Knights win a thriller, Royals win a championship

At the Pacesetter Sweet 16 tournament on Sunday, the Wayzata Trojans and St. Michael-Albertville Knights played one of the most entertaining, hard-fought basketball games of the year, a three-overtime thriller that would have made for an epic state tournament final. Except it wasn't at the state tournament. It wasn't even a final. But it was epic. More on that later. In the meantime it seems important to report that, in the least surprising outcome of the day, the Hopkins Royals went home with the first-place medals again thanks to a 68-48 win over STMA in the championship game. Hopkins took a little while to get going but once senior Raena Suggs, junior Delayla Chakolis and sophomore Paige Bueckers found their rhythm, Hopkins was once again rolling en route to a 13-point lead at the half. The Royals stretched the margin to 23 points through three quarters (yes, these games were played with 9-minute quarters) before coasting home to victory. In the second half, Hopkins used all 18 players in uniform, including extensive playing time for incoming 7th grader Taylor Woodson, a product of the Hopkins youth program who is about 5'11" and very, very gifted. Hopkins, which was without senior Angie Hammond on this day, reached the championship game with an 85-67 semifinal win over Robbinsdale Cooper in a game that looked like a track meet with body checking. At times it was more street fight than basketball game as the officials alternated between calling everything and calling nothing. Both teams were physical, both teams were fast, and at the final buzzer both teams were probably glad to escape without needing the paramedics. Bueckers had 34 points for the Royals. Cooper looks ready to make some noise now that they have moved down a class to 3A. Their speed is impressive, and they have reached a point under Coach Kiara Buford where they have the poise and experience to go along with the talent and explosiveness. Ju Gaston, TT Longs, Aja Wheeler and Jada Buford form a solid nucleus that will probably carry the Hawks a long way. About that epic semifinal STMA acquitted itself well enough in the final game against Hopkins, but it's amazing that the Knights had anything left to give at all after their battle with Wayzata. It was a back-and-forth affair, but when Wayzata forward Kallie Theisen fouled out late in the fourth quarter, the game was STMA's to win. Theisen is the #2 rated player in the Class of 2019 (actually she's 1A but we'll save that debate for another day), and her impact on a basketball game is immeasurable. Fortunately for the Trojans, they also have two exceptional guards in junior Mimi Schrader and sophomore Jasmine Smiley, who clearly demonstrated their worth in Theisen's absence. In the final 90 seconds of regulation play, Schrader made a long three and Smiley made a three-and-one to give Wayzata a 57-56 lead. Not to be outdone, STMA sophomore Lily Tennyson buried one from downtown to put STMA ahead by two before Schrader drove to the basket for a left hand layup through contact to tie the game at 59 and force overtime. With six seconds remaining in the first overtime, Smiley made another three that banked off the backboard and in to force a second overtime during which Schrader buried another dramatic three to extend the game to a third extra period! With STMA up three and just seconds left on the clock, Schrader launched yet another long ball and was fouled in the process, putting her on the line with a last-gasp opportunity. Schrader made the first free throw and the second but the third bounced softly off the rim. The Knights' Jadyn Hanson closed out the game with a pair of free throws as STMA advanced with a 74-71 victory. Like we said, it was epic. Kudos to St. Michael-Albertville for a nice weekend of basketball. After a shaky start on Saturday against Class A Lac Qui Parle Valley, STMA found its rhythm to beat De la Salle in the quarterfinals before Sunday's adventure, and they did it without starters Kenzie Kramer and Kendal Cox. Tennyson was very good for the Knights, including a 27-point performance in the Wayzata game. The 5'9" sophomore is an athletic wing who can run the floor. Although she is ranked #59 in the Class of 2020, Tennyson has been somewhat under the radar this summer playing for North Tartan 9th West. She may be ready to kick it up a notch this fall. Hanson was also impressive, showing some exceptional athleticism to get to the basket on a number of occasions, and playing much more aggressively than we have seen in the past. The 5'6" combo guard is ranked #72 in the class of 2019, but tends to be overshadowed a bit on a strong North Tartan 10th EYBL squad. And once again on Sunday, incoming 8th grader Emma Miller turned a lot of heads, playing 20 minutes a game and scoring 17 points. STMA Coach Kent Hamre couldn't say enough good things about the feisty little point guard.