Girls Basketball, Class AA semifinals: Providence Academy 83, Minnehaha Academy 63
Posted: Friday, March 17, 2023 - 8:02 PM
Providence Academy defeated Minnehaha Academy twice this season during the Independent Metro Athletic Conference, including a track-meet style game on Feb. 17 when a combined 220 points were scored, 126 of them from the Lions. That combined scoring output is an entry in the national record book. Much more was at stake when they met for a third time on Friday, March 17 with a trip to the Class AA championship game going to the winner.
So, how would this one unfold? While scoring still came at a feverish rate amid some physicality, the outcome from previous encounters remained unchanged.
Top-seeded Providence Academy played the part of team to beat and moved within one victory of a successful state title defense with an 83-63 victory over No. 5 Minnehaha Academy in the Class AA semifinals at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota. Freshman playmaking sensation Maddyn Greenway powered the Lions (29-2) with 35 points, including 22 in the first half when the Lions built a 13-point advantage.
Senior forward Grace Counts was a difference-maker, too. She was a force with 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals during a dominant display in the low post and beyond. Eighth-grade guard Emma Millerbernd added 13 poitns, five rebounds and two assists as the Lions won their 28th consecutive game.
Minnehaha Academy (23-8) drew to within seven points three times in the first half, but eventually, couldn’t prevent the Lions from maintaining double-digit leads.
Sophomore guard Addi Mack scored 19 points for the Redhawks and senior forward Aniyah Reuben added 13.
