Rebels Top Crimson in Trap Game

After a tough loss on Friday, the Crimson might have been prime for getting beat. Some basketball followers call it a 'trap game.' One team might not be ready and the other one is. That was the case on Tuesday as the Rebels made their way down 169 to even the series.

The Crimson didn't get it done on defense as they dropped their second consecutive game. Champlin beat them to loose balls, the offensive glass and generally out worked their hosts in a 81-66 victory.

The first half showed the Crimson getting some good shots and making most of them, but the Rebels got even better looks and made nearly all of them. The Crimson led at 17-16 after Brycen Wojta hit a 3 from the wing. Jake Wieneke then put the team on his back for stretches of the game as he demonstrated what this fan has seen the problems he can give teams. They can't find anyone to guard him. His 13 first half points kept the Crimson close. The half ended with them down 35-37 after Jake Sterling's layup at the buzzer.

Wieneke's back was wide again in the second half as he carried the Crimson to a 55-54 lead. The Crimson looked like they were going to find their stride and run away after Erik Olson swatted Michael Sales' layup and scored on the other end. You could hear the crowd hold their collective breath when Wieneke made a steal and was flying in for a jam when he was fouled. The Crimson led 57-54 and it looked good for the home team. But in basketball, momentum can shift in mid-dribble. This was the case when the Crimson executed a pick and roll, but when a layup turned into a stripped ball and layup on the other end, the Rebels had held off the run. It was 60-60 after a Crimson timeout, and the Rebels took over. Suddenly it was 62-71 and this one was over, as Champlin was deadly from the line.

Wieneke finished with 22 points. Wojta had 10 assists to go with his 11points. Grant Kaufman added 10.

Wayzata will visit the Crimson gym on Friday night in a non-conference game.