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Wayzata beats Hopkins and secures its third-straight 4A, Section 6 title

By Mike Randleman, SportsEngine, 03/14/23, 7:45AM CDT

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Hayden Tibbits' 23 points helped send the Trojans to the state tournament.

Hayden Tibbits (1) scored a game-high 23 points helping Wayzata capture the Class 4A, Section 6 title over Hopkins on Tuesday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Hayden Tibbits (1) scored a game-high 23 points helping Wayzata capture the Class 4A, Section 6 title over Hopkins on Tuesday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Wayzata players had never heard their home gym so loud.

The Trojans, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, swept their regular-season series against Hopkins by a combined 53 points. The rematch on Tuesday in the Class 4A, Section 6 championship told a much different story.

Fans from both sides, as well as unaffiliated basketball enthusiasts, packed Wayzata High School’s gym to the rafters.

They were given a treat, as Wayzata erased an 11-point second half deficit to win a 71-66 thriller and reach state for the third-straight year.

The game opened up like the first two meetings with Wayzata jumping out to a 6-0 lead.

Hopkins coach Ken Novak Jr. knew how to stem the tide. A timeout got his young team — led by a backcourt of sophomore Anthony Smith and freshman Jayden Moore, who each average 20.8 points per game — back on track.

Wayzata's Spencer Hall dives for a ball in the opening minutes. Hall scored 12 points in the Trojans' 71-66 win over Hopkins. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Wayzata's Spencer Hall dives for a ball in the opening minutes. Hall scored 12 points in the Trojans' 71-66 win over Hopkins. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

Wayzata took down Lake Conference rival Hopkins 71-66 to win the Class 4A, Section 6 championship and advance to the state tournament.

After trailing by double digits in the second half, the Trojans (24-4, 11-1) mounted a furious comeback.

Senior Hayden Tibbits led all scorers with 23 points, which included a pair of clutch one-and-one free throws to give Wayzata a three-point lead with six seconds left.

Senior forward Vincent Hillesheim led Hopkins (19-8, 7-5) with 19 points.

This extends Wayzata’s win streak against Hopkins to six games after the Trojans won both regular season games by a combined 53 points.

Senior forward Vincent Hillesheim (13) puts the ball up over the arms of Jackson McAndrew (23) and Jake Schmitt (10). Hillesheim led Hopkins in scoring with 19 points. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Senior forward Vincent Hillesheim (13) puts the ball up over the arms of Jackson McAndrew (23) and Jake Schmitt (10). Hillesheim led Hopkins in scoring with 19 points. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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