Park Center boys basketball lost its only game last week falling 72-63 to Totino-Grace on Feb. 2, while the girls went 3-0 in wins over Minneapolis South, Minneapolis Patrick Henry, and Totino-Grace.
Pirates boys
Park Center boys basketball (18-2) lost just its second game of the season last week.
The game against Totino-Grace grabbed the attention of the area basketball community for a few reasons. The Eagles entered last week top of the Northwest Suburban Conference, one point ahead of Park Center, who they beat 82-72 on Dec. 19.
Park Center led much of the first half by a narrow margin, motivated by a strong start for Jackson Fowlkes, Casmir Chavis, and Aiden Memene. Amid the high energy, physical, and blistering fast first half, Totino-Grace eventually found momentum in the final five minutes of the first half, taking a 34-25 lead at halftime.
Both teams went into the break with 10 or more fouls and the energy was high in a truly packed Park Center gym.
When Totino-Grace’s scoring could be handled, it was Temi Omotoyinbo, Boona Morke, and Xavier Felix who provided the necessary physical work on defense.
Ari Gooch and Chavis set the tone for Park Center at the start of the second half, but Totino-Grace was steadfast in defending its lead. The size of their lead fluctuated, from six to eight points to as much as 12.
Park Center did rally in moments, but the comeback did not arrive as Totino-Grace pulled off a major upset, completing a season sweep of wins over the Pirates. Gooch scored 19 for Park Center, while Chavis contributed 17 points.
The win for Totino-Grace meant the visitors improved its conference record to 11-0, 16-3 overall, leaving them as one of the most anticipated teams for their upcoming Class AAA play, as well as frontrunners for the conference title.
Park Center boys basketball will play one game the following week, hosting Rogers on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
Pirates girls
Park Center girls basketball opened last week with a strong 66-23 road win over Minneapolis South on Jan. 30. Anaya Shaffa led the Pirates’ scoring with 15 points against the hosts. Jaliyah Diggs scored 11 points. The result adjusted Minneapolis South to 11-5 overall this season. They are fifth in the Minneapolis City Conference with a 2-3 record.
Another win came for the Pirates on Feb. 1, dominating Patrick Henry on the road 82-27 to secure a second non-conference win of the week.
Park Center concluded the week with a 78-56 conference win over Totino-Grace on Feb. 2 to improve its conference record to 6-7, 10-11 overall.
The win did not come easily for the Pirates. Park Center had to work hard to make up for a 37-35 Totino-Grace lead at halftime. The Pirates responded strong, mounting a shocking 43-19 second half scoreline to surge ahead of the hosts.
Lyric Singleton put up 16 points to lead the way, while Briana Foster scored 14, and Diggs scored 13.
Park Center girls basketball will play one game the following week, traveling to Rogers on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
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