So, the girls basketball season is upon us. Actually it starts with a bunch of games Thursday night. But the really big show is of course the Breakdown Tip-Off now expanded to two "days"--OK, Friday night starting at 5 p.m. and then all day Saturday starting around 9 a.m. All games at Hopkins Lindbergh.
Everybody will have their favorite matchups. Here are some of mine. The rankings are mine though the guys at the Breakdown often seem to agree with me.
Friday night 8:30 Main Court #5 St. Michael-Albertville vs. #4 Park Center
Remember last year when Park Center scored 99 at the Breakdown. Well, I think that all of those 99 points are back. Adalia Mackenzie is the state's #1 rated 2021 and she is joined by T'Naye Griffin, Lauren Frost, Aaliyah Ragulen, Kayla Cox and more. A really explosive team. And St. Michael, led by senior Kenzie Kramer and freshman Tessa Johnson, can run with anybody. Still, a win for St. Michael will more likely be in he 60s or 70s. Another 90-pointer bodes well for the Pirates. I'll take the Pirates by 5.
Saturday afternoon 12:15 East Court #4 Cromwell vs. #2 Minneota
The Breakdown guys invited Cromwell, from Section 7A, to this year's soiree and not 9-time Section 7A defending champion Mountain Iron-Buhl. There's some bulletin board material. So Cromwell wants to show it belongs. Meanwhile, Minneota wants to show it's still a contender despite losing 3 starters from last year's state champs. In fact, the Breakdown guys have Minneota rated #1, I have 'em #2. It will probably come down to some role player but in the meantime all eyes will be on Shailey Hakamaki and Taya Hakamaki of Cromwell and Abby Hennen and Morgan Hennen of Minneota. This is a toss-up but if I gotta pick, I'll take Minneota by 2.
Saturday afternoon 1:45 East Court #1 Sauk Centre vs. #11 Minnehaha
This one matches the past 2 Class AA state champions. Minnehaha lost 4 starters from last year's state champs while Sauk has everybody back from a team that failed to make it to state last year for just the 2nd time in 10 years. So both teams come in with something to prove but, of course, doesn't everybody at this time of year. Minnehaha's Mia Curtis will probably be staring at Sauk's Tori Peschel most of the day. Sauk by 7.
Saturday afternoon 3:45 Main Court #3 Farmington vs. #5 St. Michael-Albertville
Farmington comes out with something to prove after their big flop in the Section 1AAAA final last year. From 6-5 Sophie Hart to point guard Molly Mogenson, the talent is as good as anybody's, but they need to win the big game. Farmington by 2.
Saturday afternoon 5:30 Main Court #4 Park Center vs. #7 Stillwater
Can't wait to see Stillwater without Sara Scalia. I think they'll surprise people before they're done. Lexi Karlen and Alexis Pratt are as good of a one-two punch as almost anybody's. Stillwater by 3.
Saturday night 8:30 Main Court #2 Becker vs. #1 Hopkins
Now, being honest, I'm not expecting a close game here. Hopkins is poised to rout just about anybody at this time of the year and matching them up against an AAA team? I wouldn't have recommended it. Becker got manhandled inside last year by DeLaSalle. Maya Nnaji and Sunny Agara could got wild. Still, I love Becker and I know they're going to come out and play hard and run and run and make plays. So it will be entertaining in that respect.
These are just 6 of 21 games, and the others, most of them, also promise some excitement. It's always fun to see Albany's Paige Meyer; and Chaska's great young team; and Holy Angels' Frankie Vascellero; and coaches Wendy Kohler and Molly Kasper work; among many others. My only regret is that after the Tip-Off, the rest of the season seems almost like a let-down, until March and Williams Arena.
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