“We have a really good coaching staff,” Hopkins senior Nu Nu Agara said. “We knew we could do it and settle in and figure things out.”

Hopkins, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News did not seem fazed in the early minutes. However, the No. 3-4A Knights started breaking through the Royals’ full-court defense and opened up a lead that jumped to as many as seven points.

“We wanted to try and handle their pressure better,” St. Michael-Albertville coach Kent Hamre said. “And we did find some openings there to build a lead.”

Tessa Johnson was behind most of St. Michael-Albertville’s success on Tuesday. The South Carolina commit showed she’s worthy of playing for the defending national champions as she poured in 45 points in the game.

“(Johnson) is a really good person and a really good player,” Agara said. “She can shoot it, she can drive it. I respect her.”

During this run by the Knights, Starks was frantically attempting to join her team in the Royals Athletic Center gym. She made the trek from St. Michael to her home in Brooklyn Park and then to Hopkins High School. She did all this amid a snowstorm that left traffic at a standstill throughout the Twin Cities. She made her way through the snowstorm while receiving updates on the game from her daughter.

“My other sister said that I needed to be here,” Starks said. “I know the players needed me here.”

Once Starks arrived with about eight minutes remaining in the first half, Hopkins’ fortunes turned. The Royals pressure defense stepped up and the team found itself ahead instead of behind.

“I don’t miss many games,” Starks said. “I think once I got here, it kind of calmed things down, especially since they didn’t know I was coming.”

The roller-coaster first half eventually ended with Hopkins holding a 50-49 lead. Once the Royals made it back to the locker room at halftime, Starks had a message for her squad.

“I told them all I went through to get here,” Starks said. “All I needed from them was to play as hard as they could.

“I gave them everything I could to get here. All I needed was for them to battle and it would be OK.”

Hopkins went out and followed Starks’ message. The Royals quickly built on their lead and it just kept growing. Agara continued her scoring from the first half as she finished with a team-high 35 points, including 23 in the first half.

“I think (Agara) has something to prove,” Starks said. “She doesn’t always get the recognition she deserves. She’s been a dominant force for a while.”

Agara’s wingmate, senior Taylor Woodson, turned things up a notch in the second half and ended up with 30 points.

“That’s Taylor Woodson,” Agara said. “She’s a Michigan commit. Knowing that she can change like that in a half is great.”

Starks spent time after the game in the gym talking to her players and discussing the day she had. When asked if she made the right decision to come to the game, she responded immediately.

“Definitely,” Starks said. “I have my sister’s spirit with me. I knew the kids needed me. I know my coaches’ had my back, but this was a big game. I knew they needed me here tonight.”