Tony's Takes: Closing the Regular Season Strong

We've reached the final week of the regular season, and you can feel the shift. The urgency is different. Practices are sharper. Rotations are tightening. Every possession matters just a little more.This is the time of year where growth shows up in real ways. The young guard who forced shots in December is now making the simple play. The post who struggled with double teams is kicking out with confidence. Leaders are louder. Huddles are tighter. There's a maturity that only comes from taking some lumps and learning from them. At the same time, a handful of players are hitting their stride. Shots are falling. Defenses are locking in. Confidence is steady, not rushed. That's what you want heading into the postseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='923678' first='Ahmani' last='Crump'] - 2027 guard - St. Paul Como Park   The final score got a little out of hand, but while the game was still in the balance, Crump (pictured above) showed the maturity and growth in her game. Known for her speed, she has developed pace, her leadership has grown and she is the clear leader for the Cougars. Early on she navigated the press break, dribbling through when it was there, backing it up and passing ahead when needed and was clearly the vocal leader. She had 5 points in a run that saw the Cougars pull within one point at 27-26. By games end, Hill-Murray's size and depth prevailed, but Crump's growth was evident and needed to be recognized. She was the lone Cougar in double figures with 13.   [player_tooltip player_id='923286' first='Ashlee' last='Wilson'] - 2030 guard - Hill-Murray   Wilson wasted no time setting the tone against Como Park. The 8th grader came out firing, knocking down four of her first five shots from beyond the arc and putting the Cougars on their heels early. But she didn't stop at scoring. She imposed her will on the glass, ripping down 11 rebounds, and was just as active on the defensive end with six steals. What stands out about Wilson is how physical she plays at such a young age. She didn't shy away from contact, moved smaller defenders out of the way, and protected the rim with multiple blocked shots. She finished with 29 points and 11 boards as the Pioneers rolled 92-47. She followed that up with a 41-point performance against Mahtomedi, closing the regular season on a six-game winning streak. Wilson isn't just playing well – she's playing with confidence at the right time. The regular season tells you who you are. The playoffs test it. And right now, there are players across the state playing their best basketball at the right time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1353503' first='Eileenah' last='Zarate'] - 2030 guard - Forest Lake   Zarate made her presence felt the moment she checked in for Forest Lake. With the stakes clear – win and host throughout sections – there was no easing into it. The 8th grader's first two buckets came the hard way, both off offensive rebounds and strong put backs. That tells you a lot about how she approaches the game. She understands that seniors [player_tooltip player_id='937656' first='Kendal' last='Damon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='515674' first='Aubree' last='Hultman'] carry the load for the Rangers. Instead of forcing her own offense, Zarate impacts the game in ways that matter. She blocks out, talks on defense, moves without the ball, and stays ready. In the second half, she showed more of her skill set. She ran the floor, displayed strong footwork, and finished in transition with confidence. She's earned her minutes. As the Rangers head into sections, her role will only grow.   [player_tooltip player_id='1303730' first='Mira' last='Wismer'] - 2026 forward - Benilde-St. Margaret's   Wismer has always been the Swiss army knife for Benilde-St. Margaret's. Whatever the Red Knights need on a given night, she provides it. With plenty of scoring options around her, she's built her reputation on doing the dirty work – rebounding, defending, blocking shots, and creating second chances. In the regular season finale, she showed there's more in the toolbox. Early in the first half, Wismer put the ball on the deck, spun through traffic, and finished with a smooth left-handed bank that even had the announcer buzzing. It was a reminder that she's more than just glue. You know she's going to crash the glass and protect the rim. But if she's adding timely offense, that makes Benilde even tougher to deal with. On senior night, she led the Red Knights with 13 points in a runaway win over Chaska and sent a message heading into the postseason.   Kora Toops - 2028 guard - Pierz   The 5'8 guard out of Pierz wasted no time getting comfortable in the Pioneers' regular season finale on the road at St. Cloud Cathedral. She came out locked in, burying her first three attempts from beyond the arc and pouring in 16 first-half points. By night's end, she led all scorers with 23. What stands out about the sophomore is how smooth and controlled she plays. She has a pure stroke from the outside, but she doesn't force shots. She lets the game develop and picks her spots. When defenders close out too hard, she's poised enough to make the next right play. She also dropped 14 in a win over Hinckley-Finlayson, showing she can produce consistently. As the postseason gets closer, keep an eye on this sharpshooter. I have a feeling we'll be talking about her a lot more in the coming weeks.

We've reached the final week of the regular season, and you can feel the shift. The urgency is different. Practices are sharper. Rotations are tightening. Every possession matters just a little more.This is the time of year where growth shows up in real ways. The young guard who forced shots in December is now making the simple play. The post who struggled with double teams is kicking out with confidence. Leaders are louder. Huddles are tighter. There's a maturity that only comes from taking some lumps and learning from them. At the same time, a handful of players are hitting their stride. Shots are falling. Defenses are locking in. Confidence is steady, not rushed. That's what you want heading into the postseason.