Nickle Dickle: Part 2.. The Shoot-Out

During warm ups for the 3 point shooting contest Eden Prarie’s Molly Lenz Molly Lenz 5'8" | CG Eden Prairie | 2023 State MN and Grand Canyon commit Ellie Buzzelle Ellie Buzzelle 5'9" | SG Rogers | 2022 State #60 Nation MN couldn’t miss. I was saying to myself that they should save a few of those for the contest, but when you shoot it as well as they do, they weren’t worried. The future Golden Gopher Nia Holloway Nia Holloway 6'0" | PF Eden Prairie | 2022 State #45 Nation MN , not known for her 3 point shooting prowess actually looked pretty confident and relaxed as she knocked down several line drives from the beyond arc with her visor on backwards. Desiree Ware Desiree Ware 5'8" | CG Minnetonka | 2022 State MN representing 3rs Early Childhood Learning Center and UAB hung out in the bleachers with her fan club reserving her energy for the show.

Holy Family’s Lucy Hertel Lucy Hertel 5'7" | CG Holy Family | 2022 State MN was the local favorite. Rainey Welson of North Tartan was a last-minute addition when Ronnie Porter Ronnie Porter 5'2" | CG Como Park | 2022 State MN had to withdraw for personal reasons. Also participating was the super smooth Green Bay commit Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN , Nicole Bowlin Nicole Bowlin 5'6" | PG Holy Family | 2022 State MN representing Holy Family/Colorado Christian, Callin Hake Callin Hake 5'8" | PG Chanhassen | 2022 State #64 Nation MN who’s on her way to play for Nebraska by way of Chanhassen and the #2 ranked player in 2022 class Golden Gopher commit Mara Braun Mara Braun 5'11" | CG Wayzata | 2022 State #21 Nation MN rounded out the field.

The contest followed the format the WNBA uses for its 3-point shootout at the All Star Game. Each player took five shots from five spots on the floor for a total of 25 shots.  The 5th shot at each station was the “money ball” and was worth two points.  Players with the top scores in the first round advanced to the second and final round with a clean slate of scores. With a packed gym in a high-energy environment it can definitely be nerve-wracking.

I tweeted during warmups that Lenz and Buzzelle were my early favorites and right out the gate Molly was on fire posting 20 points the 1st round to advance to the finals. Mara posted a score of 19 to advance and Desiree matched Molly with 20 to work her way into the finals. So far my prediction was holding true, Lenz was taking me to the promise land, but if you’ve watched Braun and Ware as I have for the last several years, you know never to count them out. With the crowd cheering and the fellow participants hyping her up, Braun put on a impressive shooting display that frankly didn’t surprise anyone in attendance. She posted a score of 20 with only Desiree left to knock her off. Ware decided to shoot last which can either work in your favor by letting you know what score you have to beat, or it puts the pressure on you if your opponent throws a big number up. Well 20 is a a big number that definitely put the pressure on Desiree who was as cool as a cucumber but ended up falling to Mara 20-16 in the finals.

Congratulations to all of the participants as they are certainly used to performing in front of big crowds and as they embark on college careers in the next year or two where the lights will only get brighter and the crowds bigger.