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Scoggins: Ella Keenan’s ‘worth it’ mentality, and clutch shot, put Chaska in state tournament

By Chip Scoggins, the Minnesota Star Tribune, 03/11/25, 6:30PM CDT

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Chaska senior Ella Keenan has spent more time in doctors' offices than on the court this season but her buzzer-beater and determination led the Hawks to the state tournament.

Chaska senior forward Ella Keenan huddles with her teammates during a recent girls basketball practice. One of Chaska’s star players, Keenan suffers from autonomic system disorder, a condition that causes her to collapse or get dizzy without warning. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The score was tied in overtime with only a few seconds remaining. The moment was tense but also stunning, considering the Chaska girls basketball team had lost to Eden Prairie by 31 points in December. Now the Hawks had a final shot to upset the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A, Section 2 semifinals March 1.

In the timeout huddle, senior Ella Keenan told a teammate not to even look for her because she figured she would be blanketed by two defenders. But when Eden Prairie switched on a screen, Keenan raced to an opening in the lane.

She grabbed a pass, turned, shot … and touched off a celebration.

“That was such a cool moment for Ella,” Chaska coach Samantha Canter said. “Just with everything that she has gone through.”

Keenan’s journey to that game-winning shot and the Class 4A tournament that starts Wednesday has been marked with setbacks and frustration, countless doctor visits and scary episodes on the court.

For more on Keenan, click here to read this story on startribune.com.

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