Shakopee junior forward Caleigh Rodning often played a complementary role for the Sabers, finishing the regular season as the team’s second-leading scorer behind junior guard Taylor Koenen.

However, in the Class 4A, Section 2 championship game Wednesday at Apple Valley High School, Rodning took the lead and finished with a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds to help top-seeded Shakopee defeat third-seeded Prior Lake 67-60 in overtime and earn the Sabers’ first berth in the state tournament in nearly 20 years.

“I hate losing,” said Rodning, who ended the regular season averaging 11.2 points per game. “I’ll do whatever it takes to win, so if that means me scoring 27 points, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Rodning was especially potent in overtime, overcoming her nerves to score 10 of Shakopee’s 16 points by getting good positioning under the basket for easy shots and getting to the foul line.

Rodning said she used a special method to calm herself when shooting several crucial free throws late in overtime to help seal the victory.

“I try and have as much confidence as I can and keep telling myself, ‘I’m the best free-throw shooter on the team,’ and I picture (the ball) going through the net,” said Rodning, who increased her postseason scoring averaging to 18.7 ppg.  

Converting from the free-throw line may have helped the Sabers win the game, but it was also how the Lakers forced overtime.

Shakopee held a 50-45 advantage with 41.5 seconds left in the game, but Prior Lake senior guard Shaye Barton made a three-pointer to cut the lead to two. 

The Lakers then fouled Sabers junior guard Annie Rhinesmith, who went to the free-throw line and made one of two attempts to give Shakopee a 51-48 lead. 

Barton was fouled attempting a three-pointer on Prior Lake’s next possession, and she hit all three foul shots to tie the game at 51.

Shakopee missed a basket with just seconds remaining, sending the game into extra time.

A lack of poise on offense down the stretch kept the Sabers from winning the game in regulation, Shakopee coach Juan Mitchell said. 

“Sometimes we lose our patience in the offensive end, and for us, when we lose our patience on the offensive end, our focus on defense kind of goes a little bit as well,” Mitchell said. 

But thanks to Rodning, who scored six points in each of the Sabers’ regular-season matchups with the Lakers, Shakopee earned the sweep of its South Suburban Conference rival. 

The Sabers recorded a 77-55 victory on Dec.19 and a 73-60 win on Jan. 30. Koenen led the Sabers in scoring in both games, with 29 and 23 points, respectively. Koenen, who is Shakopee’s career scoring leader and a North Carolina commit, ended the regular season averaging 20.3 ppg. 

Mitchell said the game was going to battle despite the Sabers’ dominance of the Lakers in the previous contests.  

“When you got shooters like they do, and good point guard play, they’ll make some good plays down the stretch,” Mitchell said. 

Eighth-grade guard McKenna Hofschild was impressive in the losing effort, scoring 23 points off the bench. 

Mitchell said Hofschild is going to create trouble for the Sabers in the future. 

“She’s got the whole game - as an eighth grader, too - so she’s going to be tough to guard for the next four years,” Mitchell said. 

Shakopee, however, can now turn its attention toward the Class 4A state tournament, a place the Sabers haven’t been to since making back-to-back appearances in 1996 and 1997.

Shakopee plays in the quarterfinals at the Target Center on March 17, and Rodning said the fans will have an impact in the Sabers’ success. 

“We have the best fans in Minnesota, so I know it’s going to be a great experience,” Rodning said. 

Shakopee might have the best fans, but the Sabers also have Koenen, who Mitchell said is one of Minnesota's best players and gives the team a great shot at winning a state title.

“When you got one of the best players in state, I think your chances are good,” Mitchell said.

The odds get even better considering Rodning provides Shakopee with a pretty nice complement to Koenen.     

Junior forward Caleigh Rodning finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds as top-seeded Shakopee secured its first state tournament berth in nearly 20 years after defeating third-seeded Prior Lake 67-60 in overtime in the Class 4A, Section 2 championship game Wednesday at Apple Valley High School. 

Junior guard Taylor Koenen chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, and senior forward Haley Zerr recorded eight points for the Sabers (21-8), who will be appearing at state for the first time since making back-to-back trips in 1996 and 1997. 

Eighth-grade guard McKenna Hofschild scored 23 points to lead the third-seeded Lakers (17-11). Senior guard Shaye Barton recorded with 16 points and five rebounds, while sophomore guard Riley Wheatcraft added 16 points and tied senior forward Sam McElwain as each finished with seven rebounds. 

Shakopee, which earned its fifth state tournament bid since 1979, will play in the Class 4A quarterfinals at the Target Center on March 17.    

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