Honestly, if you weren't at the gym tonight, you missed the kind of shift that changes the entire trajectory of the MSHSL season. People always say January is the "dog days" of high school hoops. They're wrong. It’s actually where the pretenders get exposed. Tonight’s mn boys basketball scores proved that the gap between the top five and everyone else is widening, but not in the way you’d think.
Wayzata is still sitting on that throne, but the ice is getting thin. The Trojans took care of business against St. Michael-Albertville, which, let's be real, everyone expected. But it’s the way the Metro East and the Suburban East are cannibalizing themselves that has everyone talking at the water cooler—or the concession stand—tomorrow morning.
The Big Ones: MN Boys Basketball Scores That Mattered Tonight
You've gotta look at the Tartan vs. Hastings matchup first. Tartan came in at 9-0, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, and they looked every bit like a championship contender. Hastings isn't some pushover, though. They entered 8-4 and hungry. But when you have K.J. Wilson Jr. playing like he’s already in mid-March form, it’s hard to stop that momentum.
Then there’s the chaos in the Lake Conference. Maple Grove at Edina was basically a fistfight in jerseys. Max Iversen for Maple Grove is just a different breed of scorer. If you haven't seen him play in person, you're doing yourself a disservice. He has this weird ability to find space when three guys are draped over him.
Class 3A is Richfield’s World (For Now)
Richfield went into their game against Holy Angels with a massive target on their back. Being 12-0 is a blessing and a curse. Gideon Horne has been the engine for that squad, and tonight he proved why the Spartans are currently the No. 1 team in 3A. They move the ball with a kind of unselfishness that you just don't see at the high school level very often.
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Totino-Grace, meanwhile, is lurking. They had Shakopee tonight, and while the Eagles have two losses, those came against top-tier 4A schools. They are arguably the most talented roster in the state regardless of class. Watching Malachi Hill and Tian Chatman operate in transition is like watching a clinic.
Why the Polls are About to Get Weird
A lot of people focus strictly on the mn boys basketball scores without looking at the "why" behind the numbers. Take a look at Blaine. They were 11-0 heading into this week. Nobody talked about them in December. Now? They're a top-10 lock. Shiloh Ayitey is putting up numbers that make you do a double-take.
- Wayzata (10-1): Still the gold standard, even with the Wisconsin loss earlier in the year.
- Tartan (9-0): The most disciplined defensive unit in the state right now.
- Cretin-Derham Hall: Jojo Mitchell and Ty Schlagel are a terrifying duo. Schlagel just cleared 1,000 career points—that’s a lot of buckets.
- Maple Grove: They’re the "battle-tested" team. Their schedule is a gauntlet.
It’s easy to get caught up in the big school hype, but Class 2A and 1A had some absolute bangers tonight too. Belle Plaine and Goodhue are on a collision course. If you’re looking for "human-quality" basketball where every possession feels like life or death, the small-school sections are where it’s at.
The Impact of the Transfer Portal (Yes, Really)
We don't talk about it enough, but the movement of players in MN has changed the landscape. You see teams that were mediocre last year suddenly winning by 30. It's not just "good coaching." It's talent density. This is why the mn boys basketball scores look so lopsided in some conferences. The "haves" have a lot, and the "have-nots" are struggling to keep up with the pace of play.
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Breaking Down the Section Standings
If the season ended today, Section 6AAAA would be a bloodbath. You’ve got Wayzata, Hopkins, and Edina all fighting for one spot at the Target Center. It’s unfair, honestly. A top-five team in the state will likely stay home during the state tournament because of how the sections are drawn.
- Section 4AAAA: Tartan is the heavy favorite, but Cretin-Derham Hall is the ghost that haunts that bracket.
- Section 5AAAA: Maple Grove and Park Center. It’s a rivalry that never gets old.
- Section 2AAA: This is where Richfield has to prove they aren't just a regular-season wonder.
The QRF (Quality Results Formula) values are starting to solidify. If you're a coach, you're staring at those rankings every morning with your coffee. One bad loss on a Tuesday night in January can drop you three seeds and force you to play a road game in the quarterfinals.
What to Watch For Next Week
The schedule doesn't get any easier. We have Minneapolis North vs. Holy Family coming up on the 20th. That’s a culture clash if there ever was one. North brings that legendary aggressive style, and Holy Family is technically sound and disciplined.
Also, keep an eye on Eagan. They've been holding teams to under 50 points consistently. In a year where scoring is up across the state, their "grit and grind" style is an anomaly. It's not always pretty, but it wins games when the shots aren't falling.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruiters
If you’re trying to keep up with the chaos of mn boys basketball scores, don’t just look at the final tally.
Check the box scores for "points in the paint" and "turnovers forced." Teams like Totino-Grace and Wayzata win because they don't beat themselves. If you're betting on who makes it to the Target Center in March, look at the teams with senior point guards. High school basketball is a guard's game. Always has been.
Go to a game in person. Seriously. There is a specific energy in a packed Minnesota high school gym that a livestream just can't catch. Whether it's the "Crazies" in the student section or the smell of overpriced popcorn, it's the best $8 you'll spend all week.
Next Steps for Hoop Heads:
- Download the MSHSL app to track live score updates.
- Follow the Northstar Hoops accounts for individual player breakdowns.
- Check your local section standings to see who is trending toward a home-court advantage for the playoffs.