Class A State Tourney: All-Tournament Teams
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The scoring came early and often for the Goodhue Wildcats on Saturday afternoon in the Class A State Championship game, and that put the defending title-holders Mountain Iron-Buhl on their heels. The assault began with an Elisabeth Gadient Elisabeth Gadient…
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Continue ReadingThe scoring came early and often for the Goodhue Wildcats on Saturday afternoon in the Class A State Championship game, and that put the defending title-holders Mountain Iron-Buhl on their heels. The assault began with an Elisabeth Gadient Elisabeth Gadient 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2024 State MN three followed by a Natalie Thomforde Natalie Thomforde 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2026 State MN three and another quick bucket and the score was already 9-0 after just three minutes. The Rangers got back on track soon after but spent the rest of the afternoon trying to claw their way back into the contest.
Goodhue defended in a full-court press, double teaming MIB’s Jordan Zubich Jordan Zubich 5'11" | SG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN any time she touched the ball. Gadient, the engine that pulls the Wildcats train, was on fire draining 4 three-pointers in the first half. By half time the Wildcats were up 39-29 and Zubich was held to just 3 points, all from the free throw line. The North Carolina commit’s first field goal finally came with 15 minutes remaining in the second half.
The Rangers continued to push and senior guard Gabby Lira took advantage of her open looks, making quality cuts to the basket to score. The gap was closed to as little as 3 points, but thanks to big baskets from Thomforde and Kendyl Lodermeier Kendyl Lodermeier 5'11" | CG Goodhue | 2025 State MN , the Wildcats were able to hold off Mountain Iron. The final score was 70 to 65. Zubich finished with just 12 points while Lira had 24. Gadient finished with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Lodermeier had a 21-and-12 double-double. Thomforde finished with 11 points, making 3 of her 4 attempts from beyond the arc.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Elisabeth Gadient Elisabeth Gadient 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Goodhue
Gadient had three outstanding performances in the tournament, leading her team in scoring in every game. In Thursday’s statement win over Mayer Lutheran, she totaled 19 points and a whopping 15 rebounds. The next day she dropped another double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal against Underwood. Liz had her biggest and most crucial performance in Saturday’s championship game against Mountain Iron-Buhl with 31 points on 13-of 26-shooting, including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Gadient showed a lot more on the floor this week than just her scoring abilities. She demonstrated her silky-smooth jump shot, elite handles, and ability to utilize her length on the defensive end. Perhaps most importantly, in every contest Liz led her team with poise, confidence, and maturity, showing that she is a true veteran on the floor. Ranked 17th in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2024, the D1 talent has elected to stay close to home and will play D2 in Mankato next season. We will certainly be watching.
BREAKOUT PERFORMER
Natalie Thomforde Natalie Thomforde 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, Goodhue
This season, we first set our eyes on the Goodhue sophomore in December at the Breakdown Tip-Off Classic. The top 100 prospect wowed us with her aggressive defense, consistent hustle, and ability to finish around the rim. This weekend Natalie did all of that and more, and played a pivotal role in her team’s road to the championship win. On Thursday it was hot scoring, hitting 7 of 12 from the field. She finished with 19 points against Mayer Lutheran. Thomforde’s biggest contributions, however, came in Saturday’s championship game. She finished with 11 points, making 3 of 4 shots from three, the last coming in the final three minutes of the second half, staking her team to a 6-point lead. Natalie also played a significant role in the defensive strategy for Jordan Zubich Jordan Zubich 5'11" | SG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN , which held the North Carolina commit to just 12 points.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS
Please note: When making selections for the Prep Girls Hoops All-Tournament Teams, only performance in games played in the main draw is considered. We did not watch any consolation games.
First Team
Elisabeth Gadient Elisabeth Gadient 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Goodhue (MSU-Mankato)
Kendyl Lodermeier Kendyl Lodermeier 5'11" | CG Goodhue | 2025 State MN – 2025 forward, Goodhue
Hali Savela Hali Savela 5'8" | CG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard Mountain Iron-Buhl (Jamestown)
Jordan Zubich Jordan Zubich 5'11" | SG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl (North Carolina)
Rachel Kottke Rachel Kottke 5'8" | CG Buffalo Lake-H-S | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Buffalo-Lake-Hector-Stewart (St. Cloud State)
Second Team
Gabby Lira – 2024 guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl (Mesabi Range CC)
Elizabeth Lukken Elizabeth Lukken 5'9" | CG Underwood | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Underwood
Lily Hubin Lily Hubin 5'9" | SG Buffalo Lake | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, Buffalo-Lake-Hector-Stewart
Natalie Thomforde Natalie Thomforde 5'10" | CG Goodhue | 2026 State MN – 2026 guard, Goodhue
Kristi Kottke Kristi Kottke 5'8" | CG Buffalo Lake-H-S | 2024 State MN – 2024 guard, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (St. Cloud State)
Honorable Mentions
- Anna Neyens Anna Neyens 5'7" | CG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Mountain Iron-Buhl
- Aubrey Morrison Aubrey Morrison 5'7" | CG Walker-H-A | 2025 State MN – 2025 guard, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley
- Danica Martin – 2024 forward, Mayer Lutheran
- Izabelle Keaveny – 2026 guard, Mayer Lutheran
- Jocelyn Barron – 2024 forward, Southwest Minnesota Christian
- Kallyn Grove – 2025 guard, Underwood
- Lola Christianson Lola Christianson 5'4" | CG Goodhue | 2027 MN – 2027 guard, Goodhue
- Mackenzie Lodermeier Mackenzie Lodermeier 5'6" | CG Goodhue | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Goodhue
- Mily Albjerg – 2025 forward, Underwood
- Trinity Baker Trinity Baker 5'5" | PG Underwood | 2027 State MN – 2027 guard, Underwood
PGH scout Ally McGinnis contributed to this content.