Crimson put Panthers away late

CLASS 4A GIRLS STATE BASKETBALL >> MAPLE GROVE 69, LAKEVILLE NORTH 50

Maple Grove advances to state title game with 19-point semifinal win

Maple Grove guard Jordan Ode (31) shoots over the defense of Lakeville North guard Lauren Robison (4) during the first half of Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal game of the State Girls Basketball Tournament at Williams Arena. MATT BLEWETT — SPECIAL TO THE PIONEER PRESS

Image

By Jace Frederick

jfrederick@pioneerpress.com

Crimson coach Mark Cook called Maple Grove’s 69-50 semifinal victory over Lakeville North on Thursday at Williams Arena the “most stressful 19-point victory I’ve ever had in my whole life.”

“That game could’ve gone either way,” he said.

It certainly felt that way early in the second half.

A bucket from Sahara Wilson trimmed the Panthers’ deficit to just five with fewer than 9 minutes to play. Fourth-seeded Lakeville North hung with the top seed in Class 4A for most of the evening.

Crimson forward Jordan Ode — a Michigan State commit — said there was a point earlier in the season when Lakeville North’s mini run may have rattled the Crimson. “But this team trusts each other more than any team I’ve been with,” she said, “and we were able to come back easily.”

A 7-0 run shortly thereafter put Maple Grove up 14, a cushion it essentially maintained for the game’s remaining balance. The Crimson (28-2) will play in the Class 4A final on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Williams Arena.

Ode led Maple Grove with 30 points, while Bella Hanna tacked on 15 points while playing some critical interior defense.

Wilson had 14 points for the Panthers (19-12), while Aduke Ojullu led Lakeville North with 17 points and eight boards.

“Our kids did everything we could. They’re a little bit better than we are,” Lakeville North coach Andy Berkvam said. “We had a chance to make some plays down the stretch. I tip my hat to them. They’re a very good team, they’ve beaten us twice. But these kids have had a great run and they’ve done everything that I’ve asked, so I’m very proud of them.”

That first Maple Grove victory came by 20 points in Lakeville North’s second game of the season. But while the margin was similar this time around, the game was an indication of just how much the Panthers had grown. Cook approached Berkvam prior to the game and said, “Just in watching the tapes, your team is a lot better than it was.”

The Panthers endured a difficult schedule and took a few lumps along the way but emerged from any struggles as a better team. The proof was in the results. Lakeville North made the semis this year after falling in the quarters in each of its previous five trips to state.

“We’ve just worked really hard together to get to the point we’re at,” said Panthers senior Sierra McCuddin. “I’m just really proud of all the adversity we’ve faced this season.”

“We did everything we could,” Ojullu said, “so I’m proud of this group.”