Prep athletes of the week: Two-way Tartan center explodes for seven goals in 'dominating' stretch

Lindahl is the epitome of a two-way player, a center who can score goals and produce offensively but known more for his defensive play.

Until last week.

The senior turned in the best back-to-back games of his career, scoring seven goals after being limited to nine tallies in the Titans' first 14 games.

"He had an amazing week, not only because he scored seven goals, but because he was a dominating force on the ice," Tartan coach Steve Romanchuk said. "He was everywhere. He forechecks and backchecks like a man possessed."

Lindahl started the week with four goals and an assist in a 7-4 victory over Park of Cottage Grove. He followed it up with a pure hat trick – three consecutive goals – in a 6-0 shutout over Class 1A, No. 5 Mahtomedi.

"Sam has great vision, nice hands, and excellent anticipation," Romanchuk said. "He does things that you can't coach. His instincts amaze us day in and day out."

The Ohio State recruit had a hand in on all 13 White Hawk goals in their three games last week. Schepers scored nine goals and assisted on four more in victories over Orono (3-2), Holy Family/Waconia (5-4) and Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (5-0). She has at least one goal in all 18 games this season.

The senior put on quite a performance in front of a sellout crowd. She had 33 points, three assists and five steals in a 66-46 victory over Maple Grove in a girls' and boys' basketball doubleheader. Homola also had 25 points in a victory over Totino-Grace.

McKee lived up to his No. 1-ranking at 120 pounds in Class 3A, being named the outstanding wrestler at the East Ridge Ruckus. He won all three of his matches, defeating Garrett Vos of Waconia 5-1 in the finals. It was the fourth title of the year in an invitational for McKee, now 27-1.

The senior is peaking at the right time. Servias won the Buck Hill Invitational by over two seconds, posting a winning time of 50.91 seconds on her two runs. She finished 13th in the state meet last year.

The Tigers' success stems from the all-around performance of players like Reeves. The senior guard had 28 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a 77-65 victory over Hermantown and 24 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists in a 75-71 triumph over St. Anthony.

RON HAGGSTROM