Senior guard Khari Dennis pressed a balanced attack with 21 points to lead St. Paul Highland Park to a 78-77 overtime City Conference boys’ basketball victory over Johnson last week. The Scots — who beat the host Governors for the first time since the 2005-06 season — also got 19 points from Mike Cornelius, 12 from Victor Minefee and 10 from Amitri Collins-Westlund.
Defending City Conference champion Johnson was led by Savion Benton and Carlen Clarke — who scored 17 points apiece — and Andre Smith, who chipped in 12.
Isaac Johnson carries on legacy
Senior guard Isaac Johnson is carrying on a basketball legacy that few are aware of.
His father, Kenneth Johnson, was an outstanding guard for St. Paul Highland Park, graduating in 1990. His uncle, Sly Johnson, who starred at City Conference-rival Central, culminated a three-year varsity career as a Mr. Basketball finalist in 1992 before starring at the University of Wyoming.
Isaac Johnson more than added to that legacy, scoring 29 points — a mark also matched by backcourt mate Patrick Dembley — leading Minneapolis North (who also got 23 points from Tyler Johnson), No. 1-4A, to 106-91 over Patrick Henry, No. 8-3A.
Savion Scott led Henry with 21 points. Julian Jackson added 20.
Nia Hollie scores big to lead Hopkins
Nia Hollie scored 33 points to lead Hopkins to a 78-47 girls’ basketball victory over Eden Prairie. The victorious Royals trailed 30-29 at halftime.
Suzzane Gilreath represents for Fridley
University of Wisconsin signee Suzzane Gilreath, a point guard, led the way with 33 points for Fridley in a 69-43 victory over Columbia Heights.
Adams continues hot streak in leading Como Park
Andarayah Adams, the point guard who plans to attend St. John’s University (NY) next year, continued her torrid scoring pace, netting 24 in St. Paul Como Park’s 81-47 City Conference victory over St. Paul Central.
Bezdicek, Anderson, Armstrong and Battle lead Osseo
John Bezdicek, Allan Anderson, Damrio Armstrong and Kameron Battle helped Osseo overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to lead the Orioles to a 78-75 victory over Maple Grove in an important Northwest Suburban-West conference game.
Bezdicek led the way with 17 points. Anderson had 16, Armstrong added 14 and Battle chipped in 11 to put undefeated Osseo, No. 4-4A, in first place with Maple Grove, No. 3-4A.
Former prep stars one game away from Super Bowl
Wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald (Holy Angels) and Michael Floyd (Cretin Derham Hall) have helped the Arizona Cardinals to the NFC championship game with a 26-20 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Fitzgerald who went on to star at the University of Pittsburgh, scored the winning touchdown while Floyd, a former Notre Dame standout, caught two passes for scores in regulation.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.