COON RAPIDS — Tyree’on Johnson and Lionel Warner combined for 45 of the 66 points that the No. 1 seed Central Lakes College Raiders scored in the paint as they took down the No. 4 seed Ridgewater Warriors 105-83 in the Region 13 Quarterfinals Friday, Feb 28.
Johnson finished with 25 points and slammed down several thunderous dunks, while Warner totaled 20 points. As a team the Raiders shot 59% from the field.
Josh Arnold and Beau Bailey each tallied 18 points and Javere Salter came off the bench for a perfect 4-4 shooting night, including two 3s.
It was the 19th win in a row for the Raiders who will face Southern No. 2 seed Rochester in the semifinals Saturday, Feb 28. The Yellowjackets defeated Northern No. 3 seed Hibbing 98-75 in the final game Friday.
The Warriors brought an effective perimeter game against the Raiders as they tallied 11 3-pointers. All five players in the Ridgewater starting lineup made at least two 3s and Travis Visser provided a post presence with 22 points. Ridgewater had no answer for the Raiders’ Warner and Johnson.
ADVERTISEMENT
The two teams met earlier this season with the Raiders prevailing 106-88 score on Saturday, Jan 4. Warner was injured and did not play in that game.
The Warriors claimed their only lead at 5-4 early in Friday’s game, but the Raiders outscored Ridgewater 10-2 for a 14-7 lead.
A two-pointer from Johnson and five straight points from Arnold along with a free throw from Warner pushed CLC’s advantage to 64-49 out of the halftime break. Leading 78-70, Warner hit the next six points and a field goal from Sanford pushed the Raiders’ lead to 87-70.
Later in the half, CLC used a 3-quarter court trap, which resulted in two dunks for Johnson and two layups for Arnold to push the lead to 97-77.
Saturday’s meeting will be the first of the season for Rochester and CLC. In last year’s quarterfinal round, the Raiders eliminated the Yellowjackets.
Southern No. 1 seed St. Cloud Technical will face Southern No. 3 seed Riverland in the other semifinal game.
The Raiders defeated Riverland at home earlier in the season and lost twice to the Cyclones.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ridgewater 49 34 -- 83
Central Lakes 56 49 -- 105
RIDGEWATER
Sam Olson 10, Parker Schwinghammer 8, Travis Visser 22, Jon Olson 3, Travis Henderson 17, Cartier Bickley 24. FG 32-82 (39%), FT 8-16 (50%). 3-point 11-29 (38%).
CENTRAL LAKES
Zion Sanford 4, Josh Arnold 18, Javere Salter 11, Kameron Givens 6, Beau Bailey 18, Linoel Warner 20, Tyler Baribeau 3, Tyree’on Johnson 25. FG 45-76 (59%), FT 7-11 (64%). 3-point 8-17 (47%). Overall: 24-4. Next: vs. Southern No. 2 Rochester. 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb 29.
