2AAAAA QUARTERFINAL: SHAKOPEE 46, PRIOR LAKE 41
#4 seed and host Shakopee won the rubber match with #5 seed and conference and county rival Prior Lake 46-41. As is typical of postseason contests the possession count plummeted (only 55 compared to the normal 66+) and defense was at a premium. Every move of the ball was contested. The Sabers and Lakers had differing offensive philosophies: Shakopee was more comfortable behind the arc as they connected eight times; PL looked to get the ball inside, usually on penetration and won that battle with 60-34 touches. It was the 3 that sunk the Lakers. Shakopee hit four straight 3s in the first half with the last two coming from six foot freshman reserve Olivia Pawlicki that turned a 6-2 deficit into a 14-10 lead. That lead held up to a 21-19 halftime lead.
PL scored the first four points in the second half and would either be tied or in the lead until the 7:51 mark where the Sabers called time trailing 30-27. Directly after that, junior guard Kate Cordes delivered eight straight points on two corner 3s and then two free throws at 6:33 after the PL bench objected to a foul call and was given a technical foul. The Sabers did not score on the in-bound opportunity but a 35-30 lead, after that eight point exchange, would hold up the rest of the way. That did not mean there weren’t any dramatic moments the rest of the way. The Lakers trailed 41-39 with less than a minute remaining. A Prior Lake reverse lay up chance went awry and the Sabers would add five straight free throws for their final margin.
This was the third meeting between these two South Suburban and Scott County rivals with PL winning the first at home 60-55, and the Sabers victorious five days ago 50-38. PL’s Kate Traschel was wearing a boot on her right foot and did not play. She was averaging 8.8 ppg.
Next up for Shakopee is #1 seed Chaska.
It has been a while since the last out and about. The timing and virus have conspired against my travels this abbreviated season. Why tonight and why this contest? My schedule was open and this game featured two teams in the top 20 in AAAA, the best 4 v 5 match up in the most loaded section in AAAA. Both these teams tonight now have 12 wins. According to the QRF either team would be a second seed in three sections.
| SHAKOPEE | PRIOR LAKE | |
| REBOUNDS/OFF | 46 | 45/16 |
| TURNOVERS | 10 | 18 |
| 2FGA/% | 26/23.1 | 33/42.4 |
| 3FTA/% | 25/32.0 | 14/14.3 |
| FTA/% | 13/76.9 | 9/77.8 |
| PP100 | 83.6 | 74.5 |
| LEADING SCORER | Kate Cordes 15 | Tatum Brostrum 11 |
TRENCH PLAYER: Kate Cordes of Shakopee with 15 points (including the pivotal eight straight points to turn the momentum), 125.0 pp100; and a 22 score in the 31 club.