DeLaSalle’s Elaina Jones (24) went to the floor to take the ball away during the first half. Jones scored 24 points in DeLaSalle’s 47-41 victory over Mahtomedi in the Class 3A, Section 4 girls' basketball championship. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine
The Mahtomedi girls’ basketball team has come into its section bracket as the top seed for two consecutive seasons.
Both times, the Zephyrs have left the tournament with a loss to DeLaSalle.
No. 2 seed DeLaSalle (19-8) defeated Mahtomedi 47-41 on Thursday to win the Class 3A, Section 4 championship game at East Ridge High School.
“I don’t think it’s really an upset. I think we’re pretty evenly matched teams and we’ve been all year,” Islanders coach Tanysha Scott said. “The girls just fought through it.”
DeLaSalle junior forward Elaina Jones scored 24 points after coming in averaging a little more than 10 points per game. Jones said the key to defeating Mahtomedi again was pushing the tempo.
“At the end, we always know we can win,” Jones said. “We got to keep believing in ourselves.”
The Zephyrs (25-3) held a 21-19 lead at halftime, fueled by three three-pointers by senior guard Josie Underwood. She finished with 14 points. Teammate Emma Grothaus led her team for the game with 15 points.
“These two teams don’t like each other, but we respect each other,” Zephyrs coach Eric Prose said. “It’s fun, it’s high school, it’s what it’s about.”
A year ago, the Islanders knocked the Zephyrs out of the section bracket with a 41-39 victory in the semifinals.
Jack White is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.
Elaina Jones (24) takes the ball from Mahtomedi’s Emma Grothaus. DeLaSalle held Grothaus, the Zephyrs’ leading scorer, to five first-half points and 15 overall. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine
First report
DeLaSalle did it to Mahtomedi again.
In the last two seasons the Zephyrs have been the top seed in its section bracket. Both times, the Zephyrs have left the tournament with a loss DeLaSalle.
No. 2 DeLaSalle defeated Mahtomedi 47-41 on Thursday to win the Class 3A, Section 4 championship at East Ridge High School.
DeLaSalle’s Elaina Jones scored 24 points after coming in averaging a little more than 10 per game.
The Zephyrs’ Josie Underwood spurred her team to a 21-19 halftime lead by making three three-point shots. She finished with 14 points in the game. Emma Grothaus led the Zephyrs with 15 points.
The Islanders, seeded No. 4 in the section, defeated the Zephyrs 41-39 in the 2017 section semifinals.
Check back later for more on the game.
DeLaSalle is the Class 3A, Section 4 girls' basketball champion. Photo by Mark Hvidsten, SportsEngine
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