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Minnehaha Academy throttles Class 2A, Section 4 foe Concordia Academy

By Dominic Davis, SportsEngine, 01/04/19, 9:00AM CST

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In a rematch of last year's section title game, the Redhawks won their fifth consecutive game.

Minnehaha Academy junior Mia Curtis (5) goes for a layup Friday night at home. She had 18 points on the evening, powering the Redhawks past the Beacons 74-57.  Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Minnehaha Academy junior Mia Curtis (5) goes for a layup Friday night at home. She had 18 points on the evening, powering the Redhawks past the Beacons 74-57. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Redhawks’ Nevaeh Galloway (2) powers her way in for two points. Nevaeh scored 16 points, helping Minnehaha Academy win 74-57 over Concordia Academy. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Redhawks’ Nevaeh Galloway (2) powers her way in for two points. Nevaeh scored 16 points, helping Minnehaha Academy win 74-57 over Concordia Academy. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

This matchup was always going to be a key game with the rivalry between Minnehaha Academy and Concordia Academy being so intense.

There were seven games involving the two teams in the last five years — two coming in the Class 2A, Section 4 playoffs. Minnehaha Academy beat Concordia Academy in the section semifinals in 2014 season and in the section final last season.

On Friday night, Minnehaha Academy, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News, defended its home floor, beating Concordia Academy 74-57.

Because the Beacons fell short against the Redhawks in last year’s section tourney, this contest was a lot more interesting for Minnehaha Academy coach Matt Pryor, who helmed Concordia Academy last season.

It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“It’s definitely different, I grew up here in Minnehaha. I like to think I’m a homegrown guy. The opportunity to come back home, that was too hard to pass up,” Pryor said.

He said he thinks very highly of the players and the people at Concordia Academy, which made it hard to make the change.

“It was difficult saying goodbye,” Pryor said. “But when you get to step into a situation like this, in Minnehaha with the talent we have, and with the tradition we have, it was the right choice and I think the outcome of tonight’s game really solidified that.”

First Report

Minnehaha Academy put away Concordia Academy 74-57 in a home rematch of last year’s Class 2A, Section 4 final on Friday night.

Minnehaha Academy (8-5, 1-0) started the game strong, making it seem like it would run away with a victory after starting with a 18-7 lead. However, Concordia Academy (7-5, 0-0) had other plans.

The Redhawks, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News, looked comfortable early but the Beacons settled in to cut Minnehaha Academy’s lead to eight points. Minnehaha Academy had a 38-28 lead going into halftime.

Concordia Academy found a second gear in the second half. It went on a 10-3 run, getting the deficit down to 48-42. Beacons guard Ivane Tensaie led her team in scoring with 20 points.

Guard Mia Curtis’ strong second half led the Redhawks to the win. She scored 13 points in the second half including three three-pointers in a row. She finished the game with 18 points. Teammates Taytum Rhoades and Nevaeh Galloway added 16 points apiece.

Concordia’s sophomore Ivane Tensaie fights her way past Minnehaha Academy's Tanna Gallo. Tensaie scored 20 points in the game but the Beacons lost to the Redhawks 74-57.  Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Concordia’s sophomore Ivane Tensaie fights her way past Minnehaha Academy's Tanna Gallo. Tensaie scored 20 points in the game but the Beacons lost to the Redhawks 74-57. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

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