Minnehaha Academy boys use basketball title to drive rebuilding

Graduation. It's the great equalizer in high school and college sports, a time limit on talent that ends dynasties yet at the same time gives hope.

The 2012-13 Minnehaha Academy boys' basketball program was far from a dynasty but it had one incredible season, winning the school's first boys' basketball state championship with a senior-dominated lineup.

"It was the best season in our history," coach Lance Johnson said.

This year, the Redhawks are pretty much starting over. Only two members who saw playing time for the Class 2A state champions — seniors Jahleel Davis and Dane Birkeland — are back and neither started.

The rest of the lineup consists of upperclassmen who have waited patiently to get their shot and talented youngsters dripping with promise.

Replacing a team of champions is a challenge that Johnson looks forward to tackling.

"Last year was more managing a group of seniors, which can be harder," he said. "Coaching this group is not more work, but it's a different kind of work. There's more teaching involved. But the fun part is their cap may be higher."

But the signs of future success weren't far away.

Simeon Davis ran the point with aplomb. Jake Richardson, a slick, slashing sophomore wing, and JaVonni Bickman, a 6-5 forward showing heady play and low-post skills beyond those of an eighth-grader, provided excitement. Freshman forward Joevon Walker, who is 6-5 and might be the team's most naturally talented player, didn't play due to illness.

Behind the younger Davis, Richardson and Bickman, Minnehaha rallied in the second half, tying the score at 42 and again at 44. But late turnovers and missed shots doomed the comeback in the 53-47 loss.

"It's a unique blend because there are older boys here who are terrific leaders, but they lack experience," Johnson said. "And there are younger boys who haven't played a lot. We're dealing with a roster of 15 kids who have played very little varsity basketball."

That dilemma, however, is mitigated by the Redhawks' desire to get better. A state championship can go a long way in getting younger players to buy into a rough maturing process.

Johnson, in his 10th season, knows his team is going to take a few lumps early. He's willing to let that happen, all in the name of long-term improvement.

"These kids are willing to lose," he said. "They know they're learning."

Said Simeon Davis, "I don't expect us to win most of our games. I expect us to be up and down, maybe half-and-half. But by the end, I expect us to win our section and go back to state."

In order to toughen up his young team, Johnson didn't attempt to soften the schedule.

"We didn't adjust it," he said. "We might struggle a little bit, but in a couple of years, we'll have to have a good schedule for some of these kids."

Another close loss Saturday, this time to Cannon Falls, dropped the Redhawks to 1-4. They didn't lose their fourth game last season until late January.

"It's a maturity thing," Johnson said. "It's all about maturing."