Chaska vs. Apple Valley: Live Score Updates of Minnesota High School Boys Basketball Class 4A Championship

MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 7-seed Apple Valley Eagles entered the Class 4A championship as a team that had toppled giants. They were a hot offense, and the Hawks defeated No. 2 Wayzata in the quarterfinal with 48 percent shooting, and they defeated No. 3 Maple Grove in the semifinal with 62 percent shooting. Before those games, they averaged 78 points per game in the section tournament.

But on Saturday night at Williams Arena, the Eagles faced the only team amidst a better streak than them. The Chaska Hawks had won 20 consecutive games, and their defense held opponents under 60 points 17 times during it.

Chaska (28-4) did it again in the MSHSL Class 4A championship, and the Hawks defeated Apple Valley (21-12) 63-55 with consistent defense and patient offense. The Hawks ended Apple Valley’s Cinderella story.

“Chaska is a very poised, a very disciplined team,” Apple Valley head coach David Collier said. “They stayed methodical the whole game. There were times when we made big runs, made big plays, and they just came right back with the counter. We just couldn’t get over the hump tonight.”

The Hawks packed the paint and contested drives throughout the night. They forced Apple Valley to make tough shots, and senior guard Tray Parker did. Parker scored 33 points and went 6-for-16 from 3.

“I thought we guarded him well,” Chaska head coach Nick Hayes said. “He made some tough shots. We tip our cap to him, making us work until the last second.”

Chaska led the entire game, but the Eagles only trailed by two points with 1:37 remaining after Parker hit a jump shot. From there, Chaska junior Kalin Jochum made six consecutive free throws, and the Chaska defense did not allow the Eagles to produce an open look.

Parker tried to shed Chaska defenders several times, but he had to settle for contested 3-point shots. Chaska sophomore Chase Maetzold stayed with him.

“It’s exciting seeing [freshman Jed Keenan] and Chase, how much they’ve progressed,” Jochum said. “We joke about it, but we say they couldn’t play defense at the beginning of the year. To see how much they’ve come, it’s almost like they’ve played two years of varsity.”

The Eagles shot 18-of-59 on the night, and while Parker buried jump shots, Apple Valley senior Camare Young struggled to score. The Hawks rotated different defenders to him throughout the game.

“I think it just shows that the guys were bought in and playing team ball,” Hayes said. “Offense is fun, but defense is winning championships.”

The Hawks started 3-3 before their win streak began with wins over Minnetonka, Andover, Chanhassen and Edina. They began to feel confident after the win over Chanhassen.

“We have such a good relationship with each other,” junior guard Tyler Forrest said. “[…] It feels like we’re just a big family. At practice and stuff, we always have fun. We haven’t had a single day at practice where we’re mad.”

Chaska won 30 games combined over the prior three seasons. The Hawks won 28 this season. Most of their key contributors are not seniors, so they have a good chance at extending their winning streak into next season.

“Our big goal was to make it to state,” Forrest said. “In the state tournament, our whole thing was just to have fun with it. That’s what we’ve been doing. To have a young group, I think we’ll be good next year too.”

For Apple Valley, the Eagles won only four games four seasons ago. Parker and Young are among four seniors who turned the program around, and they ended with an impressive run.

“There’s nothing else like high school basketball, and this group of guys is really special,” Parker said. “There are so many personalities in the locker room. [...] Looking back on it 20 years from now, it’s going to be all smiles.”

Final box score.

Chaska vs. Apple Valley: Live Score Recap of Minnesota High School Boys Basketball Class 4A Championship

The teams are on the court for introductions.

First Half Updates

Apple Valley wins the opening tip, and we're underway.

Not surprisingly, both teams are shooting 3s to start the game. Chaska's Chase Maetzold has one, and Apple Valley's Trey Parker makes one minutes later — Chaska 5, Apple Valley 3 — 14:17

Chaska has a 10-6 lead with 11:41 remaining. The Hawks are 4-of-9 to start the game, and they have an early 9-3 rebounding advantage.

Chaska guard Tyler Forrest is having success getting to the rim. He is 3-for-3 with 6 points so far — Chaska 16, Apple Valley 11 — 8:45

Parker continues to be Apple Valley's only source of offense. He is up to 9 points, but Chaska is pulling away as the Eagles continue to struggle on offense — Chaksa 22, Apple Valley 12 — 6:29

Apple Valley's Camare Young stole the ball and finished the fastbreak with a dunk. The Hawks turned it over again on the next possession, and Parker makes an and-1 for the Eagles — Chaska 22, Apple Valley 17 — 4:19

Parker drew a foul on a 3-point attempt, and he hit all three free throws. Chaska is scoreless over the past 3:46, and Apple Valley is on a 9-0 run — Chaska 22, Apple Valley 20 — 3:05

HALFTIME: Chaska 30, Apple Valley 22

Chaska senior Matthew Welter grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the put back just before halftime. He's up to 7 rebounds for the Hawks, who have a 21-12 rebound advantage.

Chaska is 13-for-25 from the field, and Apple Valley is 7-for-27.

Parker leads all scorers with 15 points. Forrest leads Chaska with 8 points.

Second Half Updates

The second half is underway.

Chaska's good start in the second half gives the Hawks a 37-27 lead with 15:14 remaining.

Apple Valley's Tyrese Hutton hits a 3-point shot to keep the Eagles close to the Hawks. Chaska leads 42-35 with 12:23 remaining

Parker is up to 25 points for Apple Valley. He continues to be the Eagles only source of reliable offense. Chaska's Eli Herzog hit a 3 to kill some Apple Valley momentum — Chaska 47, Apple Valley 40 — 9:45

Maetzold hits a 3-point shot for Chaska, and he's up to 10 points. Forrest has 11 points, and freshman Jed Keenan leads the Hawks with 12 points — Chaska 53, Apple Valley 45 — 5:20

Parker hits back-to-back 3s for the Eagles. He has 6 of them, and he is up to 31 points — Chaska 57, Apple Valley 51 — 2:46

Ryan Christiansen hits two free throws for the Eagles, and then Forrest turns the ball over. Parker then hits another shot for the Eagles — Chaska 57, Apple Valley 55 — 1:36

Chaska's Kalin Jochum draws a foul while the Eagles are pressing. He hit both free throws — Chaska 49, Apple Valley 55 — 1:27

Parker drew a foul, but he missed the first free throw of a 1-and-1, and Chaska grabbed the rebound. Kalin Jochum drew a foul, and he hit both free throws — Chaksa 61, Apple Valley 55 — 0:56

FINAL: Chaska 63, Apple Valley 55

Jochum hits more free throws, and the Eagles miss some 3-point heaves, and Chaska wins.

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