Previewing the Nickle Dickle 3-point contest

Ally McGinnis September 18, 2026 @ 10:18 AM

With a list of past participants that includes big names such as Paige Bueckers, Lauren Jensen, Mara Braun, and Maddyn Greenway, the Nickle Dickle 3-Point Contest has become one of the most well-known showcases of top-tier talent that Minnesota has to offer. The big event is just over 24 hours away, so we're taking a look at some of the festivities that will be happening in Waconia on Saturday. In addition to the evening's shootout, the event features a boys 3-point event, slam dunk competition, and an all-day 3-on-3 tournament for players of all age levels.

First started as a fundraiser for the St. Joseph Catholic School's athletic programs back in 2013, the event has grown in popularity year over year. This year's 3-point contest will take place at the St. Joseph School gym in Waconia, beginning at 6:15pm. Admission for spectators is $5. There's always a big crowd, so make sure to arrive early! The 3-on-3 tournament, which takes place outside the school from 10:30am until 4:30pm, is free to attend.

This will be my first year in attendance, so I'm looking forward to all that the Nickle Dickle Days have in store!

RULES AND PAST WINNERS

The 3-point shootout rules mirror that of the WNBA and NBA 3-point competitions. Each contestant will shoot five balls at five stations for a total of 25 shots. Each made basket is worth one point, except for the last ball, which is worth two. That makes a maximum possible score of 30 points! With 85 seconds on the clock, contestants should have plenty of time to complete all five spots. The shooters with the highest scores in the first round will then move on to round two, with the best shooter in that round being crowned the winner.

Here's a look at who has taken home the trophy in past years:

2025 – Beckett Greenway Beckett Greenway 5'8" | CG/SG Providence Academy | 2029 State MN , Providence Academy

2024 – Savannah Borowicz, Jordan

2023 – Kristi Kottke, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart

2022 – Mya Morris, Perham

2021 – Mara Braun, Wayzata

2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19

2019 – Kaylee Van Eps, Chaska

2018 – Macy Nilsen, Edina

2017 – Mikayla Van Nett, Como Park

2016 – Riley Wheatcraft, Prior Lake

2015 – Evelyn Knox, Hopkins

2014 – Martha Kuderer, Chanhassen

2013 – Anna Perril, Chaska

THIS YEAR'S FIELD

Maya Kilian Maya Kilian 6'1" | CG/SF New Prague | 2027 State MN – New Prague 2027 (North Dakota State)

Anna Neyens Anna Neyens 5'7" | CG/PG Mountain Iron-Buhl | 2027 State MN – Mountain Iron-Buhl 2027

Lauren Robison Lauren Robison 5'8" | CG Lakeville North | 2028 State MN – Lakeville North 2028

Regan Hemberger Regan Hemberger 5'5" | SG Perham | 2028 State MN – Perham 2028

Dreah Christiansen Dreah Christiansen 5'10" | SG Menahga | 2028 State MN – Menahga 2028

Amelia Truty Amelia Truty 5'9" | CG/SG Rochester Lourdes | 2030 State MN – Rochester Lourdes 2030

Hailey Eggers Hailey Eggers 5'9" | CG Waconia | 2029 State MN – Waconia 2029

Sawyer Backer Sawyer Backer 5'10" | SG Wayzata | 2029 State MN – Wayzata 2029

PREVIEWING THE 3-on-3 TOURNAMENT

2021 participants Tessa Johnson, Mara Braun, Nia Holloway, and Amaya Battle

The Nickle Dickle 3-on-3 tournament has an even longer list of big names who have participated. Some names you might recognize (in addition to those listed above) include Amaya Battle, Tessa Johnson, Tori Oehrlein, Aneisha Scott, Joey Batt, and Molly Lenz. While this year's competition may not have quite the same level of star power, there are plenty of promising young players in the mix.

Here are the high school teams who will be participating on Saturday.