Underdogs to Watch in the Section Finals
Every year around this time, I get reminded not to rule out the underdogs. If you have been watching March Madness, you already know it’s the season for upsets. These underdogs are all good teams and should give the top…
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Continue ReadingEvery year around this time, I get reminded not to rule out the underdogs. If you have been watching March Madness, you already know it’s the season for upsets. These underdogs are all good teams and should give the top seed a run for their money.
#2 Wayzata in section 6AAAA
The Wayzata Trojans have been the underdog in this section for over 10 years. As a former Trojan I know how hard it is to be in a section with one of the best programs in the state year after year. The Trojans only have one state appearance, 11 years ago in 2010, when they beat the Royals in the semifinals. They may not be as loaded as they were the last few years, but Wayzata has the tools to get it done.
Scouting report:
Wayzata needs to be strong and confident from the tip, Hopkins preys on bad body language and fear. They will need to hold Hopkins to under 65 points, and really limit them to a lower scoring first half. In terms of stats, Hopkins is a better first-half team but that’s because they blow you out in the first half. Their top 3 scorers average 50 points per game, so the Trojans need to buckle down and hold them to under 40. Jenna Johnson Jenna Johnson 6'2" | PF Wayzata | 2021 State #52 Nation MN is going to have to step up and really play a close to perfect game. She will have the toughest task of guarding and playing against the number one ranked player Maya Nnaji Maya Nnaji 6'4" | PF Hopkins | 2022 State #7 Nation MN . If Jenna can have a huge scoring night on Thursday, I think the Trojans will have a chance. This year Jenna has extended her range and likes to knock down the mid-range jumper, she will need to come up from the block to clear out the paint for her teammates. Mara Braun Mara Braun 5'11" | CG Wayzata | 2022 State #21 Nation MN will also have a tough task of having multiple defenders thrown at her and being double teamed. If she can stay calm, cool, and collected she will have a good game. This year Mara has really done a good job at stepping from beyond the arc and knocking down the three. Her release is so quick that it’s hard to guard. However, I would like to see her attack the hoop and get some of the Royals in foul trouble. Brynn Senden Brynn Senden 5'6" | PG Wayzata | 2023 State MN the sophomore point guard always plays very good against Hopkins. The Trojans will need her to step up on Thursday and to take more control of the team. Being the third leading scorer, she will need to take 10 plus shots and use her speed and strength to get to the rim. If she can find her rhythm from behind the arc, Wayzata will be in really good shape. The other sophomore standout Shannon Fornshell Shannon Fornshell 6'1" | SF Wayzata | 2023 State MN is so fundamentally sound she can basically do it all. She will need to use her guard skills to pull her defender outside the arc. Shannon plays the forward position but can step outside the three and knock it down. Look for others off the bench like Grace Weber, Aliya Goodnature, and Laura Hyde to make an impact.
#2 Rochester Mayo in section 1AAAA
Rochester Mayo started off very strong winning their first 12 games. They were one of the few undefeated teams until they were handed two losses that came in March. They also have the key pieces this year to give Farmington a run and stop them from going to the state tournament back to back.
Scouting report:
Rochester Mayo will need to hold Farmington to under 60 points. Farmington is an even keel team, they tend to do the same thing each half. If Mayo can hold the three senior leaders to under 30, they will be ok. Anna Miller Anna Miller 6'2" | C Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN is the team leader and will need to step up big against the Tigers. She has the tough task of guarding and playing against Sophie Hart Sophie Hart 6'4" | C Farmington | 2021 State #44 Nation MN . If she can crash the boards and get put -backs, she can get the Tigers’ senior leader Sophie in foul trouble. Anna will also need to step outside the three multiple times and knock it down. She is the queen of double doubles and will need one come Wednesday. The two senior guards Lynnsey Hady Lynnsey Hady 5'10" | SG Rochester Mayo | 2021 State MN and Mullk Hammadelniel can shoot and will need to be ready to shoot the three ball with confidence and knock it down to beat the number one seed. Hannah Hanson Hannah Hanson 5'9" | CG Rochester Mayo | 2023 State MN the sophomore guard will need to make an impact as well.
#3 Benilde St. Margaret’s in section 6AAA
Benilde could be considered the underdogs just from the simple fact that they are young with not a lot of experience. The freshmen of Benilde are going to have to step up big and play fearless like they have this season to get past the Academy of Holy Angels team.
Scouting report:
Their opponent, Academy of Holy Angles, comes into sections with only 2 losses. The Red Knights will have a tough time slowing down senior Frankie Vascellaro Frankie Vascellaro 6'0" | SF Holy Angels | 2021 State MN , who puts up 18 points per game and controls the pace. They may need to throw 2 or 3 different defenders at Frankie to slow her down. They also have 3 other girls scoring in double figures that will be tough for the young Benilde team to guard. With that being said, Benilde will need to focus on getting two or three stops in a row and hold the Stars to 65 points. The Knights need to have a strong defensive presence from the tip as Holy Angles statically scores more in the first half then they do in the second. Freshman sensation Olivia Olson Olivia Olson 6'1" | CG Benilde-SM | 2024 State MN always play big, but she will need to give it all she has to beat this team. She has a target on her back and will be doubled and put into tough situations. The other freshman guard Tyreana Reliford Tyreana Reliford 5'11" | CG Cooper | 2024 MN will need to take and make big shots. Those two freshmen will have to put up a combined 40 points to give Benilde that push. The other two girls who will need to step up big are McKenzie Wells and Sophie Coleman.