Waconia 12/9
Max Dubore #2
Prior Lake vs. Waconia — tough travel on a snowy night, tough night on the hardwood
Date: Tuesday, December 9 • Final: Prior Lake 71, Waconia 77
Starters: Colten Gunderson, Kobby Sam‑Brew, Ian Wang, Cole Brinkman, Kolby Thompson
On a night when getting to the gym was half the battle, the Lakers and Wildcats delivered a spirited matchup in front of fans who braved difficult travel conditions. Prior Lake entered 0–2 and hungry for their first win, while Waconia came in 2–1 looking to build momentum—and the energy matched the stakes from the opening tip.
Game plan & first‑half feel
Prior Lake’s early emphasis was clear: get the ball out of Will Kirsch’s hands. The tactic limited his shot attempts at first, but the Wildcats adjusted, with Kirsch facilitating and his teammates hitting from deep to keep Waconia’s offense humming. Even so, the Lakers stayed focused and composed, heading into the break down 30–33, setting the stage for a tight, possession‑by‑possession second half.
Second‑half swing
Out of halftime, Kirsch ramped up his own scoring while Waconia’s role players continued to find pockets of space and punish any defensive indecision. Prior Lake did earn a key advantage by getting the Wildcats’ biggest post defender into early foul trouble, but couldn’t fully capitalize with inside touches or finishes to flip the scoreboard. The night’s gut‑punch came late: a banked three from the top of the key, emblematic of a game where Waconia’s extremely high percentage from three kept the Wildcats just far enough out of reach for the Lakers to make a comeback.
The ongoing project: offense & turnovers
For the Lakers, the offense remains a work in progress—screens need more bite, cuts more speed, and passes more conviction. That timing will come as this group settles into its sets. The more pressing storyline was turnovers: too many giveaways turned into too many Wildcat possessions and transition chances, tilting the math in a six‑point game.
Bright spots & box score leaders
There was plenty to like, starting with Kobby Sam‑Brew’s attacking mindset and scoring burst. Kolby Thompson paired shot‑making with table‑setting, and Colten Gunderson owned the glass.
Scoring: Sam‑Brew 23, Thompson 19, Woeser Jenpa 9
Rebounding: Gunderson 15, Sam‑Brew 6, Trey Theis 5
Assists: Thompson 4, Max Dubore 3, Cole Brinkman 2
That production—and the team’s resilience in a win‑ready effort—suggests the offense will tick up quickly as reps stack and roles sharpen.
Program roundup
It was a strong night across the program:
9A: Lakers 68–32 (win)
9B: Lakers 46–42 (win)
10th Grade: Lakers 61–62 (loss)
JV: Lakers 75–65 (win)
What’s next
No time to dwell—the Lakers hit the road Thursday, December 11 for their first away game of the year, visiting the Minnetonka Skippers. Expect renewed pace, cleaner execution, and a group intent on turning good stretches into a full 36 minutes.
Bottom line: On a night when the threes fell for Waconia, Prior Lake showed fight, found scoring from multiple sources, and kept the game within a possession or two deep into the second half. Tighter ball security and crisper offensive actions are the unlocks—the trajectory is pointing up.