Northfield Girls Bring Home Some Hardware

The Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks scored 17 points off 20 Northfield turnovers to win their first championship in girls basketball 49-37 today.  The Raiders were down by two points at the half. The Hawks tenacious defense wreaked havoc all night.

The Raiders played excellent defense also, holding the Hawks to 28 percent shooting for the game.  Robbinsdale Cooper came into the game averaging 70 points per contest.  Northfield was never able to use their height advantage and picked a bad game to miss free throws.

The Raiders were 8 of 17 from the free throw line and the Hawks 15 of 20.  Robbinsdale Cooper also rebounded very well pulling even in that phase, 39 apiece.  Northfield had a 24-20 advantage on the glass in the first half.

The Raiders had to feel fortunate at the half down by just 2 points, 20-18, because they had 12 turnovers at the half.  The Hawks scored 7 points at the free throw line and Northfield had no free throw attempts in the first half.  The Hawks jumped out to a 8-0 lead only to see Northfield tie the game at 9.

Robbinsdale Cooper shot 18 percent from the field and had two less field goals despite getting 9 more shots at the basket in the first half.

Northfield got a stop to start the second half and then a quick bucket on offense with a gorgeous high-low attack for a layup to tie the game and I thought here we go.

They just couldn’t stop the turnover woes.

5’9 senior Grace Touchette tried to put the team on her back with 24 points on 7 of 15 shooting. Just 5 Raiders scored and they got two points from their bench.  Robbinsdale Cooper had 10 points scored by reserves.

The Hawks were led by 5’7 junior Aja Wheeler with 15 points and 5’6 senior Ja’Hyia Gaston with 10 points.  5’10 freshman Kierra Wheeler had 12 rebounds to go with her 5 points.

More importantly for Robbinsdale Cooper Wheeler jammed the middle making it difficult for 6’3 senior Annika Hoff and the two other six foot posts for Northfield to score.  Hoff finished with 7 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.  She had 16 blocks in the tournament and was joined by Touchette and 6’0 junior Rachel Kelly on the All-Tournament Team.

Northfield is bringing home a second place trophy.  Something to be very proud of.  So many teams would love to be able to achieve that accomplishment.

Thanks ladies for some great memories in your playoff run.  Memories you will have for a lifetime.