Woodbury girls basketball: Royals make early statement

After a losing season last winter, the Woodbury girls basketball team showed it might be a force to be reckoned with this year through its first two games.

Woodbury started the year 1-1, blowing out Mahtomedi, 61-23, in the season opener last Tuesday, then battling St. Paul Central before falling 44-41 on Friday.

The close game with Central, who is a Section 4AAAA foe, showed Woodbury could be a serious contender in the postseason along with the Minutemen and White Bear Lake.

Against Central, which is ranked fifth in Class AAAA, the Minutemen (4-0) opened a 23-15 halftime lead. However, the Royals outscored St. Paul Central 26-21 in the second half – but it wasn’t quite enough.

Senior guard Kristina White led the way for the Royals (1-1) with 10 points in the game, but was the only Woodbury player to score in double figures. Fellow senior guard Marisa Olsen had eight points. Senior center Sade Chapmen led all scorers with 12 points for Central.

In the season opener against Mahtomedi, Woodbury jumped out to a 40-14 halftime lead on the overmatched Zephyrs and never looked back. The Royals held Mahtomedi (0-2) to just nine points in the second half.

White led the Royals in the win with 14 points, while junior guard Kalley Hakes also netted double figures with 10 points. Olsen and sophomore guard Kayla Bilski each chipped in eight points. Nine different Royals scored in the win.

Woodbury took on Minneapolis Washburn (0-0) on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Woodbury High School, after the Bulletin went to print. Next, the Royals tip off with rival Park (2-0) in Cottage Grove on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The Wolfpack beat the Royals twice last season.

Tags: sports, basketball, woodbury, royals, prep