After opening the season with eight consecutive victories over opponents with a current combined record of 31-57, the undefeated Shakopee girls’ basketball team was more than ready for an uptick in competition. 

The Sabers weren’t disappointed on Friday night when they faced South Suburban Conference rival Lakeville North, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Shakopee held off a second-half charge by the Panthers (9-2, 1-2) to win 68-62 and run its unbeaten streak to nine games, including a perfect 4-0 mark in league play.

“It was the first time this season that we’ve faced a little adversity,” Sabers coach Juan Mitchell said after the win. 

“We responded,” Mitchell continued. “We got some good (defensive) stops at the end and made some good plays on the offensive end.”

Mitchell said his team was enthusiastic about hosting a top-tier team and showed no signs on anxiety leading up to the game. 

“We were excited about playing Lakeville North because they’ve got a great program,” Mitchell explained. “It was a good opportunity to see how good we really are.”

The Sabers showcased their depth in the later stages of the game, with star senior guard Taylor Koenen held to just two field goals in the second half. She finished with a game-high 26 points.

“We know Taylor is going to do her thing,” Mitchell said. “So other players have to step up and shoot the ball when they’re open and make plays.”

Junior forward Mateya Hutton certainly got the message, scoring 10 of her 16 points in the second half while making several key plays in the paint for the No. 2-4A Sabers. 

“Mateya’s been doing it since she was a sophomore,” Mitchell said of Hutton’s production. 

Senior forward and Southwest Minnesota State commit Caleigh Rodning added 15 points for Shakopee.

“(Hutton) and Caleigh (Rodning) and (Annie) Rhinesmith have big roles on this team, too,” Mitchell added.

Koenen, a North Carolina commit, said that she has a connection on the court with Hutton that helps balance the offense when opposing defenses key on her. 

“We look for each other,” Koenen said. “She comes up and sets a screen or (gets) open.”

Hutton was able to shake off multiple missed layups in the first half to become the focal point of the Sabers’ offense down the stretch. 

“I just had my teammates there to pick me up and tell me what I could do to fix my layups,” Hutton said with a grin.


Lakeville North battled hard in the second half in attempt to overcome a first half deficit of 12 points. Photo by Cheryl Myers

First Report

Senior guard Taylor Koenen scored a game-high 26 points and junior forward Mateya Hutton added 16 to lead Shakopee to a 68-62 victory over South Suburban Conference rival Lakeville North on Friday night at Shakopee High School. 

After taking a 38-26 lead into halftime, the Sabers (9-0, 4-0) stumbled early in the second half, allowing the Panthers to claw their way back into the game.

Lakeville North went on a 23-11 run to even to tie the score 49-49 at the 7:05 mark of the second half. 

Senior forward Caleigh Rodning had 11 points in the first half and finished with 13 for Shakopee, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News. 

Junior guard Temi Carda led the No. 5-4A Panthers (9-2, 1-2) with 20 points. 

Spotlight Game Coverage

  • Familiar powers land highest state seeds

  • By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune 03/09/2024, 1:30pm CST
  • Hopkins, Minnetonka and St. Michael-Albertville lead the Class 4A list. Benilde-St. Margaret's heads 3A, and Providence Academy is atop 2A.
  • Read More