Tony’s takes: The Holiday Tournament Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The holiday season is upon us once again and for us basketball junkies, that means another holiday tournament. I started my coverage checking in at Park Center for their annual holiday tournament featuring Minnetonka, Chaska, Owatonna and of course, the host, Park Center. I was able to venture over to Hill-Murray and catch a few games as well. Enjoy!! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Minnetonka vs. Owatonna</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The number one team in 4A put on a clinic on both sides of the ball averaging 85.5 points a game while knocking off St. Louis Park and Owatonna by an average of 58 points holding their two opponents to 27 ppg. The number one ranked prospect in the 2025 class [player_tooltip player_id='252387' first='Aaliyah' last='Crump'] had a season high 35 points in their game against Owatonna going 13-18 from the field while grabbing 10 boards, dishing out 3 assist and swiping 5 steals. The Gopher commit [player_tooltip player_id='215958' first='Tori' last='McKinney'] was equally as impressive chipping in 14 points going 6-8 from the field including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. Tori's impact on the defensive end doesn't always show up on the stat sheet, but she still grabbed 5 rebounds, while handing out 3 assist and nabbing 3 steals. Also scoring in the double figures was the 3rd-ranked prospect in the 2026 class [player_tooltip player_id='252383' first='Lanelle' last='Wright'], pumping in 17 points on 8-11 shooting while contributing 6 dimes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've come to expect this type of production from the Skippers' big 3, but there were other players that got a chance to get some run that will look to play a major part in Minnetonka's efforts to make a state championship run. While senior <strong>Anna McKinney</strong> only ended up with 2 points for the game, it was how she got them that made all the difference. Her effort and energy chasing down offensive rebounds and loose balls energized the Skippers bench and coaching staff alike. She seemed to understand her role coming up with steals and making the extra pass to get the ball into the hands of the scorers. Late in the game her hard work was finally rewarded as she pressured the opposing guards into a turnover leading to a fast break bucket for herself to cap off what was an impressive defensive team effort. [player_tooltip player_id='520270' first='Harley' last='Wock'] contributed 8 points including a nice pull-up jumper showing off her impressive leaping ability. Alexis Kiecker led Owatonna with 7 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Chaska vs. Park Center</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaska's size, experience and shooting versus with Park Center's youth, quickness and fearlessness was on full display in the nightcap of the Park Center-hosted holiday tournament. Park Center senior <strong>Mariam Alowonle</strong>, the Pirates only true post presence, was active early and often. She used her brute strength and nifty footwork to score a couple of early baskets and get a couple of Hawks, including [player_tooltip player_id='346160' first='Ella' last='Keenan'] into foul trouble, picking up 2 fairly early in the 1st half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Keenan on the bench, Chaska turned to senior [player_tooltip player_id='302310' first='Aubrey' last='Heyer'] to carry the load, tallying 12 big points in the 1st half to send Chaska into half time with a 23-20 advantage over the host Pirates. Matching Heyer's 1st half point production on the Pirates side was freshman [player_tooltip player_id='659130' first='Jaliyah' last='Diggs']. Listed at 5'5, which is probably a bit generous, but regardless of her stature, Diggs is dynamic and was everywhere from the tip off to the end. She was constantly speeding the Chaska guards up causing errant passes and turnovers and offensively, she was able to get to the basket any time she wanted to the tune of shooting 7/8 from the free throw line in the 2nd half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks experience and poise persevered in the 2nd half while also getting big contributions from super talented sophomore and 27th ranked prospect in the 2026 class [player_tooltip player_id='515651' first='Addi' last='Schneider'], pumping in 11 second half points after being held to 2 in the 1st, largely due to the on-ball defense of Diggs, but was able to handle the pressure much better in the 2nd half. Chaska would go on to pull away 61-43. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Park Center will be an intriguing matchup come section time once the underclassman get more reps under their belts and the senior class gets healthy. First year coach Tylor Coley has them playing hard and together. 7th grader <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090092' first='Demi' last='Holman']</strong> along with 8th graders <strong>Briana Foster</strong> and <strong>Anaya Shaffa</strong> are gaining valuable minutes while sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='589280' first='Lyric' last='Singleton'], a transfer from Cooper continues to get up to speed. Chaska has experience, shooting and pedigree on their side and will be a tough out later down the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eden Prairie took on Chaska on day 2 of the tournament and got big contributions out of Rae Erhman (19 points and 8 rebounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='595568' first='Ella' last='Hardwick'] (11 points, 9 rebounds and 5 steals) leading the Eagles to a 48-38 victory over the Hawks. Schneider led Chaska with 10 points with [player_tooltip player_id='550015' first='Alexis' last='Schaefer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='346160' first='Ella' last='Keenan'] both chipping in 8 a piece. It was a tightly contested game from the start with Eden Prairie's defense setting the tone. The Eagles forced 4 consecutive Hawk turnovers in the 2nd half, spearheaded by ultra quick guard [player_tooltip player_id='396426' first='Vanessa' last='Jordan'] to extend to a 31-22 advantage and they never looked back going on to win 48-38. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the opening night of the tournament, Eden Prairie took on St. Louis Park, coasting to a 92-65 victory including shooting 13-26 from beyond the arc and had 5 players score in double figures: [player_tooltip player_id='262910' first='Tori' last='Schlagel'] with 22, [player_tooltip player_id='252480' first='Rae' last='Ehrman']19, [player_tooltip player_id='662404' first='Emerson' last='Johnson']15, and [player_tooltip player_id='595568' first='Ella' last='Hardwick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='396426' first='Vanessa' last='Jordan'] both chipping in 10 apiece. [player_tooltip player_id='344357' first='Evie' last='Schmitz'] paced the Orioles with 27 with [player_tooltip player_id='563251' first='Ruby' last='Massie'] scoring 16 and <strong>Isabella Miller</strong> contributing 14. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over at the Hill-Murray tournament Fridley came away with what many consider an upset win knocking off Totino-Grace 68-58, giving the Eagles their 1st and only loss of the season so far. The Tigers got big contributions from top 60 ranked prospect in the 2025 class [player_tooltip player_id='346180' first='Brandi' last='Washington'], who notched 26 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 dimes. Washington is an elite finisher at the rim with either hand and has vastly improved her outside shot making making her very difficult to guard. Not to be outdone was teammate A<strong>ubrey Cochran-Star</strong>, finishing with 25 points and gobbling up 11 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id='502586' first='Maria' last='Radabaugh'], the 28th ranked prospect in the 2026 class paced the Eagles with 20 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lakeville South and Minnehaha Academy would turn in the game of the night with the Cougars besting the Redhawks 64-56 with a season-high point performance from [player_tooltip player_id='339143' first='Danielle' last='Coleman'] (Dani), the 22nd ranked prospect in the 2025 class finished with 28 big points. Coleman did it from all over the court, from knocking down big 3s, finishing in transition and a couple of and 1's that got the Lakeville South crowd up off their feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kansas St. commit [player_tooltip player_id='178270' first='Finley' last='Ohnstad'] chipped in 14 of her own and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='637605' first='Kaelyn' last='Bjorklund'] hit a couple back breaking 3's that helped her Lakeville South squad hand Minnehaha their 1st defeat of the season. The Redhawks understand they have a target on their backs every time they walk in the gym and [player_tooltip player_id='252379' first='Addison' last='Mack'], [player_tooltip player_id='178266' first='Angel' last='Hill'] and company are always up for the challenge. Lakeville controlled the game for most of the contest, but the Redhawks are never out of any game, and this one was no different. The Redhawks were down by as many as 14 early in the 2nd half before trimming the lead down to 4 late in the game. Ohnstad rebounded her own miss late in the game and hit a game-sealing turnaround bank shot to thwart the Minnehaha comeback attempt. Mack led the Redhawks with 30 with [player_tooltip player_id='178266' first='Angel' last='Hill'] chipping in 15 of her own. A game like this shows you that there isn't much separation from 4A to 2A as this one went down to the wire. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->