Prep Boys Basketball: Breakdown Tip Off Classic: No. 2-AA Perham stymies No. 5-AAA St. Thomas Academy

by Tim Kolehmainen, Vice President/Executive Editor (Breakdown Sports USA)

Coaches love to stress that defense wins championships, so much so that it has become a standard sports cliche. Of course, when that defense is as strong as that shown by Perham Saturday afternoon at the Breakdown Tip Off Classic, it makes perfect sense. The defending Class AA state champions stymied St. Thomas Academy much of the game in a 62-54 victory.

Perham, which featured only one player taller than 6-foot-2 (lanky 6-foot-7 center Mark Schumacher) played aggressive on-ball defense and had their hands in the passing lanes all game long. At halftime, the Yellowjackets led 26-18 and forced St. Thomas Academy into numerous bad passes and traveling calls.

Schumacher was a big factor on offense, as he led Perham with 20 points. Jordan Cresap also came up big, scoring seven quick points to get the Yellowjackets going, and finished with 18 points. Mike Wiskow added 10 points, many on quick cuts to the basket that Perham executed all game long.

St. Thomas Academy made a late run to get the game into single digits after Perham led by as many as 20 in the second half, but couldn't solve the tough Perham defense. Thomas Sjoberg and Mitch Newburg paced the Cadets with 11 points each. At 6-foot-5, Sjoberg showed a willingness -- and ability -- to hit NBA-length treys. Teddy Andrews chipped in with nine points.

Visit the Breakdown Sports USA website for more results of the Tip Off Classic at www.BreakdownSportsUSA.com