Pollard paces Park in boys basketball triumph over Chaska
St. Louis Park forward Charley Koch controls a rebound during action last season. Koch returns as one of 11 seniors on the Oriole varsity basketball team this season. Park opened its season with a 67-51 victory over host Chaska Nov. 30. (File photo courtesy of Brian Nelson)
St. Louis Park is primed for a run at the North Suburban Conference boys basketball title this season.
The Orioles return 10 seasoned seniors off last year’s team that posted a 14-13 overall record. St. Louis Park was fourth in the conference with a 10-6 record.
St. Louis Park’s season ended with a loss to Wayzata in the first round of the Class 4A, Section 6 playoffs.
St. Louis Park should also be improved with the addition of Jeffrey Bonds, a 6-foot-4 senior transfer from DeLaSalle.
“We should be right up there battling for the North Suburban title,” said Dave Breitenbucher, starting his third season as St. Louis Park’s head coach. “Cooper is quite talented and Irondale always has a solid team.”
St. Louis Park demonstrated its talent and depth during a 67-51 victory over host Chaska in the season opener Nov. 30. Ten different Oriole players scored in the win.
D.J. Pollard, a 6-4 senior guard/forward, netted 15 points to lead the Oriole offensive attack. Scoring eight points each were 6-2 senior forward Makhi Moore and 6-5 senior center Zack Gilbert-Burke.
Five Oriole players netted six points apiece. Those players were 6-foot senior guard Sam Brimacomb, 6-3 senior forward Charley Koch, 6-1 senior forward Grant Donald and Bonds.
Andrew Johnson, a 5-11 senior guard, scored five points. Marshaun Roundtree, a 5-8 senior guard, came through with four points. Marshall Cullen, a 6-foot senior guard, chipped in with three points.
Kashif Hayes, a 5-10 senior guard, was held out of the game because of an injury but is expected back in the lineup this week.
Hayes and Pollard were St. Louis Park’s leading scorers last season averaging 15 points per game.
“We decided to make all 11 of our seniors captains this season,” said coach Breitenbucher. “We will designate two different seniors to meet with officials and opposing captains before each game.
“We are stressing playing together as a team. Leadership and quickness will be our strengths.
“We will play an up-tempo style and try to push the ball up the floor as much as possible,” added the Oriole coach.
St. Louis Park will be home for its next two games. The Orioles play East Ridge Friday, Dec. 7, and St. Paul Central Dec. 11. Both games start at 7:15 p.m.
