Jefferson ousts No. 2 North

ST. PAUL (AP) -- Bloomington Jefferson didn't make a single field goal in the fourth quarter against No. 2 Minneapolis North -- and still won.

Jefferson (25-4) went 11-for-15 from the free-throw line in the final period while the Polars made only three shots -- two coming too late in the game.

Final score: Jaguars 49, Polars 37.

"That's been our game all season," Jefferson coach Jeff Evens said. "We like to be in that position, and we feel we can make those free throws when we need to."

The Jaguars will play for the Class 4A state title Saturday against Hopkins, which defeated defending champion Osseo 71-58 on Thursday. In Class 3A action, Red Wing beat Waseca 71-59 and Minneapolis Henry topped Grand Rapids 75-46.

Brian Sykora had 20 points and Dan Wheeler added 17 to lead the Jaguars.

The score was stuck at 38-31 for nearly half of the fourth quarter as both teams struggled to find their shot. Wheeler's free throws with 4:17 remaining finally broke the drought and put the Jaguars up 40-31.

Justyn Burgess answered at the other end with a jump shot, but the Polars (23-7) only hit two more field goals the rest of the game.

North stayed in the game with its pressure defense, which forced the Jaguars into 13 turnovers. "We knew we had to cool their guards down," Sykora said.

The Jaguars will have their hands full against Hopkins' Kris Humphries, who scored 30 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the Royals' win over Osseo.

The 6-foot-8 junior banged away inside against Osseo's tall front court. His agility also caused problems for the Orioles (24-6) in the open court.

"My main goal in the second half was to get other people the ball and put up some points as a team," Humphries said. "But I had some open looks at the basket and the shots went in for me.

"It was a special victory, because this was the team that knocked us out last year. I think they thought they might do it again, but we took care of them."

The Royals (27-2) led 32-23 at the half and steadily pulled away down thanks to some timely shots and solid defense that forced Osseo into 23 turnovers.

"We started slow, fought hard to get back in it, and then they made a run and we couldn't find an answer," Osseo coach Adam Holm said.

In Class 3A, defending champion Minneapolis Henry showed why its ranked No. 1. after throttling No. 2 Grand Rapids. Lawrence McKenzie scored 21 points to lead the Patriots.

"That's the way we play," Patriots coach Larry McKenzie said. "They make a run and we make a run. It's just that our runs always seem to last longer.

"We feel good going into Saturday night. We're like the heavyweight champion -- we still have the belt."

The Thunderhawks won the rebounding battle 44-42, but Grand Rapids committed 28 turnovers. The Patriots led by as many as 32.

"We were trying to make the extra pass and get the open shot, which we did," Grand Rapids coach Rodney Eidelbes said. "We just didn't make them."

Corey Rondeau led Grand Rapids with 11 points. Eric Webb, who averaged 21.1 points per game during the regular season was held to six points.

"We had a scouting report on him and I knew everything he was going to do," McKenzie said.

Henry's opponent on Saturday, Red Wing, was led by Aaron Motz's 17 points and Clint Riegelman's 16.

Red Wing's forwards dominated in the paint all night long, taking away easy layups and forcing the Bluejays to the perimeter. On offense, the Wingers (24-3) did most of their damage underneath the basket.

"That was probably our best game of the tournament," Wingers coach Kraig Ulveling said.

Red Wing finished with seven blocked shots and held a 40-28 rebounding edge over the Bluejays, who lost despite shooting 43.1 percent from the field.

Jeff Roemhildt led Waseca (22-5) with 22 points and Kellen Driscoll had 21.

"We expended so much energy to cut it to 13, 10 points, and I think our legs got a little rubbery on us," Waseca coach Ted Critchley said.