Class A is the Dynastic Class, the 2 percent.
Section 1 Goodhue 24-6 is in the tournament for the 7th time in 11 years, and won the 2016 and 2017 state titles. You may recall their defense dominating people in those tournaments. Coach Josh Wieme says the defense is almost that good, though this year's team is not as good offensively. They outscored opponents 55-41 during the regular season and 53-30 in the section. There's no obvious go-to scorer but Lexie Lodermeier, Arianna Thomforde and Kate Opsahl all average 10-12 ppg.
Section 2 BOLD 22-5 is the new kid on the block. Well, they were here in 2013. They've outscored opponents 67-53 (regular season) and 71-52 (sections). Makenna Steffel is the big gun at 19 ppg-10 reb-6 steals. Point guard Makayla Snow is 12-5 with 4 assists and 3 steals. Junior power forward Ashley Trongard became the 3rd leg this year with 14 ppg-9 boards-3 assists. They'll be one of the few teams in this tournament trying to outscore you.
Section 3 Minneota 27-1 is in the tournament for the 7th straight time in a manner of speaking. There were 5 straight tournaments and a state title in 2013, then 2 years in Class AA, and now 2 more tournaments with a return to Class A. They were rated #1 most of the year after bringing everybody back from last year's 3rd place. Senior post Lydia Sussner is the top scorer at 17 ppg while guards Abby and Morgan Hennen also score in double figures. They outscored their opponents 70-39 and 64-37, so they are one team that can score and defend.
Section 4 Heritage 26-2 with a 64-37 scoring edge and 62-30 in a weak section. They return to the tournament for the 2nd straight year with senior point guard Taylie Scott at the controls. 6-footer Jordyn Allen and guard Kirsten Robbins both add 14 ppg, so there's plenty of firepower, and they also play a solid defense. They won at Mountain Iron Buhl 55-54 in late Feb.
Section 5 Menahga 29-1 returns to the 2nd straight tournament as well. They outscored opponents 64-37 and 59-38. Point guard Alyssa Peterson has one of the state's quickest first steps.
Section 6 Ada-Borup 26-2 returns to state for the 11th time in 14 years, with titles in 2008, 2009 and 2015. Guard Mariah McKeever is another of the top guards in the class. Ada outscored opponents 67-40 and then 61-38 in one of the toughest Class A sections.
Section 7 Mountain Iron-Buhl 25-5 returns for their record-tying 9th straight state tournament with runner-up in 2012 and 2017. They've outscored opponents 71-43 and 72-30. This is not their best team on paper with those 5 losses but they turned the tables on #1 seed Cromwell 51-30 in a stellar section final performance. Allie Negen, Macy Savela and Madisen Overbye all score 13 to 16 ppg.
Section 8 Red Lake 21-7 returns to their 2nd tournament in 3 years. Junior guard Autumn Holthusen scores 26 ppg; nobody else is in double figures. They outscored their opponents 63-54 and 72-51.
The Matchups Thursday at Maturi Pavilion
11 a.m. #1 Minneota 27-1 vs. Red Lake 21-7. Minneota has too many weapons and can probably figure out a way to slow Holthusen down. Minnesota 69 Red Lake 54.
1 p.m. #4 Heritage 26-2 vs. #5 Ada 26-2. Taylie Scott vs. Mariah McKeever? Well, both teams have other weapons, but if you want to think about it that way.... Heritage 51 Ada 48.
3 p.m. #2 Goodhue 22-6 vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl 25-5. A replay of the 2016 final when #2 seed Goodhue clobbered #1 MIB 73-51. Well, obviously, MIB hopes its not a replay. Still, I think Goodhue's size and defensive intensity will be the story again. Goodhue 54 MIB 49.
5 p.m. #3 Menahga 29-1 vs. BOLD 22-5. I'm not sure that BOLD doesn't have deeper talent but I also know that Menahga has now been here and BOLD will have some tournament jitters. That might be enough. Menahga 61 BOLD 58.
Consolation Semis Friday at Concordia St. Paul
10 a.m. Ada 68 Red Lake 57.
12 noon. MIB 62 BOLD 57.
Championship Semis Friday at Williams
12 noon Minneota 51 Heritage 50.
2 p.m. Goodhue 48 Menahga 45.
Consolation Games Saturday at Concordia St. Paul
5th Place 9 a.m. MIB 55 Ada 50.
3rd Place 11 a.m. Heritage 60 Menahga 59.
Championship Saturday at Williams
12 noon Minneota 51 Goodhue 46.
All-Tournament Team
Minneota Lydia Sussner, Abby Hennen, Lizzie Gillingham
Goodhue Kate Opsahl, Arianna Thomforde
Heritage Taylie Scott
Menahga Alyssa Peterson
MIB Allie Negen
Ada Mariah McKeever
BOLD Makenna Steffel
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