Conference preview: It’s all about Becker in the Mississippi 8

The Becker Bulldogs are the best AAA girls basketball team in the state of Minnesota. Now they just have to prove it in a season where they may or may not get that opportunity. Last year Becker rolled through the competition in the Mississippi 8, winning all 14 contests and making it to the state championship game which, as we all know, was cancelled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Who knows what this season will bring as far as the tournament goes? What we do know is this: Becker is a terrific team loaded with talent, experience, focus and drive and that, my friends, is a recipe for success. With last year’s departure of St. Michael-Albertville to the Lake Conference, Becker became the dominant force in the Mississippi 8. Nothing is likely to change that. Why? <ul> <li>Team culture: In girls’ basketball culture is crucial and the Bulldogs have built a special environment around a roster of character kids who work their tails off to improve all year long.</li> <li>Talent: The Bulldogs roster is just so deep, with one Division 1 commit, two players with Division 1 offers, a solid D2 forward and a supporting cast that know the role they play.</li> <li>Depth: Becker has an elite eight-player rotation with a ninth knocking at the door. Any one of those eight can go to the bench for a breather and the Bulldogs don’t miss a beat.</li> <li>Experience: Becker has made it to the state championship game two years in a row, and the girls have slogged it out on the AAU circuit for several years. They are well-seasoned.</li> </ul> Although you might get some argument from folks who spend time on a certain island in downtown Minneapolis, Becker is the favorite to win it all this season. With the uncertainties of the pandemic, however, we don’t know if they’ll have that opportunity. I can’t imagine anyone with a shred of impartiality would say the Bulldogs aren’t going to win the Mississippi 8. Here’s our look at the conference. <strong>LAST YEAR’S RESULTS</strong> <ul> <li>14-0 – Becker</li> <li>11-3 – Cambridge-Isanti</li> <li>9-5 – Big Lake</li> <li>7-7 – Monticello</li> <li>7-7 – Princeton</li> <li>4-10 – North Branch</li> <li>3-11 – Chisago Lakes</li> <li>1-13 – St. Francis</li> </ul> <strong>THIS YEAR’S OUTLOOK</strong> <strong>Becker</strong> What else can we tell you about coach Dan Baird’s Bulldogs? They were 28-2 last year with their only losses coming in the first month of the season to Hopkins and Hutchinson. Everyone is back for Becker with a lineup that is formidable. The undisputed leader is point guard [player_tooltip player_id="2122" first="Julia" last="Bengtson"], an Eastern Illinois commit who lights up the scoresheet in multiple categories and sets the tone for the team every night out. She’s joined by fellow seniors [player_tooltip player_id="29532" first="Megan" last="Gamble"] (Concordia-St. Paul), [player_tooltip player_id="109774" first="Courtney" last="Nuest"] and [player_tooltip player_id="109797" first="Alayna" last="Lindquist"]. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="30163" first="Adeline" last="Kent"] (16 ppg) is an offensive weapon who can fill the basket in waves. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id="108338" first="Dani" last="Nuest"] and [player_tooltip player_id="186119" first="Ayla" last="Brown"] are coming off dominant summers. And then there’s sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="108304" first="Maren" last="Westin"], a top-5 prospect in the class of 2023 who has college coaches salivating. The newcomer to watch will be backup post <strong>Liz Mackendanz</strong>, who had a solid summer and will likely provide support when Gamble needs a breather. Nobody knows if spectators will be allowed in high school gyms this season. If they are you should plan to take in a Becker game or two because the Bulldogs are well worth the price of admission. <strong>Cambridge-Isanti</strong> The Bluejackets had a really good year last season, finishing with an impressive 11-3 record in the M8 and reaching the elusive 20-win mark for the year. Coach Jody Ledahl will have a lot to overcome this year, though, following the graduation of eight of his top nine players. Yikes! Included in that group were a pair of elite players in Bemidji State commits [player_tooltip player_id="28802" first="Amme" last="Sheforgen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1975" first="Jana" last="Swanson"], who combined for 29 points and 18 rebounds per game. Their departure, along with that of <strong>Myranda Brogger</strong> (UM-Morris), <strong>Jackie Olander</strong> (UM-Duluth track) and others leaves a big hole. Fortunately the one remaining starter is very, very good. That would be junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="30162" first="Mikayla" last="Aumer"], a top-25 prospect who is a force of nature on the court. Although it may take some time to figure out who else will step up, Cambridge-Isanti looked good when we saw them in fall league with Aumer setting the tone. One of the keys will be the play of junior <strong>Aiyana Knight</strong>, who is coming off a great summer. The 5’6 guard has waited patiently for her opportunity and now it’s here. The same is true of twin sisters [player_tooltip player_id="220838" first="Evelyn" last="Wiltrout"] and [player_tooltip player_id="220837" first="Maraya" last="Wiltrout"], a pair of big sophomore posts who have been putting in the work and appear ready to roll. Seniors <strong>Steph Gagne</strong> and <strong>Theja Jones</strong> should be a factor, as well. <strong>Big Lake</strong> The Hornets had a solid season last year, going 9-5 to finish third in the Mississippi 8 and tallying a record of 19-9 overall. That’s pretty solid. The program made yet another coaching change in the offseason, elevating assistant Reyan Robinson to the top job. The former St. Cloud state athlete will have to cope with the impact of some key graduations, including all-conference forward [player_tooltip player_id="110872" first="Reagan" last="Sternquist"] (St. Ben’s) and guards <strong>Taylor Moen</strong> (Waldorf) and <strong>Justena Cichy</strong>. On the other hand, she’ll also have the services of two of the most talented, well-seasoned veterans in the state in seniors [player_tooltip player_id="57088" first="Caela" last="Tighe"] and [player_tooltip player_id="57096" first="Mia" last="Huberty"]. Tighe is a lengthy wing who is the #27-rated prospect in the senior class. She averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists last season and committed to Concordia-St. Paul. Huberty is a workhorse with skill, strength, poise and toughness. She has been Big Lake’s leader-by-example, averaging 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds last season, a role the Upper Iowa commit will have to reprise in a major way this time around. Who else steps up to the plate remains to be determined. <strong>Monticello</strong> Magic coach Craig Geyen led his squad to a 7-7 conference finish last winter and an overall record of 17-11. Monticello will look a lot different this season following the graduation of the team’s twin towers – forwards [player_tooltip player_id="28792" first="Anna" last="Olson"] and <strong>Cat Terres</strong>. Olson was a top-20 performer in the class of 2020 and is now at the University of Vermont. Terres had exceptional size and length that she has taken to Macalester. They also graduated point guard <strong>Lauren Zwack</strong> (UW-LaCrosse track) along with <strong>Alayna Manning</strong> (St. Cloud TC). It’s a lot to lose. Monticello returns one starter and five players with varsity experience. Junior guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="223916" first="Katelyn" last="Lindberg"]</strong> was outstanding at the Prep Girls Hoops Fall Exclusive and looks poised for a breakout season. Newcomer <strong>Ava Nebben</strong> is an exciting freshman with the potential to make a big impact. Others who could make their presence felt include seniors <strong>Emma Cordell</strong>, <strong>Morgynn Spears</strong> and <strong>Madison Katzenberger</strong> along with sophomores <strong>Sophia Haase</strong>, <strong>Olivia Hanson</strong>, <strong>Graycee Roubinek</strong> and <strong>Lily Manning.</strong> <strong>Princeton</strong> Coach Pedro Valdivieso led the Tigers to a .500 finish in his first year at Princeton. They ended the season at 7-7 in conference play, 15-13 in total. The team is young and energetic, but they’ll have to get better every day and overcome the graduation of forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="110940" first="Lauren" last="Bjurman"]</strong>, the St. Thomas commit who was a key piece for the Tigers for a long time. Princeton also graduated <strong>Maddie Kleingartner</strong>, <strong>Tracy McGowan</strong>, <strong>Ella Strube</strong> and <strong>Whitney Tennison</strong>. The returning group is led by one of the premier players in the state in junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="30146" first="Maddie" last="James"], who is a force to be reckoned with. James is a Division 1 prospect who averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game last winter. She had a 39-point performance in a close encounter at St. Francis, and a 34-point game in a one-bucket win against Cambridge-Isanti. James was in double-digit rebounds eight times and had five double-doubles. MJ will win you a lot of basketball games but she’ll need help from a supporting cast that includes senior forward <strong>Haley Lupkes</strong> and junior guards <strong>Tess Jungroth</strong> and <strong>Kaitlyn Sautter</strong>. <strong>North Branch</strong> The Vikings finished 4-10 in the Mississippi 8, 12-15 overall. Coach Alison Trampe’s team took huge strides forward in terms of building a better culture in North Branch. Now they need to take the next step. The Vikings graduated <strong>Emily Bean</strong> and <strong>Megan Bunes</strong>. The returners are led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="109798" first="Kate" last="Carlson"], junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="109144" first="Paige" last="Peaslee"] and 8th grade point guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205299" first="Ella" last="Kuhlman"]</strong>. Yes, an 8th grader is among the team leaders. Ella is a talented athlete with a terrific head for the game and she’ll be relied upon for a lot. Carlson is one of the top players North Branch has seen, a do-it-all guard who led the team with 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Peaslee is a top-50 prospect with size, length and touch who averaged nearly 15 and 8. They’re joined by senior forward <strong>Chloe Lattimore</strong> and junior forward <strong>Maddie Helin</strong>. <strong>Chisago Lakes</strong> The Wildcats were 3-11 in conference play last season, 6-21 overall. That’s the bad news. The good news is they have a veteran lineup that will once again be led by MSU-Mankato commit [player_tooltip player_id="109745" first="Sophie" last="Wood"], who missed all of last season with a back injury. The 6’1 forward is a top-40 prospect in the senior class and a force at both ends of the floor. Coach Jeff Saueressig will need a lot from Sophie if Chisago is going to be successful. She’ll have a balanced supporting cast that includes 5’4 junior guard <strong>Greta Gillach</strong>, who was the team’s second-leading scorer last year at 11 ppg. She’s joined by seniors <strong>Emma Bjelland</strong> <strong>and Jill Erickson</strong>, and juniors <strong>Alyssa Hempel</strong> and <strong>Katherine Saueressig</strong>. <strong>St. Francis</strong> The Fighting Saints went 1-13 in the conference, 3-24 overall, and coach Nick Djerf has a tough task ahead to rebuild the program. That reconstruction project should be centered around freshman guard <strong>Ariana Comfort</strong>, a 5’5 dynamo who is one of the state’s most improved players this season. Ari has put in untold amounts of effort to get better, and it paid off this fall when she earned a spot on the top 2024 North Tartan team for next summer. Right now her focus is on lighting a fire under a group that includes junior <strong>Madison Rothbauer</strong>, a 5’7 guard who was the Saints’ second-leading scorer last season. She’s joined by her sophomore sister <strong>Makayla Rothbauer</strong>, junior guard <strong>Mattisyn Mensink</strong> and 6’1 junior forward <strong>Edosa Ogbemudia</strong>. <strong>TOP PROSPECTS</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="108304" first="Maren" last="Westin"] – #5 sophomore, guard, Becker</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="2122" first="Julia" last="Bengtson"] – #21 senior, guard, Becker (Eastern Illinois)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="30146" first="Maddie" last="James"] – #22 junior, guard, Princeton</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="30162" first="Mikayla" last="Aumer"] – #25 junior, guard, Cambridge-Isanti</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="205299" first="Ella" last="Kuhlman"] – 8th grade, point guard, North Branch</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="57088" first="Caela" last="Tighe"] – #27 senior, forward, Big Lake (Concordia-St. Paul)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="30163" first="Adeline" last="Kent"] – #35 junior, guard, Becker</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109745" first="Sophie" last="Wood"] – #38 senior, forward, Chisago Lakes (MSU-Mankato)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="57096" first="Mia" last="Huberty"] – #41 senior, guard, Big Lake (Upper Iowa)</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="108338" first="Dani" last="Nuest"] – #35 sophomore, guard, Becker</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="109144" first="Paige" last="Peaslee"] – #50 junior, forward, North Branch</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="29532" first="Megan" last="Gamble"] – #51 senior, forward, Becker (Concordia-St. Paul)</li> </ul> <strong>FRESH FACES</strong> <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="220837" first="Maraya" last="Wiltrout"] – sophomore post, Cambridge-Isanti</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="220838" first="Evelyn" last="Wiltrout"] – sophomore post, Cambridge-Isanti</li> <li><strong>Liz Mackendanz</strong> – sophomore forward Becker</li> </ul> <strong>READY FOR A BREAKOUT YEAR</strong> <ul> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="223916" first="Katelyn" last="Lindberg"]</strong> – junior guard. Monticello</li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205299" first="Ella" last="Kuhlman"]</strong> – 8th grade guard, North Branch</li> <li><strong>Ariana Comfort</strong> – freshman guard, St. Francis</li> </ul> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>Top photo: The Becker Bulldogs are ready to repeat in the Mississippi 8. (courtesy photo)</em></span>