Molly Lenz led Fury 2023 UAA to the top once again
They say that big-time players are at their best in the biggest games. That being the case, it should come as no surprise that Molly Lenz was the catalyst for Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA’s second consecutive state championship. The Fury…
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Continue ReadingThey say that big-time players are at their best in the biggest games. That being the case, it should come as no surprise that Molly Lenz was the catalyst for Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA’s second consecutive state championship. The Fury scored an impressive 50-38 win Sunday at Shakopee over Minnesota Stars 2023 Hersch in the first of four consecutive state championship wins for the club on the day. There’s no doubt it was a complete team effort for the Fury 8th graders, but it was Lenz’s key plays at the most important moments that set the tone.
Molly Lenz of Eden Prairie was our MVP for Fury 2023 UAA. (Photo courtesy of the Sun Current)The dynamic 5’6 guard from Eden Prairie has long been on our radar. She is one of the best ball-handlers in the class. She can drain shots from distance all day long. She’s super-smart and very crafty, and you will seldom see her make a significant error in judgement. Those attributes and more were definitely on display Sunday as she scored 18 points, including 4 important threes, to lead the Fury attack. Every time the team needed something to happen it seemed as if Molly was the one who came through.
Key plays at key moments
The game was basically even through the first 7 minutes before the Fury launched their initial push. Trailing by one, they went on a 9-0 sprint on baskets by Zoey Washington, Lenz, Ashley Schuelke and Teresa Kiewiet to open a 20-12 lead. The Stars scored the last 5 points of the half to cut the margin to 20-17 at the break.
The Fury came out firing after intermission. Guess who launched the assault? That’s right, it was Lenz who buried a pair of threes to start the second half and once again stretch the gap to 9. Then it was the Stars’ turn as Josh Hersch’s squad went on a 9-2 run of their own capped by a pair of threes by Brylee Iverson and Jhanae Green. Down by just 5 points with 4:28 left on the clock, Hersch called time out. Guess who scored the first crucial bucket after the brief pause? That’s right, it was Lenz, after which the Fury cashed in at the free throw line 8 times out of 10 to close out the game. Four of those 8 were scored by Molly.
Of course the Fury’s victory was not a one-woman show. Far from it. From top to bottom the team played well, holding the Stars’ leading scorer Shania Nichols-Van Nett without a field goal after she had averaged more than 15 points per game in her first three contests. Forward Brynn Beffert of Hutchinson had a solid game up front, contributing 8 points and a bushel of rebounds. Schuelke of Chaska continued to impress, as did defender extraordinaire Sydnee Nelson of Red Wing and shifty guard Megan Stacy of Centennial.
Congrats to the girls of Minnesota Fury 2023 UAA coached by Matt Froehle:
- Ashley Schuelke, Chaska
- Brynn Beffert, Hutchinson
- Kayla Cuthbertson, Orono
- Kennedy Herndon, St. Paul Academy
- Kennedy Sanders, Chaska (injured)
- Megan Stacy, Centennial
- Molly Lenz, Eden Prairie
- Sydnee Nelson, Red Wing
- Teresa Kiewiet, Mankato West
- Zoey Washington, Mahtomedi
2023 ALL-TOURNAMENT SQUAD
First Team
- Molly Lenz, Fury 2023 UAA (Eden Prairie)
- Shania Nichols-Van Nett, Stars 2023 Hersch (Como Park)
- Alivia McGill, Minnesota Elite (Park Center)
- Savannah McGowan, Suns 2023 Bluestar (Armstrong)
- Brynn Beffert, Fury 2023 UAA (Hutchinson)
Second Team
- Laura Hauge, North Tartan Milan (St. Croix Lutheran)
- Maren Westin, Comets Elite (Becker)
- Abby Krzewinski, Crossfire Vaughn (Wayzata)
- Brylee Iverson, Stars 2023 Hersch (Triton)
- KJ Tharp, North Tartan Wolkow (Centennial)
Top photo: What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a state championship. That’s what Fury 2023 UAA did on Sunday.