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Washburn returns with a win

By Star Tribune, 03/13/13, 7:15PM CDT

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Chase Coley led the Millers over Sauk Centre in their first state tourney game since 1984.


Minneapolis Washburn's Chase Coley drove to the basket for a layup during the second half of Wednesday's Class 2A quarterfinals at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Washburn won 64-58 against Sauk Centre. Photo: KYNDELL HARKNESS * kyndell.harkness@startribun

Minneapolis Washburn didn’t look like a team lacking state tournament experience. The Millers were poised to get the ball in the hands of their junior standout Chase Coley at crunch time.

Coley made four consecutive free throws 28 seconds apart with the game tied in the final two minutes, and the Millers went on to beat Sauk Centre 64-58 in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Wednesday night at Williams Arena. Minneapolis Washburn (23-7) is making its first state tournament appearance since 1984.

“I was nervous,” said Coley, who stepped to the free throw line with 1 minute, 25 seconds left and the score even at 56. “The past couple of games my free throw percentage was really bad. I’ve been going to the YMCA with my teammates to practice them.”

Coley, who scored a game-high 28 points, increased the Millers’ cushion to 60-56 with two more free throws with 57 seconds remaining. She then made sure Sauk Centre didn’t get closer than four points the rest of the way on the defensive end of the court. The 6-foot-3 forward had two defensive rebounds and a blocked shot after her tie-breaking free throws.

“This was a huge win for our program,” said Coley, who finished with a triple-double. She also had 11 rebounds and 11 blocked shots. “This is way more than we expected. We keep setting goals, and accomplishing them.”

Coley showed how multi-dimensional she can be from the outset. In the opening five minutes, she scored on a driving right-handed layup, switched to her left for another close-range bucket and then stepped outside to bury a three-pointer.

Coley acknowledged that she doesn’t mind being the focal point of the offense, but prefers getting her “teammates involved.” Lucia Renikoff, who scored 10 points, was the only other Minneapolis Washburn player in double figures.

Macy Weller and Brianna VonWahlde each had 14 points for Sauk Centre (27-3), last year’s state runner-up to Providence Academy.

RON HAGGSTROM

3 Stars

1. Chase Coley, Minneapolis Washburn
Coley, the junior, did it all for Washburn and finished with a triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 blocks. She was nearly unguardable on the low post and also showed great shooting touch for a post player. She made some important free throws towards the end of the game that helped put the game out of reach. She was also a force on the defensive end, which was evidenced by the 11 blocked shots. 

2. Macy Weller, Sauk Centre
Weller had the unenviable task of guarding Coley but did an excellent job of making things difficult for her, despite giving up a few inches in height. She also chipped in on the offensive end, tying for Sauk Centre's scoring lead with 14 points. 

3. Lucia Renikoff, Minneapolis Washburn
Renikoff showed great poise for a sophomore and was a big part of Washburn's second half run. She was Washburn's second leading scorer with 10 points, all of which came in the second half. 


-John Kelsey, MN Girls Basketball Hub

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