Final Tallies from Girls State Tournament

Here are the numbers.

Top Scorers

AAAA--Bueckers 70 Scalia 59 Lamker 58 Groeneweg 57 Stapleton 47

AAA--Vascellero 82 Hilgemann 76 Aja Wheeler 63 McDonald 55 Bengtson 52

AA--Kacie Borowicz 101 Meyer 83 Rhoades 68 Katie Borowicz 59 Tornstrom 57

A--Negen 52 Kritzberger 50 T. Scott 50 A. Hennen 49 Robbins 48 Alyssa Peterson 48

Top Rebounders

AAAA--Karlen 27 Lamker 26 Carson 23 Nnaji 23 Battle 21

AAA--Kierra Wheeler 47 Aja Wheeler 33 Vascellero 27 Kawiecki 26 Kent 21

AA--Meyer 41 Tornstrom 39 Kacie Borowicz 26 New 26 Pogatchnik 23

A--Kritzberger 35 Sussner 34 A. Hennen 28 Alf 27 Lodermeier 22

Top Assists

AAAA--Bueckers 18 Battle 15 Pratt 13 Schulte 10 Scalia 9 Glas 9

AAA--Aja Wheeler 15 McDonald 12 Weems 11 Reliford 10 Colbeck 9 (2 games)

AA--Katie Borowicz 27 Meyer 15 Rhoades 13 Parendo 9 Elander 8

A--McKeever 17 M. Hennen 10 Sussner 9 Kritzberger 9 T. Hendrickson 7 A. Peterson 7

Top Shot Blocks

AAAA--Stapleton 6 Groeneweg 5 McAuley 5 Karlen 5 Nnaji 5

AAA--Kierra Wheeler 12 Kawiecki 7 Weems 4 Maki 4 Tuomi 3

AA--Galloway 7 Pogatchnik 4 Rhoades 4 Kacie Borowicz 2 Boldaun 2 Conlon 2

A--Sussner 7 Jordyn Allen 6 K. McClain 6 Opsahl 4 Holthusen 3

Top Steals

AAAA--Bueckers 11 Battle 9 Scalia 7 Lamker 6 Coplin 6 Pratt 6

AAA--Aja Wheeler 13 Reliford 11 Lockett 9 Sueker 8 Nuest 7

AA--Rhoades 14 Katie Borowicz 12 Conniff 11 Kacie Borowicz 11 Steiner 10

A--Ahlf 7 T. Hendrickson 7 Sussner 6 A. Hennen 6 T. Scott 6 Opsahl 6 A. Peterson 6

Summary

AAAA--Paige Bueckers was quite obviously the best and dominant player in AAAA, which is only part of the reason Hopkins won. But, she led in scoring, assists and steals, which, again, is what I call dominant. But she had lots of help from the freshmen Battle and Nnaji, both of whom were among the top rebounders, while Battle was also among the steals leaders and Nnaji the shot blockers. Battle probably should have made all-tournament even though that would have meant 4 players from Hopkins. But, hey, they might be the best team in Minnesota history, so 4 all-tournament players is not really going too much overboard.

Aside from Bueckers, Stillwater's Sara Scalia also made the top 5 in 3 categories, which is apropos for Lindsay Whalen's 1st Minnesota recruit to the U of M. Maple Grove's Jordyn Lamker also made it in 3 categories and really should have been all-tournament. But her team finished 6th and, let's be honest, while the all-tournament awards go to individual players, they're pretty obviously team awards, determined more by the team's performance than the individual's. 

Alexis Pratt and Liza Karlen of Stillwater, Forest Lake's Abigail Groeneweg and Centennial's Sara Stapleton finished top 5 in 2 categories each and all made all-tournament, even though Karlen failed to score in the final. As I said, I would have added Battle and Lamker to the all-tournament team, probably in place of Karlen and Macy Guebert of Eastview. Don't get me wrong. I love Macy Guebert. But in this particular tournament, Battle and Lamker played better. 

AAA--In Class AAA, Aja Wheeler made the top 5 in 4 categories--all but blocked shots. Even rebounds, where the 5-7 Wheeler was second only to her sister, 6-footer Kierra "Mimi" Wheeler, 47 to 33. Kierra led 2 lists--rebounds and blocks. Frankie Vascellero led the scoring list with 82 points and finished 3rd in rebounds with 27. Abby McDonald scored on the scoring and assists lists, Rachel Kawiecki in rebounds and blocks, Nurjei Weems in assists and blocks, and Jayla Reliford in assists and steals.

Among all of these players, only Aja Wheeler, Vascellero and Weems made all-tournament, and they were all eminently worthy thereof. So was Kierra Wheeler. Frankly, her failure to make all-tournament was an obvious miss. Ditto McDonald. So she had a so-so game in the 1st round against DeLaSalle. Who didn't have a so-so game against DeLaSalle? I'm not quite so bent out of shape over Kawiecki and Reliford, though they played well, Kawiecki off the bench. But Holy Angels had other worthy players who were also passed over.

I would definitely have found a place for Kierra Wheeler and Abby McDonald on my all-tournament team in place of Emma Mastre and Adeline Kent. In at least a couple of cases, the all-tournament committee passed over better performers to honor seniors on their teams. It looks as though they might have asked the coach, Hey, coach, which of your players would you like to see make all-tournament? Answer: My seniors. 

AA--Kacie Borowicz and Taytum Rhoades each made 4 of the top lists. Kacie was the tournament's overall top scorer at 101. Paige Meyer and Katie Borowicz made 3 lists and Katie Tornstrom made 2. Katie Borowicz was the tournament's overall assist leader with 27 and broke a 40 year old record with 20 assists in one game. All made all-tournament as they should. Sam Pogatchnik was the other player who made 2 lists and it's not a surprise that she escaped the attention of the all-tournament committee. Her team won one of 3 games and she scored a modest 35 points. But she did a little bit of everything for her team, and I would have made a place for her on all-tournament. Redwood Falls post Haley Garman scored 35 points in just 2 games, with 18 boards. I would have found a place for Pogatchnik and Garman on all-tournament, probably in place of Nevaeh Galloway and Heidi Boldaun. The practice of putting 3 players from each of the finalists on all-tournament is pretty much automatic. Why?

A--Lydia Sussner led the way, making 4 of these lists--surprisingly, everything but scoring. Kora Kritzberger, Abby Hennen and Alyssa Peterson made 3. Kate Opsahl, Taylie Scott, Cierra Ahlf and Tara Hendrickson made 2. Of these girls, Sussner, Kritzberger, Abby Hennen, Opsahl, Scott and Ahlf made all-tournament. Peterson and T. Hendrickson did not. 

My only beef is Alyssa Peterson not making it. And I get that the 4th place team generally gets 1 girl, not 2. So just for the record:

Peterson 49 points, 12 boards, 7 assists, no blocks, 6 steals = 74 "things"

Ahlf 45 points, 27 boards, 2 assists, 1 block, 7 steals = 82

T. Hendrickson 30 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists, no blocks, 7 steals = 61 

On Thursday, Ahlf came up with 36 things and Peterson just 27. In the semis it was again Ahlf 23-19. In the 3rd place game, it was Peterson 27-22. So obviously there is a good case to be made for Cierra Ahlf. But there's a darn good case to be made for Alyssa Peterson, too. On Thursday, Menahga beat BOLD as Peterson outplayed a very, very solid point guard in Makayla Snow. On Friday, of course, Menahga lost to Goodhue but Peterson outscored Goodhue's Kate Opsahl 9-2. On Saturday, Heritage defeated Menahga for 5th place as Taylie Scott got 32 things and Peterson 27. Peterson faced some very tough competition. I doubt if anybody in the tournament faced 3 tougher head-to-head matchups than that. Taylie Scott had Mariah McKeever, Abby Hennen and Peterson, so that's pretty comparable. 

So, anyway, I would have found a place for Peterson, even if it meant bumping Ahlf. Just consider that Peterson finished 5th in Class A in scoring with 48 points and was beaten out for all-tournament by Ahlf (45 points); Joslyn Carlson (27 points), Lexi Lodermeier (33 points) and Kate Opsahl (22 points), all of Goodhue; and Sussner and Gillingham of Minneota's champions; all of whom she outscored. So, again, I would add Peterson and also McKenna Steffel of BOLD, who scored 47 points in just 2 games (she was the best player on the floor twice in 2 games). I guess I would bump Ahlf and Carlson.

All-Tournament Team

So my all-tournament team would look like this.

Center--Maya Nnaji, Hopkins, 6-3, Fr. (14 ppg-8 reb-2 ast-2 blk-1 stl) The next big thing. Literally.

Forward--Kierra Wheeler, Cooper, 6-0, Soph. (15 ppg-16 reb-2 ast-4 blk-2 stl) Tournament's leading rebounder and shot blocker (all classes), did not make all-tournament

Point Guard--Paige Bueckers, Hopkins, 6-0, Jr. (23 ppg-4 reb-6 ast-2 blk-4 stl) Tournament MVP.

Combo Guard--Kacie Borowicz, Roseau, 5-8, Sr. (34 ppg-9 reb-2 ast-1 blk-3 stl) The tournament's most explosive performer.

Shooting Guard--Sara Scalia, Stillwater, 5-9, Sr. (20 ppg-3 reb-3 ast-2 stl) Really, really had to work hard for her points, and did. If she had only had her 3 point stroke going....

2nd Team

Center--Sara Stapleton, Centennial, 6-4, Sr. (16 ppg-5 reb-1 ast-2 blk-1 stl) Played the best ball of her career the past month.

Forward--Nurjei Weems, DeLaSalle, 6-0, Jr. (11 ppg-6 reb-4 ast-1 blk-1 stl) A post who led her team in assists. Underrated. 

Wing--Jordyn Lamker, Maple Grove, 5-11, Soph. (19 ppg-9 reb-2 ast-1 blk-2 stl) Very strong player with great perimeter skills and a multi-faceted game.

Point Guard--Paige Meyer, Albany, 5-6, Soph. (28 ppg-14 reb-5 ast-2 stl) I mean, you're kidding. A 5-6 sophomore guard with 14 rebounds per game?

Shooting Guard--Frankie Vascellero, Holy Angels, 6-0, Soph. (27 ppg-9 reb-2 ast-1 stl) 6-footer with guard skills and the most perfect textbook jump shot in the girls game.

3rd Team

Center--Lydia Sussner, Minneota, 5-10, Sr. (12 ppg-11 reb-3 ast-2 blk-2 stl) The quintessential small school post. Not real big, but strong, fearless, scores 20 ppg [though just 12 against state tournament competition] but contributes whether she is scoring or not.

Forward--Kora Kritzberger, Ada-Borup, 5-10, Jr. (17 ppg-12 reb-3 ast-1 stl) Like Sussner, contributes mostly by scoring but contributes whether she is scoring or not. Love the way she uses the backboard on her shot. That's how it is supposed to be done, people.

Point Guard--Alexis Pratt, Stillwater, 5-5, Soph. (14 ppg-5 reb-4 ast-2 stl) Quicker than quick.

Combo Guard--Amaya Battle, Hopkins, 5-10, Fr. (7 ppg-7 reb-5 ast-3 stl) Already one of the best ball defenders in the state. Scores tons in the summer, will score here whenever Cos decides it's time. Did not make all-tournament. Should have, but chances are she'll make it the next 3 years.

Combo Guard--Katie Borowicz, Roseau, 5-6, Soph. (20 ppg-6 reb-9 ast-4 stl) Didn't have a great shooting/scoring tournament after the 37 points on Thursday, and still managed 20 ppg. But she broke a 40-year old tournament record with 20 assists in the 3rd place game on Saturday. 

4th Team

Center--Lexie Lodermeier, Goodhue, 6-3, Sr. (11 ppg-7 reb-2 ast-1 blk-1 stl) 

Forward--Jordyn Hilgemann, Marshall, 5-10, Soph. (25 ppg-3 reb-2 ast-2 stl)

Point Guard--Julia Bengtson, Becker, 5-9, Soph. (17 ppg-6 reb-2 ast-2 stl)

Combo Guard--Aja Wheeler, Cooper, 5-7, Sr. (21 ppg-11 reb-5 ast-4 stl)

Shooting Guard--Taytum Rhoades, Minnehaha, 5-9, Sr. (23 ppg-4 reb-4 ast-1 blk-5 stl)

5th Team

Center--Liza Karlen, Stillwater, 6-2, Jr. (9 jpg-9 reb-1 ast-2 blk-2 stl)

Forward--Dlayla Chakolis, Hopkins, 5-8, Sr. (13 ppg-4 reb-2 ast-1 stl)

Point Guard--Abby Hennen, Minneota, 5-9, Soph. (16 ppg-9 reb-2 ast-1 blk-2 stl)

Shooting Guard--Taylor Mcauley, Centennial, 5-11, Sr. (15 pig-4 reb-3 ast-2 blk-1 stl)

Shooting Guard--Taytum Rhoades, Minnehaha, 5-9, Sr. (23 pig-4 reb-4 ast-1 blk-5 stl)

5 More Did Not Make All-Tournament and Should Have

Center--Haley Garman, Redwood Valley, 6-0, Soph. (17 ppg-9 reb-1 ast-3 stl)

Forward--Rachel Kawiecki, Holy Angels, 6-0, Soph. (6 ppg-9 reb-2 ast-2 blk-1 stl)

Wing--Makenna Steffel, BOLD, 6-0, Sr. (23 pig-10 reb-1 ast-1 stl)

Point Guard--Alyssa Peterson, Menahga, 5-7, Sr. (16 ppg-4 reb.-4 ast-2 stl)

Shooting Guard--Sam Pogatchnik, Proctor, 5-10, Jr. (12 pig-8 reb-2 ast-1 blk-2 stl)

5 More Kids Who Will Be Ripping It Up In the Future

Center--Kassandra Caron, Holy Angels, 6-0, Fr. (13 ppg-4 reb-3 ast-1 stl)

Forward--Sunny Agara, Hopkins, 5-11, 8th Grade

Point Guard--Kiani Lockett, DeLaSalle, 5-6, Fr. (9 ppg-5 reb-2 ast-3 stl)

Shooting Guard--Sydney Runsewe, DeLaSalle, 5-8, Fr. (11 jpg-2 reb-1 ast-1 stl)

Shooting Guard--Jennica Suggs, Minnehaha, 5-9, 8th Grade

Think About the Future!

Here are the various programs rated by the number of years of eligibility that remain for players on these 7 all-star teams.

1. Hopkins 11

2. DeLaSalle 7

    Holy Angels 7

4. Minnehaha 4

5. Stillwater 3

6. (2 each)--Cooper, Maple Grove, Albany, Roseau, Marshall, Becker, Minneota, Redwood Valley

14. (1 each)--Ada, Proctor

Or, to look at it another way:

Class AAAA--Hopkins 11 Stillwater 3 Maple Grove 2

Class AAA--DeLaSalle 7 Holy Angels 7 Cooper 2 Becker, Marshall 2

Class AA--Minnehaha 4 Albany, Roseau, Redwood 2 Proctor 1

Class A--Minneota 2 Ada 1

The leaders just happen to be the 4 champions, which should tell you that even as you look ahead to the future, doing it through the prism of today gets you a result more in line with today than tomorrow. So these 4 go into next year as the favorites,  but with no guarantees. Well, except for Hopkins. And if you wanted to put it another way--that is, who is likely to finish 2nd?--you'd have to say Stillwater, Holy Angels, Albany and Ada. And, other than Holy Angels, none of those feels quite right to me.