Athletes of the week: Encore followed 50-point game

TAYLOR THUNSTEDT

New London-Spicer • basketball

The Wright County Conference boundaries extend into and out beyond the metro area, embracing New London-Spicer and its junior point guard Thunstedt, who put together a remarkable week of scoring.

On Tuesday, Thunstedt broke the school record for points in a game when she scored 50 in a 73-59 victory over Glencoe-Silver Lake.

"I pretty much didn't miss," Thunstedt said. "I would say it was probably about five minutes into the second half when I realized I was having a great game, but I didn't realize how great until I got to 44."

Her big game was not only a school record, it also was a family record. Her mother, Tracy, had a career-high of 47 points, set in 1991 when she played at Chokio-Alberta.

"That was so awesome," Tracy said. "It was incredible to be able to watch my daughter experience something that special."

Thunstedt wasn't finished. Friday, she scored 40 points in a 58-53 loss to Waconia. The Wildcats trailed 21-3 in the first half, but Thunstedt, with 28 second-half points, sparked a rally that put the outcome in doubt until the final seconds.

"I would have liked to win, but the way we came back gave me a pretty good feeling about the game," she said.

BRYCE BOSTON

Eden Prairie • swimming

The senior captain was 8-for-8 in events in a dual meet victory over Edina and Saturday's Class 2A, Section 6 True Team victory, winning four individual and four relay events. Both True Team relays (200-yard medley, 400 freestyle) set meet records.

JAKE JACKSON

Tartan • hockey

The speedy forward, who committed to Michigan Tech last fall, had back-to-back hat tricks as the Titans defeated Mahtomedi 6-2 and Simley 10-0. Jackson has 17 goals and 34 points in leading Tartan to a 14-2 record.

JACK MARTINEK

Irondale • basketball

The Knights put together a three-game winning streak behind the senior guard's all-round play. He had games of 37, 34 and 28 points and added 18 rebounds and four steals. Martinek is 65 points shy of 1,000 for his career.

ERIN O'NEILL

Hopkins • hockey

The junior goalie stopped 45 of 46 shots Saturday in a 3-1 upset of Class 2A, No. 1 Minnetonka. On Tuesday, she made 39 saves during a 4-4 tie with No. 5 Edina.

CHRISTINE PIWNICA

Southwest Christian • basketball

The Stars' most improved player from last year, the junior guard scored 72 points, handed out 15 assists and made 16 steals in three victories. The highlight was a career-high 30-point effort by Piwnica as Southwest Christian defeated Park Christian 62-38.

DAVID ZEVNIK

St. Thomas Academy • hockey

The senior goalie has won six consecutive games, giving up a total of seven goals for a .949 save percentage. Last week, he made 18 saves in a 2-1 victory over Breck. He also stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory over powerful Shattuck-St. Mary's.

JIM PAULSEN