Top-seed Hopkins never lost its cool in the Class 4A, Section 6 boys’ basketball championship. 

It gave up an early 15-6  lead to enter halftime at 35-35 with No. 2-seed Eden Prairie. But the Royals regained focus to win the title 77-64.

Hopkins coach Ken Novak Jr. acknowledged his team’s game was “out of sorts.”

“I wasn’t overly upset, I just thought offensively we weren’t setting many screens,” he said. “We weren’t playing smart.”

When the Royals aren’t having a pretty game, Novak said his team relies on sophomore guard Amir Coffey to revive the rhythm. Coffey led his team with 20 points Wednesday, even after sitting four minutes in the first half from foul trouble. 

But Eden Prairie actually sported the game’s leading scorer. Junior guard Grantham Gillard tallied 26 points. 

Eagles’ coach David Flom said he knew his team had to play its best to win, but turnovers limited that reality.

“Unfortunately, we were playing against what I think is the best team in the state in this section,” Flom said, “as opposed to playing them in the state semifinal or final.”

Although the Royals didn’t play their best to make the state tournament, Coffey said it doesn’t invalidate the win.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said. “It’s not over yet. So we just got to celebrate tonight and get prepared tomorrow.”

And as far the state tournament, Hopkins has lofty aspirations.

“Oh, win it all,” Coffey said. “Definitely, win it all.”

MEGAN RYAN