There was heightened anticipation prior to Thursday night’s matchup between Minneapolis South and Minneapolis Southwest.
 

Each team entered the game undefeated in league play, and the rivals were coming off a season in which the Lakers' one-point victory over the Tigers last January not only avenged a loss from earlier that year but ultimately resulted in both sharing second place in final conference standings.

 
Keyia Parker led Southwest in that victory, and the senior did so again in this game, scoring 20 points in a 57-44 win at Minneapolis Southwest High School. She had a team-high 17 points in last year's 61-60 win.
 
On Thursday, the first half showed all the signs of a repeat of last season's tight finish with six lead changes in the opening 18 minutes.
 
Despite having a veteran group of upperclassmen, the Lakers (10-2, 6-0) struggled on the boards and were not taking advantage of a noticeable height advantage.
 
“We talked before the game and wanted to smother them on defense and own the boards,” Southwest coach Dan Froelich said. “Frankly, for our size difference, we didn’t necessarily own the boards.” 
 
In the second half, the Lakers tightened up their defense as the Tigers tried to push the pace for a comeback.
 
South (6-7, 4-1) worked its way back within two possessions before Parker drained a three-point shot that sparked an eight-point swing for Southwest. 
 
Parker drove the ball underneath the basket on the ensuing possession and passed to Khalilah Holloway, who hit a three-pointer from the wing.
 
Parker then stole the ball at halfcourt and walked in an easy layup that gave the Lakers a 13-point lead with five minutes remaining.
 
Southwest held the Tigers to just 18 points in the final half, as sophomore Morgan Hall was the only South player to score multiple baskets.
 
Froelich emphasized to his team the importance of forcing the Tigers to earn their points.
 
“The Hill sisters [Morgan and Jade] are good at drawing fouls,” he said. “If they’re going to score on us, they're gonna score. But don’t put them on the line, don’t bail them out.”
 
Younger sisters of 2009 Miss Basketball award winner and former South star Tayler Hill, Morgan and Jade are the Tigers' No.1 and No. 3 scorers on South’s budding roster that features more eighth-graders than juniors or seniors.
 
Morgan Hill posted a game-high 22 points on Thursday, and as the leading scorer of the Tigers, Parker feels a mutual respect having played Hill in several close games.
 
“At first we wouldn’t say anything to each other, but now we say 'Hi' when we see each other around,” Parker said.
 
Off to their best start in more than a decade, the Lakers look to continue to roll through conference play and extend their unbeaten streak.
 
“It feels like we’re unstoppable, and it gets me hyped up for each game,” Parker said.

Khalilah Holloway (12) added 14 points for the Lakers in their 57-44 win over the Tigers on Thursday. Photo by Cheryl Myers

First Report

Keyia Parker's 20-point performance led the Lakers to a 57-41 win over Minneapolis South on Thursday night at Minneapolis Southwest High School. 

Khalilah Holloway had 14 points and Sophia Holien added 13 for Southwest (10-2, 6-0), which widened its lead in the Minneapolis City Conference standings after handing the second-place Tigers their first league loss of the season.

Morgan Hill posted a game-high 22 points and Adria Stewart chipped in 10 for South (6-7, 4-1). 

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