High school roundup: Shakopee holds off Lakeville North in boys basketball

Paul Hodowanic, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·3 min read

Jan. 22—A dominant first half propelled Shakopee (12-1) to a 68-56 win over Lakeville North (10-3) in a battle of top-five boys basketball teams on Friday night.

Shakopee entered the week undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the state but lost to Farmington 74-73 on Monday. But with the help of Cade McGraw's 16 points, the Sabers bounced back on Friday. They led by 17 at half, which was too much of a deficit for the No. 4-ranked Panthers to overcome. Jack Robinson led Lakeville North with 16 points.

Eastview 61, Prior Lake 57: Jamal Ambrose scored 23 and Kenji Scales added 17 as Eastview (11-2) avoided the upset from Prior Lake (5-8).

The game was close throughout with Eastivew holding just a two-point lead into halftime. A balanced approach kept Prior Lake in the game as four players scored more than 12 points but nobody had more than Malcom Jones' 14.

Ambrose's performance marked the third consecutive game he has scored more than 20 points.

With the win, Eastview remains just a half game back of Shakopee in the South Suburban Conference.

Other scores: East Ridge defeated Woodbury 65-49; St. Thomas Academy defeated North St. Paul 59-58; Rosemount defeated Eagan 56-43; Park defeated Forest Lake 51-33; Cretin-Derham Hall defeated Roseville 72-51; Hastings defeated Two Rivers 59-45; St Croix Prep defeated New Life Academy 70-54

Girls basketball

Tartan 64, North St. Paul 52: Vienna Murray's 25 points powered Tartan's upset over North St. Paul (9-6). Tartan (4-12) was winless in conference play entering Friday.

The game was a tale of two halves, with defense dominating the first half before both offenses took off in the second half. A combined 73 points were scored in the second half. Maggie Jones led North St. Paul with 15 points.

Rosemount 63, Eagan 41: A standout defense performance from Rosemount (10-4), specifically in the second half, kept Eagan (9-6) at bay to secure the win on the road.

Rosemount's Ava Thompson led all scorers with 14 points, while Alexa Ratzlaff scored 12 and Nicole O'Neil added 11 for the Irish. The Irish's defense held Eagan to just 16 points in the second half as Drew Buslee was the only Wildcat to score in double digits with 13 points.

Other scores: Shakopee defeated Lakeville North 51-41; East Ridge defeated Woodbury 64-46; Roseville defeated Cretin-Derham Hall 76-41; White Bear defeated Mounds View 62-46; Park defeated Forest Lake 52-29; Lakeville South defeated Farmington 58-55

Girls hockey

Stillwater 3, Forest Lake 2: Stillwater (10-7-2) survived a late third period push by Forest Lake (10-11) to win on the road.

The Ponies dominated for more than two periods, leading 3-0 with less than six minutes left. Goals by Maddy Monette and Jenna Rae Bateman pushed Forest Lake closer, but it was unable to get the tying goal.

Other scores: Cretin-Derham Hall defeated Park 4-2.