Central Minnesota Christian School (CMCS) showcased its dominance in the Section 3A-North playoffs, decisively defeating Lac qui Parle Valley (LQPV) with a score of 104-25 on March 9, 2024, at Montevideo High School. The top-seeded Bluejays’ performance was impressive, but head coach Ted Taatjes expressed concerns leading up to the game.
Despite his team’s overwhelming victory, Taatjes worried about the potential for complacency. He noted that LQPV had performed well in their preceding matchup, securing a 74-69 win against Canby. Additionally, the early morning game and a smaller crowd due to inclement weather added to his apprehensions. “I didn’t sleep at all last night, so they definitely had our attention,” Taatjes explained.
The game opened with an unexpected twist as CMCS received a technical foul for dunking during warmups, allowing LQPV senior Nolan Smith to score two free throws, giving the Eagles an early 2-0 lead. However, that would be the last time LQPV held the advantage. CMCS quickly responded with a 15-point run, followed by another stretch of 20 consecutive points after a timeout, escalating the score to 35-4.
Taatjes adjusted his strategy by implementing a three-quarters press defense, which proved effective in disrupting LQPV’s offense. The Bluejays’ relentless intensity allowed them to maintain control throughout the match, leading to a final score of 104-25.
Asher Wieberdink led CMCS with 22 points, including 20 in the first half, and contributed two dunks. Taatjes remarked on the lesson learned from the technical foul incident, stating, “He said he was sorry about it. I don’t think I’ve ever had that called on me before.” Other notable performances included sophomore Caleb Asake with 20 points, and both Chase and Landon Taatjes adding 15 points each.
Looking ahead, CMCS, boasting a season record of 26-1, is set to face fourth-seeded Renville County West in the semifinals on March 12, 2024, at 17:45. Renville County West secured their spot by defeating MACCRAY 76-58, with a standout performance from Jonathan Driggs, who recorded 29 points and 22 rebounds.
In other notable games, the second-seeded Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks triumphed over Yellow Medicine East (YME) 75-50. YME, despite being the 10th seed, played hard, with senior guard Kia Greycloud leading their scoring efforts with 27 points. Dawson-Boyd will next face third-seeded Wabasso, who topped Minneota 81-60.
As the playoffs progress, excitement builds for the Section 3A championship game scheduled for 17:00 on March 14, 2024, at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, where a coveted state berth is on the line.