Orioles Trounce Minneapolis South, Advance to Section Semifinals

Behind 20 points from senior leader Marquealis Edwards, St. Louis Park romped Minneapolis South in the first round of the Section 6AAAA playoffs Tuesday night, 72-54.

The Orioles' reward? A Friday match-up with the state's top team, the 26-1 Hopkins Royals, who cruised past St. Louis Park in December, 102-57. The rematch will be held at Osseo High School.

Edwards was joined by four other Orioles in double digits, and the team put the game away early — St. Louis Park ended the first half up 39-16. The Tigers actually outscored the Orioles by five in the second half, but it was too little, too late.

St. Louis Park is now 17-8 on the season, but win No. 18 would be the team's most unlikely. Hopkins has a bevy of star players, including University of Minnesota recruit Joe Coleman, who is the frontrunner for Minnesota's Mr. Basketball Award.

The winner of the St. Louis Park-Hopkins game will get either Robbinsdale Armstrong or Wayzata. The Section 6AAAA championship game is next Tuesday.