Saturday, March 16, 2019

Minneota Vikings Win Class A Championship

Abby Hennen scored 13 points to lead the Minneota Vikings to a 40-31 win over the Goodhue Wildcats Saturday afternoon in the state Class A championship game at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

It was the second state title of the southwest Minnesota school in their eighth state tournament.  The Vikings were unbeaten against in-state teams with their only loss coming to Brandon Valley, South Dakota.

Abby Hennen began the scoring for Minneota with a pair of free throws 1:05 into the game.  Kate Opsahl would tie the game for the Wildcats going 2-2 from the line.  Opsahl would get into foul trouble early, picking up her second foul 1:59 into the game.  Both teams were chilly from the field in the first half though Abby Hennen would score the vikings first three points, all on free throws.  Goodhue would tie the game at five and Lydia Sussner would score to regain the lead for Minneota.  Once again, foul trouble would plague the Wildcats when Opsahl picked up her third foul with 8:15 left in the first half.  Did Goodhue head coach Josh Wieme send her to the bench?  Not yet.  She was needed to try and defend a high powered Minneota offense but they would go on a 9-0 run after the score was even at nine and lead 20-14 at the half.

Both teams began the second half hitting shots from Dinkytown.  Opsah would score for the Wildcats and Lizzy Gillingham for the Vikings.  Another member of the Hennen family would be a factor for Minneota as Morgan Hennen would hit a three pointer to spark the Vikings on a 5-0 run.  The Vikings would pull away though Lexie Lodermeier, who scored six straight points in the first half would cut the lead to eight but it was all Goodhue could do.

Gillingham was the only other Viking in double figures, scoring 11 points. Morgan Hennen had five assists.  Opsahl would be the only Wildcat in double figures, scoring 14 points.

Minneota concluded their season with a   record of 30-1.  Goodhue finished 26-7.

In the third place game that was played at Ganglehoff Center on the Concordia University campus in St. Paul, Taylie Scott scored 21 points to lead the Heritage Christian Academy Eagles to a 60-52 win over the Menagha Braves.

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