Wayzata boys basketball team wins 10 in a row
Zach Robertson is on a hot streak, and that is one reason the Wayzata High boys basketball team has won 10 in a row.
Zach Robertson
The 6-foot-4 senior forward recorded his second 33-point game in two weeks Jan. 17 during the Trojans’ 83-47 victory at Minneapolis Patrick Henry. Nick Eid, a 6-8 senior center, and Bradley Carlson, a 6-5 senior guard, were also in double figures for Wayzata with 13 points each.
In another non-conference game Jan. 19, Carlson scored 23 points to lead the Trojans past Minneapolis South 61-38. Robertson added 14 and junior guard Kyle Kalivoda scored nine.
“It was a closer game than the score indicates,” said Ward. “South kind of ran out of gas at the end and we were able to score some layups.”
Talking about Robertson’s impact on Wayzata’s success, Ward said, “He has been shooting the ball unbelievably well. Zach had only missed three or four of his last 16 three-point shots. He is also very consistent at the free-throw line.
“The unspoken part of this is how Zach’s presence gives our other players pathways to the hoop.”
As for the 10-game winning streak, Ward is understandably pleased. The Trojans opened the season in a tough stretch, losing four in a row, but they’ve won some big games recently.
“The winning streak is a confidence-builder, and we’ll need it going into the Lake Conference games,” said Ward. “Minnetonka looks like the team to beat. Edina is also a very good team, and we know Hopkins can beat anybody on a given night. Winning 10 in a row is especially gratifying because of the way we started the season.”
Robertson and Carlson are carrying a big part of the scoring load for Wayzata, but team play has been the key component in the Trojans’ success.
“Take a guy like Drake Mjaanes,” said Ward. “He doesn’t score as many points as he’d like, but at the same time, he’s the consumate team player. Drake plays everywhere on the floor — point, wing, post. He defends the opponent’s best offensive player, and he in bounds the ball against the press.”
Eid’s growth as a post player has impressed Ward.
“Nick has been scoring and rebounding,” said Ward. “He is starting to play like a 6-8 post. Nick is very skillful around the basket, and it’s fun to see his progress. The other kids want him to do well.”
Kalivoda is a player like Mjaanes in that he puts defense at the top of his list.
“Kyle is very good at defending the point and disrupting an opponent’s offense,” Ward noted.
Johnny Beeninga, Wayzata’s freshman point guard, is a player who has made steady progress, according to his coach. Beeinnga has earned the trust of Wayzata’s older players and has found his comfort zone in the starting lineup.
Next for the Trojans is a non-conference game against a first-year high school, Minnesota Tech Career Academy. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Wayzata High gym.
Contact John Sherman at john.sherman@ecm-inc.com
