Boys BB: Another photo finish

Darren Beenken 18 points, 11 rebounds (photo by Jim Lindquist)

To say the Tigers have played some close games Missota Conference games this season would be an understatement of major proportions.

After Friday night's 61-59 squeaker of a win at Chanhassen, Farmington (13-11) has played a dozen league games and eight of them have been decided by eight points or fewer. Four have been two-point contests and another was decided by single point.

"We knew going in the conference would be balanced," coach Shane Wyandt said, "and that's how the season has played out. There's not much difference from top to bottom."

The first 18 minutes of the latest heart-pounder didn't seem all that close, however. The Tigers managed just 18 first half points and trailed by seven at intermission.

"We couldn't get anything to fall," Wyandt said, "but we knew we were still in it because we held a very good team to just 25 points "

The Storm, buoyed by the return to the line up by sophomore Danny Witthus, entered the night having won five of its past six games.

The second period was another story, however, as the Tigers awoke from their first half slumber to score 43 points and even their league record at 6-6 with two games remaining.

The Tigers led by a point with time running down when Zach Speikers hit one of two free throws to make it a two-point game with fewer than 10 seconds left.  With a  foul to give, Farmington fouled intentionally and then watched as a wild Chanhassen three-point shot miss at the buzzer.

Eli Rockett 3rd straight double-double (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Beenken and Rockett each put together statistical double-doubles to lead the Farmington effort. Beenken netted a team-high 18 points while Rockett scored a dozen points and grabbed a season-high 18 boards. Mac Bassett finished with 15 points, including nine on a trio of three-pointers, and also blocked five shots.

Farmington did not shoot the ball especially well (40 percent) but held Chanhassen to just 31.8 percent shooting  Whittus had a big night for the Storm with 37 points, including six three-pointers.

This week's schedule includes the final two games of the regular season, a home match-up with Chaska on Tuesday and a Friday road game at Shakopee. Section 1AA post-season play begins the following week.

"Hopefully these last two wins will give us a little momentum heading into this week and and section tournament," Wyandt said.

"I think we've learned from those close losses. I said then I would trade those for a couple of wins in March anytime."