With rosters that read like a who’s who of Clipper basketball alumni, the city’s men’s basketball league held its annual end-of-the-season tournament, “Cleveland March Madness,” in the Township Hall on Saturday.
In the championship game of the eight-team, four-on-four competition, the Cleveland Legion Club team, with Jaiden Zishka, Travis Robb (both CHS 2017), Austin Plonsky (above), Carter Kopet (both CHS 2018) and Alex McCabe (CHS 2021) in its lineup, fell to Bjorklund Seeds.
Undefeated in the regular season, Bjorklund Seeds was spearheaded by 6-8 Marshall Bjorklund, a Sibley East graduate and star at North Dakota State, where he racked up 1440 career points.
Zishka, who, with Kopet, Plonsky and Robb, just missed getting into the high school state tournament back in 2016, said the league is competitive but enjoyable too.
“It’s fun to get back out there with all of us. It kind of brings back old times a little bit, but it is good exercise for us now.”
The tournament outcome aligned with the seeding. In the battle for third place, the Mueller Squad, which included Luke Mueller (CHS 2020), Ben Holden, Isaac Mueller, Cameron Seely and Elijah Sullivan (all CHS 2021), fell to the MSU Boys, a team with players from Nicollet.
With Chris Seely, Mike Meyer, Scott Miller, Matt Miller and Tavish Satrom as members, the Lake Boys beat MN-Ag Group to take fifth place. Jordan Phillips (CHS 2014) and Brock Olson (CHS 2020) played for MN-Ag.
Meyer, who took over as Clipper head boys varsity coach last season, said playing in the league helps him empathize with his team.
“It makes me remember what it’s like to play and play against tough competition. I don’t know if I want the kids to come and watch this league, but there’s a lot to learn if they can avoid seeing the sloppy stuff.”
To reach the game for fifth place, the Lake Boys beat Legion Post 207, which had Joe Queen (CHS 2013) and Nick Johnstone on its roster while MN-Ag eliminated Tweeten’s One Stop, a team that included Levi Baker (CHS 2020) and Spencer Lynch (CHS 2015).
The Cleveland Legion Club beat MSU boys to reach the Championship while the Mueller Squad lost to Bjorklund Seeds.
Started by Gerry Struck, “Town Hall Ball,” as the Cleveland league is known, has been drawing division one players and hackers too for over 45 years.
Until the 2018 season, the backboards were made up of wooden boards, and the score was kept on flip charts. Now, the well-over-100-year-old Township Hall has Plexiglas backboards and an electric scoreboard that was donated by Cleveland school.
Played on a court that is about two-thirds the size of a regulation floor, there are two, 18-minute running-time halves. Each player is allowed six fouls. Dunking is not allowed. The rules include a couple of throwbacks: there are no three-pointers and no possession arrows; every tie up results in a jump ball.
The regular season starts in November, and games are scheduled for Thursday nights.
Seely, who organizes the league, said players like coming to Cleveland and getting exercise by playing serious basketball.
“It gets them out of the house and up here where they can get competitive, because it is a competitive league.”
He said the league is also a boost for the local economy. During the tournament both sides of the Township Hall were packed with spectators, some even lining the balconies on either side.
“For the town, and especially the Legion, which supports us by sponsoring two teams, the boys definitely have gone there and paid it back. It gets more action in town on Thursday nights and a big weekend like this is good for it.”
Refereeing the tournament were Jim Day, Greg Kiebler and Mike Barton, all who ref varsity basketball in the Valley Conference.
With Matt Miller posting up and Joe Queen waiting, Mike Meyer makes his way down court.
Jordan Phillips stretches for a shot.
Brock Olson at the foul line. In back is opponent Levi Baker.
Scott Miller watches his shot head toward the net.
Joe Queen on the rebound. To his left is Nick Johnstone. Moving in to defend is Matt Miller.
Chris Seely puts up a jumper. It went in.
Chris Seely’s children, Jordie and Knox, enjoyed watching their dad play from one of the balconies.
Tavish Satrom breaks away for a layup.
Matt Miller extends for a jumper.
Mike Meyer eyes the basket.
Ben Holden backs into the lane.
Carter Kopet drives through traffic.
Travis Robb pumps up a shot from the corner. Watching him on the right are mom Suzi and sister McKenna. Somewhere in the house is dad Jeff.
Jaiden Zishka fights for a shot.
Mitchell McCabe (CHS 2018) usually plays with his teammates in the league but was out with an injury. On his left are sisters Lacey, Mariah and Taylor. They are watching the action from one of the balconies.
Elijah Sullivan looks for an open teammate while Ben Holden fights his way inside.
Cameron Seely looks to pass from the corner.
Isaac Mueller dribbles down the baseline as Marshall Bjorkland awaits.
Luke Muller drives to the hoop.
The playoff bracket (photo courtesy of Jaci Kopet)