For a team averaging 96 points per game in the playoffs, defense is not the first thing that comes to mind.

So naturally, that’s exactly what the third-seeded Apple Valley Eagles used to dominate Blaine on Wednesday afternoon, taking the state tournament opener 77-57.

The Eagles came into the tournament off a 109-point offensive effort in the section finals, and it’s no secret they can score. Before an illness sidelined him for three games, guard Gary Trent Jr. led the entire state of Minnesota in total points and points per game–one of four starters to average double-digit scoring this year.

Apple Valley used size to its advantage on the defensive end against Blaine, as seniors Brock Bertram (7′-0″) and Cam Kirksey (6′-6″) combined to shut down Ben Scherer and the Bengals’ offense, knocking away most everything in the paint. Scherer, who had averaged 15.7 points per game this year, shot just 1-5 from the field in the first half.

“It’s really about post position,” said Bertram. “[Scherer] is a really good post player…so I just tried to use my strength and keep him out of the paint.”

Kirksey, whose unique combination of size and athleticism makes him dangerous on both ends of the floor, seemed to fly over the court, swatting away numerous shots and passes.

“It’s about timing,” he said. “I know I have length and athletic ability, so it’s just about working hard…practice, and putting myself in the right places.”

Taking a 25-point lead into the half, the Valley defense didn’t let up after the break–Blaine didn’t score until four minutes into the second session.

The Eagle offense worked efficiently, and twelve players who saw action earned at least two points. Trent led the Eagles in scoring, putting up 23 points while sitting much of the second half with the rest of the starters. 

The win earns Apple Valley a rematch with Hopkins–the lone team to beat them this season. Goring insisted that his team learned a lot from the last meeting that can be applied in the semifinal. 

“We have to take away their transition game and their threes first and foremost,” he said. “Amir [Coffey] got whatever he wanted…we have to be able to limit him.”

For all the hype–many consider Apple Valley and Hopkins to be the top two teams in the state– Trent downplayed his mano-a-mano matchup with Hopkins star Amir Coffey. 

“It’s a bigger picture than that,” Trent said. “It’s about going out and trying to win a state championship.”

An interesting note for those who may be a tad superstitious: the past two times Apple Valley has made the state tournament, it has entered with one loss. Both times, they won rematches over the teams that beat them in the regular season.