Highland Park defeats South

I was on my way to watch JOSEPH DOBY and DWIGHT ANDERSON help Minneapolis Washburn, coached by former St. Cloud State University player REGGIE PERKINS, to a 74-46 boys’ basketball nonconference victory over Hill Murray, led by former St. Agnes coach DICK GHIZONI.

A little voice, however, told me to check out another nonconference matchup featuring St. Paul Highland Park at Minneapolis South for a half before venturing to the Washburn game in the second half.

I never made it to Washburn.

Instead, I witnessed an outstanding game featuring two of the metro area’s top guards in TY’SHAUN WILLIAMS (Highland Park) and CARNELL  SHEPPARD (South).

Williams scored 16 points while leading the Scots, coached by JOHN DEPERRY, to a 62-52 win over the Tigers, who were led by Sheppard’s 14 and are coached by JOE HYSER.

ELIJAH ANDERSON had 14 for Highland Park.

TEDDY KREIGHBAUM added 12 and DION BRADLEY chipped in 10.

ISAIAH WILSON added 10 points for South. MAHARI WILSON chipped in nine, while DAVIN LUMBAR and THOMAS FORD each added eight.

This is who I saw at the game:

ROBERT MESTAS (Minneapolis Roosevelt, 1995) — Mr. Basketball in 1995 as a point guard refereed the junior varsity.

CRYSTAL FLINT (University of Minnesota, 1994) — Refereed the varsity contest. Led the Gophers women’s basketball team to the NCAA tournament in 1994.

NAKIA CARLISLE (St. Paul Central, 2001) — Currently the C-Squad girls’ basketball coach at South. Led St. Paul Central to state tournament in 2001.

JASON DAISY (Minneapolis South, 1992) — Coaches the boys JV squad at his alma mater. The shooting guard led South to the 1992 state boys’ basketball tournament.

CLYDE TURNER (University of Minnesota, 1972) — The forward who helped the Gophers capture the Big Ten championship in 1972 was in attendance.

TANYSHA SCOTT (Minneapolis DeLaSalle, 2001) — The former DeLaSalle girls’ basketball point guard was in attendance.

UNDRE ELLIS (St. Paul Highland Park, 2001) — Head assistant coach at his alma mater. One of the best guards in the state his senior year.

SALIDIN WRIGHT (St. Paul Highland Park, 1988) — The JV boys’ basketball coach at his alma mater. An outstanding football player his senior year.

TAYLER HILL (Minneapolis South, 2009) — A large poster of the current Ohio State University junior shooting guard, Miss. Basketball 2009, and McDonald All-American, that is posted in South’s gymnasium next to a state championship banner serves as a reminder of who the best girls’ basketball player in the state was in 2009.

Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.