The Week That Was No. 3: Revival in the Rapids

It's easy to talk about the front-runners, those state-tournament bound programs loaded with college-level talent and all of the advantages available to ensure on-court success. In reality, the vast majority of the 400-plus programs that compete in Minnesota girls basketball operate in relative anonymity in search of much more modest goals. They deserve some shine, too.   That's why I try to watch a wide variety of games every week featuring teams from all corners of the state. The product on the floor isn't at the level of Hopkins or Benilde-St. Margaret's or Providence Academy, but these games are no less important to the player/human development of those involved. Let's begin our look at the past seven days with one such program as we recap the Week That Was No. 3.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/CR-group-photo-2-crop-3456x2270-1765224979.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1503028" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/CRGirlsBBall" target="_blank">Coon Rapids Basketball</a> (Left to right: Kyla Carter, Annie Carlson, Ellese Harfield, Aubrey Schneider & [player_tooltip player_id='1134572' first='Madison' last='Ronning'])</figcaption></figure>     Belief over doubt   The revival of girls basketball at Coon Rapids High School isn't an overnight success story, but the results of Coach Chris Buerman's quest to rebuild the Cardinals are finally starting to show. CR began its season with three straight wins. That's impressive for a team that finished 0-26 in the 2021-22 season, won only one game the following year, and went winless in Northwest Suburban Conference play last winter.   The impetus behind the rebirth is a carefully crafted cultural transformation that began in the fall of 2022 when Coach Buerman was hired to lead the program out of the doldrums. Buerman, who had a successful run at Maranatha Christian Academy nearly a decade ago, had a vision. “We've worked to create an environment that welcomes all levels of athletes to be part of our community,” he said. “Our focus has been on serving each other and finding the best in each teammate, no matter the skill level. We've removed the past negative stigma. Our mantra this year is ‘belief over doubt.'”   The shift is tangible. More players are choosing to attend CR rather than looking to nearby programs. Former Cardinal standout Jenny Ntambwe, fresh off a nice college career, has returned to help out, providing current players with a great example to emulate. And Buerman has opened the door for younger athletes to grow in the system early – a foundational piece of the rebuild.   I watched the Cardinals on Wednesday against Minneapolis Camden. The shift in CR's play was evident immediately. The team is much more athletic, play with greater pace, and the effort level was impressive. The impact of youthful enthusiasm is obvious. “This is the first year we're really playing my style,” Buerman said. “We finally have the depth to keep up a relentless attack from tipoff to the final buzzer.”   The roster is guard-heavy and relatively inexperienced:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Kyla Carter is a 7th grader who is earning minutes at point guard and reminds Buerman of former Maranatha star Alaina Jarnot.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='899007' first='Richelle' last='Cooper'], a junior, has become the team's primary scorer and a much-improved defender.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1261815' first='Brynlie' last='Wold'], a 9th grader, brings quickness, shooting, and physicality.</li>   <li>Ellese Harfield, an 8th-grade post, is emerging as a skilled, mobile defensive presence.</li>   <li>Seniors like Jakyah Palmer provide steady leadership across multiple positions.</li> </ul>   Even more youth is on the way as 7th-grader Annie Carlson and 8th-grader [player_tooltip player_id='1134572' first='Madison' last='Ronning'] are beginning to see varsity minutes. The expected return this week of emerging prospect [player_tooltip player_id='502536' first='Aaliyah' last='Graham'] will add another scorer and transition threat.   As any good high school coach will tell you, winter success is built during summer workouts. Coach Buerman has greatly increased access to such opportunities for the players. “I've provided summer workouts for all players with no fee so every athlete has a chance to improve,” he said, “and bringing back alumni like Jenny allows our players to see that they can reach the highest levels.”   Most important, Coach Buerman emphasized, has been the school's commitment to the process. “The conversations and changes haven't always been easy,” he said, “but our administration has backed us the whole way as we work to build a Cardinal program where everybody can thrive.”   Undefeated to date   The Coon Rapids win streak came to an end on Friday against another undefeated squad – Spring Lake Park. The Panthers boast a talented lineup led by [player_tooltip player_id='999549' first='Anna' last='Smolich'], [player_tooltip player_id='764201' first='Jaelyn' last='Bursey-Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1317635' first='Lyla' last='Behnke'] and others, and an unblemished 5-0 record. Last week we wrote about Waconia's hot start. The Wildcats knocked off Prior Lake and Shakopee last week to extend their win streak to six games. We watched the Shakopee game and couldn't have been more impressed with Waconia's energy and physicality.   Among the other undefeated teams in Class 4A are Minnetonka, Rosemount, Forest Lake and Elk River. In Class 3A, Benilde St. Margaret's is a perfect 4-0. Also undefeated are Richfield, Marshall, Rock Ridge and Fergus Falls. In Class 2A the 5-0 teams include Windom and St. Clair. At 4-0 are Pipestone, Maranatha Christian Academy, Minneapolis North, Frazee, Plainview-Elgin-Millville, Rochester Lourdes and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. In Class A more than two dozen teams have an unblemished record. Apologies to those we didn't mention.   Player on the Rise – [player_tooltip player_id='897890' first='Ellie' last='Quast']   Things haven't gone quite as smoothly in Shakopee where the Sabers are trying to turn things around under new coach Alex Davis, who was a terrific hire for the program. Shakopee concluded Week 3 winless in five tries against teams with a combined record of 17-10. One player around whom the new era is certain to evolve is Quast, a lengthy 6'1 sophomore who has earned the #61 ranking in the Prep Girls Hoops Class of 2028. Watching her twice last week, it's obvious that Ellie is starting to come into her own.   In summer ball she has been somewhat overshadowed by teammate [player_tooltip player_id='897889' first='Madilynn' last='Bell'] of Lakeville North – a rising star in the class – but Quast brings plenty to the table herself. Ellie is a true post player who uses her length to defend effectively, has a good mid-range game and can finish around the rim. Quast is moving really well, operating with more fluidity, and handling the ball with poise and confidence. She has become a force on the boards. With the return of Houston Christian commit [player_tooltip player_id='567377' first='Sadie' last='Hall'] to the lineup, Shakopee should turn the corner soon.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/Acelynn-Hacker.jpg?w=934" alt="" class="wp-image-1503047" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/KMSGBB" target="_blank">KMS Girls Basketball</a></figcaption></figure>   Milestones   [player_tooltip player_id='205310' first='Tori' last='Oehrlein'] of Crosby-Ironton on Thursday became the second player in state history to have 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in her career. The senior guard has committed to the University of Minnesota.   [player_tooltip player_id='862791' first='Acelynn' last='Hacker'] of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg (pictured above) became the Saints' all-time scoring leader surpassing the previous record of 1,613 set in 2007 by Esther Peterson. We'll have more on Acelynn in a day or two.   We learned of four players who reached 1,000 career points in Week 3. Let us know who we missed:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='502566' first='Siri' last='Konkel'] of Spring Grove</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='782559' first='Kylie' last='Hammel'] of Spring Grove</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1175103' first='Morgan' last='Rysdam'] of Braham</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='498661' first='Pressley' last='Watkins'] of Benilde-St. Margaret's</li> </ul>   What to watch this week   Here are some games to check out during Week 4 of the season:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Tuesday: DeLaSalle at Holy Angels, Elk River at Maple Grove</li>   <li>Wednesday: Lakeville South at Lakeville North, Wayzata at Minnehaha Academy</li>   <li>Thursday: St. Michael-Albertville at Elk River, Hopkins at Marshall</li>   <li>Friday: Chanhassen at Wayzata, Rochester Lourdes at Byron</li>   <li>Saturday: Hayfield-Schaffer Academy at Mayer Lutheran</li> </ul>   Top banner photo (left to right): Coon Rapids seniors Shanyah Horton, Za'Kiya Hopkins, Hailey Nowlan, Jakyah Palmer & Solange Barkon.

It's easy to talk about the front-runners, those state-tournament bound programs loaded with college-level talent and all of the advantages available to ensure on-court success. In reality, the vast majority of the 400-plus programs that compete in Minnesota girls basketball operate in relative anonymity in search of much more modest goals. They deserve some shine, too.