Preview: Who will win the Nickle Dickle 3-point shootout?

Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 5'10" | SG Stillwater | 2024 State MN of Stillwater is one of the very best 3-point shooters in the state of Minnesota. So is Kelly Boyle Kelly Boyle 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN of Hopkins. And Mya Morris Mya Morris 5'7" | PG Perham | 2023 State MN of Perham. All three long bombers and five more besides will be on hand Saturday evening in Waconia for the annual Nickle Dickle 3-point shooting contest. Any one of those three could win it. Well, to be honest, anyone in the field is more than capable of claiming top spot. Regardless of the outcome, the event is sure to be a ton of fun as always.

What began as a local fundraiser for a small parochial school during Waconia's annual Nickle Dickle Day celebration has grown into a showcase for some of the state's finest sharpshooters, and a highlight of the fall basketball calendar. Eight girls are set to compete Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic School. The day begins with an outdoor 3-on-3 tournament at 11 a.m. followed by the evening's events that start in the gym just after 6. In addition to the girls shootout there is a kids shooting contest and a boys 3-point event and slam dunk competition that annually features an entertaining array of leapers.

Since beginning the girls 3-point shooting contest in 2013, organizer Bart Meath of St. Joe's has always managed to assemble a star-studded cast despite last-minute adjustments due to injuries or scheduling conflicts. As the event has grown, players across the state lobby for inclusion. Previous competitors include the likes of Paige Bueckers (UCONN), Taylor Koenen (North Carolina), Ellie Buzzelle (Grand Canyon), Mara Braun (Minnesota), Nia Holloway (Minnesota), Callin Hake (Nebraska), Desiree Ware (Alabama-Birmingham), Lauren Jensen (Creighton) and Amaya Battle (Minnesota). In last year's contest it was Braun who beat Ware 20-16 in the finals.

THE FORMAT

The contest follows the format the WNBA uses for the 3-point shootout at its All Star Game. Each player takes five shots from five spots on the floor for a total of 25 attempts.  The 5th shot at each station is the “money ball” and is worth two points.  Players with the top scores in the first round advance to the second and final round with a clean slate. With the gym packed to overflowing and making a ton of noise it can definitely be nerve-wracking for the competitors.

THE CONTESTANTS

In the past those contestants who had previously participated had a distinct advantage. They had experienced the pressure, dealt with the nerves and knew what to expect. This year, however, all eight contestants are newbies which levels the field in our view. Listed in order by class and prospect ranking, these are the eight shooters who will compete:

Sophi Hall Sophi Hall 6'1" | CG Holy Family | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Holy Family

The Providence College commit is ranked #12 in Minnesota's senior class. She has distinguished herself as a member of the Fury 2023 UAA squad that dominated throughout the summer year after year. Sophi is a multi-dimensional talent but there is no question that she has one of the smoothest 3-point strokes around.

Anna Lenzen Anna Lenzen 5'9" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Chaska

The University of Mary commit is a Prep Girls Hoops Top 30 prospect known for her speed, athleticism and attacking physical style of play. Don't underestimate her chances of winning this long-bomb contest, however, because the 5'9 guard can definitely knock them down from distance, as well.

Kelly Boyle Kelly Boyle 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Hopkins

Kelly has been a pure shooter for a very long time. This summer, however, she dialed it up from distance more than ever on behalf of a strong Metro Stars squad. Every time we looked Kelly was making crucial shots in the biggest moments. She is a Top 50 prospect who has always been mentally tough. That will serve her well on Saturday.

Mya Morris Mya Morris 5'7" | PG Perham | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Perham

Mya is one of the feel-good stories of the past few months. After missing the better part of a year with a torn ACL, she not only returned to form but played her best stretch of basketball ever. As a result Mya stormed up the rankings to #62 thanks in large part to superior 3-point shooting. We like her chances at the Nickle Dickle.

Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 5'10" | SG Stillwater | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Stillwater

Mention shooters in Minnesota's junior class and Amy's name is always one of the players at or near the top of the list. She's just so smooth. The #21-ranked prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024, Thompson was Boyle's teammate on the Metro Stars and they formed a potent one-two punch for the green and black.

Kristi Kottke Kristi Kottke 5'8" | CG Buffalo Lake-H-S | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart

The Kottke twins are among the hardest-working, most-dedicated players in the state. Nobody is going to out-effort them which is why both Kristi and Rachel are elite shooters from long range. We'll only see one of them in the contest Saturday since Kristi won a coin flip for the spot. We'll see if she can uphold her end of the twin sister bargain!

Addison Mack Addison Mack 5'9" | PG Minnehaha Academy | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Minnehaha Academy

The very first time we saw Addi play was at the Breakdown Fall League when she was a crafty 7th grader about to start her varsity career. In back-to-back running time sessions that day I recall her making 13 of 15 three-point attempts. We knew then that she could shoot it. We know now that the the 4th-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025 is one of the very best.

Aneisha Scott Aneisha Scott 5'6" | PG DeLaSalle | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, DeLaSalle

One of the youngest players in the field is also the most entertaining which you'll know if you follow her on Twitter at @nballer05. The little guard from The City AAU is also an incredibly talented athlete with a ton of confidence, an elite skill set and the ability to make shots from literally anywhere. Don't be surprised if this dynamic youngster wins it all.

THE DETAILS

The event is part of the Annual Nickle Dickle Day, Waconia's town festival that includes a car and truck show, duck races, live entertainment, a fun run, pie eating contests and more. The 29th annual 3-on-3 tournament has drawn a record field of more than 115 squads, the largest number in 20 years. It begins at 11 a.m. and features the Kottke sisters, who lit it up last year. A quartet of 8th graders from Mountain Iron-Buhl – Anna Neyens, Kylie Johnson, Lindsay Olin Lindsay Olin 5'8" | SG/PG Mountain Iron Buhl | 2027 MN and Izzy Wiita Izzy Wiita 5'7" | SG/PG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2028 State MN – will make the trek to Waconia to defend their age group title.

The shooting contest is a small-town event. It's not fancy. It's not perfect. But it is always a ton of fun. And it's all for a good cause. The doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the gym fills up quickly. The national anthem begins at 6:10 p.m. and it all happens fast after that. There is no admission charge to watch the 3X3 tournament. It's $5 to watch both the boys and girls 3-point contest and boys slam dunk competition. All proceeds support the St. Joe's athletic program. For more details visit nickledickle.com.

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