Minneota (1-0, 0-0) passed its first test of the season, as the Vikings, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A by Minnesota Basketball News, edged Cromwell-Wright in the Breakdown Tip Off Classic at Hopkins High School.

Early in the first half, Minnesota-Duluth recruit Shaily Hakamaki hit everything from three-point range for the No. 3-1A Cardinals, burying four threes for 12 of her game-high 20 points to give the Cardinals a 31-23 halftime lead. Overall, the Cardinals connected for six three-pointers throughout the half.  

“We started off with a lot of energy, and our shooting was strong at first,” said Cardinals senior guard Taya Hakamaki, Shaily’s cousin.

Taya Hakamaki will also play at Minnesota-Duluth next season. She scored 17 points Saturday, including a three-pointer in the first half.

Cromwell-Wright led much of the second half until the Vikings went on a 10-2 run to tie the game 40-40. The Cardinals and Vikings tied three more times before Morgan Hennen settled the game on a go-ahead free-throw with 17.8 seconds remaining.

“Our defense was a lot better in the second half, and that helped us gain the lead,” Abby Hennen said.

Minneota shut down the perimeter as Cromwell-Wright made just one three-pointer, off the fingers of sophomore guard Andrea Pocernich, in the second half.

“They were shooting well in the first half. We knew they were a good shooting team and at penetrating, but we knew coming out of halftime, we had to play a lot better defense,” Abby Hennen said.

Cromwell-Wright couldn’t contain Minneota’s post play. The Vikings slashed to the basket frequently in the second half, which included junior guard Abby Rost getting the last tie after drawing a foul. Rost buried her free throws to tie it at 47-47 with 1:04 left. She finished with six points.

Sophomore forward Natalee Rolbiecki stepped up for the Vikings with 11 points. Her total included a drive to the basket that cut the Cardinals’ lead to four at 40-36.

“That’s what our downfall was,” Taya Hakamaki said about the post defense.

Cromwell-Wright, which came a game shy of making the state tournament last March, seeks to return to the Twin Cities for the tourney again after the season-opening showcase. Taya Hakamaki views Saturday’s performance as potential for making a run again.

“That just shows that we have improved a lot from last year and can compete with any team,” she said.