Washburn Millers Squeak Out Win Over South Minneapolis Tigers

With a record of 8-2, the Washburn Millers might have started the game against the South High Tigers with a little too much confidence Tuesday. In the end, they squeaked through with a 65-57 win on the South Minneapolis Tiger’s home court.

 “We’ll take them any way we can get them,” said Millers head coach Reggie Perkins, “I've got to be honest with you, we didn’t close the game out like I thought we were capable of.”

South Tigers dominated most of the first half. They won the opening tip and scored the first basket. The Tigers played a strong defense and Washburn struggled early, missing a few easy lay-ups and were out-rebounded by the Tigers. 

The Tigers quickly found themselves with a 6-point lead. Turning up the heat, Millers Myles Shepherd-Anderson made a basket and was fouled, also making his free throw. Soon after, Clarence Thomas stole the ball from the Tigers and brought it all the way home with a slam-dunk. This brought the score to 12-12, tied for the first time in the game. 

 The Millers slowed down their offense, exuded patience, and that is when they started to drop the ball in the hole. It quickly became a back and forth, 2-point game. The score of the first half was 30-24, Tigers. 

 When speaking about the Tigers, Reggie Perkins said, “It’s always a battle. Coach Hyser does a really nice job with his group. Those guys play well.”

 With 12 minutes left in the game, Millers Forward Cedric Chappell stepped up, driving the ball up the middle of the lane and banking a lay-up for two points. Chappel drew a foul and secured the free throw for another point.

 Shortly after, the Millers dropped a few more shots and the Tigers took a time out. Walking into the huddle, the Millers were all smiles with a 14-point lead.

“We got up 14. I think we let it slip a little bit,” Reggie Perkins said. “I’m proud of their effort. Anytime you win you can’t be too disappointed.” 

South High pulled within 6 points again and as the clock winded down, they started to foul—a common strategy for stopping the clock and trying to gain possession of the ball off a missed free-throw.  

The Tigers gave a solid effort, but the Millers maintained the lead with a final score of 65-57. 

Washburn junior Dwight Anderson was the big scorer of the game, knocking down 22 points. Anderson was followed by senior Clarence Thomas with 13 points and senior Cedric Chappell with 12.

Washburn's next game is Friday at Minneapolis Roosevelt.