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1A: Heritage Christian defeats Mayer Lutheran to reach first state tournament

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 03/09/18, 7:15PM CST

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Junior Taylie Scott keyed the effort with a game-high 27 points and handling the ball against the Crusaders’ full-court pressure.

Taylie Scott (20) works her way down the sideline defender Nicole Klaustermeier (24) drawing a foul late in the game. Scott had a game high 27 points in a 71-58 win for Heritage Christian earning their first state tournament berth. Photo by Cheryl Myers,

Taylie Scott (20) works her way down the sideline past Nicole Klaustermeier (24) drawing a foul late in the game. Scott had a game high 27 points in a 71-58 sending the Eagle's to their first state tournament. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

The Heritage Christian Academy girls’ basketball team picked a good time to catch fire.

The Eagles made 14 of their first 16 shots Friday in the Class 1A, Section 4 final and went on to qualify for their first state tournament with a 71-58 victory over top-seeded Mayer Lutheran at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

“This is something we’ve been setting out sights on since last season,” ninth-year coach Lori Crellin said. “I’ve been telling them if they believe it they can achieve it, and they did.”

When the teams played in late January, Mayer Lutheran held Maple Grove-based Heritage Christian to 13 field goals and coasted to an 82-56 victory. In the rematch, the Eagles (20-9) made 13 shots in the first 10 minutes and built a 31-11 lead. From there, some defensive adjustments helped them maintain the lead.

“Last time they just shot the lights out. This time we kept our hands up on their shooters and worked on going underneath their cutters in the lane and it was really effective,” Crellin said.

Junior guard Taylie Scott did her part to fend off Mayer Lutheran’s comeback attempt, scoring 16 of her game-high 27 points in the second half. She played all 36 minutes. 

Maddy Hucky and Mya Chmielewski scored 20 points apiece to pace Mayer Lutheran.

Mya Chmielewski (22) battles Jordyn Allen (33) to pull down a rebound. Chmielewski and teammate Maddy Hucky scored 20 points apiece in Mayer Lutheran's 71-58 loss to Heritage Christian on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers,SportsEngine

Mya Chmielewski (22) battles Jordyn Allen (33) to pull down a rebound. Chmielewski and teammate Maddy Hucky scored 20 points apiece in Mayer Lutheran's 71-58 loss to Heritage Christian on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers,SportsEngine

First report

The Heritage Christian Academy girls’ basketball team picked a good time to catch fire.

The Eagles made 14 of their first 16 shots in Friday’s Class 1A, Section 4 final and went on to qualify for their first state tournament with a 71-58 victory over top-seeded Mayer Lutheran at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

When the teams squared off in late January, Mayer Lutheran held Heritage Christian Academy to 13 field goals and coasted to an 82-56 victory. In the rematch, the Eagles (20-9) made 13 shots in the first 10 minutes and built a 31-11 lead. 

Junior Taylie Scott almost single-handedly fended off Mayer Lutheran’s comeback effort, handling the ball against the Crusaders’ full-court pressure and scoring 16 of her game-high 27 points in the second half.

Maddy Hucky and Mya Chmielewski scored 20 points apiece to pace Mayer Lutheran. The Crusaders used a 14-0 spurt to close back within six points just before halftime, but never pulled closer than eight in the second half.

Check back later for more on the game. 


Annika Simonson (21) threw down 18 points helping Heritage Christian make it's first state tournament appearance next week. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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