The Breakdown Boys Tip-Off Classic was not played, but that didn’t stop several boys basketball teams from hosting games and making the most of a weekend of big wins and individual performances.

The Breakdown’s premiere winter event was called off because of safety concerns from Edina after a fight between fans suspended the Dec. 6 game between Tartan and Hopkins, which will resume Tuesday.

Still, eight of the 18 Breakdown games scheduled took place Saturday, including Wayzata and Totino-Grace putting their stamp on being the No. 1 teams in Class 4A and 3A, respectively.

“These games prepare us for March,” Totino-Grace senior Dothan Ijadimbola said. “I want to thank our AD, Mike Smith, for letting the game continue on. We lost to Hopkins at home last year, and we always preach protect the Eagles’ nest. It was personal.”

Here were the five biggest winners/surprises from the Tip-Off rescheduled games:

Two-headed TG monster

As far as tandems go in Minnesota, Totino-Grace’s Malachi Hill and Ijadimbola were as good as it gets in big wins against Maple Grove and Hopkins last week.

Hill, a 5-foot-11 junior, and Ijadimbola, a 6-5 senior, combined for 43 points in Thursday’s 78-76 win at Maple Grove. Two days later, they followed that up with a combined 41 points in Saturday’s 72-64 victory over visiting Hopkins.

The Eagles scrambled to get their gym ready for the matchup of two state powers. In front of a packed crowd, the Royals led 50-44 in the second half after a huge dunk from 6-9 junior Ahmed Nur. But Totino-Grace ended the game on a 28-14 run. A timely three-pointer and clutch free throws from Hill helped seal it in the last three minutes.

Mr. Anderson, Mr. Basketball favorite?

The last Gophers recruit to win Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball Award was former Park Center standout Braeden Carrington in 2022.

It’s way too early to pick the winner this year, but Wayzata senior Nolen Anderson is off to a hot start.

The 6-8 senior is averaging nearly 25 points during the Trojans’ 5-0 start, which included a season-high 34 points last week against Lakeville North.

But Anderson’s most impressive game so far was with a team-high 21 points in Saturday night’s 96-66 win at Cretin-Derham Hall. In the second half, the Raiders cut a 24-point deficit to 59-50 after St. Thomas recruit JoJo Mitchell caught fire. Iowa State recruit Christian Wiggins was outstanding with 20 points, but Anderson delivered the knockout blow late. He answered Mitchell with nine straight points during a 21-10 run.

Big sleeper in Class A

You won’t find Liberty Classical in the new coaches top 10 rankings for Class 1A this week, but they did receive votes. That’s because of a 5-0 start.

The Lions’ game against Madelia in the Tip-Off was canceled, but they added a different opponent at home on the fly. That eventually turned into 79-75 win against Breck behind Ethan Richter’s 32 points. Richter and fellow senior Sam Rupnow are both averaging more than 20 points per game.

Most entertaining team in city?

St. Paul Johnson’s Jermaine Thomas-Curtis put an exclamation point on Saturday’s 73-67 win against Mankato East with a tomahawk dunk that ignited the home crowd one last time.

The Governors — who are the No. 5-ranked team in 3A and lost a heartbreaker to DeLaSalle in the section championship last season —have the talent to compete for a state tourney berth again. The Cougars, state runners-up last season, have one of the top uncommitted seniors in Minnesota with Lucas Gustafson, who finished with 20 points Saturday.

St. Paul Johnson’s speed and athleticism were factors. Thomas-Curtis and fellow senior guard Guarino Kamp combined for 37 points, including six threes from Kamp. The Governors also had the advantage inside with 6-8 Kenny Turner. Mankato East’s 6-9 Braden Petzel missed the game while playing in the Minnesota All-Star Football game.

Footballer can hoop

Mahtomedi’s Mark Graff wasn’t among the football players selected to the all-star game at the Vikings’ stadium Saturday, but he’s just as impactful on the court.

The 6-2 senior led his football team to a conference title as a quarterback in the fall. It didn’t take him long to get into basketball shape. Graff is averaging 21 points during a 4-0 start this season, which included 29 points against Stillwater and 27 points Saturday against Sartell.

The Zephyrs, who are ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, have their first test Wednesday vs. No. 7 Orono.