Who's No. 1? It's South, for the time being

The state's top Class 4A girls' basketball teams are playing hot potato with the top spot, which the Tigers claimed by beating Hopkins.

By JOHN MILLEA, Star Tribune

Last update: January 1, 2009 - 12:32 AM

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As a new year begins, there will be a new team atop the Class 4A girls' basketball rankings. That's because fourth-ranked Minneapolis South knocked off No. 1 Hopkins 55-42 Wednesday night in the title game of the Dick's Sporting Goods Holiday Classic at Hopkins.

So, let's see now, how many different teams will hold the No. 1 spot before this wacky season ends? Centennial had it, Hopkins had it, South will now have it, two-time defending state champion St. Paul Central can't be counted out, there's Lakeville North ... on and on.

"It's anybody's ballgame, it really is," Hopkins coach Brian Cosgriff said after his team's first loss.

Hopkins beat South 55-37 early in the season, but that one gets an asterisk because South was missing some players who were sidelined because of academic issues. But the Tigers (10-2) were at full strength this time, and it showed.

"Suspensions, illness, injuries, you name it, we've been through it," South coach Ahmil Jihad said. "This win is certainly a confidence-booster."

Last season Hopkins beat South in the Dick's championship game, but the Tigers won a trip to state by defeating the Royals for the Section 6 title. So it will be no surprise if these teams meet in the postseason. South lost to St. Paul Central in the past two state title games; Hopkins won the 2004 state championship, was the runner-up in 2005 and won it all again in 2006.

Hopkins (11-1) won't beat anybody shooting 27 percent, which happened Wednesday. Cover your children's eyes, because here are the Royals' ugly numbers: 16-for-59 from the field, 1-for-12 from three-point range, 9-for-20 from the free-throw line.

"A lot of that had to do with South's defense," Cosgriff said. "You've got to take your hat off to them."

A subplot was South star Tayler Hill's career scoring total. She had a season-low 21 Wednesday, leaving her four away from second place on the career list. The state record (for girls or boys) is 3,694, held by current Gopher Katie Ohm, who played at Elgin-Millville. Next is Megan Taylor of Roseau at 3,300, and Hill now has 3,296.

Earlier Wednesday, Hill paid a visit to Gophers coach Pam Borton. They have had an off-again, on-again recruiting relationship, which is now on again.

"It went well," Hill said, declining further details. The top three schools on her college list are Marquette, Texas and Duke.

Hill didn't need to score by the bushel against Hopkins because she had help. Tyisha Smith, a 5-1 junior guard, scored nine, including seven in a 17-4 run that helped South build an 18-point lead midway through the second half. Hana Potter scored 12 points to lead Hopkins.

"They're quick, and I felt we weren't as aggressive as we needed to be," Cosgriff said. "This was a good eye-opener for us."

But remember, this was the final day of the year. A new year has dawned, and Hopkins and South could very well meet again this season, with much more at stake.

"If the stars are aligned, we could play them again," Cosgriff said.

Wouldn't that be fun?

John Millea • jmillea@startribune.com

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