High School Preview: Class 3A by the numbers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>People are saying Class 3A is wide open entering the 2025-26 girls high school basketball season which begins on Thursday. If I were a betting man – and who isn't these days – I'd say Benilde-St. Margaret's is still the odds-on favorite to win it all. Here's our take on the competition in a primer we're calling “Class 3A by the numbers.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7 CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off three consecutive state championships, Benilde graduated a ton of talent. Fear not because they are still loaded. Their experience in the big moments is huge, and coach Tim Ellefson continues to pull all the right strings. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='567389' first='Sydney' last='Friedly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1303730' first='Mira' last='Wismer'], [player_tooltip player_id='786398' first='Zaida' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='939000' first='Kiera' last='Willis']. Important additions:  [player_tooltip player_id='659118' first='Alivia' last='Bell'] (Hopkins transfer), [player_tooltip player_id='1280312' first='Jayda' last='Nobles'] (elite 7^th grader), [player_tooltip player_id='1124601' first='Rose' last='Kalscheur'] (Edina transfer).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Orono Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by coach Chris Bjorgaard, Orono is coming off an outstanding 25-4 season and returns a veteran lineup. Only Benilde-St. Margaret's kept them from the big dance (again) but the Spartans definitely have the tools to compete with the Red Knights. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] (Creighton), [player_tooltip player_id='644898' first='Ally' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='717668' first='Evelyn' last='Miller'] (U of Chicago), [player_tooltip player_id='782553' first='Amelia' last='Schwendimann'], [player_tooltip player_id='478364' first='Brynn' last='Leibfried']. Key addition: [player_tooltip player_id='815078' first='Zoey' last='Johnston'] returns from injury</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hill-Murray Pioneers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Betty Trull takes over the reigns of the program bringing a healthy dose of energy and positivity to the Pioneers. With a loaded lineup featuring three outstanding Division 1 college prospects, the coach will do well if she creates a nice environment and lets the girls do their thing. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='923286' first='Ashlee' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='764215' first='Mariko' last='Lang'], [player_tooltip player_id='639702' first='Ellie' last='Drange'], [player_tooltip player_id='932015' first='Kennedy' last='Nicholson']. Key addition: [player_tooltip player_id='772240' first='Sarah' last='Poepard'] (Mahtomedi transfer).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshall Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We don't see Marshall during the regular season as much as we'd like but they have had tremendous success in March and should once again be a title contender. They'll face some stiff non-conference competition with games against Hopkins, Hill-Murray, Delano, Jordan and Stewartville that might serve as a spring preview. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='589276' first='Taleigha' last='Bigler'] (Southwest MN State), [player_tooltip player_id='1194474' first='Reese' last='Drake'], <strong>Avery Schneekloth</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='1323607' first='Danielle' last='Nubile']. Key addition: &nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='991284' first='Sydney' last='Towne'] is ready for a much bigger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delano Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Scott Antl has led a resurgence in Delano where the Tigers have evolved into a legitimate contender. Delano was 22-6 last season and did not lose a single player over the summer. Like Orono, the real challenge for the Tigers is getting past Benilde in section 6AAA. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='458302' first='Abbie' last='Pietila'] (Michigan Tech), [player_tooltip player_id='589282' first='Cassie' last='Wegman'] (Jamestown), [player_tooltip player_id='866100' first='Addie' last='Iversen'], [player_tooltip player_id='764224' first='Rachel' last='Wassermann'], [player_tooltip player_id='927238' first='Lexi' last='Champeau']. Fresh faces: [player_tooltip player_id='1090098' first='Peyton' last='Lightfoot'] should play a bigger role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Tara Gunderson has resurrected the Raiders, guiding a blend of veterans and youngsters to the Class 3A state tournament last season. With a pair of Division 1-bound freshmen running the show, and a nice supporting cast on hand, CDH should be legit once again. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'], [player_tooltip player_id='939003' first='Isabella' last='Deleeuw'], [player_tooltip player_id='1279505' first='Teagan' last='Jacobs'], [player_tooltip player_id='1164957' first='Sage' last='Gilbert'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048328' first='Joey' last='Hover'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048330' first='Gabby' last='Hoban'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeLaSalle Islanders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Tony Ragulen stated well in his preview of the Tri-Metro Conference on Tuesday, point guard Aneisha Scott was a franchise player for DeLaSalle. With Scott having graduated, the remaining Islanders will have to raise their games a little. It's a talented group. Key players: [player_tooltip player_id='992385' first='Anaya' last='Shaffa'], [player_tooltip player_id='529334' first='Isa' last='Griefenhagen'], [player_tooltip player_id='667778' first='Laila' last='Moses'], [player_tooltip player_id='644101' first='Samira' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1377567' first='Naomi' last='Whittaker-Hill']. Key additions: [player_tooltip player_id='478363' first='Maddy' last='Blaylark'] returns from injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6 DIVISION 1 COMMITS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='471360' first='Mya' last='Moore'] – Ranked &nbsp;5^th in Minnesota's senior class, the Orono guard has committed to Creighton.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='458305' first='Audrey' last='Shindelar'] – The 7^th-rated senior from Stewartville will play at South Dakota State.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502602' first='Morgan' last='Staloch'] – The top 10 senior is a multi-dimensional forward who signed with St. Thomas.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='280354' first='Tucker' last='Downs'] – A top-10 prospect, the athletic guard from Mankato West committed to South Dakota</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='339214' first='Jayci' last='Rath'] – The bouncy forward from Stewartville is ranked 12^th. She signed with St. Thomas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='498663' first='Madison' last='Ohm'] – The top 15 guard from Byron had a stellar summer during which she signed with Marist.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5 BIG-TIME PROSPECTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='904190' first='Malin' last='Youngberg'] – 2028 #6 from Little Falls</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='772240' first='Sarah' last='Poepard'] – 2028 #8 of Hill-Murray</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='897060' first='Madeleine' last='Hamiel'] – 2029 #3 from Cretin-Derham Hall</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='925046' first='Jordan' last='Staloch'] – 2029 #7 of Jordan</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1095939' first='Raegan' last='Kelm'] – 2029 #10 from Byron</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4 FRESH FACES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1280312' first='Jayda' last='Nobles'] – The 2031 guard from Benilde-St. Margaret's might be the state's best 7^th grader.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1239229' first='Ehlin' last='Youngberg'] – 2030 guard from Little Falls had a big summer and shows a ton of upside.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1132957' first='Sadie' last='Romens'] – The 2029 guard from Stewartville has the size, athleticism and skill to succeed.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1280966' first='Eliza' last='Mullenbach'] – The lengthy guard from New Ulm is an exciting prospect in the Class of 2031.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 UBER-ATHLETES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='884449' first='Andie' last='Changamire'] – 2029 #5 from Becker</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='939000' first='Kiera' last='Willis'] – 2029 #6 from Benilde-St. Margaret's</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1246847' first='Greta' last='Layton'] – 2029 #18 from Big Lake</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2 MOST HIGHLY SOUGHT RECRUITS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='377583' first='Mya' last='Wilson'] – 2027 #1 of Hill-Murray</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'] – 2027 #2 from Benilde-St. Margaret's</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1 MORE (REALLY BIG) THING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='923286' first='Ashlee' last='Wilson'] – When people ask for my opinion on the 2030 guard from Hill-Murray my answer is simple: “She'll play in the WNBA.” Wilson is one of very best 8^th graders in America</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->