State Tourney: Class 3A MVP and All-Tournament Team
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From the beginning of the season it seemed like first-year head coach Tim Ellefson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s was conducting a complex laboratory experiment. The hypothesis was simple: Could he take one of Minnesota’s most talented but individually oriented rosters and…
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Continue ReadingFrom the beginning of the season it seemed like first-year head coach Tim Ellefson of Benilde-St. Margaret’s was conducting a complex laboratory experiment. The hypothesis was simple: Could he take one of Minnesota’s most talented but individually oriented rosters and mold them into a team that would come together to play as one and take home a title? At times this winter it looked like the Red Knights were going to blow up the lab and it would be all for naught. On other occasions, they made beautiful music together. In the end, however, Ellefson’s endless trial-and-error produced a magical concoction that culminated Saturday in a state Class 3A championship for Benilde. But it wasn’t easy.
When elite 2025 guard Kendall McGee Kendall McGee 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN went down with a serious knee injury in the Red Knights’ semifinal game with Alexandria it was a pivotal moment for the team, the type of turning point that can see a squad go south in a hurry or rally together in the absence of their teammate. BSM took the high road, finished off the semifinal win in impressive fashion, and then fought through all manner of adversity on Saturday to take home the title against a red-hot Stewartville squad.
Sparked by early buckets from standout sophomore Kate Kapsner Kate Kapsner 5'11" | SF Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN , BSM jumped out to a quick lead as Stewartville struggled to get the ball through the cylinder. The lead grew to a dozen before the Tigers began to find their roar. With 17 seconds left in the first half Benilde’s all-everything star Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN scored on a sweet floater before Stewartville freshmen Audrey Shindelar Audrey Shindelar 6'0" | CG Stewartville | 2026 State MN buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer from NBA+++ distance. BSM was up 34-26.
Stewie fought back in the second half. Taylor Klement Taylor Klement 5'9" | SG Stewartville | 2024 State MN came off the bench to splash a triple at the 11:23 mark that was followed by a Haylie Strum Haylie Strum 5'6" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN 2+1 just 15 seconds later. The Tigers had made up a 10-point deficit and regained the lead. Benilde was not able to take it back until senior Sierre Lumpkin Sierre Lumpkin 5'10" | SF Benilde-SM | 2023 State MN buried a three at the 3:20 mark. Sophomore Zahara Bishop Zahara Bishop 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN cashed in on a steal-and-score on the next possession to stretch the lead to three. With under a minute left Savannah Hedin Savannah Hedin 5'9" | SG Stewartville | 2024 State MN nailed a long bomb to give Stewartville hope but Olson shut the door by going 5-for-6 at the free throw line in the game’s last 60 seconds. Final score: Benilde-St. Margaret’s 66 Stewartville 60.
Lumpkin had arguably the finest game of her career, collecting 21 points along with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Hedin had a remarkable tournament, as well, going 17 and 5 in the final, averaging 14 and 5 for the week, and playing an absolutely crucial role in the Tigers’ run to the title game.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
Olson is one of the most gifted players in the state. The #1 prospect in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024 has committed to the University of Michigan, represented her country overseas, and wowed us with her skill, finesse and grace. This week her team won a state championship because she was gritty, physical, tenacious and incredibly resilient. There was nothing pretty about it. Saturday was not her best day shooting the basketball but she still found a way. Olson went 11-for-15 at the free throw line, scored 17 points and hauled in 17 rebounds. For the tournament she averaged 25 points and 13 rebounds per game and did everything else possible to will her team to the title.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Our picks are based solely on games played in the main bracket. No consideration is given to consolation games since we are not able to watch those.
1st team
- Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Michigan)
- Kate Kapsner Kate Kapsner 5'11" | SF Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN – 2025 forward, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
- Haylie Strum Haylie Strum 5'6" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Stewartville
- Savannah Hedin Savannah Hedin 5'9" | SG Stewartville | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Stewartville
- Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Becker (UW-Green Bay)
2nd team
- Sierre Lumpkin Sierre Lumpkin 5'10" | SF Benilde-SM | 2023 State MN – 2023 forward, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
- Ella Theobald Ella Theobald 6'0" | PF Stewartville | 2026 State MN – 2026 forward, Stewartville
- Keeley Steele Keeley Steele 5'8" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Stewartville
- Hadley Thul Hadley Thul 6'2" | SG Alexandria | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Alexandria
- Allie Haabala Allie Haabala 5'7" | PG Alexandria | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Alexandria
- Ayla Brown Ayla Brown 5'6" | SG Becker | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Becker (Sioux Falls)
Honorable mention
- Sydney Friedly Sydney Friedly 5'7" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
- Kendall McGee Kendall McGee 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Benilde-St. Margaret’s
- Jayci Rath Jayci Rath 6'1" | PF Stewartville | 2026 State MN – 2026 forward, Stewartville
- Audrey Shindelar Audrey Shindelar 6'0" | CG Stewartville | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, Stewartville
- Aneisha Scott Aneisha Scott 5'6" | PG DeLaSalle | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, DeLaSalle
- Maddy Blaylark Maddy Blaylark 5'7" | CG DeLaSalle | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, DeLaSalle
- Dani Nuest Dani Nuest 5'6" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Becker (Michigan Tech)
- Jessika Lofstrom Jessika Lofstrom 5'11" | SF Grand Rapids | 2024 State MN – 2024 forward, Grand Rapids
- Elise Groppoli Elise Groppoli 5'4" | CG Hill-Murray | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Hill-Murray
- Brianna Simpson Brianna Simpson 5'8" | SG Marshall | 2023 State MN – 2023 guard, Marshall