The Chaska Hawks boys basketball team played exceptional basketball throughout their Section 2AAAA quarterfinal game at Eden Prairie and thwarted a strong second-half comeback by the Eagles with lockdown defense the last few minutes. The Hawks’ 72-64 win earned them a trip to the section semifinal game against top-seeded Shakopee at noon this Saturday.
“Survive and advance.” It’s a phrase you hear every year come tournament time, coined by the late NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano. It’s a reminder for every team to focus on the game in front of them and do what it takes to win and move on in the postseason.
The Hawks jumped out to a fast start against the Eagles with a quick double-digit lead that would eventually stretch to 17 points in the first half. While Eden Prairie applied relentless defensive pressure with a full-court zone press, Chaska handled it well thanks to strong ball handling from Tyler Forrest and Kalin Jochum.
Despite missing a key guard in Marquis Connell due to a sprained ankle, the Hawks found success breaking the press with Tray Lenzen scoring inside early. Eli Herzog also shot efficiently from beyond the arc and Evan Atkinson provided key contributions.
Eden Prairie responded with a run of its own, cutting the deficit to 45-37 at halftime.
The second half turned into a back-and-forth affair. The Eagles came out with a more physical defense, which the officials allowed, and Chaska struggled to find offensive rhythm early, allowing Eden Prairie to inch closer.
The Eagles managed to cut the lead to just two, but Chaska’s defense clamped down, holding Eden Prairie scoreless for nearly five minutes late in the game.
With 5:30 left in the game and Chaska clinging to a two-point lead, Jimmy Coddington converted an inbounds pass into a basket to push the margin to four.
Shortly after, Herzog drained a three-pointer giving the Hawks enough cushion to stay in control. Coddington later added clutch free throws to ensure the Hawks would stay ahead for good, delighting an enthusiastic Chaska crowd that outnumbered (and outcheered) their Eden Prairie counterparts, even on Eden Prairie’s home floor.
By the time Eden Prairie broke through with a basket in the final 30 seconds, the game had already been decided. The Eagles struggled at the free-throw line at crunch time, going just 1-of-4 down the stretch.
It was a well-rounded team win for Chaska. Lenzen led scoring with 18 points, followed by Herzog with 16 and Forrest with 14. Jochum was a monster on the boards, with 10 rebounds. The Hawks’ ability to break the press, execute offensively and step up defensively in key moments proved to be the difference as they advanced in the playoffs.
The Hawks will play the Section 2AAAA top seed Shakopee, a team Chaska beat in the very first game of the season. Since then, Shakopee has had a big year, going 21-5 overall. They are currently ranked fifth in the Star Tribune polls.
Saturday’s section semifinal game is at noon at the Shakopee High School gym. Both teams expect big crowds and encourage fans to arrive early.
Chaska basketball supporters Dan Jochum, Mark Herzog, and Nathan Slide contributed to this article.
