Lakeville North's Inside Game Too Much For Surging Anoka

The Lakeville North girls basketball team wasn’t intimidated or worried by Anoka’s Impossible Dream run. Instead, the Panthers focused on their overwhelming size advantage to carry them through.

And once North began using that advantage, it never looked back.

The Panthers beat Anoka 64-40 on Wednesday in the Class AAAA quarterfinals at Target Center in Minneapolis, ending the Tornadoes’ improbable journey to the state tournament.

Lakeville North will face Eden Prairie at 8 p.m. Thursday in the state semifinals, while Anoka—winners of two regular season games before rallying off four section victories for a state tournament berth—is headed home.

“Our coach told us they might not have the wins, but they’re on a roll and they’re playing fearless,” senior guard Rachel Banham said. “We had to be ready for that, and we had to play our own game.”

All it took was a quick first-half adjustment.

Trailing 9-6 and focusing too much on its outside shooting, the Panthers began using their size advantage and quickly turned a three-point deficit into a 20-point halftime lead.

“It’s much easier that way,” Banham said. “They don’t have anyone very big, and we know we’re stronger than them.”

Once the Panthers (28-2) started posting up with juniors Apiew Ojulu and McKenzie Hoelmenn, the Tornadoes (6-25) couldn’t stop North’s offense.

Ojulu finished the game with 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds, while Hoelman finished with three points and five boards inside. Meanwhile, Banham took over and netted 27 points once Anoka’s defense began focusing on the Panthers’ lane presence.

“We can’t stray away from our game plan,” Panthers coach Andy Berkvam said. “There are nerves for both teams in the state tournament. I never felt like we were going to lose to that team, but I’m happy they achieved what they did.”

With the win, the defending state champions earned a place in Thursday’s semifinals against Eden Prairie. The Panthers lost to the Eagles 60-46 on Dec. 10, but Banham said Lakeville North is playing stronger defense and using a more balanced offense at this point in the season.

“Eden Prairie is going to be a huge challenge for us, but I’m excited,” Banham said. “I kind of want that payback.”

For Berkvam, the key is to get that same strong post play that propelled the Panthers past Anoka on Wednesday.

He said if that happens, North will be in good position to reach the championship game once again.

“We’re hard to stop inside,” Berkvam said. “We need to carry that forward.”

GAME SUMMARY

Anoka 14 26 — 40

Lakeville North 34 30 — 64

Scoring — LN: Jaya Perkins, Rachel Banham 27, Apiew Ojulu 14, Hannah Hughes 2, Taylor Stewart 1, Erika Moede 1, Amanda Goodman 1, Lindsay Erstad 2, Cassie Berkvam 1, Simone Kolander 4, Lindsay McCuddin 2, McKenzie Hoelmenn 3, Maddie Saarela 2, ANOKA: Shauni Payeur, Emily Anderson 2, Hailee Gifford 5, Kyrah Fredenburg 4, Claire Lundberg 8, Emily Alexander 4, Kayla Dvorak 1, Amber Bray 2. Assists leaders — LN: R. Banham 2, T. Stewart 2, S. Kolander 2. Rebound leaders — LN: A. Ojulu 18. Turnovers — LN: 19, ANOKA 32. Fouls — LN: 21, ANOKA: 17.