Hopkins never lost its cool.
The Royals gave up an early 15-6 lead to enter halftime at 35-35 with No. 2-seed Eden Prairie. But the No. 1 seed regained focus to win the Class 4A, Section 6 championship 77-64 at Chaska High School.
Hopkins head coach Ken Novak Jr. acknowledged his team's game was "out of sorts."
"I wasn't overly upset, I just thought offensively we weren't setting many screens," Novak said. "We weren't playing smart."
When the Royals aren't having a pretty game, Novak said his team relies on sophomore guard Amir Coffey to revive the rhythm. Coffey led his team with 20 points even after sitting four minutes in the first half from foul trouble.
Junior guard Grantham Gillard scored 26 points for Eden Prairie.
Eagles coach David Flom said he knew his team had to play its best to win, but turnovers limited their chances.
"Unfortunately, we were playing against what I think is the best team in the state in this section," Flom said, "as opposed to playing them in the state semifinal or final."
Although the Royals didn't play their best to make the state tournament, Coffey said it doesn't invalidate the win.
"It's a great feeling," Coffey said. "It's not over yet. So we just got to celebrate tonight and get prepared tomorrow."
And as far as state, Hopkins has lofty aspirations.
"Oh, win it all," Coffey said. "Definitely, win it all."
