Best Defenders in Class AAAA Tuesday
Hopkins, Eastview, Elk River and Lakeview North advanced to Thursday’s semis in Class AAAA in games at the Target Center on Tuesday morning and afternoon. Defense had something to do with it: Hopkins forced 22 Minnetonka turnovers. and shut down…
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Continue ReadingHopkins, Eastview, Elk River and Lakeview North advanced to Thursday’s semis in Class AAAA in games at the Target Center on Tuesday morning and afternoon.
Defense had something to do with it: Hopkins forced 22 Minnetonka turnovers. and shut down Tonka's perimeter shooting. Eastview held Park Center to 30 percent shooting. Elk River held White Bear to 34 percent shooting. Lakeville North gave up just 3 offensive rebounds to Andover.
Envelope please.
Center—Megan Walstad, Eastview, 6-3, junior
Walstad helped defend Park Center’s 6-3 post, Florida-bound Mikayla Hayes, and they (Walstad and her teammates) “held” Hayes to 23 points. But, late in the game they forced Hayes to her left and she missed a couple of shots while Eastview was rallying from behind to take the lead. She had 9 defensive boards, 2 steals and a block.
Honorable Mention at the Center spot—Angie Hammond, Hopkins
Forward—Sidney Wentland, Elk River, 6-0, senior
Jordan Ferrand scored 3 early baskets for White Bear Lake, but that certainly got Elk River’s attention, because Ferrand only scored 1 more bucket the rest of the way. Mostly, that was Wentland, who had 4 blocked shots and a steal to go along with 6 defensive rebounds.
Honorable Mention at the Forward—Dlayla Chakolis, Hopkins, for her defensive rebounding; Rachel Ranke, Eastview, for her efforts in covering Park Center’s Ann Simonet
Guard—Temi Carda, Lakeville North, 5-7, senior
One of the state’s quickest guards and always a great offensive player, Carda has picked up her defense now in her senior year. She helped to make life miserable for Andover’s Joli Daninger, who made just 3-of-21 shots as North pulled away to a 49-32 win. Carda had just one outright steal but managed to guard the ball and Daninger while also getting into the passing lanes. She also had 7 defensive boards.
Guard—Raena Suggs, Hopkins, 5-7, junior
Another of the state’s quickest players, Suggs used her quickness to shut down the 3-point shot against Minnetonka (Tonka shot 2-of-1), and she added 3 steals as well.
Guard—Ava Kramer, Elk River, 5-7, senior
Kramer had 2 steals and 4 defensive rebound, and is just generally a pest on defense.
Honorable Mention at the Guard—White Bear’s defense kept Gabi Haack from getting to the rim all night long—that would include guards Tessah Anderson, Alexa Molina and Courtney Crouch; also Paige Bueckers, Hopkins, who was also instrumental in shutting off Minnetonka’s perimeter shooting