Minnehaha Academy Flies Past Lourdes

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn—If there is an equivalent of a gritty hockey team on the basketball floor, the Minnehaha Red Hawks just might fit the bill. The Red Hawks forced the Rochester Lourdes young back court into 10 turnovers on the night and in the process scored 22 points off turnovers as a team en route to a 65-50 win. The victory catapults the team into their first state championship game.

Analisa Ballinger took matters into her own hands early in the first half, scoring the Red Hawks first 12 points on 4 of 4 three point shooting.

“I really don’t ever feel like I’m in the zone,” said Ballinger. “As long as we play well, that’s what matters.”

Minnehaha Academy ran out to an 11 point lead at the half-time break. They held the double digit advantage for the entire second half thanks in part to a box-and-one defensive scheme to shut down Laura Melquist, Rochester Lourdes leading scorer.

“If you can, why not try to neutralize their leading scorer,” said Minnehaha head coach Josh Thurow.

That philosophy held Melquist to just 14 points on 4 of 14 shooting.

The Eagles pulled the deficit to nine with 3:18 remaining in the game, but they could get no closer.

The Red Hawks will play Braham for the state championship Saturday at noon.