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Farmington uses experience and depth to earn first victory of the season over rival Lakeville North

By Mike Randleman, SportsEngine, 01/14/21, 2:00PM CST

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Though the Tigers were led by Sophie Hart in the second half, another pair of seniors helped gain the edge in the first half over the Panthers.


Farmington's Sophie Hart (32) draws a foul against a tough first half Lakeville defense. Hart finished the game with 13 points, helping her Tigers beat the Panthers in the season opener. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

A marathon that started together is ending together.

Farmington’s core has played a lot together going back to elementary school days. All those years on the court culminate for the Tigers’ eight seniors as they embark on a condensed two-month season.

Farmington (1-0) started its race to the finish on the right foot, downing South Suburban Conference rival Lakeville North (0-1) 61-36 in Lakeville on Thursday night.

The Tigers are No. 3 in the Class 4A Minnesota Basketball News preseason rankings and return most of their roster from a squad that went 29-2 a season ago. Farmington struggled to find its offensive stride early. The defense showed no signs of rust, however.

Lakeville North's Gabby Benton with a drive Thursday night against Farmington's Maleah Scott. Benton led the Panthers with seven points in a season-opening loss. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Lakeville North's Gabby Benton with a drive Thursday night against Farmington's Maleah Scott. Benton led the Panthers with seven points in a season-opening loss. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

Two teams coming off Class 4A state tournament appearances showed the kind of defense needed to make more deep postseason runs.

It was Farmington (1-0) that was able to sustain it longer, pulling away from an eight-point halftime lead to beat host Lakeville North (0-1) 61-36 on Thursday night.

The Farmington Tigers, No. 3 in the Minnesota Basketball News preseason Class 4A ranking, used a stingy half court defense to hold the Panthers scoreless for the first 4:35 of the first half and the first 5:21 of the second.

A sluggish offensive start plagued both teams in their season opener as teams are a week and a half into practices. Excitement closed the half when Peyton Blandin scored a three for Farmington with 24 seconds on the clock, followed by Abby Titus hitting a buzzer-beating triple for Lakeville North to cut the deficit to 25-17.

Farmington’s 13-0 run to open the second half quickly put the game out of reach for Lakeville North. Sophie Hart was limited to one point at halftime before the 6-foot-4-inch senior center and North Carolina State University commit erupted for 12 second-half points.

Hart’s 13 led all scorers. She was followed in double figures by teammates Blandin with 12 and Paige Kindseth with 10.

The Panthers' leader was Gabby Benton with seven points. The team also had four players tied with five points: Abby Ruhland, Haley Bryant, Ashleigh Fossey and Gracie Winge.

Points were a premium early on Thursday night, no matter how you got them. Farmington's Malaeh Scott with a first-half free throw. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Points were a premium early on Thursday night, no matter how you got them. Farmington's Malaeh Scott with a first-half free throw. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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