Eastview girls take it one basketball moment at a time

Perfection is an ideal outcome in any challenge – work, school, family and even sports. But while the Eastview girls' basketball team is on track to achieve an undefeated season, no one is claiming to be infatuated by it.

Day by day. That's how the girls are approaching business.

"We're in the moment right now," coach Melissa Guebert said. "I think that's probably one of the reasons the kids are doing so well. They know that each day, this is their purpose and we really don't focus past one game at a time. We just can't. We can't afford to."

Eastview, top-ranked in Class 4A through Monday's 67-53 victory over Rosemount, stood at 19-0 with seven regular-season games remaining. Among the state's largest schools, the last girls' basketball team to go unbeaten during the regular season was Lakeville North in 2009-10. The Panthers went on to win the Class 4A state tournament and finished 32-0.

That sort of perfection is not a topic of discussion.

"We don't really think about it," Guebert said. "We think about each day and what we're preparing for next. There's just not enough time to focus on more than what you have right in front of you. I think our kids are just focused on what's in front of them."

Eastview's path to this point has included battling some of the toughest competition in the state. But the girls know that every team, regardless of record or ranking, is going to bring its A-game against the Lightning.

"I certainly don't feel like they think they're a lot better than anybody else out there," Guebert said. "I just think they know that they're playing well. They recognize there are a lot of really good teams and players out there. They really don't take anything for granted."

Eastview notched back-to-back, two-point victories in early December against Chaska and Hopkins, two premium opponents. Hopkins is currently ranked second in Class 4A behind Eastview.

Those tough outings provided extra benefit beyond the team's record.

"Those are the kinds of games that really give kids confidence," Guebert said. "They feel like they can really do this."

The Lightning are led by Kari Opatz, Hana Metoxen and Madison Guebert. If they're not scoring, they're playing defense, gathering rebounds or steals or, as always, exhibiting leadership.

Madison Guebert, a top junior guard in the state and the coach's daughter, is cruising in her third year of varsity basketball. She controls the tempo. The team relies on her poise and composure. At 20 points per game, she draws a lot of attention. That means her teammates are going to be open — and she knows how to find them.

Opatz, a senior guard, is a strong shooter who benefits from playing on the baseline. Guebert will drive toward the basket. Once the defense collapses on her, she finds Opatz, who will sink some big shots. Opatz signed her national letter of intent to play golf at Concordia (St. Paul) this past Wednesday.

Metoxen, a junior forward, is relentless.

"People that know the game of basketball and that see her play, they just marvel at her intensity and her ability to defend a guard, a post, a wing, whatever it is," Guebert said. "We can ask her to do anything. She's tough for good players to go against physically."

There are still plenty of potential roadblocks along the way —and the players certainly don't like to talk about it — but perfection is in sight.