Apple Valley Dispatches Warriors 81-67, Onto Next Round of State Tournament

The top-ranked Apple Valley High School boys basketball team dismantled Brainerd 81-67 on Wednesday morning in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state tournament.

Brainerd led 36-32 at the end of the first half, but the Eagles came back strong late in the game, outscoring their opponents 49-31. Junior point guard Tyus Jones, the Pioneer Press' Player of the Year, scored 19 points, according to the Minnesota Basketball Hub.

The Eagles were 28 of 53 from the field and made 4 of 13 free throw attempts. Apple Valley also racked up 30 rebounds, compared to only 18 for the Warriors. Apple Valley's Brock Bertram led with 8 rebounds.

The Eagles (29-1) came into the tournament with a 27-game winning streak, and were named the "Team to Beat" this year by the Pioneer Press. They are scheduled to play again in the semifinals at 6 p.m. on March 21 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Apple Valley will square off against the winner of Wednesday's game between Eden Prairie and Woodbury.