State Tournament: Breakout Players in Class A

There's nowhere better in March to raise your game than the high school State Tournament on the campus of the University of Minnesota – particularly in Class A. Players can show up to the Maturi Pavilion on Thursday morning as an unknown and leave on Saturday night with their name in lights. It's fun watching the wider sports media and tournament broadcasters “discover” players we have been writing about and ranking for several seasons, and fun watching them have success on the biggest stage of all.   We've selected four breakout performers from the Class A tournament, all of whom are well-established competitors. [player_tooltip player_id='1216140' first='Olivia' last='Schieffert'] of Sleepy Eye St. Mary's is the 61st-rated prospect in the Class of 2028. [player_tooltip player_id='766677' first='Sienna' last='Duininck'] of Central Minnesota Christian is a Top 30 prospect in the Class of 2027. And [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] should be in or near the Top 10 when we rank the Class of 2030 for the first time this fall. We knew what they could do and they did it. The one player who raised her stock the most this year in Class A was junior [player_tooltip player_id='764223' first='Paige' last='Norman'] of runner-up Mountain Iron-Buhl. Let's begin with her performance as we look at the Class A breakout playerss.   [player_tooltip player_id='764223' first='Paige' last='Norman'] – 2027 forward, Mountain Iron-Buhl   We've seen Paige's game for several years as she established herself as a post player to follow and gradually gained coordination and improved her skillset. The 6-foot+ power forward has always been considered a good college prospect which is why she has hovered around the #100 mark in the Prep Girls Hoops rankings. I'm not sure how well she was generally known prior to the tournament. This was her coming out party, it seems, and the phone has apparently started ringing. That's what playing solid basketball at State will do for a player's career – elevate you from the shadows into the spotlight and a place on the All-Tournament Team. Nice work!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/03/Paige-Norman_MIB-2027.jpg?w=873" alt="" class="wp-image-1807908" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='764223' first='Paige' last='Norman']</figcaption></figure>   There's a lot to like about  Norman's developing game. The power forward/center brings a big frame and solid build to a Mountain Iron-Buhl team that traditionally leans guard-heavy, making her presence inside particularly valuable. After beginning her high school career at Duluth Marshall, Norman transferred north and quickly carved out an important role. At the State Tournament and in the section final, she averaged 13.75 points per game, a big jump from the 4.7 ppg she posted in the first month of the season. Paige  ended the year among the Rangers' top five scorers at 8.5 ppg while shooting an efficient 57% from the field. She also stepped outside to knock down a dozen three-pointers, showing improved range.   Norman is a committed rebounder who led the team in that department with 5.7 per game. Her footwork and back-to-the-basket execution continue to progress, while her size helps protect the paint defensively. Off the court, Norman excels academically as an elite student who is a member of the National Honor Society, student council and the math team. For a player of her status, those attributes will be just as important in deciding where to play at the next level as any athletic dollars that may materialize.   [player_tooltip player_id='1110548' first='Elin' last='Retzlaff'] – 2030 guard, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy   Retzlaff made a major statement during the postseason. The 8th grader erupted for 31 points in the State Tournament opener against NRHEG, shooting 50 percent from the field, 75 percent at the line and knocking down four threes. She followed with 29 more in the semifinals against Mountain Iron-Buhl. Already productive as a 7th grader, Elin raised her scoring average over 30% this year, rising from 13.9 to 18.6 points per game . A versatile guard with excellent size for her grade, she scores at all three levels and attacks the rim with force. Retzlaff handles contact well, finishes through defenders and takes advantage of mismatches with her strength and skill. Her effort level on the floor is exceptional.   [player_tooltip player_id='1216140' first='Olivia' last='Schieffert'] – 2028 guard, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's   Schieffert played a critical role in Sleepy Eye St. Mary's run to a state title. The 5'9 sophomore delivered a standout performance in the championship game, scoring 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting while adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists. A strong, athletic guard with a solid build, Olivia is one of the better defenders in the 2028 class. Her strength allows her to guard bigger players while her quickness keeps opposing guards in check. She also reached the 1,000-point milestone in January and averaged nearly 19 points per game for the season on 63 percent shooting. With a reliable three-point shot, strong footwork around the rim, and high basketball IQ, Schieffert contributes across the board. This is a rising star in Class A.   [player_tooltip player_id='766677' first='Sienna' last='Duininck'] – 2027 guard, Central Minnesota Christian   Duininck stepped into the spotlight at the State Tournament and showed exactly why she's one of the most productive guards in Minnesota. The highly skilled point guard averaged 24 points and 7 rebounds this season while committing theft to a the tune of 179 steals. Against a physical Northome/Kelliher team she delivered one of the year's most impressive performances with 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting along with 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 8 steals. Duininck is a confident shooter from deep who stretches defenses and creates space for teammates. Her court vision and playmaking instincts are exceptional, and her toughness allows her to thrive even under heavy defensive pressure. If you didn't know before, you certainly know now why Sienna is a scholarship-level recruit.

There's nowhere better in March to raise your game than the high school State Tournament on the campus of the University of Minnesota – particularly in Class A. Players can show up to the Maturi Pavilion on Thursday morning as an unknown and leave on Saturday night with their name in lights. It's fun watching the wider sports media and tournament broadcasters “discover” players we have been writing about and ranking for several seasons, and fun watching them have success on the biggest stage of all.