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Providence Academy avenges loss from earlier in season, defeats Minnehaha Academy by 21 points

By Ben Grundhauser, SportsEngine, 01/28/20, 4:30PM CST

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Hailey Hohenecker, who recorded 18 points and eight rebounds, helped guide the Lions to a victory over their league foes by playing suffocating defense.

Providence Academy's Hailey Hohenecker (5) steals the ball and scores two of her 18 points. Hohenecker and the Lions defeated visiting Minnehaha Academy 59-38 Tuesday Night. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

Providence Academy's Hailey Hohenecker (5) steals the ball and scores two of her 18 points. Hohenecker and the Lions defeated visiting Minnehaha Academy 59-38 Tuesday Night. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

Providence Academy is for real. 

The Lions proved it against one of the best squads in Class 2A, using airtight defense to suffocate Minnehaha Academy, a team that came into Tuesday night’s matchup having won 10 of its last 12 games, including a 58-52 victory over the Lions on Jan. 10.

This one ended differently, with the Lions claiming a 59-38 home win against the Redhawks, their Independent Metro Athletic Conference rivals who haven’t missed a state tournament since 2013.

Hailey Hohenecker played the star for Providence Academy. The senior guard finished with 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the Lions, who are ranked No. 8 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News.

Providence Academy's Grace Counts (41) scores on a layup late in the second half versus Minnehaha Academy. Counts, a ninth grader, led the Lions with 19 points as they defeated the Redhawks 59-38 in Plymouth. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

Providence Academy's Grace Counts (41) scores on a layup late in the second half versus Minnehaha Academy. Counts, a ninth grader, led the Lions with 19 points as they defeated the Redhawks 59-38 in Plymouth. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

First Report

Hailey Hohenecker led a stingy defensive effort to help Providence Academy take down Independent Metro Athletic Conference foe Minnehaha Academy 58-39 Tuesday night at Providence Academy in the second meeting between the two teams this season.

Minnehaha Academy (12-5, 3-1) averaged 70 points per game going into Tuesday’s tilt, but the Redhawks, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News, struggled to get anything going against a No. 8-2A Lions team that utilized a 2-3 zone, with Hohenecker denying every pass and applying tight defense. 

Hohenecker finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, but it was her effort defensively that helped propel the Lions (16-4, 5-1) to victory. Forward Grace Counts helped lead the offensive surge, scoring 19 points — 13 in the second half.

The Redhawks were unable to get within striking distance in the second half, scoring just 14 points. Telia Graham paced Minnehaha Academy with 16 points and five rebounds, while Mia Curtis, averaging 26.4 points per game, struggled with just six points. 

The Lions were defeated by the Redhawks 58-52 on Jan. 10. Providence Academy has won five consecutive games since then.

Minnehaha Academy's Telia Graham (2) drives the lane against Providence Academy's Lauren Kettler (11). Graham led the visiting Redhawks with 16 points and five rebounds Tuesday Night. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

Minnehaha Academy's Telia Graham (2) drives the lane against Providence Academy's Lauren Kettler (11). Graham led the visiting Redhawks with 16 points and five rebounds Tuesday Night. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine

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