By Jake Schroer
Crow River News Sports
The STMA Knights girls’ basketball team defeated Big Lake 79-31 on Tuesday, beat Monticello 75-37 on Friday, and lost a heartbreaker 72-66 to Eastview on Saturday.
STMA held the Big Lake Hornets to just 15 points in the first half with stifling defense. The Knights grabbed 33 rebounds as a team to Big Lake’s 22.
Rae Johnson led the way with a 20-point night and a pair of rebounds. Lizzy Heil and Kitri Zezza each helped out with 10 points, and Sydney Tracy had nine. Several other girls contributed, such as Whitney Dold (eight points), Addie Johnson (seven points), Riley Carlson (four points) and Vanessa Alexander (six points).
Lynnea Helman grabbed five rebounds for STMA. Mckenna Rogers had a basket, an assist and a steal. Emma Anderson led Big Lake with 10 points.
MONTICELLO
The Lady Knights continued their roll with a 75-37 victory over the Monticello Magic Friday night. STMA went on a 24-3 run and never looked back.
Lizzy Heil led STMA with 18 points and eight rebounds. Rae Johnson had 15 points and Sydney Tracy scored nine points. Addie Johnson had nine boards.
With a big lead midway through the second half and with the Eastview game the next day, head coach Kent Hamre gave his starters the rest of the night off. This meant extended play for the STMA bench.
Megan Baldwin and Serena Lange each knocked down their first varsity baskets. Whitney Dold and Riley Carlson each scored six points for the Knights.
Head coach Kent Hamre said that the team and the coaching staff had a tough time staying focused with Eastview looming over them.
“We’re excited for tomorrow. I think it’s great for girls’ basketball,” Hamre said. He also praised Heil’s big game.
Heil said that she created a lot of her own scoring chances.
“Offense always comes from my defense, and today I started taking a few more extra shots and they were falling, so I was happy tonight,” Heil said.
Alex Revenig led Monticello with 18 points. Natalie Swanson scored 11.
EASTVIEW
The Eastview Lightning defeated the Knights 72-66 on Saturday to bring an 11-game winning streak to an end for STMA.
An early 15-0 run by the Knights gave them an 11-point lead. But, Eastview battled back and tied the game 30-30 late in the first half. STMA led 34-30 at halftime.
In the second half, the Lightning took control by going on a 21-10 run. The Knights came back and got within three points, but the Lightning prevailed in the end.
Sydney Tracy (18 points) and Rae Johnson (23) combined for most of STMA’s offense with Lizzy Heil (12 points, seven rebounds) and Kitri Zezza (12 points, two rebounds) both posting up strong games.
The Knights (13-2) faced another tough task in Eden Prairie on Tuesday. They travel to Cambridge-Isanti on Friday night.