(photo by Jim Lindquist)
The Missota Conference championship race is headed for a photo finish with four teams tied for the league lead with one game to play.
Farmington moved into a tie for the lead with a narrow 48-47 win over Chaska Tuesday night, Feb. 22, in Chaska. With Chanhassen's loss to New Prague, the Tigers joined New Prague, Chanhassen and Shakopee atop the league standings with a 10-3 record.
Farmington controls its own destiny as far as winning at least a share of the conference title for the first time in school history as it entertains New Prague Friday night in the league finale for both teams. Chanhassen travels to Red Wing and Shakopee visits Northfield in other Friday night contests.
Tuesday night's win didn't come easily. The young Hawks got to the basket too much early and the visitors were fortunate to hit the halftime break with a slim 22-21 lead.
"We didn't do a good job of guarding the dribble in the first half," Tiger coach Jason Berg said. "We gave up too many inside shots and fouled too much."
A quick 9-0 run to start the second half, fueled by Taylor Meyer's seven points, gave the Tigers a 10-point cushion but it didn't last long.
Chaska battled all the way back to a take a 42-40 lead with three minutes to play before four straight free throws, two apiece by Elena Koch and Jamie Kenealy, gave the lead back to Farmington for good.
Paige Steele's two free throws in the final minute served to keep the lead at four until the Hawks hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Meyer had 16 points and Kenealy 12 to lead the offensive attack for the winners who shot just 31 percent from the field.
Perhaps the biggest stat of the night, however, came in the turnover department where the Tigers committed a season-low seven miscues. Farmington also hit the free throws when they counted, draining seven of eight in the second half.
Chaska won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Farmington 39-36. Jordan Bridges led the way for the Tigers with 10: Koch added eight, five off the offensive glass.
"We did what good teams do," Berg said. "We made plays on offense and played defense down the stretch."
After Friday's regular season finale, the Tigers head to Section 1AA post-season play where they open at home Saturday, Mar. 5, against an opponent to be determined by seeding.
