A season-high 33 points from the senior guard was enough for the Skippers, No. 2 in the Dec. 8 Class 4A rankings by Minnesota Basketball News, to outmatch St. Michael-Albertville.

“Tessa’s a great player,” Lockett said. “We played AAU together so I know a lot about her. She can just score at all three levels. That makes her super difficult to guard.” 

Johnson provided a steady flow of offense for the No. 7-4A Knights throughout the game Tuesday. The junior, who missed all of last season due to a broken femur, scored 25 points and scored from all angles on the floor. 

“You have to play the shot, she’s a great shooter,” Lockett said. “She can also drive to the basket with both hands, that makes her hard to guard.” 

It was Johnson’s squad who got out to the stronger start. The Knights used every opportunity to run the fastbreak, and capitalized on some early Minnetonka turnovers. At halftime St. Michael-Albertville (5-2) led 35-24. 

“In the first half, I felt like we were all playing individually,” Lockett said. “We went into the locker room at halftime and the coach just said to play together.” 

Lockett’s phenomenal play in that second half, knocking down seven 3-pointers, couldn’t go unnoticed, but other players for the Skippers (6-0) stepped up. Sophomore Grace Hamdorf came off the bench and hit a pair of big 3-pointers, all part of a surge from the Skippers to open the second half. 

Aaliyah Crump was key as well. The 6-foot-1 freshman forward added 13 points and didn’t shy away from the high energy inside the gym. 

“I think Kiani hitting those 3s really brought up the energy,” Crump said. “Our defense picked it up and we didn’t let Tessa get as many points.” 

Versatility came to Crump’s mind when asked about Johnson’s abilities on the court.

“She can play in and out, she can post up, hit 3s, get to the basket. She can do everything so it’s just hard to stop her,” Crump said. 

Despite only being a freshman, Crump said she knew Lockett had this type of potential. 

“I know she’s capable of it,” she said. “She just brings her energy up. Her hitting those 3s, we understand that we are back in the game and we can really win the game.” 

Being a senior, Lockett says she has focused more on becoming a leader and an outspoken voice of the team when it’s needed most. 

“We’re such a young team right now,” Lockett said. “We only have three seniors, so I just feel like leading this team to what we can be.” 

The 5-foot-9 starter also stressed the importance of knowing when to shoot, and when to get her teammates involved. 

“When I need to shoot the ball, shoot the ball,” Lockett said. “Also when I need to get my teammates involved, help facilitate the game, and control the pace.” 

Minnetonka players have attributed their defensive mindset and performance in helping them secure a 6-0 start to this season. 

“Every practice, we preach defense,” Locket said. “Our defense leads into our offense.” 

Playing together as a unit also helps. 

“We just have really good chemistry on this team,” Crump said. “When one person’s not playing well, we can pick them up. We’re just really close.”