Tori Oehrlein headlines Saturday’s Nickle Dickle Shootout

Tori Oehrlein headlines Saturday&#8217;s Nickle Dickle Shootout

Grant McGinnis September 12, 2024 @ 05:15 PM

Tori Oehrlein Tori Oehrlein 5'11" | CG Crosby-Ironton | 2026 State MN is everywhere these days. Now you can add this Saturday's Nickle Dickle Days annual 3-point shooting contest to the list. The Crosby-Ironton guard, who shares the top spot in Minnesota's Class of 2028 rankings with Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN , will be the star attraction in a field of great shooters in Waconia. She's also scheduled to compete in the 3 x 3 competition. “It's obviously great having Tori spend the day with us,” said event organizer Bart Meath. “The local hoops fans will enjoy getting to see her in both the 3-on-3 and the 3-point contest. We appreciate her making the trip.”

Of course, it's not just a one-player contest. As usual, Meath has pulled together a quality field that in the past has included Paige Bueckers (UCONN), Taylor Koenen (North Carolina), Mara Braun (Minnesota), Nia Holloway (Minnesota), Callin Hake (Nebraska), Desiree Ware (Alabama-Birmingham), Lauren Jensen (Creighton) and Amaya Battle (Minnesota).

“There are a lot of other great players in the field who can really shoot it, too,” Meath said. “It takes some guts to participate in a 3-point contest. Even some of the best players in Minnesota have said how challenging it can be to shoot when everyone is watching and you are all alone out there on the 3-point line.”

The contest was created in 2013 as a fundraiser for the St. Joseph Catholic School athletic programs during Waconia's annual Nickle Dickle Day celebration. It has grown into a quasi showcase for some of the state's finest sharpshooters. The day begins with a 3-on-3 tournament at 11 a.m. followed by the evening's events which start in the St. Joe's gym just after 6. In addition to the girl's shootout, there is a kids shooting contest and a boys 3-point event and slam dunk competition that annually features an entertaining array of high fliers.

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. Nine girls are scheduled to compete:

THE FIELD

– The 2025 guard from Jordan is a top-40 prospect from the .

– The 2025 guard is a top-20 prospect who recently moved to Crosby-Ironton.

– The top-20 2025 guard from Eden Prairie recently committed to the University of Montana.

– The 2026 guard from Crosby-Ironton is a nationally regarded talent with a boat load of high-major offers.

– The crafty 2026 guard from DeLaSalle is ranked among Minnesota's top 25 juniors.

– The lengthy 2025 guard from Sartell has plenty of range and lots of confidence.

– The 2027 guard from Mountain Iron-Buhl has had success in the 3 x 3 competition. Now she try win the big one.

– The 2026 guard from Waconia is bound to be the home-court favorite in this one.

– The 2026 guard from Watertown Mayer is coming off an excellent AAU summer and she can launch it.

RECENT WINNERS

2023 – Kristi Kottke, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (St. Cloud State). Runner-up: Aneisha Scott Aneisha Scott 5'6" | PG DeLaSalle | 2025 State MN , DeLaSalle & Nicole Maenke, Shakopee (Southwest MN State)

2022 – Mya Morris, Perham (Valley City State). Runner-up: Kristi Kottke, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart (St. Cloud State)n

2021 – Winner: Mara Braun, Wayzata (Minnesota). Runner-up: Desiree Ware, Minnetonka (Alabama-Birmingham)

2020 – no event due to COVID-19 pandemic

2019 – Winner: Kaylee Van Eps, Chaska (Lehigh). Runner-up: Lauren Jensen, Lakeville North (Creighton)

2018 – Winner: Macy Nilsen, Edina (UW-River Falls). Runner-up: Joey Batt, New Ulm (MSU-Mankato)

2017 – Winner: Mikayla Van Nett, Como Park (Northwest Louisiana). Runner-up: Kali Grimm, Norwood-Young America (New Hampshire)

2016 – Winner: Riley Wheatcraft, Prior Lake (Concordia-St. Paul). Runner-up: McKenna Hofschild, Prior Lake (Colorado State)

3 x 3 TEAMS TO WATCH

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 annual 3 x 3 tournament has drawn a record field of more than 130 squads. Here are a few girls teams you should watch: