Section Showdowns: Who are the key performers?

For most of the teams competing for a berth in the Minnesota high school state tournament, you can pencil in their star players to show up and do what they do. So in most cases, the big time players will cancel themselves out, which means they need someone else to step up and push them over the hump. We aren't predicting outcomes, just who we think will play a role in their teams punching their state tournament tickets!   Section 2AAAA: Eden Prairie vs Chaska   There are a lot of good players going at it in this one. On the Eagles sideline you have [player_tooltip player_id='108302' first='Molly' last='Lenz'], [player_tooltip player_id='262910' first='Tori' last='Schlagel'], [player_tooltip player_id='220827' first='Annika' last='Anderson'], [player_tooltip player_id='108323' first='Ashley' last='Fritz'], etc. Those four players are going to do what they do. A few players that I think could have a major impact on the Eagles having a chance to knock of the Hawks are [player_tooltip player_id='396426' first='Vanessa' last='Jordan'], [player_tooltip player_id='252480' first='Rae' last='Ehrman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='595568' first='Ella' last='Hardwick'].   Jordan is a high energy defensive specialist who causes mayhem for opposing ball handlers. She has quick hands and feet and great anticipation. If you relax on the defensive end, she'll race right past you and finish at the rim before you can catch your breath. [player_tooltip player_id='252480' first='Rae' last='Ehrman'] has made a name for herself by being a consistent threat from beyond the arc. With all of the attention Schlagel and Lenz will garner, she's primed and ready to be a recipient of their good will and incredible court vision. Her ability to make shots off the bench will be huge for Eden Prairie.   Hardwick is just fun to watch. She can handle, shoot and rebounds her position with the best of them. She's not tall by basketball standards, but defends the opposing bigs with no problem. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, she puts her imprint on the game and a lot of it doesn't show up on the stat sheets.   [player_tooltip player_id='108301' first='Kennedy' last='Sanders'] leads a Hawks attack that has three players averaging in double figures. She leads the way scoring 20 ppg and [player_tooltip player_id='108341' first='Anna' last='Lenzen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='108310' first='Ashley' last='Schuelke'] both are averaging over 10 a game. There is no secret that at least two of these players have to get it going in the section final against a very tough defense Eagles team for them to be able to get it done. There will be no easy baskets as there is "no tomorrow", relatively speaking.   Contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='302310' first='Aubrey' last='Heyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='352782' first='Josie' last='Lakosky'] will be huge. Neither are shy about taking and making big shots and there is no bigger platform to date for them to showcase their abilities. I think [player_tooltip player_id='346160' first='Ella' last='Keenan'] could be the biggest difference maker regarding helping Chaska capture the 2AAAA section championship.   Not just from an offensive standpoint, but Keenan has the athletic ability and length to be a huge difference maker on the boards and in the trenches defensively.   Section 5AAAA: Roseville vs Maple Grove   [player_tooltip player_id='215968' first='Kendall' last='Barnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='108324' first='Drew' last='Johnston'] are the undisputed leaders for the Raiders and without their consistent performances, would not be in this conversation. I caught their semi-final game against Champlin Park and two players that fly under the radar and just gets it done are diminutive freshman guard Mirabelle Jackson and senior guard/forward [player_tooltip player_id='436101' first='Lily' last='Peper'].   Peper was the early force that kept the Raiders in the game as Champlin Park came out swinging and playing with a lot of emotion led by junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='215959' first='Ava' last='Holman']. Peper was active on both ends knocking down shots from beyond the arc and coming up with big-time rebounds and blocks on the defensive end. With Johnson unable to find the stroke early, Peper's contributions on the offensive end was right on time. She'll need to continue that timely shooting as the stakes are higher now with a match-up with the Crimson from Maple Grove.   In basketball, we all know at the end of the day, size matters, but it isn't the end all be all. The freshman guard Jackson is another example of that. She is a pest on the defensive end and an absolute legitimate threat from the 3-point line. Against Champlin she was constantly getting her hands on passes and, on occasion, taking it right out of the hands of the offensive player. She's as tough as they come and will battle to the end. She'll face an entirely different animal in Maple Grove, but I wouldn't bet against her and she will more than certainly be up for the challenge.   On the Maple Grove side of things you have Gopher commit [player_tooltip player_id='108306' first='Kennedy' last='Klick'] and top 5 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] who will surely be the focal point of the Crimson attack. The Crimson have a variety of ways to beat you and while I'm no fortune teller, I will play Nostradamus for a spell and go out on a limb and forecast [player_tooltip player_id='108336' first='Audrey' last='Kormann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215956' first='Claire' last='Stern'] playing big roles in the Crimson's attempt to advancing to the state tournament.   While Kormann isn't flashy by any stretch, she's as fundamental a player as you'll find in today's game. No one uses the backboard as consistently as she does and her length alters shots and puts her in position to grab boards with the best of them. Her stats won't "wow" you, but her coaches and teammates appreciates the dirty works she does.   Stern is another one those players that on other teams would probably be a consistent 15 ppg scorer, but with players like Ode and Klick, she has sacrificed her game for the betterment of the team goal, which is to win a state title. Stern can score it from all three levels and defends her position just as well. With all of the attention that will be given to the aforementioned Ode and Klick, don't be surprised to see Stern step up to remind people why she's a top 5 2024 prospect heading to North Dakota State.   Section 6AAAA: Hopkins vs Wayzata   Round 3 between these two powerhouses should be one for the ages! [player_tooltip player_id='178269' first='Liv' last='McGill'], [player_tooltip player_id='108348' first='Nunu' last='Agara'] and [player_tooltip player_id='108298' first='Taylor' last='Woodson'] are household names that no one takes lightly. They are absolute competitors on the hardwood and Hopkins usually goes as they go. [player_tooltip player_id='108320' first='Kelly' last='Boyle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='353081' first='Macaya' last='Copeland'] are other key pieces to the Royals success as they are stingy on ball defenders and have knocked down big shots from beyond the arc all season long.   An unsung she-ro for the Royals has been super soph [player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris']. Harris usually comes off the bench drawing the toughest backcourt assignments and doesn't bat an eye. The 6AAAA section final could be another opportunity for Harris to come up big as she's also put in work on her jumper and is now a legit threat to drive and shoot it from outside   [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] is another high energy reserve that comes off the bench for the Royals that can be a game changer as her motor never steps running. She gives the Hopkins attack a shot in the arm when she comes in as she is notorious for grabbing offense boards giving the Royals extra possessions.   For the Trojans, it can really be anyone as they have a pretty balanced attacked and are probably the most unselfish team in the field. [player_tooltip player_id='212489' first='Sophie' last='Hawkinson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='108312' first='Abby' last='Krzewinski'] play big roles in how successful the Trojans are, but contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='478350' first='Kate' last='Amelotte'] and [player_tooltip player_id='148340' first='Shannon' last='Fornshell'] will be needed to finally get over the hump and knock the vaunted Hopkins Royals off the top of the hill. The last time these two powerhouses hooked up, [player_tooltip player_id='108345' first='Brynn' last='Senden'] came up big leading the Wayzata attack with 19 points doing from beyond the arc and wiggling into the lane for a few buckets as well.   Senior Grace Weber coming off the bench is huge for the Trojans as she's as hard-nosed as they come. Whatever the team needs, she provides. She will give the Royals fits as she just seems to always be in the way.   The role players for both teams will have a huge impact on the outcome of this game. Get your popcorn ready!

For most of the teams competing for a berth in the Minnesota high school state tournament, you can pencil in their star players to show up and do what they do. So in most cases, the big time players will cancel themselves out, which means they need someone else to step up and push them over the hump. We aren't predicting outcomes, just who we think will play a role in their teams punching their state tournament tickets!