LAKEVILLE NORTH 62, APPLE VALLEY 53
Lakeville North got revenge for an early season loss to the Eagles as they rallied from seven down in the second half to upend Apple Valley Monday night in a South Suburban contest 62-53. In December at AV, the Eagles were victorious 58-52.
The Eagles grabbed the lead early in tonight’s game, rode hot shooting and timely defense to build a 17-10 lead in the first half. The host Panthers behind Lauren Jensen’s 26 points clawed their way back in the game. But AV was definitely hot shooting 11/15 from 2fg range in the first half (73.3%). AV led at the break 35-33.
With the first five points in the second half that AV lead reached seven (40-33). But the LN defense was just starting to make an impact; specifically, Sara Kuma. The Concordia St. Paul bound senior from the fifteen minute mark until ten minute mark keyed the comeback with six points, three d stops and an assist to turn the tables around in a game changing 13-3 LN run. The Panthers scored three straight times on seven unanswered points to tie it at 40. Anna Mutch’s 3 kept AV in front, but it would be the final time. AV coughed up the ball five straight times after that, during which Kuma had two steals and two forced turnovers. The LN defense impacted the AV shooting severely. The Eagles only scored on one single two point field goal in the second half. LN would push the lead to five and AV would find someone different to step up and nail a 3 (or old fashioned 3 point play). That kept the margin at two for the next few minutes. Mutch made one free throw to close the gap to 54-53 with 5:45 remaining. The Eagles would not land another point in the next ten possessions. There were four turnovers down the stretch, primarily on a simple lack of focus—-balls glancing off hands. The Iowa bound Jensen was the closer for the Panthers, scoring six of the final eight points.
Both teams lost a little of the first half shine on their pp100s as they both were above 90 pp100. AV fell from 97 to 76.8 overall for the game. In the second half the Eagles were only at 54.5. LN’s numbers also dropped, but not as far, only to 85.3.
LN is now 9-8 on the year and has won two straight games. AV had a three game winning streak snapped with the loss and is 8-10 for the season. Both could be headed for the rubber game in the 3AAAA playoffs.
This is the latest I have charted LN on the year. Usually they are checklisted off in early December, if not November.
I have now reached 83.8% of the AAAA teams. 10 remain to be seen, two more South Suburban teams among them.
| LAKEVILLE NORTH | APPLE VALLEY | |
| POINTS | 62 | 53 |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 31/11 | 28/9 |
| TURNOVERS | 23 | 24 |
| 2FGA/% | 22/54.54 | 26/46.15 |
| 3FGA/% | 27/33.33 | 23/26.08 |
| FTA/% | 14/78.57 | 14/78.57 |
| PP100 | 88.6 | 76.8 |
| TOP SCORER | Lauren Jensen 26 | Anna Mutch 23 |
TRENCH PLAYER: Lauren Jensen with 26 points, 162.5 pp100, and a 34 score in the 31 Club.