12/9/2008 9:48:00 AM Cosgriff's Royals soaked in talent, again
By Jon Weisbrod
During the past 10 years, the Hopkins girls' basketball team has enjoyed its share of success as the cream of the Classic Lake Conference crop.
In the span, the Royals have won eight conference titles, five section championships and two state crowns (2004, 2006).
Like most winning programs, Hopkins has found success by taking pride in executing the basic fundamentals of the game while stressing a team-oriented style of play. This is easier said than done, though, especially when dealing with the ever-evolving crop of individual talent that annually rotates through coach Brian Cosgriff's system.
As Hopkins prepares for another season with another batch of gifted athletes, Cosgriff once again starts with the simplest of objectives.
"We just want to play hard every possession, take care of the ball and control the boards," he said. "If we can do that, generally good things happen."
Well, if recent history is any guide, good things will certainly be in store for 2008-2009.
Last season, Cosgriff and the Royals finished atop the Classic Lake standings with a perfect 8-0 record. Overall, the squad won 26 games, but had its season come to a premature end in the section tournament.
This year, with a wealth of talent coming back, Hopkins will look to take the extra step and qualify for its sixth state tournament in school history.
The Royals appear to have the depth and talent to do just that. Four players on the current roster earned all-conference honors a season ago.
Kara Elofson, who signed to play next season at NCAA Division I Binghamton University in New York, sits at the top of the list. Last year, the versatile 5-foot-11 wing was named first-team all-conference after averaging 10 points per game.
Teammate Jasmine Mendes, who also made first-team all-CLC in 2007-2008 will join Elofson in the starting line-up. The 5-foot-8-inch forward will play at UM-Crookston next season, a Division II school.
Brianna Williams also returns and will pilot the offense at point guard.
The most talented newcomer of the bunch is Laura Bruce, who moved from the Champlin Park School District earlier this year. Last season, Bruce was named all-conference in the Northwest Suburban after pouring in 14.3 points per game.
With such a guard-heavy rotation, Cosgriff said the play of 6-2 post Hanna Potter will go a long way in providing much-needed balance to the starting line-up.
"I would consider her the glue to the team because she is such a good scorer in the paint," Cosgriff remarked. "She is playing with a tremendous amount of confidence and really has improved her shot."
Cosgriff isn't about to put the breaks on his offense though. Even with Potter anchoring the blocks, the Royals will look to run the floor and create easy baskets in transition.
"Fast paced, up tempo basketball is what we will look like when we are playing our best ball," Cosgriff said. "We will push the ball up the floor, try to be as fundamental as possible and eliminate turnovers."
Varsity newcomers Jill Greenfield and Sidney Coffey will add depth and speed off the bench.
