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Hopkins coasts to third tourney title in a row

By ANDREW KNEELAND, Star Tribune, 12/31/11, 1:27AM CST

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Hopkins didn't have much of a height advantage Friday night against Eden Prairie in the Dick's Sporting Goods Holiday Classic, but don't tell the Royals that.

Hopkins didn't have much of a height advantage Friday night against Eden Prairie in the Dick's Sporting Goods Holiday Classic, but don't tell the Royals that.

The top-ranked Royals played like giants, elevating to close passing lanes, create turnovers and make every Eden Prairie inbounds attempt interesting. Hopkins jumped to a double-digit lead at the half and coasted to an 83-51 victory, giving the Royals their third consecutive tournament title.

The Royals turned in an impressive offensive performance, but Hopkins coach Brian Cosgriff was far from satisfied.

"We're still turning the ball over way too much," he said. "We have to execute better in a half-court set. We'll be fine, but we've still got a lot of improvement ahead of us."

Gophers recruit Shayne Mullaney scored 16 points for Eden Prairie, which finished runner-up in last year's tourney as well. Jackie Johnson added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Sydney Coffey scored 18 points for Hopkins, and sister Nia Coffey tallied 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Royals offense was anything but selfish Friday, swinging the ball around the arc with poise and confidence, waiting for a Sydney Coffey three-point chance or a mismatch in the paint. Winning their first two games of this tournament by an average of 34 points, Hopkins spread the ball around to five different double-digit scorers vs. the Eagles.