Lakers Walloped By Hopkins in Girls Basketball

There was very little in the way of positives to be found for the Minneapolis Southwest girls basketball team after a 90-28 thumping on its home court by second-ranked Hopkins on Monday night.

"We were mentally scared," Lakers head coach Robert Grace said. "That's how it was and that's tough."

Southwest, playing without leading scorer Vinishia Jackson, who was out of town for three days and was not ready to play by the start of the game, were entirely out-played by the defending state Class AAAA champions from start to finish.

"When you lose a players who gives you 13 points and seven rebounds a game going up against a top team like Hopkins, that hurts," Grace said.

The Royals never trailed, amassing a 12-0 lead by the time that the Lakers scored their first point on a free throw from forward Maddy Horan two-and-a-half minutes into the game.

Southwest never challenged during the matchup, as Hopkins built a 57-19 halftime lead and extended that edge to 40, 50, 60 and nearly 70 points by the game ended in running time due to the Minnesota State High School League's "Mercy Rule."

"We just looked flustered right from the start," Grace said. "If we can't handle the pressure, though, we going to be in trouble in the playoffs."

No Southwest player managed double digits on the scoresheet, as the team was led by guard Samantha Ward's seven-point night with center Micah Thornquist and guard Helen Schwie each logging six points apiece.

The Lakers, now 9-11 on the season, have six more games over the next two weeks to hone their craft before the section tournament begins—beginning with a home showdown with Minneapolis South at 7 p.m. Thursday night.

"It doesn't get any easier—South is ranked fourth in the state," Grace said. "We just have to overcome our mental obstacles and play the game."