Minnesota State Finals Preview for class 2A and 3A
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Finally, the time has come, the time every team dreams of when practice starts in November. With the lingering doubt of even having a State Tournament, it’s even more exciting that we can see a championship game this season. The…
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Continue ReadingFinally, the time has come, the time every team dreams of when practice starts in November. With the lingering doubt of even having a State Tournament, it’s even more exciting that we can see a championship game this season. The four teams left in Class 2A and 3A know how to win with most teams having less than 2 losses this year. Here is a preview and breakdown of the two final games.
Class 2A – #1 Albany vs #2 Providence Academy
What to expect:
Albany wants to get up and down the court at a fast pace. They hold other teams to a very low score by playing aggressive defense and jumping the passing lanes. Providence has a good balance of getting the ball inside and outside. The Counts sisters connect a lot on offense and the two young guards can attack and shoot. Look for the players to watch, to make big plays for their teams.
Players to watch:
Maria Counts Maria Counts 5'11" | PF Providence | 2022 State MN – junior post, Providence
Grace Counts Grace Counts 6'1" | PF Providence | 2023 State MN – sophomore post, Providence
Maddyn Greenway Maddyn Greenway 5'8" | PG Providence Academy | 2026 State MN – 7th grade point guard, Providence
Paige Meyer Paige Meyer 5'6" | PG Albany | 2021 State MN – senior guard, Albany
Abbie Christen – senior guard, Albany
Keys to win:
Albany –
- Attack on offense and get Providence in foul trouble
- Pound the ball inside
- Stay aggressive on the zone defense
Providence –
- Out-rebound Albany on both offense and defense
- Knock down 6+ threes
- Shut down Meyer who leads team in points, assists, rebounds and steals
- Stay active against zone, and make the extra pass.
X factors:
Brooke Hohenecker – Freshman, Providence
The freshman guard has a great stroke from beyond the arc. She hit four threes and two mid-range jumpers in the semifinals shooting 60% from the field. Providence will need to make the extra pass to get her the ball when she’s open at the three.
Joran Carlson – Junior, Albany
Carlson runs the floor on transition very well, looking for the fast break pass. She averages 6.5 points per game but put up 11 in the semifinal. She will need to stay active on defense and continue to run the floor.
Class 3A – #2 Becker vs #2 Marshall
What to expect:
Becker is a very unselfish team and will look to push the ball up on transition on almost every offensive possession. They scored 29 fast break points in the semifinals. Marshall plays a team game and has a lot of cuts and screens on offense. Look for the players to watch to make big plays for their teams.
Players to watch:
Julia Bengtson Julia Bengtson 5'10" | PG Becker | 2021 State MN – senior point guard, Becker
Adeline Kent Adeline Kent 5'8" | CG Becker | 2022 State MN – junior guard, Becker
Megan Gamble Megan Gamble 5'10" | SF Becker | 2021 State MN – senior forward, Becker
Courtney Nuest Courtney Nuest 5'8" | CG Becker | 2021 State MN – senior guard, Becker
Jordyn Hilgemann Jordyn Hilgemann 5'10" | SF Marshall | 2021 State MN – senior forward, Marshall
Emily Meier – senior forward, Marshall
Abigail Wendorff – senior forward, Marshall
Keys to win:
Becker –
- Push the ball on transition
- 25+ points off the bench
- Box out and keep Marshall off the offensive boards
Marshall –
- Get back on defense quickly after a miss
- Pound it inside on offense
- Get out on three point shooters
X factors:
Maren Westin Maren Westin 5'8" | CG Becker | 2023 State MN – sophomore guard, Becker
The sophomore guard has played big all year long coming off the bench and averaging 10.4 points per game. She can take her defender one on one with her quick first step and can knock down the three.
Brianna Simpson – Sophomore guard, Marshall
Simpson starts for the Marshall squad and has been consistent all year playing behind some senior leaders and averaging 10.2 points per game. She runs the floor in transition well and she can take her defender one on one. In the semifinals game she was aggressive early.