Park Center Beats Wayzata for State Boys Basketball Title
Cody Pennebaker scored 23 points to help lead the Park Center boys basketball team to a hard-fought 58-53 win over Wayzata Saturday night in the Class AAAA championship game.
The title is the first for Park Center. The Pirates, in their fifth state tournament appearance, were runners-up in 2013.
After falling behind Wayzata 8-2 early Park Center rallied to take a seven-point lead at halftime. Ayouba Berthe scored 13 for the Pirates.
The Trojans, state champions in 2021, trailed 51-40 with just over four minutes to play but rallied to nearly tie the game late.
Drew Berkland hit a corner three-pointer with 37 seconds to play to cut the Pirates’ lead to two at 55-53.
Following a Pirates’ turnover Hayden Tibbits’ driving lay-up try in traffic with under 20 seconds to go missed and Park Center rebounded.
The Pirates made three late free throws to secure the win and the title.
Tibbits led Wayzata in scoring with 13 points. Carter Bjerke netted 12 to go along with 11 rebounds.
Park Center finishes with a record of 31-1. Wayzata was 27-5.
Park Center Senior High School
Wayzata High School
