Previewing the Nickle Dickle 3-point shooting contest

There will be plenty of noise in Waconia on Saturday during the annual Nickle Dickle Days celebration – from live music to the roar of classic cars to the sounds of more than 130 teams doing battle in the 3-on-3 competition. Don't be surprised if you hear some air raid sirens, too, because the shooters in the girls 3-point contest will be dropping bombs.

This year's 10-player field is led by Providence Academy's prolific Greenway sisters – senior Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN and freshman Beckett Greenway Beckett Greenway 5'7" | CG/SG Providence | 2029 MN – two of the half dozen Division I college prospects in the lineup. “We're very excited for the 3-Point Contest,” said longtime organizer Bart Meath. “This is our last chance to have Maddyn participate, and we can't wait to see her in the gym. Having her compete against her sister Beckett makes it even more special.”

The contest was created in 2013 as a fundraiser for St. Joseph Catholic School's athletic programs and has since grown into a showcase for some of the state's best sharpshooters. The day kicks off with the 3-on-3 tournament at 11 a.m., followed by evening events in the gym after 6 p.m. Along with the girls shootout, there's a kids contest, a boys 3-point event, and the always-entertaining slam dunk competition.

The format mirrors the WNBA All-Star 3-point shootout. Each player gets 25 attempts – five shots from five spots, with the fifth shot at each station as a two-point “money ball.” Top scorers advance to the final round with a clean slate. With a jam-packed, noisy gym, nerves often play as big a role as skill.

HANDICAPPING THE FIELD

It's tough to pick favorites, but Maddyn certainly qualifies. She's thrived on the biggest stages – from the EYBL AAU circuit to multiple high school state titles to her stint with Team USA this summer. But don't count out Beckett, already proving she can shoot with the best. Freshman Nevaeh Grosse Nevaeh Grosse 5'7" | CG/PG Eastview | 2029 MN (Eastview) has a pure stroke and could push for the crown. Sophomore Lauren Robison Lauren Robison 5'8" | CG Lakeville North | 2028 State MN (Lakeville North) brings range and reputation. Ditto for St. Thomas commit Lyla Hentges Lyla Hentges 5'10" | SG Chanhassen | 2027 State MN of Chanhassen.

The true favorite might be Perham's Regan Hemberger Regan Hemberger 5'5" | SG/PG Perham | 2028 State MN . Last winter she buried 107 threes with a success rate of 47%. Just this week, Prep Girls Hoops scout Tony Ragulen praised her Sophomore ID Camp performance: “Her shot is pure – even her misses were long or short but always on line. Opposing teams will soon learn they have to account for her at all times, or she'll make them pay.”

If Regan can hold her form under pressure, she just might steal the show.

LOOKING BACK

The contest's past champions form an impressive list. Last year, Savannah Borowicz of Jordan (Eckerd College) took home the trophy. In 2023, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart standout Kristi Kottke (St. Cloud State) won it, following Perham's Mya Morris (Valley City State) in 2022. Before that, Wayzata's Mara Braun – now starring at Minnesota – claimed the crown. Other past podium finishers include Paige Bueckers (UConn/Dallas Wings), Lauren Jensen (Creighton), Taylor Koenen (North Carolina), and McKenna Hofschild (Colorado State).

“Maddyn will be the highest-rated player we've had since Paige,” Meath said. “It's a great field. We appreciate all the players coming out. It takes a lot of courage to get up there all alone with everyone watching.”

PREVIEWING THE 3-on-3 TOURNAMENT

Most of the 3-on-3 tournament unfolds on the asphalt parking lots, but the premier high school bracket takes place inside the gym. “We want to keep growing that division,” Meath noted.

The event has featured some loaded teams in the past, none more so than the 2021 squad (pictured above) of Tessa Johnson (South Carolina) and current Gophers Mara Braun, Nia Holloway and Amaya Battle. Amazingly, that group even lost a game to the Kottke sisters of BLHS. This year's lineup isn't quite as stacked but still offers plenty of intrigue. The “Chan Girls” – Lyla Hentges Lyla Hentges 5'10" | SG Chanhassen | 2027 State MN (St. Thomas), Kate Arnold Kate Arnold 5'11" | CG Chanhassen | 2027 State MN , Reese Keating Reese Keating 5'7" | CG Chanhassen | 2028 State MN , and Lucy Hilgert Lucy Hilgert 5'8" | CG Chanhassen | 2029 MN – form one of the top teams. “Shooting Stars” is another, featuring Augustana commit Sophia Anderson Sophia Anderson 6'0" | SG/CG Maple Grove | 2026 State MN (Maple Grove) along with ranked prospects Maddie Sundberg Maddie Sundberg 5'8" | CG Roseville | 2026 State MN , Dalia Thornton-Fay Dalia Thornton-Fay 5'11" | CG Minnetonka | 2026 State MN , and Jayda Wilson Jayda Wilson 5'9" | SF Eastview | 2026 State MN .

Team names are always part of the fun. This year's most clever may be the “Swishkabobs” — Abbi Mellskog Abbi Mellskog 5'10" | PF Eagan | 2026 MN (Eagan) paired with Two Rivers teammates Katy Devine Katy Devine 5'10" | SG/SF Two Rivers | 2026 State MN , Clare Spangenberg Clare Spangenberg 5'8" | SG/PG Two Rivers | 2028 MN , and Landis Williamson-Andrews Landis Williamson-Andrews 5'6" | CG/SG Two Rivers | 2026 State MN . The teams include:

“I don't see a clear favorite this year,” Meath said. “Just several strong teams. It should be a lot of fun.”

EVENT DETAILS

There's no admission charge for the 3-on-3 tournament. Tickets for the evening session – the boys and girls 3-point contests and boys slam dunk competition – are $5. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. with the action starting around 6:15. All proceeds support St. Joe's athletic program. More details are available at nickledickle.com.