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Rachel Banham scored 25 points and Lakeville North survived a fabulous effort from White Bear Lake to complete a 32-0 season with a 57-47 victory in Saturday night's Class 4A girls' basketball title game. White Bear Lake was within 50-47 late before the Panthers scored the game's final seven points.
Lakeville North, in pursuit of an undefeated season, took a 36-26 lead over White Bear Lake into halftime of their Class 4A girls' basketball state title game. The Panthers broke open the nice lead late after a back-and-forth half. Rachel Banham scored five of her 20 first half points in the final 25 seconds of the half -- on a three-pointer and a pair of free throws -- to extend the lead.
The question for Hill-Murray heading into the second half of Saturday’s Class 3A girls’ basketball title game was simple: could sophomore Tessa Cichy continue to carry the load?
For a while, the answer to that question was tenuous. In the end, though, even though Cichy shook off a slow start to the second half and helped Hill-Murray to a four-point lead in the final minute, it was not enough to get the Pioneers their first-ever state title.
No. 2-seeded Benilde-St. Margaret’s, behind five points in the final minute by Josie Dillon, scored the final seven points in the game to take a 41-38 victory. Cichy, who finished with 24 points, missed two free throw attempts with 14.2 seconds left and Hill-Murray trailing by one. After a pair of free throws by BSM’s Olivia Antilla, Cichy’s last-gasp three point attempt was off the mark at the buzzer.
Hill-Murray's Tessa Cichy continues her run as one of the tournament's most impressive players, regardless of class. She nailed four three-pointers in the first half and finished with 14 points. The Red Knights struggled early but picked it up toward the half.
Barnum's girls' basketball team lost to eventual champion Ada-Borup in each of the past two seasons. This year, however, Barnum is your champion. Jessica Newman scored 19 points and Katrina Newman added 16 as the Bombers took a four point lead at halftime and pulled away. Goodhue turned the ball over 23 times, leading to 26 points for Barnum.
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