COON RAPIDS 39, CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI 32
Tuesday, I continued my tour of the NW Suburban conference with Coon Rapids hosting another 7AAAA squad Cambridge-Isanti of the Mississippi 8. And for the second straight night a sophomore off the bench helped to lead their team to victory. The difference was this was a much more competitive game than the Monday contest. Cambridge led throughout most of the first half with a lead as big as 16-11. Kylie Hettwer came off the bench to change the trajectory of the game. She connected on three 3s from the left side in the closing 4:30 of the first half to put the hosts up 18-16 at the break. The Cards would extend that lead to 28-22 after senior Ashley Flattem’s 3 from the right side forced CI to call time with 12 minutes left in the game. Two possessions later Payton Larkin scored from the right block. CI chipped away to trail 30-28 with 4:34 left. CR called a time out after CI applied the full court press and Lexi West scored after the Cards broke through. With 2:30 left Jana Swanson, who led the Bluejackets with 10 points, scored on a lay up after a steal to make it 32-30. CI had two more cracks to tie the game as time dwindled down. CR went to a delay game and was fouled with 36 seconds left. The free throw was missed, and CI could not secure it. West scored off the left block after rebounding plus was fouled and she chased in at the line for a critical three point boost giving some separation. Hettwer than scored on a steal lay up to ice the game with under 15 seconds to go. Another missed free throw opportunity led to Hettwer getting fouled and converting both chances. CR scored seven points in their last three possessions in the last 32.8 seconds to secure the win.
Neither team was scintillating from the floor or line. Neither team was able to get over 70 pp100. CI had an advantage on rebounding, Coon Rapids had a positive turnover differential. CI was hampered offensively with what looked like a wrist or hand injury to starter Myranda Brogger.
CR’s sophomore post Nicole Post is the daughter of one of my former students from Ellsworth, MN. I coached the mother in volleyball back in the day. I was the boys’ basketball coach in that era.
You may be wondering “Why this game?” I check off all 64 teams in AAAA. 51 are left on the docket.
| COON RAPIDS | CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI | |
| POINTS | 39 | 32 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 30/13 | 43/17 |
| TURNOVERS | 15 | 26 |
| 2FG%/3FG% | 25.0/35.7 | 35.7/18.8 |
| FTA/FT% | 20/40.0 | 11/27.3 |
| PP100 | 63.9 | 52.5 |
| TOP SCORER | Kylie Hettwer 16 | Jana Swanson 10 |
TRENCH PLAYER:
Kylie Hettwer with 16 points, 145.5 pp100, and 24 in the 31 Club.