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Sophomore comes off the bench to lead Holy Angels to 72-50 victory over Orono

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 03/05/20, 6:00PM CST

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Grace Massaquoi, who didn’t play high school basketball last year, scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Stars back to the Class 3A state tournament.

Grace Massaquoi (2) drives around Orono’s Kaila Young. Massaquoi came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Grace Massaquoi (2) drives around Orono’s Kaila Young. Massaquoi came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

The most inexperienced player in the varsity rotation provided a spark for Holy Angels as it earned its fifth consecutive state tournament berth Thursday at Chanhassen High School.

Sophomore Grace Massaquoi, who didn’t play high school basketball last year, came off the bench to score a season-high 23 points for the Stars in a 72-50 victory over Orono in the Class 3A, Section 6 championship game.

“We have a lot of girls that have been a part of all these trips to state. She’s the new girl, but she’s played 28 games with us now and she’s starting to catch on,” Holy Angels coach Dan Woods said. “The biggest transformation for our team this year is we have so many players who can come in, execute and score.”

Holy Angels’ Francesca Vascellaro (1) takes the ball to the basket against Orono’s Kaila Youngs (10). Vascellaro scored 14 points for the Stars. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

Holy Angels’ Francesca Vascellaro (1) takes the ball to the basket against Orono’s Kaila Youngs (10). Vascellaro scored 14 points for the Stars. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

First report

Holy Angels took control early in earning its fifth consecutive Class 3A state tournament appearance Thursday at Chanhassen High School.

The fifth-ranked Stars opened with a 14-5 run and didn’t let Orono get closer the rest of the way in a 72-50 victory in the Section 6 championship at Chanhassen High School.

Sophomore Grace Massaquoi sparked Holy Angels (22-6) early on. Her first three baskets – scored on three consecutive possessions via offensive rebound, three-point play and fast break layup – put the Stars up 12-4. She turned two more offensive rebounds into baskets that extended the lead to 31-18.

Massaquoi finished with a season-high 23 points. Junior Francesca Vascellaro added 14.

Julia Knudson scored 21 points to lead Orono, which finished with a 14-14 record.

Check back later for more on the game.


Orono junior Julia Knudson drove past Holy Angels defender Isabelle Henry for two of her team-high 21 points in the Spartans’ 72-50 loss. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine

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