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Stingy defensive scheme propels Holy Angels past Grand Rapids

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine , 11/26/22, 10:00AM CST

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Senior forward Ella Pritchard led the way with 14 points as the Stars held off the Thunderhawks.

Ella Pritchard (1) led Academy of Holy Angels scoring with 14 points ina 49-45 win over Grand Rapids at St. Thomas Academy on Saturday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Ella Pritchard (1) led Academy of Holy Angels scoring with 14 points in a 49-45 win over Grand Rapids at St. Thomas Academy on Saturday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

With about 10 minutes remaining in Saturday’s game, Grand Rapids senior standout Taryn Hamling lay on the court looking frustrated at an official. Academy of Holy Angels had forced Hamling into a turnover with their high-pressure defense.

Hamling has consistently been one of the top scorers in the state the past few years but on Saturday struggled to get the offense going along with her Grand Rapids teammates. The game was close throughout before Holy Angels pulled away in the final minutes to secure a 49-45 win at St. Thomas Academy. 

Considered one of the state’s top scorers, Hamling, a North Dakota State commit, showed it in her first game of the season. She scored 28 points and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the field in a loss to St. Croix Lutheran.

Academy of Holy Angels' Kiera O'Rourke (10) drives to the basket between defenders Taryn Hamling (21) and Hannah Hostetter (14). O'Rourke tallied 13 points for the Stars. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Academy of Holy Angels' Kiera O'Rourke (10) drives to the basket between defenders Taryn Hamling (21) and Hannah Hostetter (14). O'Rourke tallied 13 points for the Stars. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

Academy of Holy Angels and Grand Rapids played a tight, low-scoring game. But in the end, the Stars did just enough and defeated the Thunderhawks 49-45 on Saturday at St. Thomas Academy.

Holy Angels (2-0) held a slim lead throughout Saturday’s matchup in what was a game filled with turnovers and missed shots thanks in part to the Stars’ strong full-court defense. 

Senior forward Ella Pritchard led the way with 14 points for Holy Angels, ranked No. 5 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News. Junior guard Kiera O’Rourke was the other Star in double figures with 13 points. Her final basket came off a steal late in the second half that helped seal the victory for Holy Angels.

Grand Rapids (0-2) suffered its second loss in as many days after falling to St. Croix Lutheran on Friday. The No. 3-3A Thunderhawks stuck with the Stars but could not get things going. 

Senior standout Taryn Hamling struggled throughout the contest for Grand Rapids and did not make a shot from the field until late in the second half. The North Dakota State commit still managed to score a team-high 15 points while also bringing down 11 rebounds.

Thunderhawks junior Jessika Lofstrom did her best to fill in on the scoring side of things. She also finished in double figures with 13 points. 

Grand Rapids' Taryn Hamling (21) drives the baseline around Academy of Holy Angels defender Celia Lind (30). Hamling tallied a game-high 15 points. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Grand Rapids' Taryn Hamling (21) drives the baseline around Academy of Holy Angels defender Celia Lind (30). Hamling tallied a game-high 15 points. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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