Minnesota Lynx Honor Eight More Teams with the 'Lynx Team of the Week' Awards
Published on January 1, 2008 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
Minneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Lynx are proud to announce the eight high schools that have earned the distinction of receiving the "Lynx Team of the Week" awards, which includes results through Dec. 28.
This is the fourth consecutive week that the Minnesota Lynx have recognized one girls team and one boys team in each of the state's four classes. The program will continue every week throughout the high school regular season.
This week's recipients are:
Girls Basketball
Class A
Red Rock Central is the Class A Lynx Team of the Week after a pair of victories in the week lifted the Falcons (7-2) to the Adrian Holiday Tournament championship. In the semifinals, Thea Engen had 22 points to lead the Falcons to a 62-37 win over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton. Krystle Sell added 13 points. In the championship, Red Rock Central had five players score in double figures in an 80-66 win over Adrian. Engen led the Falcons with 18 points. Sell added 16 points.
Class AA
Pequot Lakes is the Class AA Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 9-0 with four straight wins that included a three-win run to the championship of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Holiday tournament. On Dec. 21, the Patriots started the stretch with a 74-48 victory over Pillager. In the quarterfinal game, the Patriots held off Sebeka on Dec. 26, 78-70. In the semifinals on Dec. 27 against Badger/Greenbush-Middle River, the Patriots survived with a 68-62 win. Pequot Lakes cruised to a 69-38 victory over Park Rapids to improve to 9-0 and win the W-H-A Tournament championship on Dec. 28.
Class AAA
St. Paul Johnson is the Class AAA Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 6-3 by winning the B Bracket of the Winona State Holiday Tournament. On Dec. 26, the Governors cruised in the semifinal game to a 66-44 victory over Plainview-Elgin-Millville. In the championship game on Dec. 27, St. Paul Johnson survived a tough test against Winona Carter to earn a 56-52 win and the B Bracket championship.
Class AAAA
Minneapolis South is the Class AAAA Lynx Team of the Week after running its record to an unbeaten 10-0 and advancing to the championship of the Hopkins Holiday Tournament. The Tigers began the week by running off a pair of wins to win the Woodbury Tournament. On Dec. 20, Minneapolis South cruised past Woodbury, 66-35. In the tournament championship, the Tigers trounced crosstown rival Minneapolis North, 95-48. Tayler Hill averaged 21.5 points in the tournament, while Ephesia Holmes averaged 15.0 points to help lead the Tigers. Minneapolis South opened the Hopkins Holiday Tournament with a 64-36 win over Blaine on Dec. 27. In the tournament semifinals, the Tigers edged Eastview 62-58 to advance to the championship. Hill averaged 19.0 points in the tournament's first two games, while Holmes averaged 12.5 points.
Boys Basketball
Class A
Westbrook-Walnut Grove is the Class A Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 5-1 by winning the Lakeview Holiday Tournament. On Dec. 21, the Chargers slipped past Lincoln HI/Lake Benton, 61-55, in the semifinal game. In the tournament championship on Dec. 22, the Chargers survived another test, this time against Southwest Star Concept in a 42-40 victory to earn the Lakeview Tournament title.
Class AA
La Crescent is the Class AA Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 7-0 with a trio of victories. On Dec. 21, the Lancers snuck past Rochester Lourdes 46-43 behind a 24-point effort from Ian Anderson. Anderson scored 27 points to power the Lancers to a 55-42 win over Onalaska on Dec. 22. The senior forward hit the 20-point mark a third time in a 58-40 win over Rushford-Peterson. He scored 23 points in the win, while Brandon Verthein added 13.
Class AAA
New London-Spicer is the Class AAA Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 7-1 with three wins that included the championship of the Willmar Holiday Tournament. Prior to the tournament, the Wildcats cruised to an 81-63 win over Paynesville on Dec. 21. Four players scored in double figures for NLS, led by Skylar Wachter's 18 points and Wade Powers' 17 points. In the semifinal game of the Willmar Tournament, Wachter scored 17 points to lead the Wildcats to an 85-59 win over Dassel-Cokato on Dec. 26. Jordan Radel added 13 points. In the title game, New London-Spicer needed overtime to beat tournament host Willmar 79-72. Powers led the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Radel scored 24 points in the win, while Wachter added 12 points.
Class AAAA
St. Cloud Tech is the Class AAAA Lynx Team of the Week after improving to 7-0 with three wins that included winning the championship of the St. Cloud Tech Holiday Tournament. Prior to the tournament, the Tigers erupted for a 97-89 win over Little Falls on Dec. 21. Alex Hanks scored 23 points to lead four players in double figures for St. Cloud Tech. Nate Wolters added 20 points in the win. Against Albany in the tournament's semifinals on Dec. 27, the Tigers coasted to an 80-41 victory with Wolters and Hanks providing 16 points apiece. Wolters added some heroics with his 13-point effort in the championship game. His 3-pointer with 2 seconds left on the clock lifted the Tigers to a 68-65 victory over Buffalo. Collin Stinogel led the Tigers with 21 points in the championship win.
Each team will receive a Certificate of Merit, courtesy of the Minnesota Lynx, along with a spotlight on Lynxbasketball.com. All 104 teams will also be invited to a Lynx game during their 10th Anniversary season next summer.
The Minnesota Lynx will celebrate their 10th season in 2008. Season and group tickets are on sale now for this historic season. Be a part of the pageantry by calling 612-673-8400, e-mailing tickets@lynxbasketball.com or visiting the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com.
About the Lynx "Team of the Week" program
In conjunction with the "Lynx Ballerz Tour Live," the "Lynx Team of the Week" initiative is part of an offseason program that the Minnesota Lynx have introduced this winter in an effort to give back to the basketball community in the state of Minnesota. The "Lynx Team of the Week" initiative celebrates excellence in the classroom, in the community, and on the court. Each week throughout the regular season, the Minnesota Lynx will recognize one girls team and one boys team in each of the state's four classes.
About the Lynx Ballerz Tour Live
The Lynx Ballerz Tour Live will stop at 18 girls high school basketball games over a period of 13 weeks, bringing the experience of the WNBA to high school gyms across the state of Minnesota. At each stop, the Lynx will meet with players, families and fans, bringing the fun and excitement of Lynx Basketball, including autograph sessions, raffle prizes, Lynx T-shirt giveaways, and even basketball clinics at select stops. The Tour will shine the spotlight on girls basketball at local high schools, where the future stars of the WNBA are already competing.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from January 1, 2008
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