AAU State Tournament: Division 2 Champions
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One thing I know after being at the AAU State Tournament this year, and being able to watch almost every level of every class between 2027 and 2022, is that girls basketball in Minnesota is LEGIT. The last four years…
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Continue ReadingOne thing I know after being at the AAU State Tournament this year, and being able to watch almost every level of every class between 2027 and 2022, is that girls basketball in Minnesota is LEGIT. The last four years I have coached during the AAU season, so I wasn’t able to watch other teams play. I saw so many competitive games, from the first round all the way to the championships. This year, I saw some #16 and #15 seeds give some tough teams a run for their money. Here are the top performers from the Division 2 State Championship games from class 2022 and 2023.
2022 – Division 2
Diamond Elite – Gaten
Diamond Elite took home the hardware (rings) on Sunday at the AAU State Tournament with a tough win over the Minnesota Comets, beating them by 6 points. In the first two games, DE was able to cruise past their two opponents easily. It could’ve been because Grace Massaquoi Grace Massaquoi 6'0" | PF Holy Angels | 2022 State MN had herself a tournament. She did everything for the team. She was able to get to the hoop with ease, scoring a whopping 54 points in their first two wins and ending with 62 across the three games. She takes about 20 shots a game and half of them go in, so she is very hard to guard. Katie Hardtke also had a nice weekend, helping her team take that last win, with her excellent shooting from beyond the arc, hitting three! She is a player that Diamond Elite relies on heavily along with teammate Massaquoi. Another girl that caught my eye was Nariah Dismukes, who was a huge contributor getting to the hoop and finishing well.
Minnesota Comets – Berskow
Unlike Diamond Elite, the Minnesota Comets had three really close games. In their first two games they won by one point each. In the Championship game Keiara Anderson kept her team alive playing one of her best games. She did it all; she was able to get to the hoop and finish with contact, knock down her free throws, and shot the three ball well. Her aggressiveness on defense is a key part of her game, too. Madelyn Hunt and Megan Driste also played very well in the in championship game.
2023 – Division 2
43 Hoops Black – McCoy
This championship game was was unlike any other, it was the battle of the 43 Hoops program. I’m not sure which team is the “top” team but they even out pretty well. It is always hard playing your own team in games but its bound to happen these days. 43 Hoops Black was able to pull out the two point win against 43 Hoops Orange and take home the rings. Amaya Grindeland was consistent all weekend, playing some of her best basketball. She finished at the rim nicely. In the championship game she drew up a three-point play that put them ahead for the win. McKenna Valene was also a big contributor for the team. Her teammates are good at finding her at the three point line where she can knock it down. Others like Bre Frazier Bre Frazier 5'7" | SG Cooper | 2023 State MN and Perla Teko-Folly showed up big as well.
43 Hoops Orange – Oduniyi
The two 43 Hoops teams went back and forth all game. It really could’ve gone either way, with an extra possession or a free-throw. I have had my eye on Gabby Voight this season and she impresses me every time. She does what she needs to do every game. She was the leading scorer between both the teams in the championship game with 12. On offense she attacked strong and also knocked down some kick-out threes. Ava Holman Ava Holman 5'9" | CG Champlin Park | 2024 MN is a new face on this team, but she played with confidence. She is a highly skilled freshman, and it seems as though she made an instant impact on the team. She is good off the bounce with her floater, and when hot can knock down a lot of three pointers.
More Top Performers From Division 2:
- Reana Schmitt – Air Minnesota 2022
- Alli Born – E1T1 2022
- Anna Jordt – Minnesota Heat 2022 – Davis
- Caroline Hemann – Minnesota Stars 2023 – Randle
- Alicia Hatelstad – Crossfire 2023 – Kuehnel
- Taylor Clarey – Give-N-Go Minnesota 2023