Sports

Rebuilt Knights Ready to Take Next Step in Buffalo Tonight

Despite losing most of its starting five entering the 2012-2013 season, the St. Michael-Albertville boys' basketball team repeated as conference champs. Now, it looks to take the next step.

When head coach Tim Anfenson looked ahead to the 2012-2013 season as last year's basketball campaign wound down, he made a prophetic statement.

"We're losing a lot," he told Patch. "But it's not exactly like the cupboard will be bare."

Even Anfenson, though, couldn't have imagined this. With five straight wins to end the regular season, including a win over then conference leader Buffalo, the Knights won a second straight Mississppi 8 Conference championship.

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They did it despite losing four of its five starters from the 2012 season, and the bulk of its scoring.

Michael Mooney, Michael Wiese and Max Babb had led the Knights to 20 wins in 2012.

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This year, new faces would have to pick up the slack.

Well, at least scantly familiar faces.

Cole Krutzig has helped run the backcourt since his sophomore year. Now, as a senior, he's truly the team's quarterback.

Brian Ferry, who played more of a contributor's role, became the center of the Knights' interior game.

And a host of other contributors, including Dallas Freeman, Austin Brouillette and Erik Johnson have all found ways to turn the squad around after an 8-8 start.

Now, the Knights (17-9) have the No. 5 seed in the Section 8-4A playoffs, and travel to face off with conference co-champion Buffalo (19-7) tonight to open the postseason riding nine wins in their last 10 games (the only loss - to East Ridge).

"Our section has eight teams that can come out and, really, play each other evenly. Year in and year out, any one of these teams can win on any given night," Anfenson said.

The proof? In fact, since the Minnesota State High School League starting using the QRF system to seed teams in the section tournament, the No. 1 seed has been upset in each tournament, failing to make it to Target Center.

In the thick of the pack, this Knights team is hoping they can play the spoiler and make the team's first trip south in some time.

Tip is 7 p.m. at the Buffalo High gym. The game can be heard both on KRWC.com and on Minnesota Sports Broadcast Network.


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