GBB Out & About: Chaska v Shakopee 11.30.2018

CHASKA 58, SHAKOPEE 55

Host Chaska overcame a sluggish start to defeat section 2AAAA rival Shakopee 58-55. This game has seeding implications and it is the second time this year the Hawks have triumphed over a section opponent. Once again it was youngsters shining for the victors. Three players for the Hawks were north of 21 on the 31 Club and all are sophs or younger.

But the game trajectory didn’t start off in a competitive mode. The Sabers made use of foul trouble forcing Kaylee Van Eps to sit after two and a half minutes. Shakopee built a quick 14-4 lead in the ensuing three minutes. Isabell West, who tied for game high scoring honors with 17, came up with six in the early surge. The ability to draw the foul and convert helped Shakopee to their early lead. They were 90 percent from the line in the first half. Chaska soared back in the game on the inspiration of Destinee Bursch who scored seven of her 13 points in the five possession 11-3 outburst. By half Shakopee was up 33-29.

It was the Sabers turn for a sluggish start at the beginning of the half. The visitors had the ball on the first possession and turned it over. Four other empty possessions marred their start. Chaska struck first with a three from the right side narrowing the gap to one. Bursch got a driving lay up on the next possession for the first Chaska lead after the opening tip. Shakopee quickly called their second time out. The opening run in the second half was 7-0. West scored in transition after a Chaska turnover to put Shakopee up 39-36 reversing the fortunes and getting six unanswered points of their own. Chaska pushed back in front on a 3 by Dani Rief (41-39). At the 3:46 mark Van Eps scored and converted an and one to make it 52-49. West, who was perfect at the line, added two more. Van Eps scored on a put back. Shakopee’s Jaley Coplin, another player with 17, converted a 3 from up top for the fifth and final tie down the stretch at 54. Kylie Willems broke the tie and scored what proved to be the game winner with 1:40 left in the game. The last 12 combined possession were marked with frustration and lost opportunities. The stress and pressure were palpable. Both teams combined for six turnovers in that stretch. Chaska missed the front end of three free throws. Shakopee, who was in the double bonus bonked two. Chaska’s Bursch broke the curse and iced the victory with a pair of free throws with 3.5 ticks left.

The Hawks won’t have a lot of time to enjoy the win. Another contest awaits tomorrow at the Breakdown Hopkins event.

  CHASKA SHAKOPEE
POINTS 58 55
REBOUNDS/OFF 43/18 36/13
TURNOVERS 15 16
FTA/% 19/57.9 27/74.1
2FG%/3FG% 40.0/27.7 40.6/15.0
PP100 87.9 83.3
TOP SCORER Kaylee Van Eps 17 Two with 17

TRENCH PLAYER: Kaylee Van Eps of Chaska with 17 points, 141.7 pp100, and a 24 in the 31 Club. If everyone at Chaska played the full minutes, she would have led all scorers at 32.7, and her 31 Club rises to 46.

 

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