It was quite the state boys’ basketball tournament this past week at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Sacar Anim scored 30 points in leading DeLaSalle to a fourth consecutive Class 3A title by defeating St. Paul Johnson, who got a team-leading 19 points from Jalen Mobley, 82-64.
Gary Tent Jr.’s 15 points led Apple Valley to their second Class 4A title in three years, outscoring Champlin Park, led by Marty Hill’s game-high 19 points, 64-61.
Melrose defeated Caledonia 63-51 to capture the Class 2A championship, while Rushford-Peterson got past Maranatha Christian 51-44 for the class 1A crown.
Mankato East placed fourth in Class 3A, and Shakopee took third in Class 4A.
Here are some of the tournament’s top players:
DeLaSalle
Jarvis Johnson — 6-1 senior guard: Four-year starter and University of Minnesota recruit, was the coolest and calmest player in the tournament.
Sacar Anim — 6-5 senior guard: Marquette signee was quietly the most dominant player in the tournament.
Josh Collins — 6-5 senior forward: University of North Dakota nee was overshadowed by his teammates, but he asserted himself throughout the tournament.
Goanar Mar — 6-6 sophomore forward: Will lead next year’s bid for a 5-peat.
Jeffrey Daubanton — 6-5 senior: Played steady throughout the tournament.
Apple Valley
Gary Trent Jr. — 6-5 sophomore guard: Was dominant in state title game.
Tre Jones — 6-1 freshman guard: Ran the team like a senior.
Jordan Bolton — 5-11 guard: Was as steady as they come.
Cameron Kirksey — 6-6 junior forward: Scored when they needed him to.
Brock Bertram — 7-0 junior center: Took care of things in the middle.
St. Paul Johnson
Jalen Mobley — 6-1 senior guard: Four-year starter led the Governors to third tournament appearance in four years.
Eric Elliot — 6-4 senior forward: Played well despite fighting foul trouble during the tournament.
Malik Jones — 5-10 senior guard: Saved his best for the tournament.
Andre Smith — 5-11 guard: Sharpshooter should be lead guard next year with Mobley gone.
Carlin Clarke — 6-2 junior guard: His 11 points in the title game bodes well for next year.
Champlin Park
JT Gibson — 6-3 senior guard: Had the Rebels on the brink of a championship.
Jeremy Johnson — 6-4 senior guard: Slashing guard was among the tournament’s most aggressive players in a good way.
Theo John — 6-8 sophomore forward: Inside play gives Rebels a bright future.
Marty Hill — 6-5 senior guard: His clutch play and shooting kept Rebels in title hunt.
McKinley Wright — 6-0 sophomore guard: Was as good as any guard in the tournament.
Mankato East
George Alhau — 6-4 senior guard: The 6-4 senior was East’s best player.
Mattu Choul — 6-1 senior guard: The 6-1 senior played very steadily during the tournament.
CJ Ayers — 6-2 junior guard: Showed great leaping ability as well as outside shooting.
Shakopee
Stephon Mitchell — 6-7 junior forward: Nearly led Sabers to the title game
Maranantha Christian Academy
Damario Armstrong — 6-0 junior guard: His steady play was key during tournament.
Jeremiah Hanson — 6-4 senior forward: Clearly one of the tournament’s top players.
It was an outstanding tournament.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.