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Panthers keep on winning

By Tim Kolehmainen, Executive Editor, 07/31/11, 5:27PM CDT

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Lakeville North claims girls' red division at Summer Showcase Invite


McKenzie Hoelmenn and the Lakeville North girls won the red division bracket, beating Roseville in the championship game (Photo by Tim Kolehmainen).

Graduating back-to-back Miss Basketball winners doesn't seem to have slowed down Lakeville North.  The Panthers cruised to three big victories at the Breakdown's Summer Showcase Invite at Lakeville South, including a 40-31 defeat of Roseville in the championship of the girls' red division.

"We have seniors that are going to get an opportunity to play now. They kind of waited their turn," said coach Andy Berkvam, whose team graduated Cassie Rochel two years ago and Rachel Banham last spring -- both of whom were Miss Basketball winners.  "We think we have a pretty good team."

North used a balanced scoring attack and aggressive defense to beat the Raiders.  Center McKenzie Hoelmenn scored all eight of her points in the first half to open up a 22-9 halftime lead.  She was too powerful and strong for the Raiders to contain on the offensive and defensive boards, while Amanda Goodman cleaned the defensive glass when she was in the game.

"She goes hard for the rebounds and she probably has the best footwork for a post that I've seen," said Taylor Stewart.

When Roseville made second-half adjustments, Simone Kolander, Stewart and Caroline Sjoberg went to work, combining for 16 second-half points. Kolander and Stewart each finished with eight points, while Sjoberg added seven in the game.

"We all played well together as a team," said Stewart. "There's no Rachel Banham this year, so we're all expected to shoot more."

Jaqclyn Poss led the Raiders with 10 points.

Interview with North coach Andy Berkvam

Interview with North's Taylor Stewart and McKenzie Hoelmenn

Other results

Quarterfinals
Maranatha 39, Simley 28
Lakeville North 2, Jackson County Central 33
St. Michael-Albertville 41, Chaska 26
Roseville 28, Isle 25

Semifinals
Lakeville North 46, Maranatha 32
Roseville 56, St. Michael-Albertville 52

Third-place
St. Michael-Albertville 44, Maranatha 25

Consolation semifinals
Simley over Jackson County Central
Isle 47, Chaska 35

Consolation third-place
Jackson County Central 44, Chaska 38

Consolation final
Simley 30, Isle 27

First team All-Showcase

Name School
Taylor Stewart Lakeville North
Jaqclyn Poss Roseville
Natalie Van Wyhe STMA
McKenzie Hoelmenn Lakeville North
Simone Kolander Lakeville North

Second team All-Showcase

Name School
Madison Lee Maranatha
Kylie Brown Simley
Lindsey Lahr Isle
Monica Burich Roseville
Amanda Goodman Lakeville North