Minnetonka coach Leah Dasovich admitted she was nervous heading into Saturday’s matchup with Orono, the No. 1 team in Minnesota Basketball News' Class 3A rankings.
“I think our girls were a bit nervous too,” she said.
Both teams put double-digit winning streaks on the line, raising the stakes and heightening nerves all around.
As a result, neither team shot well on Saturday. However, the Skippers' defensive prowess carried them to their 16th consecutive victory as they defeated the Spartans 60-47 at Minnetonka High School.
The game's opening seven minutes saw six lead changes as both teams played competitively.
That was before Skippers used a 18-6 run to close the first half and take control of the game. Senior forwards Courtney Fredrickson and Lizzie Odegard fueled Minnetonka's push with a combined 10 points.
“At halftime, we talked about how crazy it was we’re missing all these shots but are still ahead,” Fredrickson said. “Everyone just kept each other's heads high. Play your role and the offense will come with the defense.”
Fredrickson was crucial to the Skippers’ offense. The Wisconsin commit baited Orono’s 6-foot-4 center Meghan Mandel away from the basket, opening driving lanes for her teammates.
She shot a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line, helping compensate for her poor shooting, and finished the game with 13 points. Odegard had a game-high 18 points.
Minnetonka (18-3) is undefeated in Lake Conference play and has continued its impressive winning streak while facing No. 1-4A Hopkins, No. 8-4A Elk River and No. 9-4A White Bear Lake and the Spartans (20-3).
Despite the streak and an upset the Royals, the Skippers have maintained their No. 5 spot in the Class 4A rankings.
Following the victory over Orono, Dasovich spoke to her team about the importance of playing with confidence and knowing it is the team to beat in the largest class.
“I’m appreciative we’ve stayed at No. 5, even with the longest winning streak and playing good basketball,” she said. “That just adds fuel for our kids.”
A varsity starter since eighth grade, Fredrickson is 2-11 all-time against Hopkins.
She also has never known what it's like to win a league or section championship thanks to the Royals, who have reigned over the Lake the last five years and ended the Skippers’ season in the Section 6 playoffs four of the last five seasons.
Fredrickson’s scoring has dipped this year, a tradeoff for well-rounded team play as Minnetonka rotates nine players. She has 262 points in 18 games (14.6 points-per-game average) this year after totaling 397 in 25 regular season games (16.2 ppg) as a junior.
“I would argue that even though her numbers don’t show it on paper, she’s having the best season of the five years she’s played varsity basketball for us,” Dasovich said.
Dasovich praised Fredrickson for her confidence and consistency, as well as her maturity - a trait that has led the Skippers' star to get her teammates involved in the offense when she's having an off night.
“It’s not about the points to me, it’s about winning and we want to go really far this year - especially for us seniors,” Fredrickson said.
Minnetonka moved into Section 2 after section realignment, and Dasovich argues the Skippers still have one of the toughest roads to the state tournament with potential matchups against Edina, Eden Prairie and No. 2-4A Shakopee in the postseason.
Still, not having to face the Royals in the playoffs is relief for Minnetonka as it awaits a rematch with the Hopkins in the regular-season finale.
“We like that it’s the last conference game,” Fredrickson said. “Hopefully we’ll be 8-0 (in league play), but we gotta focus on Edina and Wayzata first.”
First Report
Senior Lizzie Odegard scored a game-high 18 points in the Skippers' 60-47 win over Orono on Saturday afternoon at Minnetonka High School.
Senior Courtney Fredrickson added 13 points and Chrissy Carr had 10 for the Skippers, who extended their winning streak to 16 games.
Ranked No. 5 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, Minnetonka (19-3) used a 14-4 run in the final 10 minutes of the opening half to take control of the game.
Spartans' leading scorer Tori Andrew was held without a point in the first half but posted 17 in the final 18 minutes.
Meghan Mandel chipped in 12 points for No. 1-3A Orono (20-3).
