Isaiah McKay led the way with 16 points to put the Park Center Pirates in the Class AAAA championship game with a 66-44 win over the Edina Hornets in the semifinals Thursday night at Target Center in Minneapolis.
It will be Park Center's first trip to the state finals in their third tournament appearance.
Joshua Mathews began the scoring for the Pirates with a three pointer. Reggie Lynch put the Hornets on the board on a putback. Graham Woodward hit a pair of free throws to put Edina ahead and Quinton Hooker's basket evened the score at nine. Devin Buckley gave Park Center the lead when he hit a four point play. Foul trouble began to plague the Hornets as Reggie Lynch, the team's career shot blocker, picked up his third foul with 8:52 left in the half. McKay showed tenacity speed and outstanding shooting as he hit a couple of three pointers. Defense also played a factor for the Pirates as Trayton Daniels blocked a couple of shots. Park center led at the half 37-22.
After sitting out most of the first half with foul trouble, Reggie Lynch returned to the game and started the scoring :19 into the second half. The Pirates solidfied the lead as the fouls began topile up for the Hornets. Reggie Lynch fouled out with 7:22 remaining and the Park Center defense stifled Woodward's scoring, holding him to only five second half points. Daniels and Joshua Mathews got the crowd electrified with back to back dunks. Daniels also left the game on fouls and the Pirates held on to clinch a berth in the Class AAAA championship game against Apple Valley Saturday night at 8 PM at Target Center.
Edina will face Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie for third place Saturday afternoon at 4 PM at Concordia University in St. Paul.
Other players in double figures for the Pirates were Quinton Hooker with 14 points. Buckley had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Daniels finished with 12. Woodward led the Hornets with 17 points. He was the only player for Edina in double figures. Handberg had 12 rebounds. \
The evening session attendance was 5,241.
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