At last year's Tip Off Classic, St. Paul Central guard Jen 'Von'Ta Hill was the only player of the game to play for a losing team.  Despite the honor, she wasn't satisfied with the result, something she vowed to change this time around.  While her scoring output was halved from last winter's game, Hill was all smiles with a 61-45 victory over Maranatha Christian Saturday afternoon at Hopkins.

Hill still led her team with 16 points, but had plenty of help from Sade Chatman (12), Maja Cyrus (10) and sophomore Betsy MacDonald (8).  After the victory, she noted the difference from last winter.

"I stayed out of foul trouble; we all stayed out of foul trouble," said Hill.  "Attacking the boards, boxing out.  Doing the little stuff."

Maranatha Christian's Alexis Long paced all scorers with 21 points, while teammate Abby Torgerson added 13.  But the Mustangs couldn't overcome a 29-22 halftime deficit, as the Minutemen just extended that edge after intermission.

Jen 'Von'Ta Hill, St. Paul Central
Hill earned her second Tip Off Classic player of the game honor of her career, as she also claimed it last winter despite playing on the losing side.  She filled up the stat sheet last season, but Central was much more balanced in beating Maranatha Saturday afternoon.  Hill was the leading scorer with 16 points, although two teammates joined her in double figures.  Her leadership and steady ball-handling were key to the 16-point victory.

Score by half: St. Paul Central 29-32--61, Maranatha 22-23--45

St. Paul Central: Hill 16, Chatman 12, Cyrus 10, MacDonald 8, Guerra-Edwards 5, Curtis 4, Sherow 4, Burton 2

Maranatha Christian: Long 21, Torgerson 13, Md. Lee 6, Osemenam 3, Taggatz-Ott 2