In a battle between two highly-ranked Class 4A teams, the Eden Prairie Eagles emerged victorious over the Wayzata Trojans, securing an 81-73 win at Eden Prairie High School on Tuesday, January 14. The victory solidified Eden Prairie’s position as the No. 1 team in Minnesota Basketball News’ rankings, while Wayzata remains at No. 7.
The game was a closely contested affair, with Eden Prairie holding a narrow 35-32 lead at halftime. The Eagles extended their advantage in the second half, outscoring Wayzata 46-41 to claim the win.
Key Performances
For Eden Prairie (13-2-0), Tori Schlagel delivered a dominant performance, scoring 29 points while hitting all eight of her free throws. Cam Dennin contributed 15 points, including three three-pointers, while Ziwilani Simbeye added 14 points and eight rebounds. Vanessa Jordan filled the stat sheet with 10 points and six assists.
Wayzata (10-4-0) was led by Sophie Hawkinson, who poured in 26 points, including three shots from beyond the arc and a strong 7-of-9 performance at the free-throw line. Annika Kieser added 16 points, and Katie Kelzenberg chipped in 13 points, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the line.
Game Breakdown
Eden Prairie’s shooting efficiency was a key factor, as the Eagles shot an impressive 58.7% from the field and 90% from the free-throw line. They also controlled the boards with 19 rebounds and distributed the ball effectively, tallying 14 assists.
The Trojans showed resilience, keeping pace with the Eagles through solid contributions across their lineup. Despite their efforts, Wayzata’s 27 made field goals and 11 successful free throws were not enough to overcome Eden Prairie’s offensive firepower.
Looking Ahead
Eden Prairie’s victory reinforces their status as a top contender in Class 4A as they continue their impressive season. Wayzata will look to regroup and build on their strong start to the campaign as they prepare for upcoming conference matchups including at Edina on Friday night at 7pm.
