The third installment of the 2024-25 Chanhassen vs. Chaska girls basketball series was the most anticipated game the rivalry has seen in years. And for the vast majority of the game, it lived up to the hype.
The two teams traded leads throughout the game and were tied at 56 with just a few minutes left.
From there, the Hawks used a 12-0 run to pull away and clinch the victory on their home floor. Chaska’s 74-62 victory gave them a 2-1 edge over Chanhassen in the season series, and allowed them to advance in the 2AAAA playoffs.
The Hawks will play at Eden Prairie High School on Saturday at noon against the top-seeded Eagles.
Both teams kept it close in the first half, as it was never more than a two-possession game. The Hawks were bolstered by the return of senior captain Ella Keenan, who had missed much of the past month. Keenan led the team in scoring in the first half with 12 points, displaying an array of low-post scoring moves.
Chanhassen’s outside shooting, led by sophomore Lyla Hentges’ 12 points, kept things close. The Hawks led the Storm 34-31 at the half.
The Storm came out red hot in the second half, led as they have been all year by their talented sophomore trio – Kate Arnold, Skyler Mancini and Hentges.
Arnold, one of the best three-level scorers in her class, would score 25 on the game, leading all scorers. Hentges, lauded as one of the finest outside shooters in the metro, ended up with 18 for the game and buried some key three-pointers early in the second half. Mancini, an athletic 6’1” forward, kept the Hawks at bay with a couple of emphatic blocked shots.
Chanhassen captain Ellie Heno, in her last high school game, hit two big three-pointers, as the Storm would stretch their lead to as many as 8 before the Hawks battled back.
Chaska was led once again by junior Addi Schneider with 21 points. Keenan, in her return, scored 19.
But it was the Hawks’ balance on offense and tenacious defense that allowed them to keep things close before their big run. Coach Samantha Canter has preached the importance of defense late in the season, and it showed in this game.
“Our defense is and will remain our main focus. Last night our defense was great, especially down the stretch with not allowing them to get shots off,” Canter said. “That game was a battle the entire time. It was great to have our girls grind it out. Especially if things didn’t go well on the offensive end for us, we had the mentality that they weren’t going to score.”
That Hawks defense – and their excellent ball movement on offense – were the keys to the 12-0 run that helped seal the win.
“We were aggressive when attacking the basket,” Canter said. “Addi (Schneider) getting an ‘and-1’ (a basket and a free throw) with around five minutes to go, Lex (Schaefer) hitting a three, then a couple minutes later Lex attacking the basket but making the extra pass to Hanah (Thul) to finish, and Jenna (Nelson) making a couple of big baskets – those were really key. Also, knocking down our free throws was huge, too. Overall, our composure throughout the game was very good. It was a great team win!”
For Chanhassen, their fine season came to an end, but the future is incredibly bright. With their three star sophomores, a junior (Grace Seubert), a freshman (Reese Keating), and even an eighth-grader (Lucy Hilgert) returning from this season’s regular rotation, Chanhassen is building a potential powerhouse.
Coach Bart Inniger was proud of the progress his team made this year.
“Not the ending we hoped for, but it doesn’t detract from the progress we made and the season we had,” said Inniger.
Regarding the game, the Chanhassen coach was quick to point out some standout performances.
“Ellie (Heno) had a solid game and year for us. She played her role extremely well. Having to guard tough perimeter players and take care of the ball and hit open shots on the offensive end. She was a very positive and great leader for us this season. Always positive and encouraging,” Inniger said.
“Kate (Arnold) and Lyla (Hentges) played really well offensively and defensively to give us the chance to be competitive throughout the entire game. We had a tough stretch late in the game where we turned it over a couple of times and missed a few really good looks,” said Inniger. “I’m very proud of our team’s effort and competitiveness. Chaska has had a lot of past success to build off and is a tough, physical team. They made some key plays when they had to. Lots of respect and credit to their coaching staff and team.”
The Hawks’ postseason path takes them to Eden Prairie, a longtime nemesis – and the top seed in the section. Despite the difficulty of the game, Coach Canter is keeping her team positive.
“They are a very tough team – we just have to give them everything we’ve got.”
GAME PREVIEW
2AAAA Girls Basketball Playoffs
#4 Chaska at #1 Eden Prairie
Saturday, March 1, 12:00 PM
Eden Prairie HS
