Hayfield Invitation preview

The second annual Hayfield Invitational is one of the premier small school events of the season. The 14 teams had a combined record of 333-78 last year with four state tourney entrants, one state champ and five who finished as section runner-up. This year, 12 of the 14 teams are ranked, so it should be a blast. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students. They’re good all day, but Hayfield isn’t exactly a booming metropolis so there isn't a great place to go if you aren't at the gym. As a seasoned veteran of Hayfield’s Hey Days summer celebration, attendees should understand one thing — the basketball should be great, but the eating options are extremely limited. There’s an A&W, but not even a Subway. You’ll probably want to stop somewhere in Owatonna or Rochester for pre-game goodies, unless you’re OK with snacks at the concession stand — which was pretty good last year, fwiw. With that little preamble out of the way, let’s break down the actual games. Plainview-Elgin-Millville vs Norwood-Young America, 1 p.m. We’ve got these teams ranked #4 and #7, but it feels like a toss up. I actually have a feeling I’m a little low on NYA, so this should be a fun game to watch. NYA is undefeated at 13-0 and just knocked off a couple of quality teams in GFW and Mayer Lutheran. Kali Grimm and Bren Fox are talented juniors with size that we’ve got rated #30 and #36 in our 2018 ranks, but the Raiders actually have seven players averaging at least 5 PPG. PEM is the defending state champ who has just one loss on the season — to AAAA New Prague. Em Polson and Hayley Dessner has routinely dominated the paint, while track recruit Morgan Schindelar has developed into a playmaking guard. Baighley Standinger doesn’t have elite foot speed, but she’s a savvy senior with a nice stroke. Prediction: NYA 65, PEM 55. NYA has enough size to contain PEM and enjoys superior depth. Sleepy Eye vs Lyle, 2 p.m. The Indians were a feel-good story to start the season, running off six straight while welcoming back junior standout Madison Heiderscheidt back from an ACL injury. However, they hit the skids over the holiday break while dropping four straight, including a 19-point loss to St. Clair. They’ve since won three straight to right the ship. This will be my first time seeing Lyle since its heartbreaking loss to Goodhue in sections — and it’s a much different team this time around. However, the results have been similar. The Athletics are 9-2 and just battled #3 Goodhue to an OT loss. 6-4 junior Kristi Fett headlines this veteran team, along with classmate Brooke Walter. Prediction: Lyle 58, Sleepy Eye 53. Fett dominates the paint with her size. St. Croix Lutheran vs Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, 3 p.m. SCL’s Audrey Gadison had a big summer with North Tartan, but her numbers are a little down so far this winter. Still, her squad is off to another strong start at 9-3. Senior Jazmyn Solseth and junior Stephanie Miller combine for nearly 19 PPG, but I’m especially interested to see freshman Clara Avery, who is averaging 6 PPG. TMB finished 25-4 last season and lost just one to graduation. It shows in their 10-1 record. Sophomores Cassandra Hook and Sammie Gervais lead the way, combining for around 26 PPG. I moved TMB into the Top 20 this week, but this will be my first look at them. Prediction: SCL 70, TMB 61. I loved what I saw from Gadison this summer and I think she’s got a nice supporting cast. Kenyon-Wanamingo vs Mountain Iron-Buhl, 4 p.m. The Knights have played a bear of a schedule, especially of late, so the 7-5 record is a little deceiving. However, they’ve also been scuffling of late, losing 4 of their last 6. Mara Quam is the show, averaging 28 PPG with an outside shot of reaching 2,000 points this season. She’s got a handful of quality shooters around her in seniors Megan Flom, Savannah Bleess and Kasey Dummer. MIB has been a wrecking ball all season, crushing anything in its path. It has an impressive mix of star power and depth, especially for a Class A program. Chelsea Mason has more than 2,000 points, Mary Burke is a scholarship-level wing and point guard Mya Buffetta is headed to Jamestown next year. Prediction: MIB 85, K-W 60. MIB is simply too deep and talented for the Knights. Byron vs NRHEG, 6 p.m. These two teams are unranked, but there will still be significant star power on the court. It figures to be an interesting contrast in styles. Byron starts and ends with Yokie Lee, a 6-5 junior who recently committed to Kansas State. She’s averaging 23 PPG and 15 RPG despite seeing constant double and triple teams, with and without the ball. NRHEG is looking to make one final run with the Wagner twins, Maddie and Marnie. However, the one in the spotlight will be 6-3 junior Betsy Schoenrock. She averages a team-best 15 PPG and recently torched K-W for 31. Prediction: NRHEG 58, Byron 55. Schoenrock can’t handle Lee, but she does just enough to let the Wagner sisters get loose on the perimeter. Hayfield vs Waseca, 7 p.m. The final game of the day features a fun cross-class clash between quality AA and AAA programs. Hayfield has played lights out since its lopsided loss to PEM to open the season. They’ve now won 11 straight and sit at #8 in our latest poll. Its top four players are all juniors, led by Maggie Streightiff, a versatile 5-11 forward with inside-outside skills. Waseca roared out of the gates with six straight wins, but has since lost 3 of 5. Senior guard Emily Karsten and sophomore wing Madison Gehloff headline a versatile squad that figures to be dangerous in Section 1. Waseca was ranked as high as #10 before the recent skid. Prediction: Hayfield 62, Waseca 49. The Vikings have been playing too well to pick against them.