33 seconds.

That’s how close Hopkins came to it’s first state title in three years in front of a crowd of over 11,000 at the Target Center. Instead, Lakeville North claimed it’s first boys basketball crown in school history. The loss was Hopkins first in a state championship game since 1994, when Minneapolis Washburn defeated the Royals 66-65.

“They took it pretty hard. I think they’re stunned as much as anything else. A little bit angry because we were just on the brink [of the state title]. That doesn’t happen very often,” said Ken Novak, head coach.

Up by a score of 82-78 with 33 seconds left, Lakeville North’s JP Macura, senior, had 43 points at the time, but it was his pass that helped push the Panthers over the finish line. He found a wide open Drew Stewart, sophomore, in the corner. Stewart was fouled by Treyvon Edwards, senior, while swishing a three pointer to cut the Royals lead to one.

“You know you always have to be ready when JP has the ball. I got the pass and instinct took over,” Stewart said.

With a chance to tie the game, Stewart missed his free throw attempt. Connor Flack, junior, grabbed the rebound over several Royals and hit a jumper with only 18 seconds remaining that gave the Panthers their first lead of the second half.

“Everything that went wrong, went wrong,” Novak said

Hopkins had two chances to take the lead back, but three point baskets from both John Warren, junior, and Jake Wright, senior, failed to find their way into the basket, and the Royals were left in disbelief.

“We played well enough to win, but we made some mistakes at the end that hurt us. That’s basketball,” Novak said.

The frantic ending left the Hopkins coach at a loss for words.

“That shouldn’t have happened. We let that go. I don’t know what to say. It’s tough to win when you do that,” Novak said.

Novak hopes that even with the season’s disappointing conclusion, his players can take away more positive things than the anger and frustration that they were left with after their season ending less.

“Hopefully they take away their friendships,” Novak said. “Hopefully they take away the sweat that they worked through. Hopefully they take away some of the knowledge we’ve imparted. Not just basketball, but life itself. It’s about enduring and working hard. Athletics is interesting because it’s something that can teach you more about life than anything else.”