^{_{TOGETHER WITH}}

Good day, Wayzata. This is Wayzata Scoop. The lake’s frozen solid, but the news is flowing faster than ever.

In today’s Scoop:

• Fallout from Hopkins-Wayzata Thriller 🏀

• Plymouth Daycare Fires Teacher After Disturbing Videos Surface 😔

• Saddle Up for Country Dance Nights in Hamel 🤠

• Wayzata Baseball Player Home After Life-Saving Heart Transplant ❤️

Let’s do the dang thing.

— Dustin Hart

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📢 TALK OF THE TOWN

Wayzata Suspends Coach, Hopkins Tightens Rules After Wild Finish

What was supposed to be a thrilling matchup between two of Minnesota’s top high school basketball teams turned chaotic in the final moments—and the fallout has led to starkly different responses from each school.

The Feb. 13 clash between Hopkins and Wayzata ended in controversy, with fans storming the court after Hopkins edged out a 77-76 victory. The aftermath? Wayzata has suspended head coach Bryan Schnettler for one game, while Hopkins issued a letter to reset expectations for future games.

_{Wayzata’s Response: Coach Suspended}

Wayzata’s head coach, Bryan Schnettler, will sit out Wednesday’s game against East Ridge. According to the Star Tribune, this was an internal decision made by Wayzata, not a penalty from the Minnesota State High School League. Schnettler’s demonstrative reaction to a no-call in the final seconds contributed to tensions boiling over.

_{Hopkins’ Response: New Fan Rules}

Rather than issuing discipline to players or coaches, Hopkins addressed the incident through a letter to the community. The school emphasized the importance of a safe environment and announced stricter crowd control measures:

• Fans must remain in the stands at all times—no rushing the court before, during, or after the game.

• A zero-tolerance policy is now in place for any comments, gestures, or verbal abuse directed at referees.

• Fans are prohibited from engaging with opposing players at any time.

• Violations could lead to removal from the gym and potential bans from future events.

_{What Led to the Chaos?}

The intensity of the game was already high, with fans growing restless over what they saw as questionable officiating. The breaking point came when Wayzata’s Wyatt McBeth missed a potential game-winning shot—without drawing a foul call.

Frustration spilled over as both coaching staffs argued, earning offsetting technical fouls. When the final buzzer sounded, Wayzata players declined to shake hands with Hopkins. As they made their way to the locker room, Hopkins’ student section followed, adding to the chaos.

_{What’s Next?}

Despite the incident, Hopkins has not announced any discipline for its players or coaches, all of whom participated in a game against Minneapolis Washburn on Saturday. Meanwhile, Wayzata has not played since the heated matchup.

With both teams ranked among the state’s best—Hopkins at No. 2 and Wayzata at No. 4—there’s a strong chance they’ll meet again in the section championship. If they do, tensions will be high, and all eyes will be watching to see if history repeats itself.

Lil’ Explorers Daycare Under Fire After Teacher Caught Yelling, Grabbing Kids

A Plymouth daycare teacher—and others—have been fired after disturbing videos surfaced, showing her yelling at and forcefully handling young children.

_{The Backstory}

On Thursday, a former assistant teacher at Lil’ Explorers Childcare Center secretly recorded multiple videos of a teacher screaming at 2- and 3-year-olds, aggressively grabbing them, and even slamming a child into a chair.

In one video, she yells: “I don’t care! Sit down! You are not listening! You’re taking a break! Don’t look at her like she’s going to help you!”

The assistant teacher, Yanni Thomas of Maple Grove, quit the same day and shared the footage, which quickly gained attention.

_{What’s Happening Now}

Plymouth police confirmed they’ve launched an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, Lil’ Explorers Childcare Center fired multiple employees and released a statement condemning the behavior, saying:

"The safety and well-being of all children in our care is our top priority… The individuals involved are no longer employed with us. We are fully cooperating with authorities and have initiated an internal investigation."

The center also claimed all employees pass state background checks and receive training on child safety and reporting responsibilities.

_{Parent Reactions}

Parents were horrified by the footage. Stephanie Studer of Crystal, whose 3-year-old daughter was in the classroom that day, said she later recognized warning signs.

"I realized my daughter was playing with her stuffed animals and yelling at them. I didn’t understand it at first, but now I do."

Thomas, the former assistant teacher, called for stronger action. “I honestly think this place should be shut down.”

_{A Troubling History}

This isn’t the first time Lil’ Explorers’ Plymouth location has faced scrutiny. Records from the Minnesota Department of Human Services show the center was investigated and cited three times in 2024—including twice for child discipline violations.

_{What’s Next?}

Both Plymouth police and Lil’ Explorers say investigations are ongoing.

Country Dance Nights at Hamel VFW – Get Ready to Boot-Scoot!

Looking for a fun way to spend your Thursday nights?

Grab your boots and join Hold Your Lady Tight Night at The Hamel VFW for Country Dance Night! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or have two left feet, this event is for everyone.

Happening every 2nd & 4th Thursday, you’ll learn country line dancing and progressive two-step in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

No experience? No partner? No problem! Just bring $10 and a good attitude—they’ll take care of the rest.

Schedule:

• Doors open at 6:30 PM

• Lessons start at 7:00 PM

The VFW is bringing you a honky-tonk-style evening packed with classic country hits and the hottest new line dances. Whether you're dancing solo or bringing a group, you'll have a blast!

All ages are welcome, so round up your friends and make it a night to remember. See you on the dance floor—let’s boot-scoot and boogie!

‘Forever Grateful’: Teen Athlete Returns Home After Heart Transplant

After months of uncertainty and recovery, Wayzata High School baseball player Carter Anderson is finally home. The 16-year-old underwent a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic’s St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, receiving his new heart just two days after his birthday—a gift his family will cherish forever.

“We are, and always will be, thankful for our donor,” said Carter’s mom, Phalen Stang. “Never in a million years did I think we would need an organ.”

On Thursday, friends, family, teammates, and neighbors gathered to welcome Carter home, celebrating his strength and resilience. The overwhelming support left Carter in awe.

“I didn’t think this many people were going to be here,” he said.

Carter’s journey began with a routine checkup in 2021, which led to the unexpected discovery of a rare genetic heart condition—cardiomyopathy. In May 2022, he underwent surgery to receive an implantable device that monitored his heart rate. However, as a dedicated athlete, his heart struggled to keep up. The device sent multiple shocks over time, signaling his heart was failing—both on and off the baseball field.

One of those frightening moments happened mid-game.

“In the middle of our fall ball game, he had his shock,” recalled teammate Thomas Stauffenecker. “It was really scary because I saw the ambulance pull up, and I didn’t know what was happening.”

After three months of recovery at the hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Carter is back home, feeling stronger and looking ahead to the future. His goal? Getting back on the baseball field this spring.

Carter’s story is a reminder of the power of organ donation. According to Donate Life America, more than 4,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a new heart. One donor can save up to eight lives.

📖 QOTW (QUOTE OF THE WEEK)

“Start before you’re ready. Don’t prepare. Begin.” — Steven Pressfield

🌪️ WEATHER WATCH

This week’s forecast: A mix of sunshine, clouds, and temperatures that can’t decide if they’re still in winter or pretending it’s spring.

Wed 19 7°/-5° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧8%

Thu 20 14°/-4° Sunny ☀️ | 💧6%

Fri 21 20°/11° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧5%

Sat 22 33°/22° Mostly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧9%

Sun 23 40°/34° Mostly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧16%

Mon 24 45°/31° Cloudy ☁️ | 💧24%

Tue 25 44°/29° Partly Cloudy 🌥️ | 💧14%

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