High School Section Tournament Previews: Class AAAA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With week 14 of the regular season concluded, we are now heading full steam ahead towards the highly anticipated State Tournament. The event will take place on March 11th through the 14th, with games being held at Williams Arena and Maturi Pavilion at the University of Minnesota. Eight teams from each class will compete for the coveted state championship, but in order to get there, the section winners must be determined first. Over the next two weeks, section tournaments will be held all over the state in an effort to determine which 32 teams will head to the Barn.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For this week's coverage, we'll be looking at who the top seeds are in each section, one class at a time. I have listed out each section, the top contenders for the section title, their overall regular season records, as well as a bit of information about the strongest contenders. All that being said, let's take a look at who the top seeds are in Class AAAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1786191,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/MaggieDyerAmeliaMills-crop-3778x2481-1772224772.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786191" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Rochester Mayo, 25-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Andy Bromeling's Rochester Mayo squad is on a roll this season, winning every game on their schedule since late November. The Spartans are led by the star sophomore duo of [player_tooltip player_id='908260' first='Maggie' last='Dyer'] (pictured above, left) and [player_tooltip player_id='806429' first='Amelia' last='Mills'] (pictured above, right) , who combine for nearly 40 points a night. Other key contributors include senior [player_tooltip player_id='502550' first='Mia' last='Banks'] (Bemidji State), and junior guards [player_tooltip player_id='764213' first='Madalynn' last='McLaughlin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='886959' first='Siri' last='Kirkeby']. Mayo is looking to make their first trip to State since 2015.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Lakeville South, 17-9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars are entering the postseason with a highly experienced group consisting of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='927228' first='Amaya' last='Pahl'] (Mankato State), [player_tooltip player_id='502538' first='Ashlyn' last='Williams'] (Rollins College), [player_tooltip player_id='478365' first='Audrey' last='Schmidtke'], and <strong>Haley Benson</strong>. In addition to the upperclassmen, sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='644902' first='Piper' last='Ohnstad'] and Farmington transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1057125' first='Macie' last='Henrikson'] both play pivotal roles for Lakeville South. Looking for their first State Tournament trip in more than two decades, the Cougars will take on Lakeville North in the section semifinal on Saturday, February 28th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Lakeville North, 13-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Owatonna, 17-9, Eliminated 2/25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Farmington, 11-15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908376,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/Lanelle-Wright-State-Tourney-crop-2742x1801-1715633851.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-908376" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Minnetonka, 20-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnetonka is looking to return to Williams Arena this March after a narrow loss in last year's section final. With first year head coach Dre Jefferson now at the helm, the Skippers are entering the postseason as the #1 seed in their section. With one of the deepest varsity rosters in the state, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='252383' first='Lanelle' last='Wright'] (Grand Canyon) (pictured above) and [player_tooltip player_id='782562' first='Le'Sedra' last='Williams'] (Northern Iowa), junior [player_tooltip player_id='630244' first='Jazmin' last='Daing'], sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='565312' first='Ari' last='Peterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='786314' first='Tate' last='Addler'], and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='994855' first='Izze' last='Austin'] are all likely to play pivotal roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Chanhassen, 18-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the playoffs with the strongest lineup they've had in a number of years, the Chanhassen varsity squad has a chance to make it to the Barn for the first time in program history. South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='630241' first='Kate' last='Arnold'] tops the stat sheet, averaging 21.9 points per game, followed by St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='763004' first='Lyla' last='Hentges'] and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='1244229' first='Lucy' last='Hilgert'], adding 15.7 and 14.5 points a night, respectively. Also making key contributions for the Storm are junior [player_tooltip player_id='766676' first='Skyler' last='Mancini'] (St. Thomas) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='918649' first='Reese' last='Keating'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Waconia, 18-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Prior Lake, 12-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1327165,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/10/Ramlall-sisters-2025-26.jpg?w=807" alt="" class="wp-image-1327165" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Rosemount, 23-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosemount began their season on a hot streak, winning their first 13 games in a row. Now with the postseason in full swing, the Irish are aiming to get back to the Barn after missing the tournament in 2025. Averaging in double figures for coach Chris Orr's squad are sister [player_tooltip player_id='578467' first='Amisha' last='Ramlall'] (Minnesota) (pictured above, right) at 20.7 points per game and [player_tooltip player_id='716527' first='Ashna' last='Ramlall'] (pictured above, left) at 14.6 points per game. Upperclassmen [player_tooltip player_id='478366' first='Riley' last='Ang'], [player_tooltip player_id='630243' first='Arshia' last='Ramlall'] (pictured above, middle), and [player_tooltip player_id='630245' first='Gianna' last='Carpentier'], and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1096421' first='Maren' last='Powell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='963569' first='Kaylee' last='Dilger'] make up the rest of the team's core group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Eastview, 18-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the graduations of <strong>Bra'ja Torry</strong> (Kirkwood) and <strong>Myah Maull</strong> (Winona State), the Lightning have retained much of their core group from last season. Led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='502569' first='Clara' last='Goodman'] (St. Ben's), [player_tooltip player_id='502600' first='Jayda' last='Wilson'] (Gustavus), [player_tooltip player_id='782565' first='Maya' last='Jenkins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='515688' first='Lexie' last='Mathews'], Eastview is entering the playoffs as the #2 seed in their section. With plenty of help from breakout freshman point guard [player_tooltip player_id='941745' first='Nevaeh' last='Grosse'], they certainly have a chance to make it to State for the second year in a row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Eagan, 9-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Park of Cottage Grove, 9-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1786197,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Vienna-Murray-crop-3226x2118-1772225136.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786197" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 East Ridge, 21-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one of the strongest regular season campaigns in recent history, East Ridge is poised to make their first ever trip to the State Tournament. Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'] (pictured above) controls the stat sheet, contributing just over 23 points per contest. Other key contributors include senior [player_tooltip player_id='502535' first='Taylor' last='Klauer'], juniors [player_tooltip player_id='764197' first='Hailey' last='Sicard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932009' first='Cara' last='Sarbacker'], sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='815083' first='Amelia' last='Ecker'], and freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='994865' first='Jenille' last='Arrey']. After losing to Roseville in last year's section semifinal, the Raptors are likely to encounter a rematch in this year's tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Roseville, 19-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='773429' first='Maddie' last='Sundberg'] (Hamline), who averages just over 17 points per game, the Raiders are looking to make their first trip to State since 2023. Also averaging in double figures are sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='990285' first='Kiyanah' last='McGriff'] (14.4 ppg)and senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='658914' first='Mira' last='Jackson'] (10.6). After defeating St. Paul Central in the first round of sections on Wednesday, Roseville is gearing up to take on #3 seed Woodbury in the section semifinal on Saturday, February 28th.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Woodbury, 15-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 White Bear Lake, 10-16, Eliminated 2/25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Two Rivers, 18-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1718177,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/KateHolmquist-crop-2370x1556-1770235196.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1718177" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Maple Grove, 21-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking for their third consecutive section championship, the Crimson are entering the playoffs with a regular season record of 21 wins and 5 losses. Augustana commit [player_tooltip player_id='589275' first='Sophia' last='Anderson'] leads the team in scoring, averaging just under 19 points a game, followed by Montana commit [player_tooltip player_id='344332' first='Kate' last='Holmquist'] (pictured above), who averages nearly 18. Also making key contributions for Maple Grove this season are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='782570' first='Sienna' last='Mayer'] and <strong>Emily Gornick</strong>, junior post [player_tooltip player_id='764943' first='Mariah' last='Sexton'], and sophomore forward <strong>Lydia Gilbert</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Champlin Park, 16-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='502599' first='Reese' last='Hagenbart'] and sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='667771' first='Brooke' last='Soash'] top the stat sheet for Champlin Park, averaging 18.1 and 15.5 points per game, respectively. After winning just 5 games last season, the Rebels are entering the playoffs with 16 wins as somewhat of a dark horse in section 5AAAA. Other possible postseason difference makers include juniors <strong>London Olson-Patterson</strong> and <strong>Toni Ogunleye</strong>, and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='929499' first='Savan' last='Souriya']. The Rebels will take on #3 seed Mounds View in the section semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Mounds View, 15-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Rogers, 13-13, Eliminated 2/24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Spring Lake Park, 13-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1786205,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/Erma-Walker_Jaliyah-Diggs_122625-crop-4656x3057-1772225297.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786205" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Hopkins, 23-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 11 consecutive State Tournament trips and 9 state championships under their belt, Hopkins is a perennial fixture at Williams Arena. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='558627' first='Erma' last='Walker'] (pictured above, left) , [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs'] (pictured above, right) , and [player_tooltip player_id='377584' first='Ava' last='Cupito'] lead the team in scoring, combining for just over 50 points per game, on average. Also vital in the Royals rotation are junior [player_tooltip player_id='644107' first='Inarah' last='Nesbitt'], sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='897934' first='Lanaia' last='Durant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1209360' first='Ava' last='Smith'], and varsity newcomer, 8th grade forward [player_tooltip player_id='1418505' first='Marianna' last='Davis']. Coach Tara Starks' squad will next take on St. Louis Park in the section semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Wayzata, 21-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been 16 years since the Trojans last made it to State, but with one of the deepest varsity rosters in Minnesota, it's possible that 2026 could be their year. Creighton commit [player_tooltip player_id='478350' first='Kate' last='Amelotte'] has had a stellar senior campaign after sitting out last year due to injury. She averages 17.1 points a game, with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='659119' first='Maren' last='Day'] (South Dakota State) and [player_tooltip player_id='644100' first='Annika' last='Kieser'], as well as sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='948888' first='Mallory' last='McBeth'] also averaging in double figures. [player_tooltip player_id='600748' first='Kaja' last='Nash'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932145' first='Brielle' last='Denkmann'] can also drop 20 on any given night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Edina, 8-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 St. Louis Park, 12-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1786208,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Kate-Lee_Centennial-crop-2633x1729-1772225563.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1786208" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Forest Lake, 20-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers are entering the playoffs with a regular season record of 20 wins and 6 losses, looking for their first trip to the State Tournament in five seasons. Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='515674' first='Aubree' last='Hultman'] leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. South Dakota School of Mines commit [player_tooltip player_id='937656' first='Kendal' last='Damon'] averages 12.9. Hamline signee [player_tooltip player_id='1264759' first='Savanna' last='Puent'] averages 10.5. Other core members for Forest Lake include seniors <strong>Hailey Dereu</strong> and <strong>Natalie Krutzig</strong>. They will take on Andover in the section semifinal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Centennial, 14-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing the regular season just above .500, the Cougars are seeded second in their section coming into the postseason. Following their 30-point win over Duluth East in the opening round of the section tournament, Centennial is set to take on #3 seed Blaine in the semifinal. Their core group consists of [player_tooltip player_id='717665' first='Kate' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='742286' first='Sydney' last='Schmitz'], [player_tooltip player_id='772238' first='Kaylin' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='992379' first='Addy' last='Sears'], and <strong>Amelia Delmedico</strong>. Their last trip to the Barn was in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Blaine, 18-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 Andover, 14-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":538474,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/Samantha-Voll-scaled-crop-2254x1480-1667176840.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-538474" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Section 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#1 Monticello, 22-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id='515676' first='Samantha' last='Voll'] (pictured above) has been red-hot in her senior campaign, averaging over 25 points per contest. Also leading the charge for Monticello are Concordia-St. Paul commits [player_tooltip player_id='676690' first='Abby' last='Ruda'] and [player_tooltip player_id='676689' first='Addison' last='Ruda'], plus senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='677614' first='Parker' last='Haffeman']. After losing in the first round of last year's State Tournament, the Magic are looking to make the trip for the second year in a row, this time in Class AAAA. They will take on #4 seed St. Michael-Albertville in the section semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Elk River, 20-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elk River last made it to the State Tournament five seasons ago. This year, with a 20-6 record in the regular season, they have the chance to make it back there again. Senior post [player_tooltip player_id='1655247' first='Joanna' last='Talso'] (UNW-St. Paaul) leads the team in scoring, averaging over 17 points per contest. She's followed by senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='773414' first='Elsie' last='Ostmoe'] (Minnesota Duluth) and junior <strong>Ava Osterman</strong>. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='953273' first='Kaelee' last='Hansen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='992407' first='Izzy' last='Johnson'] are also key contributors for the Elks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#3 Brainerd, 20-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#4 St. Michael-Albertville, 10-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->