Hinsch guides Goodhue’s scoring attack

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Goodhue struggled to score at times last year and its Class A state quarterfinal game could be Exhibit A: The Wildcats scored 35 points in a loss to Bigfork.

This season’s state tournament squad is averaging 55.6 points per game, thanks in part to the heady play of junior point guard Courtney Hinsch. She leads the team in assists, averaging 4.7 per game, and boasts an assist-to-turnover ratio of almost 2-to-1. She averages 2.4 turnovers per contest.

Hinsch has a plethora of options when she wants to distribute. While no one on the Goodhue roster is averaging double digits in scoring, six score at least 5.8 points per game on average. She also can keep it herself: Hinsch is the team’s fourth leading scorer (7.6 ppg).

“When you have someone who can make plays — and it’s something she’s gotten better at as the year went on — whether it’s for herself or for her teammate, that’s just such a big thing,” Wildcats coach Josh Wieme said.

Hinsch is soft spoken, but her teammates look to her as a leader on the floor. She’s the one who brings the ball up the court and ensures the team keeps its poise.

“She keeps the game under control,” senior Maggie Lexvold said.

Hinsch and the Wildcats suffered a scare in the final game of the regular season. When a Zumbrota-Mazeppa player fell, her shoulder hit Hinsch’s left knee. The knee gave in, but her foot didn’t move.

Hinsch sat out one game and eased her way back into the rotation in the Section 1A tournament. Watching from the bench, Hinsch was reminded of the importance of turnovers.

“It sucks to have to watch and you just kind of learn that you don’t want to throw the ball away and make turnovers because it’s frustrating,” Hinsch said.

She is almost back to full health. She estimated her knee to be at 95 percent and it showed in the section final Thursday. She recorded nine points and 10 assists against Rushford-Peterson. Hinsch also turned the ball over seven times.

The turnovers are offset by her anticipation on the defensive end. Hinsch averages a team-best three steals per game.

“She’s always just sneaking a steal here or there she’s got no business getting,” Wieme said.

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