Theisen is on a roll for Champlin Park

Last update: January 30, 2008 - 10:31 PM

Here's an early scouting report for Andover as it prepares for a game Friday at Champlin Park: Be sure to guard Scott Theisen as closely as possible.

Theisen, a junior for Champlin Park, has been setting a blistering pace from behind the three-point line recently. He had nine three-pointers Friday when Champlin Park beat Centennial 83-49; on Tuesday, he topped that with 11 in an 84-55 victory over Elk River 84-55. He is a combined 20-for-29 (69 percent) from behind the line in those two games.

Theisen said he has been using a shooting machine in recent practices, helping him get his shot going. Mostly, though, it's the oldest tonic in the book that has him red hot.

"It's just a lot of confidence," he said. "It's a great feeling."

Theisen, a junior, was a post player in youth basketball until, as he said, "Everybody passed me up in height and I became a guard." A recent growth spurt has him pushing 6-4. He hasn't received any recruiting interest yet, but that could change if he keeps draining threes at his recent pace.

"Yeah, hopefully," he said.

Fifty is nifty for Smith

Holy Angels senior Lauren Smith is having a standout season that puts her on the short list of Ms. Hockey candidates. It also has put her in the Stars' record book.

Smith became the first player in the history of the girls' program to score 50 goals in a season in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over New Prague. Smith scored twice, giving her a state-leading 51 goals. Earlier this season, Smith became the first player in the history of the Holy Angels girls' program to amass 300 career points.

January has been a particularly torrid scoring stretch for Smith. She has at least one goal in every game the Stars have played this month, totaling 24 goals in nine games. Holy Angels won all nine games.

Overall, Smith has had 11 hat tricks this season, including three four-goal games and a five-goal game.

Game of the night

Those interested in boys' high school hockey are advised to turn their eyes in the direction of Braemar Arena at 7 tonight for a matchup of the Star Tribune's No. 1 and No. 2-ranked metro teams, Edina and Minnetonka. The Classic Lake foes are a combined 35-3 this season.

Etc.

• Three Totino-Grace football players have committed to Division II schools: Linebacker Jake King and quarterback Jordan Marshall committed to Augustana College, while defensive back Micah Koehn committed to Concordia (St. Paul). All three players were key members of the Eagles' back-to-back Class 4A championship teams.

• James Locke, a senior 130-pound wrestler at Minneapolis South, broke the city record for career victories Tuesday with his 177th, according to South coach Drew Gau. Locke, a five-time all-conference wrestler, also carries a 3.9 GPA.

• The Minnesota Softball Coaches Association will induct six people into its Hall of Fame on Friday in St. Cloud. The inductees are: Angie (Recknor) Waldoch from Hopkins; Lyn (Peyer) McCulloch and Kristin (Nagle) Viger from Minnetonka; Norm Setnicker, longtime coach at Tartan; Kelly (Connolly) LaMotte from St. Paul Johnson; and Amanda Ohlgren from Menahga.

MICHAEL RAND AND DEAN SPIROS