TAYLOR DEFORREST

Apple Valley • hockey

Athletes of the Week is frequently a subjective honor, with many different factors involved in the decision. Some , however, are slam dunks, choices so obvious that leaving said athlete off the list would strain credulity.

This falls sqarely in the slam dunk category.

Last Wednesday afternoon, DeForrest was simply another goalie preparing for a section playoff game. One day later, the junio was a national celebrity, her name all over social media and sprinkled about national websites like Sport Illustrated, Fox Sports and USA Today.

Stopping 111 shots over the course of nine periods — three regulation, six overtime — will do that. Apple Valley, didn't win, losing to East Ridge 3-2 in the Class 2A, Section 3 quarterfinals, but it was DeForrest's performance that stood out. Her save total was the second-most in state history (Worthington's Taylor Baumhoefner stopped 118 shots in a game against New Ulm in 2007) and the reason the game —all 121 minutes, 58 seconds —will go down as the longest girls' game in state history,

"We literally gave all we could out on the ice," DeForrest said. "It's hard to top. {My next game] is going to feel pretty short."

LAURA BAGWELL-KATALINICH

Holy Angels • basketball

The senior forward scored 76 points as the Stars won twice last week to extend their winning streak to five games. She scored 33 points in a victory over St. Croix Lutheran and a career-high 43 in an 80-74 victory over DeLaSalle. In the two games combined, she had 30 rebounds and eight steals.

CADE BORCHARDT

Burnsville • hockey

In an eight-day span, the senior forward had two goals and three assists in a 9-1 rout of Apple Valley, a hat trick in a 6-4 victory over Eastview, and a goal and an assist on an overtime game-winner in a 3-2 victory over Rosemount.

Paul Klauda, Star Tribune

BRAD DAVISON

Maple Grove • basketball

Since losing leading scorer Tywhon Pickford to a knee injury, Davison, a junior point guard, has picked up the slack. He had 27 points in an 85-47 rout of Irondale and led the Crimson with 26 points, six assists and six rebounds in a 65-58 victory over Class 4A, No. 4 Champlin Park.

MADDIE DEKKO

Blake • Alpine skiing

The senior earned the chance to redeem a disappointing 2015 state meet by winning the Section 4 individual championship. She completed the two runs at Wild Mountain in a time of 1:02.30, leading Blake to the girls' team title.

HANNAH RUDD

Armstrong • Nordic skiing

The senior won the Section 6 meet at Theodore Wirth Park in a time of 31:27.0. She dominated both skiing styles, winning the classic race in 16:35.3 and skate race in 14:51.7, helping Armstrong win the girls' team title over runner-up Wayzata by just four team points.

ANDERS SONNESYN

Wayzata • Nordic skiing

The sophomore, one of Minnesota's top junior skiers, dominated the Section 6 meet, winning the individual pursuit championship in a time of 28:10.9. He was more than a minute ahead of runner-up and teammate Luc Golin and led Wayzata to the team championship.

JIM PAULSEN

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