Washburn unknown no more

The Minneapolis Washburn boys' basketball program isn't a secret, but many of the players are. That's OK with coach Reggie Perkins.

"Our recognition comes through team winning," Perkins said after upsetting No. 1-ranked Benilde-St. Margaret's 71-66 on Thursday night in the Class 3A, Section 6 finals.

The Millers boys are not known very well individually, but the team is very well-known collectively.

As the Class 3A state tournament field's top seed, that may all change this week. Washburn takes on Rocori in the 10 a.m. quarterfinal at Williams Arena on Wednesday.

The Minneapolis City Conference champions have lost only two games all season, both to state-bound Class 4A teams.

Players such as Dwight Anderson, Joseph Doby, Jerry Pratt, Charles Smith, Nick Anderson, Dejon Davis, Jeff Jones and Myles Shepherd-Anderson boast a hoard of athleticism, and Washburn has four players who average at least 10 points per game. Perkins cited the lack of summer exposure as one reason some of these players aren't mentioned in top-player conversations, but he is extremely confident in his group.

"My guys just play hard. I love these kids," Perkins said. "People don't know a lot about them but all you have to do is watch."

Anderson has been the Millers' "steady Eddy" all year. He doesn't average 20 points per game, but that's because he plays on a team on which the coach requires everyone to share the ball.

"And that's why you have four guys in double figures," Perkins said. "Easily, he could get 20 points a night for us if I let him. But he's bought into the fact that it's a collective group getting it done."

Pratt is the team's energy bug. He absolutely rocked Chanhassen High School with two monstrous dunks in the section finals. That's how he gets the team -- and himself -- into the game. And he is all about the team and what it can accomplish this year for one simple reason.

"Believe in each other. We believe," Pratt said.

The Millers will go for their second state title in four years.

Big things are again expected out of coach Ken Novak, Jr.'s team. Hopkins rolled through Section 6 after it was nicked with only one loss in the regular season. With a 28-1 record, the Royals take on Suburban East Conference champion Woodbury at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Target Center.

Point guard and Harvard recruit Siyani Chambers is shining as one of the state's top playmakers. Demetrius Martin and Zach Stahl are more reason to fear the defending champs.

Eden Prairie draws EastviewEden Prairie emerged out of Class 4A, Section 2. The Eagles are a young but talented bunch that defends well and could pull off an upset. They haven't fared too well against ranked opponents this season.