Mbakwe schools Gopher recruits in Miller League action

BY MIKE PEDEN

The Errol Carlstrom Playaz played like early favorites to win the June Miller Pro City Summer League title with a dominant inside game in their 107-97 win over the Pat Madison Magic Tuesday night at the St. Paul Salvation Army gym.

Embattled Minnesota player Trevor Mbakwe suited up in his first competitive game since the end of last season. He awaits a ruling on his trial stemming from an assault charge against him while he was attending Miami-Dade College.

Mbakwe wasted no time with his inside game on his way to a game-high 31 points. Blake Hoffarber, entering his senior season with Minnesota, added 19 points.

The game featured the first look at the 2010 recruiting class that will play for Minnesota next winter, with four of the five recruits on the Magic. Most of them had limited minutes in their first night of league play, with Nebraska native Elliott Eliason the only recruit to reach double-digits with 10 points. Current Gopher Al Nolan led the Magic with 21 points.

While the final margin of victory was only 10, the Playaz (1-0) made the margin seem wider. They opened the game with a 13-2 run. The Magic (0-1) briefly led with 6:35 left in the second quarter, but lost it for good after the Playaz went on a 22-6 run, highlighted by Mbakwe's usual thunderous slam dunks with the Gopher recruits often a step behind him.

In the second half, when the Magic appeared to find a rhythm on offense, Hoffarber and the other Playaz sharp-shooters sank key three-pointers to sink any chance of a comeback.

While offense was flowing among the current and upcoming Gopher players, the nightcap featured two teams struggling to find rhythm, opening their 2010 season with the first game to have neither team break the century mark.

Sabes Foundation defeated Miller League newcomers King Tutt's Fortress 88-67 but left with much work to be done. Both teams were cold from the floor in the opening quarter and free throws were also problematic.

With the score 19-13 at the end of the first quarter, Sabes (1-0) benefited from a 15-4 run to start the second.

The Sabes defense was the difference in the game, with the Fortress (0-1) not scoring more than 20 points in a single quarter. Coincidentally, Golden Gopher Dominique Dawson led all players with 20 points. Overseas veteran Rich Melzer led Sabes with 15 points.

Fans who missed the first appearance of the Gophers' recruiting class can see them Wednesday night at 8:45 p.m. against the El-Amin Fish House, while the crowd-favorite June Miller Time play Information Investors Group in the preceding game at 7:00 p.m.