Lakeville North Simply Perfect

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn—The Lakeville North Panthers completed their mission. The number one team in class AAAA girls basketball and top seed in the state tournament finished off a perfect season and celebrated their first state championship as Lakeville North (they won previously as Lakeville) with a 57-47 win over White Bear Lake.

The tandem of Rachel Banham and Cassie Rochel led the way for North. Banham set the tone in the first half scoring 20 points and giving the Panthers a 10 point cushion at the half. Rochel was herself, which is to say she was spectacular. The senior went out in style as she scored 13 points but more importantly pulled down 20 rebounds in the win.

Carly Jensen and Alexis Foley led the way for White Bear Lake with 19 and 12 points a piece. Jensen shot six for 11 from three point land.

Lakeville North stretched their 10 point halftime lead to 14 on a Rochel bucket. The Bears would whittle that lead down to three points with 5:17 left in the game. Jaya Perkins hit a jumper and a Banham three stretched it back to eight and would go on to complete their perfect season.