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Minnehaha Academy takes flight in second half, puts away Hopkins

By Mike Randleman, SportsEngine, 02/24/21, 5:15PM CST

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Five Redhawks, led by McDonald's All-American Chet Holmgren who had a game-high 19 points, scored in double digits.

Minnehaha Academy's Hercy Miller (in red) is fouled by Hopkins' Elvis Nnaji (left) as he drives for a layup Wednesday night. The Redhawks defeated the Royals 78-59. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Minnehaha Academy's Hercy Miller (in red) is fouled by Hopkins' Elvis Nnaji (left) as he drives for a layup Wednesday night. The Redhawks defeated the Royals 78-59. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

No pliers were needed Wednesday night. Instead, Minnehaha Academy extracted the thorn from its side featuring a lethal transition offense and by making timely defensive stops.

Hopkins had needled Minnehaha Academy with three wins in a row in the closely competitive series between two state powers the last few seasons, but the Redhawks turned the tide with a decisive 78-59 victory at Minnehaha Academy.

“When we can beat Hopkins, it feels good,” said Minnehaha Academy coach Lance Johnson. “They've got our number. I think we've lost five of six against them. In some of those years, they were clearly better, but in some of the years we thought we'd be able to compete and they've had our number.”

Jalen Suggs, who’s now a star at Gonzaga, nearly willed the Redhawks to victory a season ago, but a 41-point effort without star center Chet Holmgren in the lineup fell short in overtime. While Suggs is making highlight reels in the NCAA with his Bulldogs, Holmgren, now a 7-foot-1 senior, wreaks havoc in his wake.

Holmgren put in a game-high 19 points to pace the Redhawks, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, and keep the No. 7-4A Royals’ post players in foul trouble.

Minnehaha Academy won three consecutive Class 2A state titles from 2017 to 2019, and was hurtling toward its first Class 3A championship last March after moving up a class but the state tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren (34) pulls down a pass in front of the rim during the first half against Hopkins Wednesday night. The Redhawks defeated the Royals 78-59. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren (34) pulls down a pass in front of the rim during the first half against Hopkins Wednesday night. The Redhawks defeated the Royals 78-59. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First Report

Minnehaha Academy has gotten back into the win column in a rivalry between Minnesota blue bloods. Hopkins took the previous three meetings, but a strong second half from Chet Holmgren and company pushed the Redhawks over the top in a 78-59 victory at Minnehaha Academy on Wednesday night.

The Redhawks, ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, led for much of the first half. But aside from a quick burst capped by a Hercy Miller breakaway dunk that put Minnehaha Academy up 19-10, No. 7-4A Hopkins kept within arm’s reach in a fast-paced affair.

A 12-4 Hopkins run later gave the Royals their first lead at 26-25 with 5 minutes, 30 seconds until halftime.

The Redhawks continued to attack the paint and looked for 7-foot-1 center Chet Holmgren inside. The senior, who had a game-high 19 points, got Hopkins’ big men in foul trouble and helped attract attention away from an athletic Redhawks’ perimeter.

The teams played to a 35-35 tie at halftime but a 7-0 run by Minnehaha Academy (10-1) to open the second half set the tone from there.

The Royals (8-4) remained within single digits at the 10-minute mark, but the Redhawks’ defense became too much and Hopkins was held to making just nine baskets in the second half.

The Redhawks’ Isaiah Davis scored 17 points. Teammate Prince Aligbe recorded 15 points, and Hercy and Mercy Miller each had 11 points.

Max Wilson led Hopkins with 14 points off the bench on a trio of three-pointers. Tristan Lee added 13 points for the Royals.

Hopkins' Elvis Nnaji (15) puts up a shot from the corner against Minnehaha Academy Wednesday night. The Royals fell to the Redhawks 78-59 in Minneapolis. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Hopkins' Elvis Nnaji (15) puts up a shot from the corner against Minnehaha Academy Wednesday night. The Royals fell to the Redhawks 78-59 in Minneapolis. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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