The Five Best Backcourt Duos in the Western Metro

The western part of the Twin Cities metro area is home to some powerhouse basketball programs. This year, the area will have some really dynamic guards lighting up the scoreboards. We focused the selection of these Top-5 backcourt duos on their two best guards/wings, but we’ve also listed the teams’ other perimeter players. The teams who made the cut are arranged alphabetically.

EDINA

Edina’s senior guard duo of Macy Nilsen (15.0 PPG) and Lauren Oyalo (8.2 PPG) will be looking to help the Hornets improve on their 12-13 record from a year ago.

PGH recently published a story in which Nilsen talked about her drive to improve across all areas of her game. During the interview, Nilsen said, “It used to be difficult to stay confident in myself during an off shooting night. But now I don’t mind, because I have been focusing on other aspects of my game that I can contribute to my team besides scoring. Now I can make an impact even when I’m having an off night.” Nilsen’s approach has helped her to become a much more well-rounded player.

Oyalo possesses remarkable athleticism and oozes with potential. She is a high-impact defender, and is at her best while running in transition. Lauren seems to be putting together the pieces of her game and we’re expecting her to have a breakout senior season for the Hornets.

HOPKINS

The Royals boast the best and deepest backcourt in the area, and potentially in the state.

Paige Bueckers (22.7 PPG) is the straw that stirs the drink for Hopkins. It’s widely documented that Bueckers is the best player in the junior class, both in the state of Minnesota, and nationally. What’s more difficult is deciding who her backcourt mate should be for the purposes of a “duos” article.

It could easily be either of Buecker’s fellow 2020’s Jaide Pressley (5.7 PPG) or Kayhla Adams (7.6 PPG). You could go with Dlayla Chakolis (15.3 PPG), the 5’7″ “guard” who plays like a 6’3″ post. Or you could select Amaya Battle (4.9 PPG), the smooth and smart prospect who was recently rated as the #2 player in Minnesota’s class of 2022.

All of these options make things difficult for writers like us, but something tells me Hopkins head coach Brian Cosgriff doesn’t mind.

MAPLE GROVE

Maple Grove had an outstanding season in 2017-2018, advancing to the state tournament and coming within 2 points of a birth into the state semi-finals. The Crimson graduated much of their frontcourt production from that team, but bring back the dynamic guard combo of Jordyn Lamker (10.1 PPG) and Abby Schulte (6.5 PPG).

Lamker is a rated as one of the 10 best players in the Class of 2021. She has the size and skill of a future Power 5 Conference player, and plays with a physicality that makes it nearly impossible for smaller guards to defend. Her emergence as a freshman was a big reason for Maple Grove’s success a year ago.

Schulte is the player that makes everything go for the Crimson. A throwback, pass-first point guard, Abby plays with a poise that brings a sense of control to the court whenever she is on it. Schulte is a high-end defender, and is becoming a more consistent scorer as her high school career progresses.

ROBBINSDALE COOPER

Cooper lost some significant production from last season’s state championship team. But the Hawks return what may be the best and quickest backcourt in all of Class 3A. Aja Wheeler (14.0 PPG) and Andrea Tribble (10.4 PPG) both averaged double-digit scoring a year ago.

Wheeler is a seasoned veteran. The senior guard has averaged at least 10.5 points per game for each of her last 4 seasons at Cooper, going all the way back to her 8th grade year. Spending the majority of her high school years playing for head coach Kiara Buford has brought out the best in Aja, particularly on defense. She is an excellent on-ball defender, and has fantastic instincts. Wheeler will play a central role in Cooper’s journey to repeat.

Tribble looks to be on Wheeler’s same trajectory of success. The 2021 guard was one of 4 Hawks players to average more than 10 points per game last year during what was her freshman season. Andrea embodies everything that makes Robbinsdale Cooper successful: defensive intensity, elite-level speed and agility, and a motor that never stops. Tribble will be expected to have an even more prominent role come this winter with the graduation of guards Ty’neccia Longs and Jada Buford, among others.

WAYZATA

The Trojans have a stacked roster coming into 2018-2019, making them one of the odds-on favorites to win the 4A state title this winter.

Much will be said about Wayzata’s frontcourt, but that shouldn’t take anything away from their outstanding guards.

Navy commit Mimi Schrader (7.8 PPG) buoys the Trojan offense as a do-it-all point guard. She is the perfect player to facilitate the talent that surrounds her on the court.

Her backcourt mate, junior Jasmine Smiley (9.0 PPG), brings a defensive toughness that regularly frustrates opponents.

But the most remarkable thing about Wayzata’s backcourt is that one of their best players has yet to step foot on the court during a high school basketball game.

Freshman Mara Braun was recently rated as the 4th best player in the Class of 2022 by PGH. She brings incremental size and athleticism to the Trojan stable of guards, and will no doubt be an impact player come this winter.

It goes without saying that this is not an all-inclusive list of the outstanding backcourts throughout the western metro area. Feel free to post in the comments about which backcourt duos you’re looking forward to following this winter.

If your’re interested in reading about the top backcourt duos from other areas of the Twin Cities, you can find them here:

Eastern Metro

Northern Metro

Southern Metro

Twin Cities

Cover photos courtesy of The Pioneer Press and The Sun Times

Nilsen photo courtesy of the Sun Current

Pressley photo courtesy of the Pioneer Press

Lamker photo is courtest of The Press & News

Wheeler photo courtesy of MN Girls Basketball Hub

Schrader photo courtesy of MN Girls Basketball Hub