Sabers hoops falls in double OT

The winter sports season started for two Shakopee teams on Tuesday night and both teams lost.

The Shakopee girls basketball lost in double overtime to North St. Paul while the boys hockey team struggled to a 4-1 loss under new head coach Jeff Vizenor to Chaska / Chanhassen StormHawks.

In the girls basketball game, Shakopee rallied with five minutes left in regulation to send the game in overtime but allowed the Polars to pull it out in two overtimes.

The Sabers trailed by five points with five minutes left but rallied to tie the game at 47-47 and send it into overtime.

At the start of the first overtime, the Sabers went up five points and held onto the lead until North St. Paul hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds left to tie it up and send the game into double overtime.

"Give them credit, they hit the shot," head coach Juan Mitchell said. "We didn't communicate on the screen and they got a wide open look."

The second overtime was much like the first overtime as the Sabers started quickly and built a lead only to see the Polars rally back to get the win.

"It was a tough one to let go," Mitchell said. "Overall, I thought we were a little sloppy. We never got into a good rhythm."

One problem for the Sabers was that they missed 12 free throws including key free throws down the stretch in both overtimes.

"Down the stretch we missed free throws and they hit free throws," Mitchell said.

One positive for the Sabers was the balanced attack they put forth in the game.

Shakopee had three players score in double figures and two others score eight points.

Rachel Hentges and freshman Hanna Zerr led the team with 14 points each. Danielle Dreier added 12 points and Ashley Leadstrom and Jean Theis each scored eight.