Opening-day predictions for the high school season

The more things change the more they stay the same. As high school practice opens today, the most significant change this year will be the statewide implementation of the shot clock. That’s not likely to change a whole lot at the Class 4A and 3A levels but it could significantly alter the way most Class A games are played. Everything else is pretty much status quo. That’s certainly evident in our predictions on who will win the four state championships, although we do offer a couple of “out there” spins of the crystal ball on what lies ahead. Published in conjunction with Breakdown Sports USA, here are my personal predictions for the 2023-24 high school season.

Who will win the Class 4A title this season and why?

Hopkins – Different year, different team, same prediction. The Royals will have to adapt following the graduation of Nunu Agara, Taylor Woodson, Jasmine Dupree, Macaya Copeland and Kelly Boyle. Those are big shoes to fill, but point guard Liv McGill can still lead a much younger squad to the promised land. Returnees Tatum Woodson Tatum Woodson 5'9" | CG Hopkins | 2025 State MN , Erma Walker Erma Walker 6'0" | PF Hopkins | 2027 State MN , London Harris London Harris 5'9" | CG Hopkins | 2025 State MN , Lauren Hillesheim Lauren Hillesheim 5'10" | SG Hopkins | 2025 State MN and Maliyah White Maliyah White 5'8" | CG Hopkins | 2025 State MN will be huge as will newcomer Ava Cupito Ava Cupito 5'10" | CG Hopkins | 2027 State MN .

Who will win the Class 3A title this season and why?

Benilde-St. Margaret’s – The Red Knights return the core of the lineup that captured the title last spring and they’ve added one more big-time talent to the mix. That would be freshman Pressley Watkins Pressley Watkins 6'0" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2027 State MN , who is one of the state’s top prospects. Senior Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN will once again lead the way. Juniors Kate Kapsner Kate Kapsner 5'11" | SF Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN , Zahara Bishop Zahara Bishop 5'10" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2025 State MN and Josie Nnaji Josie Nnaji 5'11" | SG Hopkins | 2025 State MN will be crucial along with sophomores Mirabel Wismer Mirabel Wismer 6'1" | SF Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2026 State MN and Sydney Friedly Sydney Friedly 5'7" | CG Benilde-St. Margaret's | 2027 State MN . Coach Tim Ellefson will get the job done again.

Who will win the Class 2A title this season and why?

Providence Academy – How can you pick against any team led by super sophomore Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN , the dynamic point guard who is one of the best in the country? Yes, the Lions will miss Grace Counts (now at UM-Duluth) but an extra year of experience for her sister Hope Counts Hope Counts 6'2" | SF Providence Academy | 2025 State MN will be huge. Ditto for freshman Emma Millerbernd Emma Millerbernd 5'9" | CG Providence Academy | 2027 State MN , 8th grader Ari Peterson Ari Peterson 6'0" | SG Providence Academy | 2028 MN and sharpshooter Brooke Hohenecker Brooke Hohenecker 5'5" | SG Providence | 2024 MN . Add outstanding 7th grader Beckett Greenway and burgeoning freshman forward Lexi Nicolai Lexi Nicolai 5'10" | PF Providence Academy | 2027 MN to the mix and the Lions will repeat.

Who will win the Class 1A title this season and why?

Mountain Iron-Buhl – I’m not sure how many years in a row we picked MIB to win it all but the Rangers finally made good on that prognostication with the 2023 title. Despite losing standout guard Sage Ganyo (Bemidji State), Coach Jeff Buffetta will still have plenty of tools at his disposal. Leading the way once again will be North Carolina commit Jordan Zubich Jordan Zubich 5'11" | SG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN and Jamestown signee Hali Savela Hali Savela 5'8" | CG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN . Look for freshman Anna Neyens Anna Neyens 5'7" | CG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2027 State MN to come up big along with a supporting cast of guards who can bomb it.

Who’s my favorite sleeper team?

Lakeville North – Way back in 2010, during the Rachel Banham era, Coach Andy Berkvam’s Lakeville North team went 32-0 and captured a state championship. Berkvam is back in Lakeville now and has the pieces in place to win it all. Led by Loyola-Maryland signee Gabby Betton Gabby Betton 5'9" | CG Lakeville North | 2024 State MN at guard, and Vanderbilt commit Trinity Wilson Trinity Wilson 6'3" | PF Lakeville North | 2024 State MN in the post, the Panthers will be a tough out. Talented juniors Gracie Winge Gracie Winge 5'10" | CG Lakeville North | 2025 State MN , Aduke Ojullu Aduke Ojullu 6'1" | SF Lakeville North | 2025 State MN and Elayna Boe Elayna Boe 5'11" | SG Lakeville North | 2025 State MN , along with senior Bella DeHaan Bella DeHaan 6'0" | PF Lakeville North | 2024 State MN and a strong supporting cast, just might lead the team in red to victory.

Who will win the Ms. Basketball award?

Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN – The highly accomplished, supremely versatile, physically dominant guard led Benilde-St. Margaret’s to the Class 3A state championship last season. There’s every reason to believe she will do it again. The University of Michigan signee, who has represented the United States on the world stage, has all of the qualities the Ms. Basketball committee loves. She’s talented, productive, hard-working and a true leader. Certainly Liv McGill Liv McGill 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2024 State MN of Hopkins will receive due consideration, and it will be well-deserved. Ditto for the likes of Tori McKinney Tori McKinney 6'1" | CG Minnetonka | 2024 State MN of Minnetonka, Jordan Zubich Jordan Zubich 5'11" | SG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN of Mountain Iron-Buhl and Alyssa Sand Alyssa Sand 6'2" | PF Albany | 2024 State MN of Albany. In the end, though, Olson will probably prevail.

What’s my best go-out-on-a-limb prediction?

Prior Lake – The Lakers sneak out of Section 2 and become the Cinderella story of the State Tournament. All of the pieces are there for Coach Maurice Hodges to direct the Lakers to an upset. Led by Colorado State commit Bree Bowman Bree Bowman 6'2" | SF Prior Lake | 2025 State MN and UW-Milwaukee signee Cece McNair Cece McNair 6'2" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN , Prior Lake is loaded with veteran talent and size. Seniors Julia Thoms (Jamestown) and Anna Van Helden Anna Van Helden 5'11" | PF Prior Lake | 2024 State MN and a cast of standout juniors – Alaya Carter Alaya Carter 5'8" | CG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN , Brooklynn Holmberg Brooklynn Holmberg 5'11" | SG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN , Anna Trachsel Anna Trachsel 5'7" | CG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN , Josie Horner Josie Horner 5'9" | SG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN and Haven Fisher Haven Fisher 5'11" | SG Prior Lake | 2025 State MN – have what it takes to wear the glass slipper. Sure it’s a long shot, but isn’t that what go-out-on-a-limb predictions are all about?

TOP PHOTO: Mountain Iron-Buhl had plenty of success this summer. Can the Rangers repeat their 2022-23 state-championship winning season?