Class 4A State Tourney: All-Tournament Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For most of this title game, the billing truly lived up to the hype. [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] and [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] were every bit as good as advertised, trading impressive baskets and showcasing why their teams deserved to playing on the biggest stage in the Class 4A State Tournament championship game. While Maple Grove shot an impressive 48% compared to Hopkins' 37% in the first half, it was the Royals' excellence from beyond the arc – going 4-for-9 – that had them leading 35-31 at halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right out of the gate in the second half, Hopkins' hot three-point shooting continued as [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] connected, extending their lead to 38-31. The game saw more back-and-forth play, eventually tying at 46. However, Hopkins then erupted on a 30-15 run, tightening their defensive screws while receiving significant contributions from key players. [player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris'] provided big offensive rebounds and put-backs, while senior [player_tooltip player_id='339206' first='Maliyah' last='White'] hit several back-breaking threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals had five players in double figures, led by Walker with 28 points, followed by Diggs with 15, and both Harris and White with 11 each, along with [player_tooltip player_id='453753' first='Lauren' last='Hillesheim'], who added 10. [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] led the Crimson with 26 points, while [player_tooltip player_id='339162' first='Addie' last='Hanna'] contributed 14 and [player_tooltip player_id='337633' first='Bella' last='Hanna'] chipped in with 11.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1217480,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/Erma-Walker-PGH-992-crop-2400x1576-1726489466-crop-760x499-1742174971.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1217480" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MOST VALUABLE PLAYER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] - 2027 wing, Hopkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker delivered an unforgettable performance during the State Tournament, averaging 22 points and 7.5 rebounds across three games. Her dazzling skills reached a peak in the championship game as she scored an impressive 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds, leading Hopkins to a historic 9th state title – a record-breaking achievement!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the thrilling opening round against Chaska, Walker showcased her shooting prowess by going 8-for-14 from the field, neutralizing the Hawks' front court, and scoring a team-high 22 points along with 8 rebounds. From the moment she stepped onto the court, defenders were on high alert, as her physicality and skill had them on their heels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the championship contest against Maple Grove, although she appeared to tweak an ankle late in the second half and limped noticeably, Walker never considered leaving the court. She understood the assignment wasn't complete; she would not exit until the job was done. Her determination and grit solidified her status as a standout player in the tournament!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1217481,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/354-Jaliyah-Diggs-crop-4800x3152-1726519603-crop-720x473-1742175023.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-1217481" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BREAKOUT PERFORMER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] - 2027 guard, Hopkins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyone who has followed Diggs for any length of time wasn't surprised by the impact she had on the tournament. For everyone else, this was her coming-out party. In the quarterfinal game against Chaska, the dynamic point guard showcased her explosive athletic ability, finishing over much bigger defenders and tallying 6 steals to accompany her 18 points. That included a crucial steal and lay-up that sealed the win against the determined Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the semifinal match against Eastview, Diggs showed moments of inexperience, playing a bit too fast and leading to turnovers. However, she never stopped competing. While her shooting wasn't on point early, she dazzled with jaw-dropping passes, finishing the game with a game-high 12 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the title game against Maple Grove, Diggs had a solid all-around performance with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. However, it was her stellar defense against super senior [player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] that truly shifted the momentum. While stopping a player of Ode's caliber is nearly impossible, Diggs utilized her quick feet and powerful base to keep Ode off balance, helping the Hopkins Royals secure the state title that had eluded them for the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] - 2027 forward, Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] - 2027 guard, Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='215457' first='London' last='Harris'] - 2025 guard, Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='205298' first='Jordan' last='Ode'] - 2025 guard, Maple Grove (Michigan State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='344332' first='Kate' last='Holmquist'] - 2026 guard, Maple Grove (Montana)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='337633' first='Bella' last='Hanna'] - 2025 guard, Maple Grove (Michigan Tech)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='520263' first='Bra'ja' last='Torry'] - 2025 guard, Eastview (Kirkwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212488' first='Myah' last='Maull'] - 2025 guard, Eastview (Winona State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='515651' first='Addi' last='Schneider'] - 2025 guard, Chaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='396430' first='Aduke' last='Ojullu'] - 2025 forward, Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mentions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='206227' first='Lexi' last='Hanna'] - 2025 guard, Maple Grove (UM-St. Louis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='339162' first='Addie' last='Hanna']<strong> </strong>- 2025 guard, Maple Grove (Augustana)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='908286' first='Lauren' last='Robison'], 2025 guard, Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='502569' first='Clara' last='Goodman'] <strong>-</strong> 2026 guard, Eastview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='659118' first='Alivia' last='Bell'] - 2027 guard, Hopkins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sahara Wilson</strong> <strong>-</strong> 2028 forward, Lakeville North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->