Hopkins plays by rules in basketball tournament win, and makes new enemies for doing so

The name of the game in the Minnesota State High School League basketball tournament is winning, so is it a problem if a team exploits the rules and wins in a way that doesn’t seem quite right?

The Hopkins boy’s team last night defeated Shakopee 49-to-46 in four overtimes. If that score seems low, remember there’s no shot clock in high school basketball, so much of the overtime looked like this.

A portrait of intensity in a 4th overtime… pic.twitter.com/9wF4VqRgga

— Chris Long (@jclong) March 14, 2014

Hopkins held the ball in overtime, then shot as time ran out. The strategy, especially with Shakopee refusing to defend the man holding the ball, allowed Hopkins to either shoot for a win or go to another overtime.

The Hopkins freeze… pic.twitter.com/mBMRvQtK5S

— Chris Long (@jclong) March 14, 2014

At the end, Hopkins heaved a desperation shot as time ran out.

And now will play for the state championship.

How ugly was it? No points were scored in the first overtime

Here’s the entire play by play for the first overtime (courtesy Minnesota State High School League):

And here’s the exciting fourth overtime:

At one point in the game, Shakopee didn’t attempt a shot for 10 minutes.

The fans were not impressed:

Standin there holdin a ball for 7 mins isn't basketball we cud have done the exact same thing but we know how to play, so jokes on u Hopkins

— DaniMonnens (@DaniMonnens) March 14, 2014

Hey Hopkins, my second grade brother is wondering if you're recruiting players. His specialty is holding the ball for 12 minutes.

— Brittany West (@brittanyw_44) March 14, 2014

Hopkins was the wrong school to play that way. Everyone is already against you.

— Seth Kaplan (@Seth_Kaplan) March 14, 2014

Too bad this garbage basketball will take attention away from the great performances today by DeLaSalle, Fond du Lac and Austin. #mshsl

— Howard Sinker (@afansview) March 14, 2014