Top seed Chaska won a back-and-forth battle in the final minutes over Eden Prairie, securing the 41-39 victory Friday on a familiar play centered around the team's career scoring leader, Myles Hanson.
The senior forward's floater with 2.6 seconds left keyed Chaska's Class 4A, Section 2 championship at Hopkins High School and guaranteed a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2004.
The play is "not very complicated," Hawks coach Dana Kallman said. "Alex Strazzanti pitches to Myles and we try to get Andrew Kallman coming off a double screen from the other side of the floor. Myles' job is to get in the paint and if no one guards him go to the rack. He's done that all year."
Hanson had 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Eden Prairie scored the first 11 points of the game and led by 11 later in the half before the Hawks gradually narrowed the margin to 25-19 at halftime.
Chaska took its first lead 10 minutes into the second half on a three-pointer by Strazzanti, his only field goal. The senior also stripped the ball from Eden Prairie's Owen Chose a few possessions later, setting up a layup by Hanson to continue the momentum.
"The three was a huge play," Kallman said. "Alex is by far the best defender I have ever coached."
Austin Andrews led the Eagles with 12 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Kyler Kluge added 10 points and two steals.
JOE GUNTHER
