Minnetonka beat Sibley, but it was, oh, so long ago

Tonight's Class 4A championship game will be a rematch from earlier in the season ... much earlier in the season. On Dec. 18, Minnetonka defeated Henry Sibley 78-74 in the Henry Sibley gym. It was the fourth game of the season for both teams.

If Henry Sibley learned anything in that game, it's this: make free throws. The Warriors made only 16 of 28 from the line against Minnetonka, which hit seven of 12. Six of those Skippers free throws came in the game's final minute.

"It could have gone either way," Minnetonka coach John Hedstrom said.

Skippers senior Anthony Tucker, the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, had a game-high 25 points in that game, hitting five three-pointers. He has scored 27 and 16 in two state tournament games.

Henry Sibley starting guard Noah Kaiser, who had 10 points and five assists in a semifinal victory over Cooper, missed the December game against Minnetonka because of an injury. There are other differences, as well, said Henry Sibley coach Tom Dasovich.

"Minnetonka is playing so much better now, and I think we are, too," he said.

Tonight's matchup between No. 1 seed Benilde-St. Margaret's and No. 2 St. Thomas Academy is not just a repeat of last year's title game but also a contrast in styles.

BSM, led by hot shooters and two Division I players in Jordan Taylor and Armond Battle, looked very comfortable running up and down the floor in a 100-70 victory over Minneapolis Henry in the semifinals. St. Thomas Academy, meanwhile, played its smothering defensive system perfectly in shutting down Willmar in a 56-35 victory Thursday.

While St. Thomas Academy coach Mike Sjoberg concedes that BSM presents "matchup problems," he also knows better than to count out his defense, which is allowing an average of 41 points in five section and state playoff games. Defense was the difference-maker last year, when St. Thomas Academy smothered Benilde-St. Margaret's in a 56-40 title-game victory.

"We hang our hat on defense," Sjoberg said.

JOHN MILLEA AND MICHAEL RAND