“We knew there was going to be a punch at the beginning of the game,” Bueckers said. “We wanted to throw it, but they threw it instead.”

The Royals chipped away at the Trojans' lead, eventually taking a 33-32 halftime lead when Bueckers hit a jumper as time ran out in the first half.

Neither team gained an edge in the second half, the lead changing hands 11 times. Every time Hopkins needed a basket, they called on Bueckers, who responded with the best scoring game of her career, surpassing 2,000 points for her career in the process.

Of all the shots Bueckers hit, none was bigger than the three-pointer she made with Hopkins clinging to a one-point lead with little more than a minute left in the game. It gave Hopkins a four-point lead, 65-61, and the Royals never trailed after that.

“When the bright lights are on, I try to show out and lead the team,” Bueckers said.

When asked if Bueckers was the key to Hopkins’ victory, Wayzata coach Mike Schumacher responded with a hint of sarcasm.

“Hello? Captain obvious strikes again,” he said with a grin. “She’s a tremendous player. She was unconscious.”

Cosgriff, a notorious worrier, allowed himself to relax in the aftermath.

“About three-quarters of the way through, [Shumacher] winked at me and I winked at him,” Cosgriff said. “It was like ‘This is a great game.’ Now, I can say it was fun.”

As for Bueckers, her effort left her satisfied but drained. “I’m just ready to go home, shower, get something to eat and go to bed. I’m super tired, but I’m happy.”