Meet the Prep Girls Hoops All-State Tournament Team

It’s not fair! That’s the first thing I’m going to say about the Prep Girls Hoops All-State Tournament team. It isn’t subject to the politically correct decision-making of high school administrators. There are no handshake agreements or hidden agendas or evil schemes hatched in a back hallway somewhere. There won’t be medals handed out to everyone – no juice boxes or cookies or T-shirts, either. Our selections are based on one thing and one thing only: who played the best basketball last week at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion. [caption id="attachment_34167" align="alignright" width="199"] Freshman Kiani Lockett led DeLaSalle to the 3A state championship. (Photo courtesy of Lockett family)[/caption] You’ll notice that our venue mention did not include Concordia University in St. Paul. That’s where the consolation games were played. In our world, those games may as well not exist. Certainly the consolation bracket was a nice addition to the tournament a couple of years ago. It makes sense to give athletes and their families who traveled from far and wide the opportunity to get a couple more games in after not advancing. To us it’s not relevant. For the purpose of making the PGH All-State Tournament team, what the players did in the main draw is all that counts. By happenstance, there are six players from Class 4A, six from 3A. six from 2A, with two players from Class A. There are 7 seniors, 5  juniors, 6 sophomores and 2 freshmen. Also, this team was selected based only on state tournament performance. Unlike our individual player rankings, it isn’t about potential. It’s not about performance throughout the season. It’s only about what they did last Wednesday through Saturday at the big dance. One more thing: Our team is selected regardless of class and regardless of position. These are the best of the best. Let the debating begin. [caption id="attachment_34168" align="alignright" width="200"] Paige Bueckers of Hopkins won state for the first time in her illustrious high school career. (Photo courtesy of Courtside Films)[/caption] <strong>First Team</strong> Dlayla Chakolis, senior forward, Hopkins (4A) Sara Scalia, senior guard, Stillwater (4A) Taytum Rhoades, senior guard, Minnehaha Academy (2A) Paige Bueckers, junior guard, Hopkins (4A) Kiani Lockett, freshman guard, DeLaSalle (3A) <strong>Second Team</strong> Kacie Borowicz, senior guard, Roseau (2A) Lauren Glas, senior guard, Eastview (4A) Julia Bengtson, sophomore guard, Becker (3A) Frankie Vascellaro, sophomore wing, Holy Angels (3A) Paige Meyer, sophomore guard, Albany (2A) [caption id="attachment_34170" align="alignright" width="200"] Junior Kirstin Robbins of Heritage Christian Academy was our Breakout Player of the tournament.[/caption] <strong>Third Team</strong> Kirstin Robbins, junior guard, Heritage Christian (1A) NJ Weems, junior forward, DeLaSalle (3A) Abby Hennen, sophomore guard, Minneota (1A) Courtney Nuest, sophomore guard, Becker (3A) Katie Borowicz, sophomore guard, Roseau (2A) <strong>Honorable Mention</strong> Katie Tornstrom, senior guard, Caledonia (2A) Taylor McAulay, senior guard, Centennial (4A) Mia Curtis, junior guard, Minnehaha Academy (2A) Aja Wheeler, senior guard, Cooper (4A) Amaya Battle, freshman guard, Hopkins (4A) <strong>MVP and more</strong> Most Valuable Player – Taytum Rhoades, Minnehaha Academy. Runner-up: Paige Bueckers, Hopkins Breakout Player – Kirstin Robbins, Heritage Christian. Runner-up: NJ Weems, DeLaSalle Top Rookie – Kiani Lockett, DeLaSalle. Runner-up: Paige Meyer, Albany Top Coach – Brian Cosgriff, Hopkins. Runner-up: Dan Baird, Becker <span style="font-size: 10pt"><em>Photo at top: Senior Taytum Rhoades of Minnehaha Academy is the Prep Girls Hoops MVP of the State Tournament. (Photo courtesy of Breakdown Sports)</em></span>