Two years ago, Gophers recruit Isaac Asuma led Class 1A Cherry’s basketball team to its first state tournament appearance since 1997. That was before he had a scholarship offer from Gophers coach Ben Johnson.
Asuma was sensational the first time he played at Williams Arena — catching the eye of his future coach. Then Saturday, in Asuma’s last high school game, it ended with him being a Gopher and a state champion at the Barn.
“The first time I stepped onto the court, it was like being in front of bright lights, a deer-in-the-headlights feeling,” Asuma said about his sophomore year. “I was like, ‘This is crazy, we’re playing on the Gophers court.’ And it was a spot I wanted to get to one day.”
A 6-2 four-star point guard, Asuma finished as Cherry’s career scoring leader with more than 3,000 points. He led the small-town school from the Iron Range to its first Class A basketball title.
“He got a standing ovation,” Cherry coach Jordan Christianson said of the moment Asuma checked out of the game in the final two minutes. “I’ve been a coach the last five years. My first year was with him as an eighth-grader. So I don’t know anything different. … Bright future. Special kid. Special family.”
Asuma accomplished what every high school player dreams of, and it was made even more memorable, winning a state title with family as teammates: younger brother Noah and cousin Isaiah. And the entire town of Cherry seemed to be decked in orange in several sections in the crowd.
“It’s a blessing having such a supportive community behind us,” Asuma said. “It’s just a special feeling to bring it home for them.”
Cherry played in the state tournament for three years in a row. Last March, after Asuma committed to the Gophers, he led the Tigers to a second consecutive third-place finish.
