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Shakopee eases past rival Rosemount to end two-game skid

By Dominic Davis, SportsEngine, 01/03/20, 2:30PM CST

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Charlie Katona scored 20 of his game-high 35 points in the first half, helping the Sabers to a 48-29 halftime lead. From there, the Sabers cruised.

Shakopee's Charlie Katona (24) puts the ball up past two Rosemount defenders. Katona's game-high 35 points led the Sabers to an 84-71 win over the Irish on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Shakopee's Charlie Katona (24) puts the ball up past two Rosemount defenders. Katona's game-high 35 points led the Sabers to an 84-71 win over the Irish on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

From the game’s opening minutes Friday night it was easy to see that Shakopee’s players had a great understanding of one another on the court. 

The Sabers, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, attacked and defended as a unit, their play making things difficult for Rosemount, which was held to just 29 points in the first half.

Shakopee senior forward Charlie Katona proved to be a standout force. He was able to get to whatever spot he wanted and found teammates when it seemed passing was the right play to make. The Irish (5-3, 0-2) had no answer for Katona, as he put up a commanding 35 points in the Sabers’ 84-71 victory at Rosemount High School.

The triumph erased a two-game skid for the Sabers, and gave them a coveted win against a South Suburban Conference opponent.

Katona believes the love the Shakopee (7-2, 2-0) players have for each other is what makes the team special. He works hard to continue building that into the Sabers’ identity.

Shakopee's Caleb Druvenga (5) lays the ball up for two of his 15 points on Friday night. The Sabers took an early lead and eased past South Suburban Conference rival Rosemount for an 84-71 win. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Shakopee's Caleb Druvenga (5) lays the ball up for two of his 15 points on Friday night. The Sabers took an early lead and eased past South Suburban Conference rival Rosemount for an 84-71 win. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

Charlie Katona powered Shakopee to a 84-71 win over South Suburban Conference rival Rosemount on Friday night at Rosemount High School, ending the Sabers’ two-game skid.

The Sabers (7-2, 2-0) started the game with efficient scoring and defensive stops to build a 48-29 lead to end the first half. 

Katona, a senior forward who is committed to Minnesota Duluth, scored 20 of his 35 points in the first half for Shakopee, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. Teammate Caleb Druvenga, a senior guard, added 15 points.

Rosemount (5-3, 0-2) got into more of a rhythm in the second half, scoring 42 points, including seven three-pointers. Sophomore guard Caleb Siwek led Rosemount in scoring with 28 points.

With Friday’s loss, the Irish have been defeated in three straight games after starting the season 5-0.

Caleb Siwek scored a team-high 28 points for the Irish at Rosemount High School on Friday night. Down by 19 at halftime, Rosemount closed the gap but fell to Shakopee 84-71. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Caleb Siwek scored a team-high 28 points for the Irish at Rosemount High School on Friday night. Down by 19 at halftime, Rosemount closed the gap but fell to Shakopee 84-71. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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