Boys State Basketball: Hayfield back in Class 1A Championship Game after 72-61 win over Cherry

Hayfield played inside-outside to perfection on Friday, March 25, 2022 and it has the school’s boys basketball program within one victory of needing more trophy space.

The top-seeded Vikings took another step toward a successful state title defense with a 72-61 victory over No. 5 Cherry in the first Class A semifinal at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Junior guard Ethan Pack scored 19 points while senior forward Easton Fritcher had 18 points and 12 rebounds to power the Vikings (31-2) past the upset-minded Tigers (27-5). Hayfield’s depth was in play, too, with junior guard Isaac Matti’s 16 points and 15 from sophomore forward Zander Jacobson.

The victory sends Hayfield to the Class A championship game on Saturday at 11 a.m., to face the winner of Friday’s second semifinal between Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa and New Life Academy. Hayfield is attempting to win consecutive Class A crowns for the first time since Minneapolis North in 2017.

Hayfield led by as many as 14 points early in the second half and maintained a healthy lead throughout. Cherry climbed to within seven points with 10 minutes remaining, but Hayfield kept the Tigers at bay. Hayfield shot 60 percent from the field and outscored Cherry 44-24 in the paint.

Sophomore guard Isaac Asuma powered Cherry with 36 points and nine rebounds in 36 minutes of play.