Nobody needed a timeout more than Richfield coach LeeAnn Wise. Her top-seeded Spartans were suffering from stage fright.

Wise called a timeout 5 minutes, 35 seconds into the Spartans’ first state tournament appearance Wednesday, with her squad trailing 14-4.

It responded with a quick 9-0 burst.

The Spartans and Wingers battled back-and-forth from that point on for the next 21 minutes. That’s when smooth junior guard Jessica January ignited an 11-0 run over a three-minute span, giving No. 3-ranked Richfield a commanding 52-42 lead with just over six minutes to play.

January finished with 21 points, 16 in the second half. Classmate Sierra Ford-Washington added 19 points for the Spartans (26-4).

Senior forward Marisa Toivonen had 19 points for Red Wing (19-11). 

Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune

1. Jessica January, Richfield
The Spartan's guard played a tremendous overall game, netting 21 points while grabbing 6 rebounds and 5 steals. Her defense to start the second half triggered a rally that gave Richfield a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

2. Sierra Ford-Washington, Richfield
The active forward contributed 20 points in the victory for the Spartans. She was everywhere on defense and helped put the game out of reach down the stretch, going 8-8 from the line. 

3. Marisa Toivonen, Red Wing
Toivonen had 19 points and 8 rebounds for the Wingers, leading them to an impressive opening 18 minutes. She continued her efforts in the second half, keeping Red Wing in the game until the final minutes.

-Alec Kinsky, MN Girls Basketball Hub Staff