Duluth East Falls to Wayzata

NSO – Mark Edwards

Wayzata guard Eddie Beeninga surveyed the situation and did what has become familiar to Trojans fans over the years: Took over the game and led his team to victory.

The senior guard scored 17 points of his game-high 26 points after halftime, leading Wayzata (17-2) back from a six-point halftime deficit to a 78-69 victory over Duluth East in the Class 4A quarterfinals at Osseo High School.

Beeninga family members have been leading Wayzata basketball to victories for almost a decade. First, oldest brother Johnny, then Jacob, who finished as the leading scorer in school history.

The game pitted similar teams deep with quality guards and a 6-8 anchor in the middle. In the first half Duluth East (16-4) used good ball movement and hot shooting for a 42-36 lead at halftime.

Wayzata (17-2) regrouped and went on an 11-0 run to start the second half and take a 47-42 lead. That ballooned to 54-44 soon thereafter and the Trojans were never seriously threatened after that.

Cam Heide, who missed much of the second half with leg cramps, added 15 points for Wayzata and Carter Bjerke added 14. Duluth East’s Zaa Buffalo led the Greyhounds with 15 points.