Prep Scene
With 2023 behind us, here are three of my top accomplishments in prep sports for the year.
North qualifies for state playoffs
For the ninth time in 10 seasons the Minneapolis North Polars, led by Head Coach Charles Adams, qualified for the Class AAA state playoffs. Quite an accomplishment for North, which won the Class A state crown in 2016 and returned to state playoff competition after not qualifying last season for the first time since 2014.
Quarterback Kai’an Darden, running back Kahlil Brown, and wide receiver Jmarion Sanders led the Polar’s high-scoring attack.
Their defense was very dominant during the regular season, thanks to defensive linemen Tommy Gilkey, Lamarcus Osborne, Azrie Yeager and Anaise Dotson. North’s defense also includes linebackers Cashmere Grunau, Michael Roberts IV, Brown, Stephan Jackson, and defensive backs Craig Merritt and Maleek Powell.
The future remains bright for a young Polars team.
Hughes sets state long-jump record
Irondale High School track and field phenom Juriad Hughes Jr. earned a state championship and set a Class AAA track and field state meet record last year at St. Michael-Albertville High School, breaking the 41-year-old long jump record set in 1982 by St. Paul Central’s Von Sheppard.
Hughes, who topped Sheppard’s leap of 24’ 9.25” by jumping 24’ 11” in the section final a couple of weeks ago, set the meet record, finishing at 24’ 10.75.
Now a senior, Hughes is gearing up for an outstanding track and field season.
Roosevelt captures first city crown since 2012
Minneapolis Roosevelt, led by Head Coach Tyesha Wright, captured their first city conference girls basketball title since 2012 and Twin Cities championship since 2010. The Teddies shared the title with Minneapolis Southwest, both finishing with 11-1 records.
During their outstanding season in which they finished with a 25-4 overall record, the Teddies were led by Jaida Walker, Olivia Wren, Jayla Bennett and Cady Davis. Wren and Walker reached the 1,000-point mark during the season.
The Teddies, with four of their top players back this season, have gotten off to a 7-3 start.
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