AAU State Prelim Games to Watch
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Every time the AAU State Tournament rolls around it always seems to come up so fast. As AAU has continued to grow and expand, most teams have already played in two or three tournaments, so it makes sense that this…
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Continue ReadingEvery time the AAU State Tournament rolls around it always seems to come up so fast. As AAU has continued to grow and expand, most teams have already played in two or three tournaments, so it makes sense that this is next. For Prep Girls Hoops, the State Tournament gives us a chance to check out all of the teams in one weekend. It’s the one weekend we know (almost) all Minnesota teams will be competing. It is also fun to see who comes out on top! The Prelims are all about figuring out seeding. The Top 6 seeds from the 2021 State Tournament are placed in super pools where they play each other for the top seeds in the D1 bracket. The remaining teams are placed into the other pools, where they try to earn their spot into either the D1, D2, or D3 bracket. They have used this format for years, and it keeps the games competitive. These are the top games to watch this weekend.
TOP GAMES TO WATCH
Minnesota Comets Elite 2023 vs Minnesota Fury UAA 2023
May 6, 2022 8:50pm – Bloomington Jefferson court 3
The Minnesota Comets finished 4th last year against some really talented teams. They play with grit, and work hard on every possession. Leading the team will be Dani Nuest Dani Nuest 5'6" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN who is a multidimensional scorer and has been with the comets for quite some time, so she knows the system. This year the Comets re-added a top 10 player in Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN who we know can flat out play. She will be another scoring threat. Alongside those two is Ayla Brown Ayla Brown 5'6" | SG Becker | 2023 State MN who will be a big contributor to the team’s success as well. Those Becker kids really know how to play, and they are coming off of a great high school season.
The Minnesota Fury is looking to take their title back after winning it two years ago. They have so many players who can go off at any time so it’s hard to pinpoint who will be that girl! Kennedy Sanders Kennedy Sanders 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN has proven herself over and over again that she is the best point guard in the state. When she is in her zone there’s no stopping her. She is very quick and plays with pace where she can beat you off the bounce or drain a three in your face. Also, in the back court you have the sharpshooter Aby Shubert Aby Shubert 5'8" | CG Kasson-Mant. | 2023 State MN , who has a dagger, and Sophi Hall Sophi Hall 6'1" | CG Holy Family | 2023 State MN who can let it fly, too. Not to mention they get back combo guard Abby Krzewinski Abby Krzewinski 5'11" | PF Wayzata | 2023 State MN who was out last AAU season with torn ACL. What Krzewinski brings to the table doesn’t always show up on the scoreboard, but she can do it all. She leads with her defense, and stays active on the offensive end, whether it be cutting through the lane, posting up or knocking down the midrange. The nice thing with this team is they have Division 1 talent all the way down to the 10th kid, and a lot of these girls have been playing together for a while so the chemistry is there.
Minnesota Fury Premier 2024 vs Minnesota Suns Blue Star 2024
May 6, 2022 8:50pm – Bloomington Jefferson court 4
Minnesota Fury Premier, which finished 5th last year, has added some key pieces, making them a very dominant team. They have a very strong starting five, and kids who can come off the bench and make a huge impact, as well. Bella Sutch Bella Sutch 6'0" | SF Spring Lake Park | 2024 State MN has been in the gym working on her craft hard this past year, so look for her to be a strong presence down low. She isn’t a kid who sits at the block and posts up, she stays very active on both ends of the floor To compliment the 6’0 forward are three standout guards who can play at a high level including Norah Danielson Norah Danielson 6'0" | SF Delano | 2024 State MN , Emma Frost Emma Frost 5'11" | SF Andover | 2024 State MN and Anna Vaaler Anna Vaaler 5'10" | SF Andover | 2024 State MN . Frost will run the point while the other two will look to attack and knock down threes.
This Minnesota Suns team is TOUGH. They have three kids who are top 10, and a young guard who may be one of the best players in the state in any grade. Tori Oehrlein Tori Oehrlein 5'10" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN is the type of kid you want to build your team around. She has the size, IQ, and skill to lead a team. Then they have Olivia Pawlicki Olivia Pawlicki 6'1" | SF Shakopee | 2024 State MN who continues to raise her stock. Unfortunately Claire Stern Claire Stern 6'0" | SF Maple Grove | 2024 State MN , who had a breakout year last AAU season, remains sidelined with a back injury. However this is a team that will be tough team to beat. Also look for Evie Schmitz Evie Schmitz 5'7" | PG St. Louis Park | 2024 State MN who is the definition of a true point guard, who can throw straight dimes to her teammates.
Minnesota Stars Borowicz 2025 vs Minnesota Fury UAA 2025
May 8, 2022 11:30am – Bloomington Kennedy court 8
The Minnesota Stars won the State Championship last year with a buzzer beater three from Kendall McGee Kendall McGee 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN . McGee is the #2- ranked prospect in the Class of 2025 and has almost everything you need to play at the next level. She can get to the hoop and shoot the three. They also have many other key pieces who can dominate at any time including Sam Wills Sam Wills 6'0" | SG Visitation | 2025 State MN , who had a breakout high school season and can play at multiple positions with her size. Alongside those two are Tatum Woodson Tatum Woodson 5'9" | CG Hopkins | 2025 State MN , and Ella Keenan Ella Keenan 6'0" | PF Chaska | 2025 State MN who are both in the top 20 PGH rankings. The Minnesota Stars have been the team to beat these last three years, but with the shift of some players there are some great contenders to take that title away.
Minnesota Fury finished third last year, but they are not the same team as last year. With the addition of Addison Mack Addison Mack 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2025 State MN and Rae Ehrman Rae Ehrman 5'9" | SF Eden Prairie | 2025 State MN this team is stronger than ever. Leading the squad is Jordan Ode Jordan Ode 5'11" | CG Maple Grove | 2025 State MN , who continues to get better and better. Ode is the type of player who continues to work on her craft. She has all the attributes to become a very high college prospect and has proven she can handle the pressure. Mack brings an offensive aspect that many don’t have. She can score in literally every way possible. She will control the pace of the game with the ball is in her hands the most. Also look for Zahara Bishop Zahara Bishop 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN to make some noise, who is a combo guard with a really good looking three-point shot.
North Tartan 2026 Nike vs Minnesota Stars Hill 2026
May 7, 2022 1:50pm – Bloomington Kennedy court 5
North Tartan is the number one seed going into Prelims after winning the State Championship last year. However, this team looks a bit different without the top 2026 guards in the state Lanelle Wright Lanelle Wright 5'8" | PG Minnetonka | 2026 State MN and Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN . With those two having moved up to the 2025 squad, the team will look to their point guard Kate Holmquist Kate Holmquist 5'7" | PG Maple Grove | 2026 State MN , and their combo guard Kate Amelotte to lead the team on both ends of the floor. Both of these girls are looking like college prospects already. Look for Mya Moore, Vienna Murray Vienna Murray 6'0" | SG East Ridge | 2026 State MN and Cail Jahnke Cail Jahnke 6'2" | CG St. Michael-Albertville | 2026 State MN to make big plays as they all have the skill and experience after playing high school ball this year.
On the other side is the Minnesota Stars who have been a dominant force in the 2026 class for a while now. They play fast and aggressive and look to make opponents turn the ball over with their quickness on defense. Coached by PJ Hill, who has the background and experience, this team has all the ingredients to win the title. This team will be led by a couple of veteran 8th graders in Sinae Hill and Amaya Penn, who both played huge minutes on varsity this year.