Minnetonka’s Hannah Hedstrom laughed when asked where she learned to play point guard.
The 5-foot-9 junior had a few different teachers.
"Both my parents were high school coaches here (Minnetonka) at one point," Hedstrom said. "And my sister was the point guard here ahead of me and she plays at the (University of Minnesota), so it's kind of a thing in the family."
Hannah's sister, Joanna, is a sophomore in the program and their mother Mary played for the Gophers from 1980-84.
Hedstrom's point guard pedigree was on full display in Minnetonka's 78-73 win over Elk River Thursday night, as she scored 16 points by penetrating the Elks' defense and sinking some clutch free throws down the stretch.
Her lineage wasn’t the only factor in Hedstrom’s development as a point guard. She said she was always at the gym or watching basketball, but also developed the pass-first mentality and court vision from another sport: soccer.
"(T)hat definitely helps with seeing the open space and the open person," Hedstrom said.
Skippers coach Leah Dasovich said Hedstrom is a fantastic point guard to have leading Minnetonka's offense, which averages 66.7 points per game. Dasovich said she trusts Hedstrom and respects her game.
"(Hedstrom) knows when she has an opening and when she doesn't, and I think (Thursday) she attacked the rim, which was our game plan," Dasovich said.
When she was not splitting the defense, Hedstrom was dishing to senior guard Caroline Shelquist, who Dasovich called a “catch-and-shoot killer.” Shelquist finished with 15 points.
Hedstrom also has the luxury of playing next to junior forward Courtney Fredrickson, who led Minnetonka with 17 points against Elk River.
Dasovich said the Skippers need Hedstrom to be a distributor, and her ability to spot the open player is something she does very well.
"(Passing) has kind of always been my role and I accept leadership roles," Hedstrom said. "So it's kind of been a natural fit for me to move up right behind my sister (at point guard)."
Elk River guard Gabi Haack drives the lane against a tough Minnetonka defense in a 78-73 loss that breaks a 13-game winning streak. Photo by Rick Orndorf
First Report
Junior Courtney Fredrickson scored 11 of her 17 points in the second half as Minnetonka defeated Elk River 78-73 to end the Elks' 13-game win streak Thursday night in a nonconference matchup at Minnetonka High School.
Junior Hannah Hedstrom posted 16 points for the Skippers, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, and senior Caroline Shelquist notched 15 points as Minnetonka improved its record to 15-3 this season.
Elk River junior Abi Scheid scored a game-high 18 points for the No. 5-4A Elks, who fell to 13-2 on the season after recording their first loss since Dec. 6 against Rochester John Marshall.
