Eden Prairie Stuns Chaska, Headed to State!

<strong>CHASKA–</strong> In a packed gymnasium at Chaska High School, the atmosphere was electric on Friday night for the section final between 2 seed Eden Prairie Eagles and the 1 seed Chaska Hawks. Eden Prairie pulled off the upset and shocked the Hawks along with the entire metro against a Chaska team that had been dominant all year with so much firepower with 24 wins. So what happened on Friday night? <strong>WHAT HAPPENED?</strong> If there was one thing I’ve learned about the game of basketball in my years of watching and playing basketball, it’s momentum will control the outcome of a game. From the tip, Eden Prairie dominated the young Hawks that had just one senior on their roster. The Eagles got off to a 14-3 run to start the first half. All in all, the Eagles stuffed the Hawks gameplan by making the one-two punch of Heyer and Van Eps, somewhat of a secondary factor to the game. From watching Chaska at the Park Center Showcase in January, I learned how much their offense goes through Heyer and Eden Prairie shut down the Hawks gameplan and they weren’t able to react in a timely fashion. Although Heyer finished with 23 points, she also had to rebound the ball substantially more to get her chances which goes back to that secondary thought I brought up earlier. The rallies the Eagles put together, were "long and strong" which in the end knocked out the 1 seeded Chaska Hawks from their chances at a state tournament berth. One other thing was key, was how much fire and enthusiasm the Eagles brought constantly when they’d finish a big run and force Chaska to call a timeout to regroup. The Eagles had lit the fire and the Hawks couldn’t put it out on time causing the 19-11 Eden Prairie Eagles to get a chance at the state tournament after a strong strength of schedule this year that had its ups and downs. <strong>WHO STOOD OUT?</strong> Here is the list of standouts from Friday night in Chaska in this one vs. two seed matchup. <b>[player_tooltip player_id="57077" first="Kaylee" last="VanEps"], Forward, Chaska (2021)</b> Van Eps had a good performance against Eden Prairie but it wasn’t enough to stop the Eagles. Where she shined was from mid-range where she knocked down a handful of her shots. When she attempts to go to the bucket, she’s super fast however could use some work with more control with trying to level up to the bucket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109758" first="Destinee" last="Bursch"], Guard, Eden Prairie (2021)</strong> Bursch has a craft to her game you just can get glued to. She was a top dog in my team points category and plays the guard position with a competitive edge you want on your roster. We chatted with Bursch after the game, in which she states going to is "off the charts," as far as how it feels to get to Minneapolis. As for what the Eagles need to do to be successful 7 seed she told us "we need to keep practicing and always giving 110%," which I think based on her effort on Friday, shouldn’t be something Eden Prairie should have to worry about. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="12732" first="Nia" last="Holloway"], Forward Eden Prairie (2022)</strong> Holloway turned in to be one of the most consistent scorers on Friday night for Eden Prairie. She created multiple ways to score getting in the post and showing off an asset of mid-range shooting as well. Holloway also showed she could crash boards in the Eagles road to Williams Arena. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1945" first="Natalie" last="Mazurek"], Center, Eden Prairie (#16, 2020) South Dakota Commit </strong> Although Mazurek fouled out in this one, (on a couple of iffy calls), she showed off what an all-purpose big that the Coyotes from South Dakota are going to enjoy for the next four years. I haven’t seen too many 6’4 centers this year that shoot as well as Mazurek, does from deep. She also went to work and had a solid rebounding performance. As for Mazurek’s interview with Prep Girls Hoops Minnesota about going to beating the 1 seed and going to state, she told us, "it’s amazing, and I am speechless," which is something I think every player that makes it to a state tournament can share that incredible feeling of how in "awe" it is to play for a state title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="12745" first="Myra" last="Moorjani"], Guard, Eden Prairie (2022)</strong> If there’s one 2022 guard in this state I wouldn’t want to foul, it’s Moorjani. Her ability to get to the free-throw line is incredible as she got to the line 14 times against the Hawks of Chaska. She’s one of the younger players on the Eagles but just plays like a seasoned veteran with her strong handle, clutch shooting ability, and tons of potential as only a sophomore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="12714" first="Mallory" last="Heyer"], Forward, Chaska (2022)</strong> Heyer had to contribute on Friday night with a boatload of second-chance points. To my tally, she had 23 points and 9 rebounds, but getting those rebounds were so key in her scoring as she was guarded heavily, which caused the Hawks not to run their offense how they normally would. When she did have the basketball, we saw why she’s one of the top forwards in the class of 2022 as she was dynamic within 5 feet of the basket. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110525" first="Nneka" last="Obiazor"], Forward, Eden Prairie (2020) Youngstown State Commit</strong> If I could have out a board collector award for one of the best rebounding performances of the 85+ teams I’ve watched this year, I would have to give it to Obiazor who had 14 rebounds against the Hawks frontcourt. The Youngstown State commit was so forceful inside and dominated the post to their core as a tough senior should. Obiazor is going to need to keep that same composure in the state tournament this week, as the Eagles will go up against the frontcourt of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="13045" first="Sophie" last="Hart"] </strong>on Wednesday afternoon at Williams Arena. <strong><span style="font-size: 8pt">Photo Courtesy of the Eden Prairie News</span></strong> &nbsp;