Move to Transitions pays off for senior guard

VIRGIL BAKER

Minnesota Transitions, basketball

Two years ago, after his sophomore year, Baker transferred from perennial basketball power Minneapolis Henry to Transitions, a 10-year-old charter school in south Minneapolis.

"I had to make up some credits," Baker said.

It was the best move he ever made.

The senior guard scored 27 points, including four three-pointers, in leading the Wolves to a 72-64 victory over Maranatha in the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game.

Taking his role as a captain to heart, Baker led the team over a rough second-half stretch during which it had squandered a 17-point halftime lead. He repeatedly found openings in the lane, which he turned into short jump shots and free throws that helped the Wolves regain the lead.

"We had to stay together and keep our composure," Baker said. "As a senior leader and role-model, that's my job."

Transitions became the first charter school to qualify for a state tournament.

"I regret having to leave Henry, but I'm happy at MTS," Baker said. "This is a big accomplishment. We're trendsetters. We made history."

MIKE BRUESEWITZ

Henry Sibley, basketball

The addition of the powerful 6-7 forward, a transfer from Litchfield, has been the key to the Warriors' run to the Class 4A, Section 4 title. He scored 19 points and dished out five assists in a 60-57 victory over Cretin-Derham Hall in the finals.

BRADEN JOHNSON

Cambridge-Isanti, basketball

The junior guard was more a bonfire than a spark in helping the Bluejackets rally to a 52-43 victory over Forest Lake in the Class 4A, Section 7 championship game. He hit his last six three-point attempts en route to a 26-point performance as Cambridge-Isanti came back from a 12-point second-half deficit.

GREG MORSE

St. Paul Como Park, basketball

The Cougars are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2003, largely because of the second-half heroics of the 6-5 senior forward. He scored 17 of his game-high 21 points after halftime as Como Park held off St. Paul Johnson 72-61 in the Class 3A, Section 4 finals.

JIM PAULSEN