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Eastview rallies to take down Shakopee in regular-season finale

By Ben Grundhauser, SportsEngine, 03/12/21, 5:45PM CST

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The Lightning trailed the Sabers by 13 points at halftime but went on a 20-1 run in the second half.

Eastview's Kenji Scales (13) goes up for the layup Friday night as the Lighting went on to defeat rival Shakopee 47-46 in Shakopee.  Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Eastview's Kenji Scales (13) goes up for the layup Friday night as the Lighting went on to defeat rival Shakopee 47-46 in Shakopee. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

It wasn’t the start Eastview was looking for. 

Looking uncomfortable throughout the first half and trailing 13 points at halftime, the Lightning finally found a surge to complete a 47-46 triumph over South Suburban Conference foe Shakopee on Friday night at Shakopee High School. 

In reality, it wasn’t the start either team was looking for, as the Sabers held a paltry 8-2 lead nearly halfway through the opening half. 

Eastview’s Henry Shannon III was responsible for the only two Lightning baskets until the 6:22 mark in the first half. 

“Their intensity was unmatched,” said Eastview guard Kenji Scales of Shakopee. “They came out a lot stronger than we did.” 

The start helped the Sabers, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, build a 26-13 lead going into halftime.

Eastview's Henry Shannon III looks for a way around Shakopee defender Nick Katona Friday night in the Lighting’s 47-46 victory over the Sabers. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

Eastview's Henry Shannon III looks for a way around Shakopee defender Nick Katona Friday night in the Lighting’s 47-46 victory over the Sabers. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner SportsEngine

First Report

Eastview came back from a 13-point deficit in the second half to claim a 47-46 victory over Shakopee in a South Suburban Conference matchup Friday night at Shakopee High School to end the regular season for both teams. 

Eastview, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, trailed 32-18 in the opening minutes of the second half, until the Lightning struck for a 20-1 run to take a 38-33 lead. Zach Spann and Aryan Kohli each hit a pair of three-pointers during the run. 

Shakopee (13-5), however, scrapped the ball away from the Lightning in the game’s final moments (16-2), securing possession with five seconds remaining. Junior Nick Katona, who had eight points, found an open spot near the top of the key but couldn’t hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

Junior Kenji Scales led the Lightning with 10 points, which included him making seven of eight free throws in the final minutes to keep Eastview ahead. Senior Henry Shannon III posted eight points and three rebounds and Grayson Stalboerger had eight points.

Mick Wherley scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed five rebounds for the No. 6-4A Sabers. Teammate Sam West added 10 points.

Shakopee’s Mick Wherley (33) had a game-best 20 points in the Sabers' 47-46 loss at home to South Suburban Conference rival Eastview. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Shakopee’s Mick Wherley (33) had a game-best 20 points in the Sabers' 47-46 loss at home to South Suburban Conference rival Eastview. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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