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Eden Prairie opens it up on Edina to advance to state

By MATT STEICHEN, Special to the Star Tribune, 03/16/18, 8:30PM CDT

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Two runs on either side of halftime opened up the game for Eagles en route to an 84-76 victory in the Class 4A, Section 2 final.

Eden Prairie sophomore John Henry (31) drives the lane past defender Jack Middleton (10). Henry led the Eagle's scoring with 21 points in a 84-76 win over the Hornets in the Class 4A, Section 2 final on Friday night. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Eden Prairie sophomore John Henry (31) drives the lane past Jack Middleton (10) in front of a sold-out gym. Henry led the Eagle's scoring with 21 points in a 84-76 win over the Hornets in the Class 4A, Section 2 final. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

When Eden Prairie’s offense started to click on Friday, Edina just couldn’t keep pace.

The ninth-ranked Eagles closed the first half on a 22-9 run and started the second half with a 9-2 spurt on their way to an 84-76 victory over the Hornets in the Class 4A, Section 2 final played at Eden Prairie.

Down the stretch as Edina sought to come back, Eden Prairie made 13 of 16 free throws to seal the program’s sixth section title in eight years.

“We were hungry. We had to work hard to get back in this position and win it,” said senior Kyler Kluge, who finished with 14 points. “We played smart and played together and got it done. It feels great.”

Sophomore John Henry led Eden Prairie (22-7) with 21 points. He hit back-to-back three-pointers that stretched the Eagles’ lead to 37-24 with two minutes left in the first half. He made another three-pointer after Edina had pulled back within 10 points with five minutes to go.

Another sophomore, Austin Andrews, scored 18 points for the Eagles, who had five players score in double figures.

“We have five guys you have to guard. That puts a lot of pressure on the defense,” said Eden Prairie coach David Flom, in his 12th season leading the team. “Henry made a couple of big shots and that gave us some momentum and opened things up for everyone else. Edina collapsed inside and we had guys step up and make shots.”

The Eagled led by as many as 21 points midway through the second half before Edina (19-10) began to chip away. Senior Anders Nelson led the charge, scoring 30 points. His final basket got the Hornets back within single digits in the final minute.

Sophomore Austin Andrews (33) lays up two of his 18 points as Eden Prairie defeats Edina 84-76 to move on to next week's Class 4A state tournament. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Sophomore Austin Andrews (33) lays up two of his 18 points as Eden Prairie defeats Edina 84-76 to move on to next week's Class 4A state tournament. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

First report

A 19-7 run to close the first half provided just enough breathing room for Eden Prairie as it fought off Edina 84-76 in the Class 4A, Section 2 final Friday in Eden Prairie.

The ninth-ranked Eagles (22-7) made 13 of 16 free throws down the stretch to seal their fifth section title in eight years.

Edina (19-10) led for the final time at 20-19 with 8 minutes, 15 seconds left in the first half. Eden Prairie built its lead to as many as 21 points at 60-39 midway through the second half. The Hornets fought back and pulled within single digits with two minutes to go.  

Check back later for more on the game.

Anders Nelson led all scoring with 30 points on Friday night at Eden Prairie High School. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

Anders Nelson led all scoring with 30 points on Friday night at Eden Prairie High School. Photo by Cheryl Myers, SportsEngine

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