Apple Valley High School was the place to be Tuesday night, as the Eagles and the Prior Lake Lakers faced off in a thrilling non-conference showdown. With Apple Valley entering the game at 14-1 and Prior Lake at 13-2, fans packed the stands expecting a battle. And that’s exactly what they got.

Apple Valley Comes Out Firing

From the opening tip, Apple Valley controlled the pace. Their length, speed, and execution kept Prior Lake on its heels. Junior Camare Young and senior Julian Carter set the tone early, each dropping 11 points in the first half. By halftime, the Eagles had built a comfortable 37-29 lead, looking poised to add another win to their record.

Prior Lake’s Second-Half Surge

But basketball is a game of runs. Prior Lake came out of the locker room on fire, led by senior Norbu Jenpa, who was nearly unstoppable. The Lakers chipped away at the lead, and with eight minutes left, they surged ahead for the first time in the game.

From there, it was a back-and-forth battle. Both teams traded buckets and defensive stops, pushing the intensity to a playoff-like level.

The Final Moments

With seconds remaining, Apple Valley had one last chance to send the game to overtime. Trailing by three, the Eagles ran a set play for a potential game-tying three-pointer. But before the shot could leave his hands, Apple Valley’s shooter was met by the outstretched arm of Prior Lake’s 6’7 junior, Colten Gunderson, who delivered a clutch block to seal the victory.

Standout Performances

Norbu Jenpa led Prior Lake with 22 points, while Cade Wozney and Colten Gunderson added 17 and 16, respectively. For Apple Valley, Camare Young finished with a game-high 25 points, while senior Justin Cowan contributed 16, and Julian Carter added 15.

In the end, Prior Lake escaped with a 76-73 victory, proving that no lead is safe and no game is over until the final buzzer sounds.

Check out the video above for highlights from the game.