The Best Undefeated Teams this Season
Most people don’t know how hard it is to go through a season and remain unbeaten. It takes a lot of work, behind closed doors these teams have put in the work all season at practice. The way you play…
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Continue ReadingMost people don’t know how hard it is to go through a season and remain unbeaten. It takes a lot of work, behind closed doors these teams have put in the work all season at practice. The way you play and compete in practice, is the way you play and compete in games. As a coach I’ve never had an undefeated season but have been close. It takes more than just hard work at practice; you also need everyone on the team to “buy in”, you need to have a solid game plan and one of the biggest things to me is good team chemistry. Everyone needs to knows their roles. Oh, and having some talented leaders definitely helps.
These teams have created such good habits that even when their backs are up against the wall, their habits kick in, and they find a way to win each game. It’s a winning mentality that has been instilled in them, that you can see on and off the court. These 12 teams who have had a target on their back this season, fought through and finished undefeated.
From Class 4AAAA there were four dominant teams that were undefeated this year.
Hopkins went 14-0 this season, who we all know as the best team in the state right now. They are not only undefeated this season, but they are on a 75-game win streak! This team also has a really good national rank. The last game I watched them play against Becker, they looked like a well oiled machine. The best aspect of their team is their defense, the pressure they put on a team physically and mentally is amazing to watch. The division 1 leadership from their juniors Maya Nnaji Maya Nnaji 6'4" | PF Hopkins | 2022 State #7 Nation MN #1 and Amaya Battle Amaya Battle 5'10" | PG Hopkins | 2022 State #29 Nation MN #3 has come from years of playing experience. They lead by example. Alayna Contreras Alayna Contreras 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2022 State MN #24, a smooth combo guard, has also been a key piece to their success. Plus the super talented underclassmen Taylor Woodson Taylor Woodson 6'0" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State #28 Nation MN #2, Nunu Agara Nunu Agara 6'1" | PF Hopkins | 2023 State #32 Nation MN #3, and freshman point guard Liv McGill Liv McGill 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2024 State MN #2. The girls off the bench can also go off with Kelly Boyle Kelly Boyle 5'7" | CG Hopkins | 2023 State MN #24, and Selam Maher Selam Maher 5'7" | CG St. Louis Park | 2022 State MN #47, waiting to sub. It’s not every day you see a high school team with 6+ kids ready to go play at the next level.. like today.
Farmington who went 19-0 came back after a strong year last year and proved they belong with the best. They play like they have something to prove. The senior leaders took control this year and showed whose boss. This team was led by upperclassmen who brought their experience on the court this year. Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN #2, Paige Kindseth Paige Kindseth 5'10" | CG Farmington | 2021 State MN #11 and Peyton Blandin Peyton Blandin 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN #44 all averaged double figures in points and starters Maleah Scott Maleah Scott 5'6" | SG Farmington | 2021 State MN #133 and Rose Wille Rose Wille 5'8" | SG Farmington | 2022 State MN #37 both consistently contributed to help the tigers go unbeaten this season.
Stillwater who was 18-0 had a flawless regular season and remained undefeated, led by seniors Alexis Pratt Alexis Pratt 5'5" | PG Stillwater | 2021 State MN #18 the speedy, fineese point guard, and Gionna Carr Gionna Carr 5'9" | CG Stillwater | 2021 State MN #52. Junior guard Amber Scalia Amber Scalia 5'9" | CG Stillwater | 2022 State MN #37 also led the way with her tenacity on the court along with Lizzie Holder Lizzie Holder 6'1" | PF Stillwater | 2022 State MN #16. The two underclassmen, sophomore Lexi Karlen Lexi Karlen 6'0" | SG Stillwater | 2023 State MN #68, and talented freshman Amy Thompson Amy Thompson 5'10" | SG Stillwater | 2024 State MN #11 also stepped up and followed suit.
Chaska who went 13-0 this season couldn’t compete in all their games due to Covid, but showed they were not a team to mess with. They are stacked this year having multiple players who can take over the game at any time. The senior leaders Kaylee Van Eps Kaylee Van Eps 5'11" | SF Chaska | 2021 State MN #7, and Kelsey Willems Kelsey Willems 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2021 State MN #69, lead the team with great poise along with upperclassman Mallory Heyer Mallory Heyer 6'1" | PF Chaska | 2022 State #36 Nation MN #4, who took over games when needed. This team should be good again come next year with the talented underclassmen Kennedy Sanders Kennedy Sanders 5'8" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN #4, Ashley Schuelke Ashley Schuelke 5'10" | SF Chaska | 2023 State MN #18, and Anna Lenzen Anna Lenzen 5'9" | CG Chaska | 2023 State MN #41 that play with a confidence and maturity I like to see sophomores have. A strong group of juniors also stepped up including Jessica Heir Jessica Heir 6'6" | PF Chaska | 2022 State MN #96, Kendall Karrmann Kendall Karrmann 6'1" | SF Chaska | 2022 State MN #117 and Zoe Cutler Zoe Cutler 6'0" | PF Chaska | 2022 State MN #121.
The following teams in these classes also went unbeaten this season, with girls playing who are on our list.
3AAA
Marshall had a regular season record of 17-0
Como Park had a regular season record of 11-0
- 2022s – Ronnie Porter Ronnie Porter 5'2" | CG Como Park | 2022 State MN #20, Kaylynn Asberry Kaylynn Asberry 5'5" | PG Como Park | 2022 State MN #19, Jada James Jada James 5'10" | PF Como Park | 2022 State MN #59, Cloey Dmytruk Cloey Dmytruk 5'10" | PF Como Park | 2022 State MN #63, Shakyla Walker Shakyla Walker 5'6" | SG Como Park | 2022 State MN #119
- 2023s – Shania Van Nett Shania Van Nett 5'7" | CG Como Park | 2023 State MN #13 (injured)
Class 2A
Stewartville had a regular season record of 18-0
- 2021s – Maia Peterson Maia Peterson 5'7" | PG Stewartville | 2021 State MN #122
- 2023s – Haylie Strum Haylie Strum 5'6" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN #73, Keeley Steele Keeley Steele 5'8" | CG Stewartville | 2023 State MN #85
New London-Spicer 19-0
Class A
Minneota had a regular season record of 19-0
- 2021s – Abby Hennen Abby Hennen 5'9" | CG Minneota | 2021 State MN #72
- 2022s – Natalie Rolbiecki Natalie Rolbiecki 5'10" | CG Minneota | 2022 State MN #74
Sleepy Eye-St. Mary’s had a regular season record of 18-0
Hancock had a regular season record of 16-0
Houston had a regular season record of 14-0