AAU State Tourney: Marquee 2024-25 1st round match-ups
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2025s
#5 Crossfire- Tusler vs #12 Crossfire- Mueller
Nothing like a little sibling rivalry. That might be a stretch, but you get the point. This is an intriguing match-up as Crossfire Tusler boasts a handful of top 2025 prospects in the Hanna triplets and up-and-coming Lindsey Harvey. Crossfire Mueller is the definition of slow and steady wins the race. This team plays really well together and any given game a new face shines. In this case, I’m hitching my wagon to Dani Coleman, an up-and-coming prospect who stands about 5’10 and does a little bit of everything for her team. She’s able to step out and knock down the 3 or bully her way inside for a tough bucket. Helping carry the load is guard Joselyn Horner who has a nice handle and great vision and lefty Clara Mueller who can really light it up from behind the arc.
#15 Metro Stars 2025 vs #2 Minnesota Fury 2025 Blue
I went with this game more so for what I THINK the Metro Stars COULD be rather than what they’ve accomplished thus far this season. They have some savvy veterans in Rory Goddard, Brandi Washington and Hope Counts (that’s an award-winning name if I’ve ever heard one). This team needs Hope, literally and figuratively, to pull off this massive upset. The three-headed monster of the Metro Stars have yet to get going at the same time, but if they can, this team can be a tough out. Now on the other side of the fence sits Fury Blue. There is definitely a who’s who of the 2025 class on this roster with the likes of Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 5'11" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN , Zahara Bishop Zahara Bishop 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN , Keegan McVicker and Addison Hoof. This team can put points up in a hurry beating you on backdoor cuts, in transition or dropping bombs from behind the arc. Tim Peper’s team goes a legitimate 10 deep and is poised to make a run for the title.
#6 The City Black vs #11 North Tartan 2025 Elite
The City took the AAU scene by storm last year posting some impressive victories against some stiff competition on their way to the 2020 championship game. Returning is the dynamic duo of Maliyah White and Alaya Carter, who combined for 33 of their 49 points in a 13-point defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Stars Borowicz in last year’s championship matchup. You cannot stop this team from getting to the basket. If they’re able to finish, look out! Standing in their way is a very formidable opponent in North Tartan 2025 Elite. This is virtually a new team as they only return three players from last year’s roster that finished runner-up in the D2 championship game. Newcomer Aubrey Burkhart is a human pinball as she’s small in stature, but quick as a whip and can flat out shoot the ball. Another fresh face is Stella Timmins who stands about 5’9, has a really nice handle and can get to the basket or step out and shoot the 3 ball with the best of them. Ellie Davis could be the X-factor as her size and strength will be unmatched.
2024s
#10 Metro Stars 2024 vs #7 MN Rise Hulke
Any team coached by Lawrence Barnes will play hard, and this team is no exception. They are going to dive for loose balls, force turnovers and root for each other from the opening tip until the final buzzer. Led by the silky smooth Mya Green, and Drew Buslee Drew Buslee 5'9" | PG Eagan | 2024 State MN , the Stars will be in every game simply from shear will and tough, hard-nosed defense. Lying in wait is the Minnesota Rise Hulke led by the do-it-all top 25 prospect Kadence Hesse Kadence Hesse 5'10" | PG Sleepy Eye | 2024 State MN . Hesse and Brea Mertz have a recipe that could make them a dark horse in the 2024 championship run. This team shoots lights out from beyond the arc and doesn’t mind mixing it up in the paint. I’m giving the edge to Hesse and the gang as I expect them to “Rise” to the occasion.
#8 Minnesota Fury 2024 Premier vs #9 Minnesota Stars Zabel 9th
This is a nice ole rivalry game between two storied programs, and on paper they seem pretty evenly matched. The Fury like to speed their opponents up playing a frenzied full court defense while the Stars play a little more conservative on the defensive end. Leading the charge for Fury Premier changes from game to game, which makes them tough to game plan for. Two players that you’ll always have to plan for are Elisabeth Gadient, who can heat up and burn you from behind the arc, and Aubrey Heyer, who has the ability to get into the paint as well as knock it down from outside. Another constant is sure handed Cece McNair Cece McNair 6'2" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN controlling the action on the inside. The Stars feature the ultra quick guard Marianah Scott leading the attack. Scott changes the game on both ends as she’s a pesky defender and can break the defense down to create scoring opportunities for her teammates. The Stars also features Ava Haus who can beat you from the charity stripe, off the bounce or beyond the arc. #8 vs #9 traditionally equals a great game and I don’t see this one being any different.
#6 North Tartan 2024 Elite vs #11 Southern Minnesota Fury 2024
North Tartan’s three-headed monster consisting of Giana Johnson, Ava Thompson and Britta DeMar will have its hands full with the tough and gritty South Fury squad. Fury plays in-your-face defense and has no problem diving on the floor after loose balls for extra possessions. I would imagine Tartan will attempt to speed the Fury up with their effective full court zone press with hopes of capitalizing off a few turnovers here and there. Claire McGregor leads the Fury attack from the perimeter with Natalie Beaver mixing it up around the basket, but can step out and knock down the 3 ball when left open. Like a few other Fury teams, they can also burn you backdoor if you overplay on the perimeter. Thompson for North Tartan puts immense pressure on the defense off the dribble and if left open shoots the 3 at a high clip. Johnson and DeMar are playmakers who can’t be ignored as they can break the defense down creating scoring opportunities for themselves and teammates alike. This will be an entertaining game and I would throw out the seeds when these 2 teams collide.