Hayfield boys successfully defend Class A state title

Hayfield’s trek to pay dirt commenced with the boys knocking-off unseeded Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, 66-49, in the Class A state quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 23, at

Williams Arena. The Vikings next took on Cherry in semifinal action on Friday, March 25, and Hayfield emerged victorious, 72-61.

The championship game saw the Hayfield boys clinch their second consecutive state title, defeating the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars, 51-49.

RTR Knights Game: After the Knights scored first to go up 2-0, Hayfield responded with a 16-0 run and never looked back. The Vikings (30-2), flexed their big-game-experience muscles, with four starters back from last year’s championship team. That experience came to fruition early and often, as Hayfield extended its early 16-2 lead, to a 37-20 advantage at the intermission.

“People thought we’d take a big step back from last year’s accomplishment, but I think right now we might even be playing better than we did a year ago at this time,” Coach Chris Pack said.

The Hayfield boys drilled a dazzling 10-for-21 treys, and shot circa 48% overall despite playing at Williams Arena for the first time with this group. Hayfield played its state tournament games at Target Center a year ago. Hayfield Stats: Zander Jacobson, 12 points, 10 rebounds; Easton Fritcher, 8 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal; Isaac Matti, 15 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists; Ethan Pack, 25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal; Kobe Foster, 6 points, 3 rebounds,1 assist, 1 steal; Karver Heydt, 5 rebounds, 1 assist; Aiden Manggaard, 1 rebound;

Cherry Game: No. 1 seed Hayfield had four players score between 15 and 19 points in a 72-61 victory over No. 4 Cherry in the Class A boys basketball state tournament semifinals on Friday, March 25, at Williams Arena.

“We knew we had the size advantage,” Hayfield Coach Chris Pack said. Cherry’s tallest starter was 6-foot-2, but Hayfield dominated on the inside and shut down the Tigers’ role players.