2026 Class A State Tournament – Where I was Right and Wrong

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Class A State Tournament concluded March 7th in Jamestown at the Jamestown Civic Center. I released a <strong><em><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/03/class-a-state-tournament-who-to-watch-and-what-to-expect/">prediction</a> </em></strong>article prior to the tournament taking place. How close was I to predicting what happened?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Where I was Right</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I predicted that the South Prairie-Max Royals would be in the state title game and would be playing the Valley City Hi-Liners. I also predicted all four correct first round winners. Thompson won in a thriller over Rugby, 39-36. Valley City took care of Devils Lake 64-44. South Prairie-Max ran away with a convincing 75-25 victory over Watford City. Finally, Kindred snuck past Hazen 56-54.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Where I was Wrong</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I was correct in predicting the two teams to make the final, I was wrong in my pick of the winning team. I thought the talented roster of South Prairie would be too much for anyone to handle (all five starters were All-Region selections). Their roster includes All-State players [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'] and [player_tooltip player_id='593657' first='Rylee' last='Routledge']. The Hi-Liners' [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'] decided to spoil my prediction and the Royals' season, leading Valley City to an upset victory 69-62. Valley City goes back-to-back as State Champions with the win,.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Where I was Right</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had a pretty good grasp on who would be selected to the All-Tournament Team, going 9 for 11 in my picks. I correctly picked [player_tooltip player_id='342171' first='Addison' last='Sage'], [player_tooltip player_id='550491' first='Kya' last='Hurst'], [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'], [player_tooltip player_id='933650' first='Tylie' last='Brodina'], [player_tooltip player_id='593657' first='Rylee' last='Routledge'], [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'], [player_tooltip player_id='1004419' first='Siera' last='Nipstad'], [player_tooltip player_id='933460' first='Liza' last='Trenbeath'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1051389' first='Lauren' last='Doll'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Where I was Wrong</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I predicted [player_tooltip player_id='1056624' first='Dacota' last='Potratz'] from Valley City and [player_tooltip player_id='1054372' first='Bree' last='Rose'] from South Prairie-Max. They were not. Ainsley Johnson and Isabelle Ruud from Hazen were left off my prediction and were selected to the All-Tournament Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Where I was Wrong</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My Tournament MVP was wrong dude to my incorrect prediction of who would win the state title. I predicted [player_tooltip player_id='782585' first='Skotti' last='Beck'] would be MVP, but [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'] took that honor after an unstoppable set of performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Final Placing</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1st Place - Valley City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2nd Place - South Prairie-Max</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3rd Place - Thompson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4th Place - Kindred</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5th Place - Hazen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6th Place - Rugby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7th Place - Devils Lake</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8th Place - Watford City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Final Notes</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are quite a few talented graduating seniors from Class A. Thompson will look incredibly different next season with the graduation of Hurst and Sage. How will they respond? South Prairie-Max will still have NDSU commit Routledge, but will sorely miss Beck, [player_tooltip player_id='1054372' first='Bree' last='Rose'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1125219' first='Maycie' last='Talbott']. Can they make another run at the title next season? Kindred retains 2028 superstar [player_tooltip player_id='1004419' first='Siera' last='Nipstad'], but loses prolific scorer and All-State player [player_tooltip player_id='933460' first='Liza' last='Trenbeath']. Can they find enough firepower to compete in a tough Region 1? Devils Lake seems to always find a way back to state and will have a great chance to get back with the return of standout guard [player_tooltip player_id='933650' first='Tylie' last='Brodina']. Hazen clawed their way to the state tournament after a 17 year drought. They will be one of the favorites to not only get back next year, but win it all with the graduation of only 2 seniors. My final question is: what are the odds that Valley City three-peats? It could happen! They will certainly miss seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1056705' first='Maddy' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1056624' first='Dacota' last='Potratz']. However, they return two-time tournament MVP and All-State player [player_tooltip player_id='933463' first='Katie' last='Burchill'], All-Region selection [player_tooltip player_id='1056706' first='Skye' last='Nielson'], and future standout [player_tooltip player_id='1126118' first='Kinslee' last='Glandt']. This team has enough firepower to keep things interesting in 2026-2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->