Totino Grace 12/4
Trey Theis #35
Prior Lake Lakers Push AAA #1 Totino Grace to the Brink in Electric Home Contest
The buzz was real in the Gold gym as the Prior Lake Lakers tipped off against the AAA top-ranked Totino Grace Eagles—a squad many have already penciled in as AAA state champions. But if the Eagles thought they’d cruise through their opening game, the Lakers had other plans.
Starting Fives: Kolby Thompson, Woeser Jenpa, Ian Wang, Kobby Sam-Brew, and Colten Gunderson took the floor for Prior Lake, ready to prove that this season is the beginning of a new chapter.
The Eagles countered with Shay Jackson, Malachi Hill, Deangelo Dungey, Dothan Ijadibola, and AJ Taban—a lineup built for defensive pressure and pace in transition.
Lakers Set the Tone Early
From the jump, the Lakers looked nothing like a team coming off a preseason rout versus these same Eagles. They matched the Eagles’ energy, handled the relentless ball pressure, and—thanks to sharp shooting and clutch free throws—led most of the first half. At halftime, Prior Lake held a 33-30 edge, their defense refusing to give Totino Grace easy looks in the half court. The crowd could feel it: the Lakers were here to compete.
Second Half Surge—Eagles Flip the Script
But you could sense it coming. The Eagles, with a roster full of athletic players with college basketball potential, finally found their rhythm midway through the second half. A flurry of Laker turnovers—nineteen in total—turned into fast breaks and three-pointers, and the Lakers’ shooting cooled off just as Totino Grace heated up. The Eagles’ run flipped the scoreboard, and despite Prior Lake’s grit, the final two minutes saw the game slip away, ending 61-75.
Defensive Highlights & Bright Spots
Don’t let the final score fool you—this was a battle. The Lakers’ defense was especially impressive against D1 commit Dothan Ijadibola, holding the star to just three buckets. If Prior Lake can keep that defensive intensity for a full 36 minutes, they’ll be a major challenge for any opponent.
Offensively, Kolby Thompson led the Lakers in scoring with 11 and dished out 4 assists, while Ian Wang, Kobby Sam-Brew, and Cole Brinkman each dropped 10—showing off a balanced scoring attack. Drew Brinkman and Colten Gunderson chipped in 6 apiece, with Trey Theis and Max Dubore adding 4 each.
On the boards, Gunderson was a force, grabbing 10 rebounds, followed by Wang with 8, and Sam-Brew and C. Brinkman with 4 each.
Takeaways & What’s Next
Turnovers were the story—nineteen against a top team is tough to overcome, especially when the Eagles’ pressure defense forced shot clock violations and disrupted the Lakers’ offensive flow. Only 10 assists on 61 points shows how much Totino Grace’s defense impacted the game.
But the positives are clear: four Lakers in double figures, strong defense against elite talent, and a competitive edge that lasted until the final minutes. With three new starters and four new rotation players, this team is still finding its rhythm. The talent is there—shooters, playmakers, defenders—and as roles settle, expect more scoring and more wins.
Transition defense will be a focus moving forward, as the Eagles’ ability to turn turnovers into quick points proved decisive.
Program Notes
It wasn’t just varsity competing: the Lakers went a combined 4-1 against the Eagles across all levels. The JV squad moved to 2-0 with a dominant 76-44 win, B-squad took down the Eagles 67-57, and in ninth grade, 9a won a nail-biter 51-48 while 9b rolled 64-18.
Next up: the Lakers face section rival Waconia at home on Tuesday, December 9. Expect more energy, more growth, and—if tonight was any indication—a team ready to make noise in AAAA basketball.