Park Center’s Adalia McKenzie (25) brings the ball up the court against host Maple Grove Tuesday night. McKenzie scored 30 points as the Pirates defeated the Crimson 69-65. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine
Park Center and Maple Grove have been titans of the Northwest Suburban Conference over the last 10 years. While the head-to-head matchup favors Park Center over the last decade, the rivalry between the two teams has led to some excellent basketball.
Tuesday’s game between the Pirates and Crimson at Maple Grove High School proved no different, with Park Center pulling off a 10-point comeback late in the second half to send Maple Grove and its fans home disappointed in a 69-65 triumph.
“The win means a lot to us,” said Park Center junior forward Adalia McKenzie. “It gives us a boost of confidence.”
Eighth grader Alivia McGill (5) scored 16 points and helped the Pirates defeat the Maple Grove Crimson 69-65 Tuesday night. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine
Behind junior forward Adalia McKenzie’s 10th 30-plus-point game of the season, Park Center closed out Northwest Suburban Conference opponent Maple Grove 69-65 on Tuesday night in Maple Grove.
The Crimson, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, led by 10 points late in the second half, but three consecutive three-point shots by McKenzie, who finished with 30 points and six rebounds, brought No. 4-4A Park Center back, giving the Pirates the lead they had been missing since early in the second half.
Park Center (22-3,10-1) led for most of the first half, but good defense and timely scoring by Maple Grove (20-5, 10-1) made it a one-point game at halftime, with Park Center on top 33-32.
Senior guard Abby Schulte was Maple Grove’s leading scorer, recording 22 points and adding in four rebounds. Izzy Brant added 16 points and Jordyn Lamker finished with 13 for the Crimson.
Alivia McGill and Lauren Frost scored 16 and 14 points for Park Center, respectively, helping the Pirates extend their winning streak to 10 games.
Maple Grove senior Abby Schulte (21) drives to the basket against Park Center's Kayla Cox (23). Schulte's 22 points led the Crimson in their 69-65 loss to the Pirates at Maple Grove High School. Photo by Gary Mukai, SportsEngine
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