Boys Basketball State Tournament 2024: Class A quarterfinals

Class A schools began their quarterfinals in the Minnesota State High School League’s Boys Basketball State Tournament with four games at Target Center on Thursday, March 21.

Here is a look at the outcomes:

• No. 1 Cherry 78, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 46: This time, it was Isaiah Asuma’s time to shine. The ninth-grade guard scored 26 points and had four assists to power the top-ranked Tigers (29-2) past the Knights (23-8) at Target Center. Senior guard Isaac Asuma had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Cherry, who built a 46-24 lead at the half. Junior guard Noah Sundquist continued 16 points. Senior guard Blake Christianson had 15 points for Russell-Tyler-Ruthton.
• No. 5 Nevis 78, Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey 54: Junior forward Alex Lester scored 21 points and hauled in 15 rebounds in helping to send the Tigers (24-7) to a convincing victory over the Wolverines (27-4). Senior guard Austin Ahrendt contributed 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. Senior guard Carter Olson scored 15 points and had four assists for Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey, making its first state tournament trip since 2012.
• No. 2 West Central Area 64, Heritage Christian Academy 53: Senior guard Camden Anderson scored 23 points, including 3 of 5 from three-point range, to send the Knights (28-3) to a victory over the Eagles (21-8). Senior forward Bryce Kjelsbo was also 3 of 5 from three-point range and finished with 16 points. Junior Owen Haag and sophomore Griffin Booms had 11 points each for Heritage Christian Academy.
• No. 3 Fertile-Beltrami 64, Goodhue 57: Senior guard Caiden Swenby scored 23 points, including 13 of 18 from the free throw line to fuel the Falcons (26-6) past the Wildcats(18-14) in the final quarterfinal of the Class A session. Sophomore Preston Hanson contributed 19 points. Sophomore guard Luke Roschen scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.