Kate Cordes' shot for Shakopee, from long distance and right on time, is the All-Metro Play of the Year

Her buzzer-beater splashed in from halfcourt against Eden Prairie and decided the section championship.

July 28, 2022 at 4:52AM
Teammates take photos of Shakopee Basketball's Kate Cordes, who won the Play of the Year Award, after the Star Tribune's All-Metro Sports Awards gala Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn.] aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com
Shakopee basketball teammates took photos of Kate Cordes, who won the Play of the Year Award for her section-winning halfcourt shot, after the Star Tribune’s All-Metro Sports Awards gala Wednesday at Allianz Field. (Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Kate Cordes gave her team a dramatic state tournament sendoff.

The senior guard hit a three-point shot from just beyond the halfcourt line at the buzzer, giving Shakopee a 50-47 victory over Eden Prairie in the Class 4A, Section 2 championship game. It earned the Sabers program a seventh state tournament appearance, and it is the Star Tribune All-Metro Play of the Year.

"It's a cool memory knowing that shot got us to the state tournament," Cordes said. "You play basketball for moments like this."

The teams traded last-minute baskets, tying it 47-47 and setting up Cordes' heroics. She finished with her season average of 14 points, making three other three-pointers, as the Sabers overcame an early 11-point deficit.

Her game-winning shot brought back memories for some in attendance. Shakopee beat the Eagles 41-39 in the 2019 section final thanks to a three-pointer in the waning moments. Cordes, who will play in college at Jamestown in North Dakota, saw limited varsity playing time that season.

"It's something you dream about but never think it's really going to happen," Cordes said. "It's an awesome memory."

Shakopee's Kate Cordes and her teammates relied heavily on three-pointers, including Cordes' winner from beyond halfcourt. ORG XMIT: MIN2203112056210174
Shakopee guard Kate Cordes called her winning halfcourt shot in the section final “an awesome memory.” (Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Ron Haggstrom

Prep Sports Reporter

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