Park drops conference matchup

Chaska claims Metro West lead in 77-70 win over Orioles

Sophomore+Joey+Whitlock%2C+%2322%2C+prepares+to+receive+the+basketball+from+a+teammate+in+the+Jan.+23+conference+matchup+against+Chaska.+Park+lost+77-70.+

Mira Swartz

Sophomore Joey Whitlock, #22, prepares to receive the basketball from a teammate in the Jan. 23 conference matchup against Chaska. Park lost 77-70.

Ethan Brown
January 24, 2016


Junior Josiah Morrow walked off the court as the buzzer rang, disappointed with Park’s second half performance in the team’s 77-70 loss against Chaska.

Park led 44-34 going into the half, although Morrow, who scored five points according to Star Tribune, said the team’s defense must be stronger to hold its lead in the second half.

“In order to come out of the half strong, we have to play
better defense and box them out,” Morrow said. “If we stay together, stay mellow and stay disciplined, we can win that game.”

2015-2016 Boys Varsity Basketball
Date Opponent Result
Fri, Nov 20 Park Center 88-79 W
Tue, Nov 24 Roseville 77-48 W
Sat, Nov 28 Simley 98-74 W
Tue, Dec 01 East Ridge 73-71 W
Fri, Dec 04 Hastings 80-58 W
Tue, Dec 08 Cambridge-Isant 91-60 W
Fri, Dec 11 Robbinsdale Arm 79-91 L
Tue, Dec 15 Richfield 76-59 W
Fri, Dec 18 Minnehaha Acade 60-71 L
Tue, Dec 22 Irondale 82-57 W
Tue, Jan 05 Bloomington Jef 66-70 L
Fri, Jan 08 Bloomington Ken 90-45 W
Tue, Jan 12 Benilde-St. Mar 85-75 W
Fri, Jan 15 Robbinsdale Coo 85-77 W
Tue, Jan 19 Chanhassen 81-65 W
Fri, Jan 22 Chaska 70-77 L
Tue, Jan 26 Minneapolis Sou 70-67 W
Fri, Jan 29 Richfield 81-70 W
Mon, Feb 01 Bloomington Jef 41-51 L
Fri, Feb 05 Bloomington Ken 74-66 W
Tue, Feb 09 Benilde-St. Mar 63-54 W
Fri, Feb 12 Robbinsdale Coo 67-81 L
Tue, Feb 16 Chanhassen 95-66 W
Fri, Feb 19 Chaska 67-88 L

Head coach David Breitenbucher said Park needs to center its focus on defensive efforts, citing a weak defense during the second half.

“We have to play better defense, it’s pretty simple,” Breitenbucher said. “You can’t give up 43 points to Chaska, or anyone, and expect to win. That’s what we gave up in the second half — we weren’t doing it defensively.”

Junior Erik Anderson said he thinks weak defense late in the second half caused Park’s defeat at home.

“We really have to get stops next time,” Anderson said. “Late in the game we couldn’t stop them and that’s why we lost the game.”

Anderson said the team needs to show more intensity in the beginning of the second half if it wants to win closely-scored games.

“We have to come out of the half with much more energy,” Anderson said. “They came out with a swagger to them and we didn’t have that.”

According to Morrow, a lack of offensive presence close to the basket made it harder to outscore Chaska.

“We have to drive the basket a lot more than tonight,” Morrow said. “They outshot us and we should have taken it to the rim a lot more.”

Breitenbucher said he praises sophomore Joey Whitlock, who scored 12 points off the bench, and looks forward to Whitlock’s future with the team.

“Joey’s a good player, he can always shoot the basketball. He’s just going to learn with time,” Breitenbucher said. “Give Joey time and he’s going to be a hell of a basketball player. He just has to do the little things better.”

The Orioles hit the court again 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Minneapolis South High School, where the team faces off against Minneapolis South Gallant Tigers.