Kopveiler hits four 3-pointers in conference opener

Photo by Chad Koenen
Teagan Lausten drives to the basket in-between three Mahnomen/Waubun defenders recently in New York Mills.

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

New York Mills looked like a team on a mission early in their Park Region Conference opener on Thursday night. The Eagles opened up a 25-11 lead midway through the first half thanks to some hot shooting from Sam Kopveiler who went a perfect 4-4 from behind the 3-point line. The hot start forced Sebeka to change their defense to focus on both Kopveiler and fellow senior Teagan Lausten to help and slow down the Eagles offense. 

Photo by Chad Koenen
Finn Roder looks for an open teammate during a recent game in New York Mills.

“Sebeka adjusted and went to a triangle and 2 zone on Sam and Teagan Lausten, which was ironically what we were also running against them the entire game. This led to an extremely choppy game as going against a triangle and 2 (especially when unexpected with no practice time against it) is a difficult thing to do since the spacing is so unorthodox,”
said head coach Mike Baune. “Ultimately I have to give credit to the Sebeka coaching staff for making that switch, and for their kids ultimately hitting more shots than we did down the stretch as it was just a 5 point game with 5 minutes remaining and close throughout. We will be better for it and are excited to have a chance at revenge in two short weeks.”

While the game was close throughout the second half, the Trojans hit a few key shots down the stretch to pull away from NY Mills by a final score of 64-46. 

The Eagles were led offensively by Kopveiler with 12 points, including a perfect 4-4 from behind the 3-point line. Braxton Ehnert scored 11 points, Jacob Thorsrud finished with 8 points and 12 rebounds and Finn Roder filled the stat sheet with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. 

This week the Eagles, who are 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the Park Region Conference, will travel to Browerville/Eagle Valley on Monday and Wadena-Deer Creek on Tuesday. The Eagles will host the Menahga Braves on Friday night, before hosting the Parkers Prairie Panthers as part of a boys/girls doubleheader on Monday, Dec. 18. 

They will return to action on Monday, Dec. 18 when the Eagles host Parkers Prairie as part of a boys-girls doubleheader.