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Prep Blog: Apple Valley Completes 'Unfinished Business' To Win 2nd State Title

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two teams attempting to go for undefeated seasons capped by state championships were the highlights of the Minnesota winter high school sports season.

It's a season that's capped this week with the Girls State High School Basketball Tournament at Target Center and Williams Arena.

Earlier this month, the Lakeville North boys hockey team completed a perfect season and state championship with a 4-1 win over Duluth East in the Class AA title game. The Panthers finished the year a perfect 31-0 and outscored opponents in the state tournament by a combined 14-4 over three games.

Last week, it was Champlin Park's turn to try and cap off a perfect season in boys basketball with a state championship. That meant the Rebels, who entered the state tournament a perfect 29-0. The road to a state title, barring an upset, would have to go through Apple Valley.

The Eagles, on a couple fronts, went into the state tournament with a sense of unfinished business. They were ranked No. 1 virtually all of last season and were led by last year's Mr. Basketball, Tyus Jones. They won a state title in 2013 with Jones as a junior, but never got the chance to defend it after losing to Cretin-Derham Hall in their section championship game.

Apple Valley faced Cretin-Derham Hall again this year for a trip to the state tournament on the line, and the Eagles sent a message with a 74-50 victory.

The stage was set this year for Apple Valley to face Champlin Park with a state title on the line. The Rebels beat St. Francis 90-47 in the quarterfinals and Shakopee 65-57 to cement their spot in the title game. On the other side of the bracket, the Eagles beat St. Michael-Albertville 70-57 in the quarterfinals and Lakeville North 67-58.

Apple Valley knew it would be a tall task to beat Champlin Park and end the hopes of a perfect season. The two teams faced each other at the Granite City Classic in St. Cloud over Christmas break. The Rebels beat the Eagles 79-74 in a highly-competitive game.

Target Center was packed to see the two teams square off for the Class 4A state championship. The squads didn't disappoint, putting on a show in a game that went back-and-forth. Apple Valley pulled away late for a 64-61 victory, the program's second state championship in three years.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 15 points to lead the Eagles. Brock Bertram, Tre Jones and Cameron Kirksey each had 12 points. The scary part for Apple Valley: It's a team that will return all five starters next year as its four seniors were reserve players.

Trent is a sophomore and is already one of Minnesota's top high school players regardless of class. Tre Jones might be a freshman, but he certainly doesn't play like one. He rarely made a mistake against the Rebels and hit every key free throw down the stretch in the state title game.

Marty Hill led Champlin Park in the game with 19 points. Despite scoring only two points, Theo John was one of the Rebels' most impressive players with six rebounds, six blocked shots and a relentless energy that kept them in the game.

For high school basketball fans, it was a game that was a joy to watch. Several players from both teams will go onto play college basketball, many at a high level.

After the win, many players from Apple Valley talked about how the win was about settling "unfinished business." That included both last year's playoff loss to Cretin-Derham Hall and this year's early-season loss to Champlin Park. Those could easily be forgotten as the Eagles collected their blue ribbons and hoisted a championship trophy.

It also shows just how difficult it is to go undefeated in a season. It was Champlin Park's first and only loss of the season. Players were devastated after the game, some to the point that they could barely get through the postgame handshake line. A dream of winning a state title and having a perfect season was shattered.

The Rebels spent most of the year getting every team's best game and taking several metaphorical punches. They had an answer for every one of them, except the last one, when a state championship was on the line.

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