By Matt Thomas, Wayzata.com Sports Reporter

Despite 17 points from senior Kate Thompson and 15 points from senior Alexa Clausen, the Wayzata girls basketball team saw its season come to a close on Saturday afternoon with a 69-51 loss to top seeded Hopkins in the section 6AAAA semifinals.

The Trojans kept the game within reach in a defensive-minded first half. The Royals led 23-13 late in the first half until the Trojans scored the final five points on a three pointer by Clausen and a lay-up by Thompson to cut the Royals’ lead to 23-18 at the intermission.

Clausen made a trio of three pointers early in the second half, as the Trojans came back to tie the game at 30.

But the Royals started to pull away around the ten minute mark of the second half as Jenna Lillemoe, Bri Williams, and Hanna Potter made key contributions during a crucial stretch.

When Williams hit a three-pointer with 8:43 remaining, it put the Royals up 49-37. The Trojans never got back within ten points after that point.

The game was the final game in a Trojans’ uniform for seniors Thompson, Clausen, Teresa Thour, Missi Crees, Jordan Risberg, Christina Keup, and Micaela Olson.

By Matt Thomas, Wayzata.com Sports Reporter

The Wayzata wrestling team finished its season on Saturday morning by winning the consolation championship with a 36-31 victory over St. Cloud Apollo.

Winning their matches for the Trojans were Tyler Engler at 112 pounds, Weston Droegemueller at 119 pounds, Joe Brady at 125 pounds, Ben Dunlay at 135 pounds, August Noble at 140 pounds, Danny Zilverberg at 152 pounds, Mac Cameron at 160 pounds, and Grant Olson at 215 pounds.

Bloomington Kennedy won the third place match by defeating Cambridge-Isanti. Apple Valley and Albert Lea are scheduled to meet in the championship match tonight at 6 p.m.

By Matt Thomas, Wayzata.com Sports Reporter

Wayzata junior Danny Zilverberg is certainly no stranger to the Xcel Energy Center and the state wrestling meet.

As a sophomore in 2007, Zilverberg placed fourth in the 112 pound division. Then in 2008 as a junior, Zilverberg moved up a spot by placing third in the 125 pound division.

This year, the University of Minnesota recruit finds himself wrestling for a state championship in the 145 pound division.

Zilverberg is undefeated this season, but he doesn’t have as many matches under his belt as most of his competitors. That’s because the senior was forced to sit out a majority of the season due to back problems.

If his performance so far at the state tournament is any indication, it appears that his back problems are history. Now he’d like to make a little history by taking home an individual state championship.

His opponent in today’s title match will be Chaska senior Pat Smith. Smith entered the state tournament with a 40-2 record and beat Apple Valley senior Jarret Hoeppner in the semifinals.

On his way to the title match, Zilverberg has defeated Dawson Lovestrand of Bloomington Jefferson/Kennedy, Andrew Wachsmuth of Brainerd/Pillager, and Tyler Rohr of Hastings.

The Wayzata team is also still wrestling as the Trojans will face St. Cloud Apollo in today’s consolation final at 10 a.m. The Trojans earned a spot in today’s consolation final with a narrow 30-29 victory over Centennial in a consolation round match on Friday.

By Matt Thomas, Wayzata.com Sports Reporter

The Wayzata wrestling team faced third seeded Cambridge-Isanti in the state quarterfinals on Thursday morning at the Xcel Energy Center and came out on the wrong side of a 41-15 final score.

The Trojans will face Centennial Friday morning at 10 a.m. in the consolation round.

Wayzata wrestlers who won their matches against Cambridge-Isanti included Weston Droegemueller at 112 pounds, August Noble at 135 pounds, Danny Zilverberg at 145 pounds, and Jake McPherson at 285 pounds.