Border West wanted to prevent Gophers recruit Isaac Asuma from getting to the basket. The Buccaneers set out to step in and take a charge whenever Asuma drove the lane.
It worked. But the plan didn't account for Cherry's Noah Sundquist.
The sophomore guard made up for Asuma's foul trouble, pouring in 30 points as Cherry got past Border West 68-55 Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A boys basketball state tournament.
"Everybody knows their role on our team," said Sundquist, who was 14-for-15 from the floor and 2-for-3 from three-point range. "When Isaac went out, I knew I had to step up."
Border West is a cooperative program of three schools — Wheaton, Herman-Norcross and Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley — that are near the Minnesota-South Dakota border.
"Our focus was to slow down Isaac," Buccaneers senior guard Dylan Bainbridge said. "They have other guys who can really ball. They're a phenomenal team."
The Tigers led 18-14 when Asuma picked up his third foul with 7:37 to play in the first half. Sundquist and two younger Asumas, cousins freshman Noah and eighth-grader Isaiah, made sure the Tigers didn't relinquish their slim lead.
The second half was much of the same as Isaac Asuma picked up his fourth foul with 12:26 remaining and the Tigers leading 43-39.
