THE CHASKA HAWKS HOSTED THE EDEN PRAIRIE EAGLES IN A GIRLS’ BASKETBALL CONTEST

Chaska hosted the Eden Prairie Eagles in a girls’ basketball contest. Coming into the game Chaska had a 10-2 record and was ranked number 6 in the latest rankings. Eden Prairie had a 10-4 record and was ranked number 3 in the state.

As the game got underway Chaska started out playing in a zone defense. They wanted to try to frustrate Eden Prairie early in the game.

Eden Prairie looked to put on the full court press early on in the game. They wanted it to try to make it hard for Chaska to make a shot in the early goings.

As soon as Chaska scored a basket Eden Prairie got the ball out of the net and they looked to go the other way with it. They were able to baskets in transition in the early goings.

Brooke Brown for Chaska was the point guard. She really looked to score in the early going of the game. Her teammates were looking to get her the ball from the beginning of the game.

Eden Prairie was able to build a 15-5 lead with 11:00 left to play in the first half. Chaska had a hard time finding the basket in the early goings. They kept on shooting shots throughout first half.

Eden Prairie played zone for a while once they were able to build the 15-5 lead. They played a few series of zone defense. They also did a good job of switching into man-to-man defense when they saw fit.

Chaska didn’t give up in the first half. They kept on fighting and they kept on shooting the ball. They were able to get on a roll midway through the first half and they were able to make some shots before the score got to out of control. Chaska is a team I am told that can really turn on the jets and just score in bunches when they can.

This Eden Prairie team wanted to control the Chaska runs. They kept on playing tough defense throughout the first half and they were able to keep the pace of the game at their tempo.

Eden Prairie made some key turnovers late in the first half. Chaska had difficulty converting on the Eden Prairie turnovers.

At the half the score was Eden Prairie 30 and Chaska 18.

As the second half got underway Chaska came out playing in a zone defense. They wanted to slow the tempo down and not get into an up and down track meet style pace game with Eden Prairie.

Chaska was able to go on a run to open the second half. Eden Prairie was surprised when Chaska was able to knock down three quick 3-point shots.

Chaska continued to pound the ball inside and find their shots in the early goings of the first half.

Megan Evangelista for Chaska had her shot dead on as she came up big in the second half. She was able to knock down some key three-point shots to keep Chaska in the game.

Megan Evangelista was able to give Chaska the lead midway through the second half. With 8:43 left in regulation the score was Chaska 41 and Eden Prairie 37.

Chaska was able to go on a run midway through the second half, keeping the Eden Prairie Eagles at bay. Chaska was able to come away with the 55-49 upset victory over Eden Prairie.

The leading scorers for Eden Prairie were Morgan Van-Riper Rose with 13, Jackie Johnson 13, and Karin Gibson 11 points. The leading scores for Chaska were Brianna Tisch with 15, Megan Evan Evangelista 13 and Brooke Brown 9 points.

I really thought that Megan Evangelista stepped up and led the way for Chaska. She was able to make shots in the second half for Chaska. That gave Chaska the lead and they never looked back.