pass for the deciding points. Darren Beenken scored a team-high 14 points
(photos by Jim Lindquist)
In what has become almost predictable, the Tigers pulled out another heart-pounding win at Tiger Gym, this one a 45-44 Friday night victory over New Prague.
"The guys are starting to believe in themselves," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said. "It's almost like they like being in that position. They like the pressure."
When the two teams played in New Prague last month the Trojans used their big size advantage and deadly three-point shooting to post a 55-37 victory. In the rematch the fired-up Tigers more than held their own on the glass and used a spread offense in the second half to control the ball and the clock.
Farmington took a slim 29-28 lead to intermission thanks to Darren Beenken's put-back at the buzzer and then changed gears and took the air out of the ball to start the second half.
"We have better guard play and holding the ball against their zone played to our strengths," Wyandt said. "Tharen (assistant coach Johnson) wanted us to hold on to it the rest of the game. I think it sent a message and we executed pretty well."
Beenken hit a three-pointer and Nick Varner hit from close range to open the second half and the Tigers went to their delay game, content to hold the ball near mid-court or patiently pass it when the Trojans extended their zone.
Farmington never trailed the rest of the way although the visitors tied the count once at 37-37. With 38 seconds to play the Tigers led by only one at 43-42 before pulling off the biggest play of the night.
With the ball at the New Prague baseline, Johnny Dittman hit a streaking Mackinley Bassett who had worked his way behind the New Prague press for an easy lay-up and the eventual game-deciding points.
"Mac set a pick and then released," Johnson said. "We told Johnny to throw it only if it was there, and fortunately for us, it was."
After a timeout, New Prague missed a three-pointer and then scored on a too-little, too-late rebound as time expired.
"I think this was a true team win," Wyandt said. "Everyone who played had an impact. This was a big one for us."
Beenken finished with a team-high 14 points as eight of the nine Farmington players who saw action scored. Bassett and Zach Speikers each finished with seven points and Varner added six.
Beenken's strong all-around game earned some extra words of praise from his coach.
"Darren was up-and-down early in the season," Wyandt said, "but he has been doing a lot of things for us lately. Not just scoring, but rebounding, drawing the other team's best scorer and being a leader. He's doing what captains do."
In addition to the obvious work of his players, Wyandt said there has been an unsung contributor, especially at home games. Namely, a raucous student crowd.
"They have really gotten into it and our guys play off that," he said. "The students, the pep band, the cheerleaders. We really appreciate the support."
The Tigers, who have now won three in a row and four of their last five, travel to league-leading Chanhassen Tuesday night and then entertain Red Wing Friday night in their regular season finale.
