson left with an injury, the Crimson decided  to go with a smaller lineup.  Matt Lindgren hit a pull-up J to make it 55-50 with 4 minutes to play.  Down the stretch the Crimson spread the floor and were able to free Lindgren around the block as he scored all 9 of his points.   Olson ended up with a career high 20 points to go with 11 rebounds. 

Becken's half court bomb at the final buzzer, provided a bucket that cut the final score to 66-64. While the basket was meaningless, it did provide this fan with one of the five best sounds in sports, the swish of the net.