Wayzata Continues Magical Run

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn—For a three minute stretch to begin the game, the Wayzata Trojans looked as though they had upset on their mind. They jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead over the number two seeded Maple Grove Crimson. That is when they awoke from their slumber and went on a 19-2 run that seemed to propel the Crimson. They forced 12 turnovers and turned them into 17 points rolling to a 14 point half-time lead at 31-17.

“We didn’t play badly in the first half,” said Wayzata coach Mike Schumacher. “We didn’t feel like we were out of it.”

The Trojans are the youngest team in the class AAAA field and trailing by 14 points against the number two seed might be enough to pack up the bags and ready for next season. The youngsters had other ideas.

Wayzata worked a 9-0 run to begin the second half. The scene was similar to the first half. This time, the Trojans finished the job. Kristi Kuhn scored 13 second half points including 2 for 2 from three point range. The lead shifted back and forth in the middle stages of the second half. The Trojans led by as many as five with 7:34 left. The Crimson led by one at 47-46 courtesy of an Ellen Edison three point bucket with 5:46 remaining. The Trojans held firm with their zone defense and outscored the Crimson 7-3 in the final 5:46 holding on to the 56-50 win and moving on to the semi-finals tomorrow night.

“Give credit to Wayzata,” said Crimson head coach Mark Cook. “They made the adjustments in the second half. They took away the middle of the floor.”

In what turned out to be a tale of two halves, the Trojans overcame a huge deficit and outscored Maple Grove 39-19 in the second half proving its not as important how you start as it is how you finish.

The Trojans, who are making their first tournament appearance, advance to the semi-final round tomorrow and will face the winner of the White Bear Lake/St. Michael Albertville winner.