Girls basketball to state tournament after dominating performance over Minnetonka

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  • Picture of last years girls basketball team in 6AAAA championship game. The Royals beat Minnetonka 81-55.

    photo by Ruby Krietzman
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  • Brian Cosgriff and his two brothers, Barry (far left) and Bradley Cosgriff. Bradley is currently battling stage four lung cancer.

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  • T’aire Starks, senior guard, battles for possession of the ball

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  • Viria Livingston, senior guard, shoots free throws

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  • After a steal by Starks, Deanna Winston, junior, brings the ball up court

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  • Captions Viria Livingston and T’aire Starks hold their section champion plaque

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  • The girls basketball team defeats the Skippers 81-55

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Judaisha Jackson, Staff Reporter
Mar 11, 2015

After missing the state tournament last year for their first time in five seasons, the girls basketball team is back with a 81-55 win over Minnetonka in the Section 6AAAA championship game.

The game was physical, with both teams getting into foul trouble early. The Royals found their rhythm first and led the Skippers 39-21 at halftime. T’Aire Starks, senior led the team in the first half, scoring 12 points.

The Royals started the second half strong with a long two-pointer from Ashley Bates, junior to extend their lead to 20.

From there, the Royals took off. Though their offense was firing on all cylinders, defense was the real key to this game. The Royals dominated on the boards, collecting 40 rebounds, and disrupted the Skippers’ offense with 13 steals.

Both Bates and Starks ended the game with double-doubles. Bates racked up 22 points and 11 rebounds and Starks added 16 points and 10 boards.

Coming into the section tournament, the Royals were ranked first in the state. Given this ranking, it is believed that the Royals will receive the top seed in the state tournament. If that is the case, their first opponent will be randomly drawn. Viria Livingston, senior, believes her team will be prepared for whichever opponent they face.

“It doesn’t matter who they are,” said Livingston. “They’re in our way.”