Saying goodbye to the Class 4A seniors at State

Every year, the State Tournament gives us a stage to see who's ready for the moment. It's not just about wins and losses – it's about presence, toughness, and the ability to deliver when everything is on the line. This group of seniors didn't just show up, they impacted games, led their teams, and left their mark when it mattered most.   Some are moving on to the next level, and they've earned it. That comes from years of work, staying consistent, and competing every single day. Others are still working through that decision, figuring out if they want to keep playing and where that fit might be. And if they decide not to, that's OK too. The game has already given them a lot, and they've given plenty back.   This group is bigger than scholarships. There are seniors who battled through injuries, fought for minutes, and stayed ready no matter the role. They showed what it means to be a teammate and helped drive winning in ways that don't always show up in the box score. That matters, and it always will.   Below, we show some love to a group of seniors who competed in Class 4A .   [player_tooltip player_id='589275' first='Sophia' last='Anderson'] – 2026 guard, Maple Grove (Augustana)   Anderson played a key role in Maple Grove's run to the state title game a year ago, even if the minutes were hard to come by on a loaded roster. That didn't shake her. She stayed the course, put in the work, and waited for her moment. Fast forward to this season, and she made the jump in a big way, tripling her scoring from 6 points per game to a team-leading 18, guiding the Crimson back to the State Tournament. Her intensity showed up every night and carried over to her teammates. You could feel it when she was on the floor. That kind of growth doesn't happen by accident. It's earned. She's more than ready for what's next.   [player_tooltip player_id='344332' first='Kate' last='Holmquist'] – 2026 guard, Maple Grove (Montana)   Maple Grove's run speaks for itself – three straight trips to the state tournament, and Holmquist has been right in the middle of it. The Montana commit has been a steady presence in the starting lineup, bringing consistency to a program that's been one of the best in the state during that stretch.   While she can score with the best of them, it's on the defensive end where Kate sets the tone. That's where she takes pride, and it shows. Offensively, she took another step this season, raising her production from 12 points per game as a junior to just under 18 as a senior. Her experience, toughness, and leadership have been a big part of Maple Grove's success. That's not easy to replace, and it's something they'll feel moving forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='351665' first='Vienna' last='Murray'] – 2026 guard, East Ridge (Oklahoma)   The Raptors have had their share of talented teams over the years, but getting to the State Tournament always seemed just out of reach. When Murray transferred in from Tartan after her freshman year, that goal was front and center. She wanted to help change that. Mission accomplished.   It may not have ended the way Vienna pictured, but what she did still holds weight. Earning a scholarship to Oklahoma and establishing herself as one of the purest scorers in her class says everything you need to know. She showed up, produced, and helped push her program forward. Now, she's taking that same scoring ability and competitive edge to the next level, and there's no question she'll be ready for it.   [player_tooltip player_id='478366' first='Riley' last='Ang'] – 2026 guard, Rosemount   Battling back from major knee injuries just to step on the floor again is one thing. Coming back and earning real minutes on a team that wins a state championship is something else entirely. That's what Riley did, and it says a lot about who she is.   Her future was already trending up early on, putting up 12 points per game as a freshman. Then came the setbacks. But instead of letting it define her, she stayed locked in, supported her team, and worked her way back. That kind of approach doesn't go unnoticed. We don't know what her basketball future looks like, and that's OK. With her mindset, toughness, and leadership, she's going to be successful no matter what path she chooses.   [player_tooltip player_id='676690' first='Abby' last='Ruda'] and [player_tooltip player_id='676689' first='Addison' last='Ruda'] – 2026 forwards, Monticello (Concordia-St. Paul)   The bond these twin sisters (pictured above) share jumps out right away. It's a package deal, and you're getting everything with them – effort, toughness, and production on both ends. While teammate [player_tooltip player_id='515676' first='Samantha' last='Voll'] draws a lot of attention, this group doesn't make a State Tournament run without what these two bring inside and out.   They were steady throughout the run, impacting the game in different ways and making life tough for opponents on both ends of the floor. Even though they came up short of the ultimate goal, finishing with a consolation title is still something to respect. And the best part? They're not going far. We'll get to keep watching them grow and compete at the next level, and that's a win for everyone around here.

Every year, the State Tournament gives us a stage to see who's ready for the moment. It's not just about wins and losses – it's about presence, toughness, and the ability to deliver when everything is on the line. This group of seniors didn't just show up, they impacted games, led their teams, and left their mark when it mattered most.