Last-second basket gives Trojans 9th straight win
New Prague High's girls basketball team won their ninth straight game in dramatic fashion Friday. Amanda Wagner hit a a last-second basket to sink Holy Angels, 51-49. Earlier in the week, the Trojans defeated Shakopee.
New Prague (13-4, 7-1 Missota) hasn't lost a game since January 5, when Northfield handed them a 59-49 setback. The Trojans are scheduled to get a shot at redemption against Northfield on Thursday, but that game and a 12:30 p.m. Saturday with Mankato West may need to be rescheduled due to a water main break in the Trojan gym. School officials are expected to announce any changes in the schedule Wednesday, after this edition of The Times went to press. When they become available, they will be posted on The Times' website, www.newpraguetimes.com.
New Prague travels to Farmington Tuesday, Feb. 13, and are tentatively scheduled to host Red Wing on Thursday, Feb. 15.
Trojans 53, Sabers 31.
New Prague had a strong defensive effort in building a 25-16 halftime lead against Shakopee Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Trojans kept control in the second half on their way to a 53-31 win.
The Sabers held New Prague's leading scorer, Whitney Trecker, to 10 points, half her season average. But Becky Theisen came through with a season-high 18 points, including a six-for-six showing at the free throw line. Wagner added nine points for the Trojans.
New Prague 25 28 - 53
Shakopee 16 15 - 31
Jan. 30, at Shakopee
New Prague (53) Connelly 6, Wagner 9, Rynda 0, Trecker 10, Theisen 18, Svoboda 0, Gill 2, V. Kneeland 0, R. Kneeland 2, Tikalsky 0, Holicky 0, Weiers 0, Strop 6
Shakopee (31) Blackowiak 10, K. Hentges 5, Berken 4, Gelhaye 5, Foslid 0, Lee 0, R. Hentges 0, Johnson 0, Stoks 0, Fehring 0, Theis 7, McGuire 0
Fouls: NP 9, Sha 16; Fouled out: K. Hentges; Technical fouls: none; Three point goals: NP 1 (Connelly), Sha 1 (Gelhaye)
Trojans 69, Stars 31
Wagner's put-back with one second remaining gave the Trojans, ranked No 9 in Class AAA, a 51-49 win over No. 7 Holy Angels Friday in the Trojan gym. Her game-winner came after Theisen had tied the game at 49-49 with a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Holy Angels turned the ball over setting up the dramatic finish.
New Prague and Holy Angels came into the game tied for the Missota Conference lead with 6-1 records. The win gave the Trojans sole possession of first place.
The game was close throughout, with the Trojans holding a 30-28 halftime lead.
Theisen had a season-high for the second straight game, scoring 21 points. Trecker added 12 and Hannah Strop netted nine.
Holy Angels 28 21 - 49
New Prague 30 21 - 51 Feb. 2, at New Prague
Holy Angels (49) Rieger 6, Dolan-O'Brien 1, Robinson 7, Slanson 18, Birr 2, Harens 0, Backes 1, Weber 0, Sanstead 4, Hanson 8, Jelgerhuis 2
New Prague (51) Connelly 0, Wagner 3, Rynda 4, Trecker 12, Theisen 21, R. Kneeland 2, Tikalsky 0, Strop 9
Fouls: HA 25, NP 16; Fouled out: Trecker; Technical fouls: Holy Angels bench; Three point goals: HA 2 (Slanson 2), NP 3 (Theisen 3)