Shakopee senior and North Carolina commit Taylor Koenen has been a standout for the Sabers since she was in eighth grade.
In her fifth year playing varisty, she surpassed the 2,000-point milestone last week against Apple Valley and has practically rewritten the school’s girls' basketball record book with her name.
Public address announcer Dick Jonckowski, better known for his work with the Minnesota Gophers, said in his 25 years behind the mic for Shakopee, he's never witnessed a player quite like Koenen emerge from the program.
“I’ve lived here (Shakopee) since 65’ and have never seen a player like (Koenen),” Jonckowski said. “She’s set some records that will probably never be broken.”
Koenen, along with her teammates, etched another record into the history books by clinching their first South Suburban Conference title after racing to a 75-62 victory over Eastview Friday night at Shakopee High School.
Ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Sabers (23-1, 16-0) remain undefeated in league play, but the conference title is just the one stop along the way.
“We have three goals: conference, sections and state. And we’ve finally gotten one of those off the checklist,” Mateya Hutton said.
Hutton, a junior, has learned from Koenen’s experience and looks to carry on the tradition when this year’s seniors depart.
“She teaches me so much, and I really love learning from her,” Hutton said. “She’s an awesome person, and I don’t want to see her leave.”
One of Koenen’s most unforgettable moments of her career was hitting a three-quarter court shot against Chaska in the Class 4A, Section 2 semifinals last year, but her most lasting memory will be the season this group has put together.
“It feels good that all the hard work is paying off for all the players,” Sabers coach Juan Mitchell said.
"The message is be ready to play, because you kinda got a bullseye on your back and everyone wants to beat you. You gotta play,” Mitchell said.
Now vying for the top seed in Section 2, which will likely go to either the Sabers or No. 4-4A Minnetonka, Shakopee is seeking a return to Target Center by checking goal No. 2 off its list.
“We used to not be able to hang, but now we’re seen as a top competitor which is awesome,” Koenen said. “They see us as a threat now.”
Eastview's Allie Pickrain led the Lightning with a game-high 26 points in Friday's 75-62 loss to Shakopee. Photo by Korey McDermott
First Report
Senior Taylor Koenen posted a team-high 25 points in Shakopee's 75-62 home win over Eastview Friday night.
Ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, the Sabers (23-1, 16-0) clinched their first South Suburban Conference title and remain unbeaten in league play.
Shakopee took the lead in the opening two minutes and the No. 5-4A Lightning never caught back up it despite pulling within a single possession eight times in the opening half.
Eastview’s (20-4, 13-3) Allie Pickrain hit back-to-back three-pointers with under five minutes left in the game to bring the Lightning within four, but her game-high 26 points wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Mateya Hutton tallied 18 points for Shakopee and Eastview's Rachel Ranke finished with 10 points.
