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Hopkins rallies behind coach to top St. Michael-Albertville

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 02/20/23, 7:30AM CST

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Royals coach Tara Starks dealt with personal tragedy Tuesday, but she knew the team needed her at Tuesday's game against the Knights.

Hopkins' Sunaja Agara (24) puts the ball up over the arms of Abby Hoselton (25) and Tessa Johnson (4). Agara's 35 points led the Royals to a 104-94 win over Lake Conference foe St. Michael-Albertville. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Hopkins' Sunaja Agara (24) puts the ball up over the arms of Abby Hoselton (25) and Tessa Johnson (4). Agara's 35 points led the Royals to a 104-94 win over Lake Conference foe St. Michael-Albertville. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Walking up and down the sidelines during Tuesday’s game, Hopkins coach Tara Starks looked like she would in any other game, instructing her players and providing plenty of praise with high-fives and cheering. 

However, this day was anything but normal for Starks.

Earlier in the day, Starks received the news that her sister had died suddenly in her home. Hours after the news and dealing with the aftermath, Starks made the call to power through traffic, snow and all to make it for most of the Royals’ showdown with St. Michael-Albertville. Starks arrived late and her presence helped Hopkins respond to take down the Knights 104-94.

One Starks received the news of her sister’s passing, she made the trip to her sister’s home, which oddly enough was in St. Michael.

Hopkins' Taylor Woodson (20) drives the lane in the first half. Woodson scored 20 second half points to finish with 30 points on Tuesday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Hopkins' Taylor Woodson (20) drives to the basket in the first half. Woodson scored 20 second half points to finish with 30 on Tuesday night. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First Report

After trailing part of the first half and leading by just one point at halftime, Hopkins pulled away in the second half to defeat St. Michael-Albertville 104-94 on Tuesday at Hopkins High School.

The first half was a high-scoring, rollercoaster affair with each team’s star players coming to play. On Hopkins’ side that effort was led by senior Nu Nu Agara, who poured in 24 points. She finished the game with a double-double with 35 points and 15 rebounds.

As for St. Michael-Albertville, the game belonged to senior standout Tessa Johnson. The South Carolina commit poured in 27 first-half points and finished with 45 points.

In the second half, Agara kept her scoring pace while the Royals got welcome contributions from others. Senior Taylor Woodson tallied 20 in the second half to finish with 30. Senior guard Kelly Boyle also came up big with 22 points, including six 3-pointers.

The No. 3-4A Knights did push back at times but could not overcome the Royals. Besides Johnson, junior guard Ava Haus and sophomore Abby Hoselton each came through with 14 points.

St. Michael-Albertville's Tessa Johnson (4) puts up two of her game-high 45 points but the Knights fall 104-94 to Hopkins at the Royal Athletic Center. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

St. Michael-Albertville's Tessa Johnson (4) puts up two of her game-high 45 points but the Knights fall 104-94 to Hopkins at the Royal Athletic Center. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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