Season behind the Mask - Pacesetter Sports
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WEEKLY ROUNDUP
*Our preseason Top 20 teams
in each class
*Our preseason Top 50
players each class
*Column: Back in the Game
Volume 26 Issue No. 1 January 15 2020-21
Season behind the Mask
By Bruce Strand
B asketball is an exhausting sport
in the best of conditions, but
imagine repeatedly running fast
breaks, sticking to your man in
full court defense, or jostling for
rebound position with a mask pulled
tight over your nose and mouth.
That’s the reality for high school
basketball players this season, as
a stipulation for being allowed to
have a season during the Covid-19
pandemic. During practices and
games, all the players, coaches and
officials will be masked.
The MBBN asked four coaches
about their impressions of playing
masked after one week of practice.
Minnehaha Academy, with the new addition to their uniforms.
“It’s been hard. They were not in Photo by Carrie Johnson
good shape in the first place; they
hadn’t played basketball in a month players are making the best of it. eventually lessen. “Masks are not
and a half,” said Kenny Novak of “Our players are dealing with the working and are dangerous for the
Hopkins. “I think there will have to masks in a positive way. None of kids to have on while they play,” he
be more subbing.The teams with the them have actually complained said. “Covid is very real, I understand
most depth will come out on top.” about it,” Johnson said. “I think they that, but in our area we don’t have
are just psyched to be back playing.” hardly any cases anymore. “
Masking has been “very annoying,”
said Seth Anderson, Waseca boys Jeremy Post, White Bear Lake girls’
Players are elated to be back on
coach. “The kids absolutely despise coach, said he hasn’t heard much
court at all, even if that’s the price
wearing them. I know our kids have about it from his players and as
to pay. “Kids need things to do and
trouble breathing with them. As coach he’s trying not to dwell on it.
they need things to look forward to,”
practices go on and the kids start “The kids are hanging in there,” he
Anderson said. “During the delays
competing, you don’t notice them as said. “You’ve just got to accept it
and with distant learning, it has
much, but the masks will certainly and move forward. It’s the same for
really put a stress on kids … I think
be noticeable once games start.” every team.” a lot of the guys have appreciated
the privilege to be able to come to
Lance Johnson, Minnehaha Jamie Pap, Southwest MN Christian a basketball practice these days and
Academy boys coach, said his boys coach, is hoping the restrictions play again.”
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 2
Redhawks in the limelight
Wayzata, Waseca, Nevis also The Redhawks top the Class 3A list in the Minnesota
dubbed No. 1 by MBBN Basketball News pre-season Top 20 for the 2021 season
that begins this week, a month and a half late.
By Bruce Strand
Ranked second is Totino-Grace, which returns its whole
L ed by a 7-footer regarded as the nation’s top senior lineup from a 20-9 team, led by soph guard Taison Chat-
recruit, Minnehaha Academy starts this belated man and CJ O’Hara. They added a highly-regarded 6-9
2021 season as the state’s most high-profile team. sophomore who transferred from Fargo. Looming large
as always, No. 3 at the outset, is DeLaSalle, winner of
“We enter the 2021 minus Jalen Suggs, who is tearing it seven state titles since 2012.
up at Gonzaga, but our roster still contains a bunch of
talented players,” acknowl- As for Class 4A?
edged Lance Johnson,
coach of the Minneapolis “Wide open this year,” said
private school. David Flom, coach of last
year’s premier team, Eden
“Chet Holmgren is much Prairie, which went 28-0 but
better than last year (believe didn’t get a chance to pur-
it or not); Prince Aligbe is sue its first state title.
much improved; Donovan
Smith can shoot the lights Wayzata is MBBN’s pick for
out; Isaiah Davis will flour- No. 1 before the first jump
ish with more freedom and ball. The Trojans were 11-
playing time; Hercy Miller 17 last year and their only
is one of the top guards in state title came in 1959. But
Minnesota. they were wracked by inju-
ries last year and opposing
“I also expect to be able to coaches praise Wayzata for
play 10 players, so it appears a deep, tall, talented, lineup
that right now depth is a with good shooters, under
strength for us.” coach Bryan Schnettler.
Chet Holmgren of Minnehaha Academy blocks Leaders are 6-9 Carter Bjer-
Holmgren is the agile, wil- a shot against Eden Prairie last year. ke and 6-6 Camden Heide,
lowy, long-limbed 7-foot Photo by Bruce Strand both juniors.
center ranked the No. 1
overall prospect in both the 247Sports Top 150 and Lakeville South, 21-7 last year, is our No. 2, with 49 points
247Sports Composite Player Rankings, after a spectular per game returning, led by sweet-shooting guard Reid
off-season in AAU ball. Patterson (18 ppg), and stout defense. We’ve got 10-
time state champion Hopkins, whom Novak says is
Suggs, last year’s Mr. Basketball, is now a freshman col- down a bit in talent this year, in the third slot.
lege star after leading the Redhawks to 108 wins in four
years and three Class 2A state championships. Lakeville South was Breakdown’s No. 1 pick in its season
preview. In the other three classes, MBBN picked the
Minnehaha would have been pursuing the 3A crown last same pre-season No. 1.
year, but the Covid-19 pandemic halted the season at the
end of sectionals, leaving Minnesota without a state tour- Waseca tops our Class 2A list, with the top seven back
nament for the first time since 1912. from a 20-5 team, including 6-9 Andrew Morgan, who
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 3
averaged 21 points, and two who averaged over 18 points, Nevis, a northern burg of about 400, hopes to add its
Ryan DuFault and Kyreese Willingham. The Bluejays, first state title to its other claim to fame, the world’s larg-
coached by Seth Anderson, hope to finally add a title to est Muskie statue. The Tigers are top-ranked in Class 1A,
the one nabbed in 1918. returning 11 of the top 12 (only two of them seniors)
from a team that was 24-4 heading into the section fi-
Minneapolis North, always a huge factor, with seven nals when the season ended.
state titles, is next, returning 62 points per game from five
players on a 21-8 team, led by Devon Townley (20 ppg), “It is great for our program to be ranked as the number
and adding a transfer from Hopkins, Andre Grey. Third is one team in Class A,” said coach Scott Kramer, who has
Caledonia, returning 42 ppg from a 28-1 team. 420 wins in 23 seasons, and whose son Eddie is top scorer
back with 17.3 per game.
Waseca coach Seth Anderson says Class 2A talent has
been “fantastic” for the past few years. His team dropped “It would have been nice to get to play against the best
from 3A to 2A last year. competition during the summer to try to get a measure of
the other teams and see where we truly stack up … but I
“When you look around at all the AA schools and see the do know that we are one of the best teams and have a lot
talent right now, it’s unbelievable,” Anderson declared. of potential with our young guys.”
“When I was a player in the state tournament in the 2006-
2008 seasons, there weren’t really any players in AA who The next two are Hayfield and North Woods. Hayfield
were Div. 1 and very few Div. 2 caliber. Now, it’s a whole has three veterans from two 24-win seasons, plus
different ball game.” reinforcements from a 22-4 jayvee. North Woods has
four kids back who scored 56 ppg on a 23-6 team, plus a
transfer who averaged 17 points in Louisiana.
2021
Winter Classics
Boys & Girls Grades 4-8
Redwood Falls, MN
Sat, Feb 27:
Boys & Girls Grades 4, 6, 8*
Sun, Feb 28:
Boys & Girls Grades 5, 7*
*all grades refer to 2020-21 school year
Sartell, MN
Sat, Mar 6:
Boys Grades 4, 6, 8 | Girls Grades 4, 6*
Sun, Mar 7:
Boys Grades 5, 7 | Girls Grades 5, 7, 8*
*all grades refer to 2020-21 school year
All teams play 3-4 games • $210/team
Register online: www.pacesettersports.net
Head coaches:
Please send any special highlights about your team or your players to bruce.a.strand@gmail.com. Thank you!
Minnesota Basketball News is plavnning to publish three more issues: February (mid-season), March (pre-state), April (state).
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 4
Boys Top 50 in each class
CLASS 4A CLASS 3A
Andover - Calvin Foy, sr G Alexandria - Erik Hedstrom, jr F; Colton
Blaine - Aaron Kaul, jr C Roderick, sr G
Buffalo - Antonio Bluiett, jr G Austin - Teyghan Hovland, sr F; Okey Okey, sr G
Chaska - Luke Strazzanti, sr G Bloomington Kenn. - Amarion Hanspard, sr G
Champlin Park - Francis Nwoakorie, sr F Chisago Lakes - Andrew Koehler, sr F
Cretin-Derham Hall - Tre Holloman, sr G Cloquet - Adam Schneider, sr G
Duluth East - Noah Paulson, sr C; Mattie Columbia Heights - Muja Burton, jr F; Elija
Thompson, sr G; Will Van Scoy, jr G Williams, sr G
Eagan - Emmanuel Schmitter, so G DeLaSalle - Cade Haskins, sr G; Kejuan
East Ridge - Kendall Blue, jr G White, sr G
Edina - Brady Helgren, jr G; Sammy Delano - Trey Longstreet, sr G
Presthus, jr G Fridley - Christian Crockett, sr G
Hopkins - Elvis Nnaji, jr C; Jaelen Treml, sr F
Hibbing - Mayson Brown, sr G; Ayden McDonald,
Lakeville North - Will Blasziek, sr G-F; Cooper
Laufenberger, sr F jr G; Tre Holmes, Hibbing, sr G
Lakeville South - Reid Patterson, sr G; Riley Holy Angels - Emmett Johnson, jr G;
Mahlman, sr C; Avery Mast, jr F Bryce Boyd, sr F
Maple Grove - Caden Boettcher, sr F Kasson-Mantorville - Jace Bigeloe, sr F
Moorhead - Brady Walthal, sr G Minneapolis Edison - Jason Langley, sr F
Mounds View - Evan Kim, sr G; Dylan Wheeler, Minnehaha Academy - Chet Holmgren, sr C;
jr G Prince Aligbe, jr F; Hercy Mill- er, sr G; Donovan
North St. Paul - Murl Smith, sr G; Nino Smith, jr F
Johnson, jr G Mound-Westonka - Jason Spaeth, jr G-F
Northfield - Karsten Clay, sr G; Kip Orono - Connor Chappell, sr F
Shetnan, sr G Princeton - Hayden Stay, sr G-F
Osseo - Joshua Ola-Joseph, jr F; Bernard Richfield - Ryan Miles, sr F; Mitchell January,
Omooria, jr G jr G-F; Isaiah Casey-Hammond, sr F
Owatonna - Evan Duschek, jr F Rocori - Tucker Haakonson, sr G
Prior Lake - Malcolm Jones, jr G Sartell-St. Stephen - Gustav Gunderson, jr G
Robbinsdale Armstrong - D’Sean Larkins, sr G St. Cloud Apollo - Thomas Diew, jr C
Robbinsdale Cooper - Davon Evans, sr G St. Croix Lutheran - Zach Longueville, sr G;
Rosemount - Sean Sullivan, sr G; Caleb Owen Bushow, sr G
Siwek, jr G St. Francis - Cody Pennebaker, jr G
St. Louis Park - Paris Johnson, sr F St. Paul Highland Park - Nico Peterson, sr F;
St. Michael-Albertville - Johny Tennyson, jr G Carter Owens, sr G
St. Paul Central - Donnie Preston, sr F; Kaden St. Paul Johnson - Julian Hodges, sr G
Doram, sr F Simley - Breyton Buysman, sr G; RJ Jioklow, jr G
Shakopee - Nick Katona, jr F South St. Paul - Alonzo Dodd, jr G; Marquiese
Stillwater - Max Shikenjanski, jr G
Gleb, sr F; Shawn West-Ziempel, jr G
Tartan - Dwayne Thompson, sr G
Wayzata - Camden Heide, jr G; Carter Bjerke, jr Totino-Grace - CJ O’Hara, so F; Taison
F; Drew Birkeland, jr G, 10; Eddie Beeninga, sr G Chatman, so G; Devin Burger, sr F
White Bear Lake - Jack Janicki, so G; Kanye Waconia - Spencer Swanson, sr F
Raheem, sr G Worthington -- Terbuto Ochothow, sr G
Woodbury - Bradley Cimperman, sr G
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 5
Boys Top 50 in each class
CLASS 2A CLASS 1A
Aitken - Hunter Nissen, sr G Ashby - Jaden Norby, sr F; Jacob Cook, jr F
Albany - Nolan Rueter, sr F Barnum - Joseph Peterson, jr g
Barnesville - Adam Tonsfeldt, sr G Belgrade-B-E - Ashton Dingman, jr G-F
Benson - Ben Peterson, sr G BOLD - Drew Sagedahl, sr G
Blake - Gabe Ganz, sr G; Robert Grace IV, sr G Canby - Will Varcoe, sr F
Breck - Jimmy Koch, jr G Cherry - Isaac Asuma, sr G; Mathew Welch, sr F
Breckenridge - Cooper Yaggie, sr G; Jonah Chisholm - Jude Sundquist, jr G
Christensen, sr F Christ’s House. of Faith - Drake Eckman, sr G
Caledonia - Eli King, Caledonia, jr G; Austin Cleveland - Ben Holden, sr F; Eric Rohlfing, sr F
Klug, sr G Deer River - Ty Morrison, jr G; Mikhail
Crosby-Ironton - Jordan Oehrlein, jr C; Carson Wakanado, jr G
Turk, jr G Fond du Lac Ojibwe - Jordan Brown, so C;
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - Owen Leach, so F Connor Barney, jr C
East Grand Forks - Sam Votava, sr G Grand Meadow - Colt Landers, sr C
Eden Valley-Watkins - Joshua Streit, sr F Hancock - Matt Thompson, jr C
Hayfield - Reid Johnson, sr G Hayfield - Ethan Slaathaug, sr G
Glencoe-Silver Lake - Mitchel Jaskowiak, jr F Heron Lake-Okabena-Lakefield - Eli Fest, sr G
Jordan - Reagan Koch, sr G Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg - Alex Call, jr G
LeSueur-Henderson - Dominic Drent, sr G Lyle-Austin Pacelli - Buay Koak, so G; Jed
Litchfield - Avery Liestman, sr G-F Nelson, sr F
Minneapolis North - Andre Gray, sr F; Davon MACCRAY - Brady Kienitz, sr G; Trenton
Townley Jr., sr C; Willie Wilson, jr G Cavanas, sr C
Minnesota Valley Luth. - Kyries Harrison, sr G-F Madelia - Ja’Sean Glover, jr G-F
Minnewaska Area - Peyton Johnsrud, sr G Mahnomen-Waubun - Payton Keezer, sr F
Melrose - Grant Moschko, sr G; Rowan Mayer Lutheran - Teigan Martin, jr F
Nelson, sr F Minneota - Jacob Hennen, Minneota, sr G
Mesabi East - Hunter Haanuksela, sr F Mountain Iron-Buhl - Ashur Zubich, so G;
Moose Lake-Willow River - Mason Olson, sr G; Nikolas Jesch, so G
Brady Watrin, sr F Lac qui Parle Valley - Maverick Conn, sr G-F
Morris/Chokio-Alberta - Jackson Loge, jr C Legacy Christian - Jake Wald, sr G
Paynesville - Corbin Froelich, sr G Nevis - Derek Lindow, sr G; Eddie Kramer, Nevis,
Pelican Rapids - McHale Korf, sr G; Logan jr G; Matthias Warrington, jr F
Fahji, sr F New York Mills - Tate Olson, jr G
Perham - Finn Diggins, sr F Nicollet - Shane Stevensen, sr G
Plainview-Elgin-Millville - Blake Herber, sr G North Woods - TJ Chiabotti, jr G; Darius
St. Charles - Kooper Vaughn, sr G; Drew Goggleye, sr F
Maloney, sr F Randolph - Devon Schultz, sr G
St. Croix Prep - Addison Metcalf, sr G Red Lake - Delwyn Holthusen, sr C
St. James - Hayden Jones, jr G-F Renville County West - Riley Ashburn, sr F
St. Paul Academy - Adam Holod, sr G Sacred Heart - Kobe Tomkinson, jr G-F
Southwest Christian - Tyson Sandness, sr G-F St. Clair - Connor Andrie, sr G
Spectrum - Titus Skistad, jr G Spring Grove - Caden Grinde, sr F
Stewartville - Will Tschetter, 6-8 sr G; Nolan Swanville - Nicholas Mettler, jr G
Stier, sr G Truman-Martin Luter-Granada-Huntley-East
Virginia - Mason Carlson, sr G Chain - Adam Heckman, jr C-F
Waseca - Andrew Morgan, sr F; Ryan Dufault, jr Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - Domanik
F; Kyreese Willingham, sr F Paulson, jr F
Westbrook-Walnut Grove - Ethan Mischke, sr G
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 6
The usual Hopkins, Becker, Fergus,
Minneota atop familiar lists
suspects in girls hoops Top 20’s
an empty cupboard. Three starters return, all first-team
By Kevin Anderson
Lake Conference players: Amaya Battle, Maya Nnaji, and
E veryone is ready for the new season, however Taylor Woodson; and three more players were honor-
modified it is, to begin. Life has been transformed in able mention: NuNu Agara, Alayna Contreras and Kelly
so many ways since March 13, 2020 when the state high Boyle. Add to this mix Alivia McGill from Park Center,
school girls basketball tournament stopped midstream. and Hopkins should continue to rule the roost.
Life was put on hold. The 2020-2021 season (I mean just
2021; the 2020 portion never occurred) is now on. Things The second-best team in the state the past few years
have changed. But somethings seemingly never change. has lived in the Hopkins shadow in the Lake Conference
and Section 6AAAA: The Wayzata Trojans were led by
Since the 2008-09 season, there have been 176 weeks Jenna Johnson, returning from injury, and Mara Braun,
of rankings. And the usual suspects are once again at who has verbaled to the Gophers, Wayzata has been
the top of the heap. That does not No. 2 for 23 of the last 30 weeks. These two may beat
mean there haven’t been changes. up each other which could open
There have. Some are cosmetic, the door to Farmington. The Ti-
like masks, and no handshakes, gers made the state tournament
and isolated bench seating. But for the first time in 2020 and were
it seems this is a watershed mo- scheduled to see Hopkins in the
ment. There will be a distinct be- never-played final. They have 6-4
fore and after because of the virus. Sophie Hart, who is headed to
Some changes are more profound. North Carolina State.
But those changes are more likely
more of the same. Hopkins had a Class 3A has had the most schools
coaching change. DeLaSalle had at No. 1 with 16. DeLaSalle leads
a coaching change. Neither is ex- with 33 weeks at No. 1 and 115
pected to drop severely off the ra- in the Top 10. Their new coach is
dar. Hopkins added to their roster James Fassett, who led Anoka to
makeup. DLS subtracted. state in 2011 and 2013. Last year
Jenna Johnson and Wayzata are DLS was finalist in 3A against Beck-
probably 2nd-best in the state again. er. The Bulldogs will start at No. 1.
In Class 4A, Hopkins has been Photo by Bruce Strand
dominant for over a decade and, DLS lost a few players to transfers.
despite a coaching change with Becker returns five all-conference
coach Brian Cosgriff exiting the scene to be replaced by players and has made finals two straight years. Julia
Tara Starks, the Royals should still be wearing a crown. Bengtson, an Eastern Illinois signee, and Adeline Kent
Hopkins has been No. 1 for 30 straight weeks in the made 3A all-state.
polls. They have been No. 1 in 106 of the 176 weeks,
far and away the most of any school in any class. Only Two other Catholic schools (besides DLS) will have a
eight 4A schools can claim a No. 1 ranking during this say in the ultimate champion: Hill-Murray and Holy An-
era. Hopkins has been only absent from the polls four gels. The Pioneers reached the title game in 2010 only
weeks in that 176-week stretch, the last coming on Feb. to fall in the last minute to Benilde-St. Margaret’s. AHA
24, 2010. grabbed their state title as a No. 5 seed in 2016. H-M re-
turns three All-Metro East Conference players; AHA has
Besides coach Cosgriff, the consensus No. 1 player in the four All Tri-Metro selections back in the fold. AHA has
nation, Paige Bueckers, has moved on to collegiate roy- the advantage of having state tournament experience
alty at Connecticut. But new coach Starks will not have among the current roster. Francesca Vascellaro of the
Stars was 3A All State.
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 7
Fergus Falls was prevented from their first 2A tourna- Minneota was walking to the parking ramp across from
ment entry by then-undefeated Pelican Rapids’ last Williams Arena when I arrived on that Friday the 13th.
second shot in the 8AA finals. The Otters will be look- The early ending prevented what could have been a
ing to right that situation this season. Fergus Falls was double-double for the Vikings: back-to-back state titles
formerly in 3A and has the second-most weekly No. 1’s in volleyball and basketball. For most of the fall, Min-
behind DeLaSalle (33 to 31). The Otters benefit from neota was No. 1 in volleyball. Waterville-Elysian-Mor-
facing 4A and 3A teams in the Central Lakes conference. ristown snapped that streak at the end of the season
Leading the Otters is junior Ellie Colbeck, verbaled to at Minneota. WEM will be fighting for the top spot, too,
South Dakota State. in basketball. Abby Hennen, Class A all-state, leads the
Vikings, Honorable mentions Brielle Bartelt and Taryn
The 2A field looks to be contentious. New London-Spicer Richards spearhead the Bucs.
has the second-most appearances (110) in theTop 10. Sauk
Centre has 150, plus 121 top-five appearances, second If you notice, the top volleyball teams in 1A are also top
only to Hopkins’ 163 in this period. The Mainstreeters basketball teams. That is due to the same athletes play-
will need to plug up some graduation holes and must get ing both sports. Henning was undefeated in volleyball
past Albany and Paige Meyer on their path to state. and those Hornets will be trying to buzz their way to the
top unblemished in basketball too. They are led by Class
You would think the smallest division would have the A all-stater Ellie Dague, who is headed to North Dakota
most variability of ranked teams, but 1A actually has the State. MIB had their run of nine consecutive state tourna-
most, with five schools over 100 weeks. Only eight 1A ments (2011-2019) snapped last year by Cromwell. The
schools have held the No.1 spot, same as 4A. But two of Rangers do not expect to be strangers to the state tourna-
those are now up a class. Goodhue is in the top 10 this ment this year, provided there will be one.
year in 2A.Maranatha Christian made the 2A tournament
in 2018. The other three of those well-run programs are This year will definitely be unique. Which schools adjust
Minneota, Mountain Iron-Buhl and Ada-Borup. to the new climate (and stay healthy) will determine the
march to March. It would be poetic justice that the first
state tournaments to resume would be girls basketball.
2020 Minnesota
YOUTH BASKETBALL
State Championships...continued!
Monticello High School • Monticello
Sat. Feb 20, 2021: Girls Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9*
Sun. Feb 21, 2021: Boys Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9*
*ALL GRADES REFER TO 2019-20 SEASON
All teams play 3-4 games • $210/team
Register Online: http://www.pacesettersports.net/mn-state/
Registration Deadline: February 10-or max capacity in bracket or facility.
The Minnesota state champion and runner-up (and possibly other top finishers) will receive a bid to represent
Minnesota in the Pacesetter Great Five-State Championships at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 8
Girls Top 50 in each class
CLASS 4A CLASS 3A
Burnsville - Morgan Krumwiede, sr F Austin - Hope Dudycha, jr G
Centennial - Jodi Anderson, sr G; Jenna Becker - Julia Bengtson, sr G; Morgan Gamble,
Guyer, sr C sr F; Adeline Kent, jr G; Courtney Nuest, sr G
Chanhassen - Callin Hake, jr G Bemidji - Rylie Jones, sr G
Chaska - Mallory Heyer, jr F; Kennedy Sanders, Benilde-St. Margaret’s - Olivia Olson, fr G
so G; Kaylee Van Eps, sr F Big Lake - Mia Huberty, sr G; Caela Tighe, sr F
Duluth East - Ashlynne Guenther, so F Bloomington Kennedy - Ashlee Burchette, so G
Eastview - Cassidy Carson, sr G Byron - Sacia Vanderpool, sr C
Eden Prairie - Destinee Bursch, sr G; Nia Chisago Lakes - Sophie Wood, sr C
Holloway, jr F; Katie Leisen, sr G DeLaSalle - Savannah White, jr G
Elk River - Johanna Langbehn, sr C Detroit Lakes - Alex Bettcher, jr F; Sarah
Farmington - Peyton Blandin, sr G; Sophie Hart, Tangen, sr G
sr C; Paige Kindseth, sr G Fridley - Cadence Hansen, sr G
Forest Lake - Logan Anderson, sr G Grand Rapids - Taryn Hamling, so G
Hopkins - Amaya Battle, jr G; Alivia McGill, fr G; Hermantown - Elly Schmitz, sr F
Maya Nnaji, jr C; Taylor Woodson, so F Hibbing - Hailey Hawkinson, sr G
Lakeville North - Lizzie Berkvam, sr G Hill-Murray - Isabella Hartzell, sr G; Lilli Mackley,
Maple Grove - Jordyn Lamker, sr G sr G; Ella Runyon, jr F
Minneapolis South - Jade Hill, sr G Holy Angels - Kassandra Caron, jr G; Grace
Minnetonka Academy - Emma Dasovich, fr F; Massaquoi, jr G; Francesca Vascellaro, sr G
Sophie Haydon, sr F Kasson-Mantorville - Aby Schubert, so G
Minnetonka - Kiani Lockett, jr G Mahtomedi - Ella Hronski, sr G
Park-Cottage Grove - Justine Jameson, jr F Mankato East - Lexi Karge, jr C
Park Center - Tnaye Griffin, sr F; Adalia Mankato East - Mackenzie Schweim, jr G
McKenzie, sr G Mankato West - Briana Stoltzman, sr G
Prior Lake - Emily Kulstad, sr C Marshall - Jordyn Hilgemann, sr G; Emily
Robbinsdale Cooper - Andrea Tribble, sr G; Meier, sr G
Meme Wheeler, sr C New Ulm - Kirsten Dennis, jr G
Rochester John Marshall - Lilly Meister, jr F North Branch - Paige Peaslee, jr F
Rochester Mayo - Anna Miller, sr F Orono - Julia Knudson, sr G; Orono, sr G
Rogers - Ellie Buzzelle, jr G Princeton - Madison James, jr G
Rosemount - Ivory Finley, sr F; Alexa Ratzlaff, jr Red Wing - Abi Deming, sr F; Sydney Rahn, sr G
G; Helen Staley, jr F Richfield -Taleigha Powell, so G
Roseville - Tamia Ugass, sr C Simley - Champ Danso, jr F
Shakopee - Natalie Holte, sr G St. Anthony Village - Emilie Nogosek, sr G
St. Louis Park - Raegan Alexander, sr F; Kendall St. Croix Lutheran - Laura Hauge, fr G
Coley, sr F St. Paul Como Park - Kaylnn Asberry, jr G;
St. Michael-Albertville - Kendal Cox, sr G; Ronnie Porter, jr G
Tessa Johnson, so G St. Peter - Morgan Kelly, sr F; Josie
Stillwater - Alexis Pratt, sr G; Amber Scalia, jr G Wiebusch, jr G
Wayzata - Mara Braun, jr G; Jenna Johnson, sr F Totino-Grace - Leah Dengrud, jr G
White Bear Lake - Nevaeh Hughes, so F Waconia - Addy Salzer, sr F
Willmar - Mackenzie Jones, sr G
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 9
Girls Top 50 in each class
CLASS 2A CLASS 1A
Ada-Borup - Rachel Arends, sr G
Albany - Paige Meyer, sr G Alden-Conger-Glen.Em. - Abbie Theusch, sr G
Belle Plaine - Lauren Johnson, sr F; Sara Blooming Prairie - Megan Oswald, sr F
Lenz, sr G Brandon-Evansville - Bailey Schaefer, sr F
Blake - Addison Mack, 8th G Brooten-Belgrade-Elrosa - Allisa Knight, sr F
Concordia Academy - Sydney Pelzer, sr F; Browerville/Eagle Valley - Megan Benning, sr F
Ivane Tensaie, sr G Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart - Kristi Kottke, fr G
Crookston - Emma Borowicz, sr G Cass Lake-Bena - Taryn Frazer, jr G
Crosby-Ironton - Karli Nixon, sr G; Lily Central MN Christian - Colette Duininck, jr G
Peterson, sr G Chisholm - Jordan Temple, jr G
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - Maria Watt, sr F Cromwell - Natalee Hakamaki, jr C
Dover-Eyota - Kylie Lacey, sr F; Malia EGF Sacred Heart — Sydney Lloyd, sr G
Nelson, jr G Fosston - Taylor Kroening, sr G
Duluth Marshall - Gianna Kneepkens, sr G Hancock - Carlee Hanson, jr G; Rylee
Fergus Falls - Ellie Colbeck, jr G; Paige
Hanson, jr F
Pearson, sr F
Glencoe-Silver Lake - Miah Monahan, sr G Henning - Ellie Dague, sr G; Kylie Frederick, sr
Goodhue - Joslyn Carlson, jr F G; Megan Weber, sr G
Holdingford - Kendra Gerads, sr G Heritage Christian - Taylor Schuck, sr G
Holy Family Catholic - Nicole Bowlin, jr G Houston - Emma Geiwitz, sr G
Jackson County Central - Sadie Voss, jr F Kingsland - Ellie Buchholtz, sr F
Lake City - Grace Bany, sr F; Natalie Bremer, jr Lester Prairie-Holy Trin. - Marissa Radtke, sr G
G; Lilly Meincke, jr G Littlefork-Big Falls - Destiny Piekarski, jr G
Lake Crystal-Wellcome Mem.- Lakesha Carter, Mayer Lutheran - Morgan Chmielewski, sr G;
sr F; Lexi Cloyd, sr G; Olivia Harazin, so G Emma Lade, jr G
Maple River - Claire McGregor, fr G Minneota - Abby Hennen, sr G; Natalie
Maranatha Academy - Chloe Jarnot, so G Rolbiecki, jr F; Abby Rost, sr G
Mesabi East - Hannah Hannuksela, sr G MN Valley Lutheran - Abbie Riederer, jr G
Minneapolis North - Alex McNeill, jr G Mountain Iron-Buhl - Sage Ganyo, so G;
Moose Lake-Willow River - Natalie Mikrot, sr G Jordan Zubich, fr G
New London-Spicer - Emma Hanson, sr F; Erin Parkers Prairie - Faith Alberts, sr F; Parkers
Knisley, sr C; Ava Kraemer, sr F; Prairie, sr G
Mackenzie Rich, sr G Pine River-Backus - Rylie Hirschey, sr G
New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva - Randolph - Megan Erickson, sr F
Sophie Stork, jr G Red Lake - Kehlanna McClain, sr C; Kia
Pelican Rapids - Greta Tollefson, sr F Bachand, sr G
Perham - Sydney Anderson, jr G Sleepy Eye - Kandace Hesse, fr G
Pine City - Ellie Hasz, sr G Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s - Madison Mathiowetz, jr
Plainview-Elgin-Millville - Macy Holtz, sr G G; Sydney Windschitl, sr G
Providence Academy - Maria Counts, jr F Southwest Minnesota Christian - Maren
Redwood Valley - Haley Garman, sr C
Nerem, sr F; Ella Veldkamp, sr G
Rochester Lourdes - Caroline Adamson, jr G
Rockford - Sydney Manthana, sr G Springfield - Courtney Wendt, sr G
Sauk Centre - Michaela Dammann, sr C St. Clair - Emily Olson, sr G
St. Agnes - Brigid Boyle, sr F Underwood - Brooke Hovland, sr G
Watertown-Mayer - Mercedes Burmeister, so G; Wabasso - Sarah Franta, sr G
Maggie Czinano, sr G Waterville-Elysian-Morristown - Breielle Bartelt,
Windom - Allison Letcher, sr G sr G; Toryn Richards, sr F
Winona Cotter - Megan Morgan, jr G West Central - Lexi Bright, jr G; Brynn
Fernholz, sr G
Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 10
2021 Pacesetter
MINNESOTA YOUTH BASKETBALL
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Region Playoffs!
BOYS & GIRLS GRADES 4-9
All COVID protocols will be followed and monitored according to
state and facility guidelines. Spectators will be allowed up to 25%
capacity – maximum of 150 per Stay Safe Minnesota guidelines.*
*Subject to change per State mandate
3-4 game guarantee
$210/team • Limited openings!!
Brackets limited to 16 teams per grade/gender
Champions from each regional site will be
invited to the MN State Championship.
Other top finishers will receive a “wild card” invitation
to the State Tournament or MIT.
REGION PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
ALL GRADES REFER TO THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR
4B = 4th grade boys Teams may register for more than one region.
4G = 4th grade girls, etc. See back for details.
Region 1 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
RCTC/Stewartville March 27 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B
RCTC/Stewartville March 28 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B
Region 2 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
MN State-Mankato April 17 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B
MN State-Mankato April 18 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B
Region 3 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
Redwood Falls March 27 5G, 7G, 9G, 4B, 6B, 8B
Redwood Falls March 28 4G, 6G, 8G, 5B, 7B, 9B
Region 4 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
Open to Grades 4-9 – dates and sites to be determined
ROAD TO THE
Region 5 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
Open to Grades 4-9 – dates and sites to be determined
Region 6 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
TARGET CENTER!
5-STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
Open to Grades 4-9 – dates and sites to be determined IA • MN • ND • SD • WI
Region 7 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
Open to Grades 4-9 – dates and sites to be determined
Region 8 Site Date _________Grade/Gender________
Open to Grades 4-9 – dates and sites to be determined
MN State Championships Location-TBD Date
4G, 6G, 5B, 8B MIT - MN Invitational TBD
The MN State Champion and Runner-up in each grade
4G, 6G, 5B, 8B State Championship TBD
are invited to the Great Five-State Championships at
5G, 8G, 4B, 6B MIT - MN Invitational TBD
the Target Center in Minneapolis.*
*Great State games contingent on the Target Center
5G, 8G, 4B, 6B State Championship TBD availability and approval.
7G, 9G, 7B, 9B MIT - MN Invitational TBD
7G, 9G, 7B, 9B State Championship TBD
320-243-7460 • info@pacesetternet.com • WWW.PACESETTERSPORTS.NET • Pacesetter BasketballPacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 11
Girls preseason top 20
CLASS 4A CLASS 3A
1. Hopkins (6) 30-0 1. Becker (5) 28-2
2. Wayzata (6) 24-5 2. Hill-Murray (4) 21-8
3. Farmington (1) 29-2 3. Holy Angels (6) 23-7
4. Chaska (2) 24-5 4. St. Paul Como Park (3) 21-5
5. Eden Prairie (2) 18-13 5. DeLaSalle (4) 26-4
6. Centennial (5) 21-8 6. Marshall (2) 27-1
7. Rosemount (3) 24-5 7. Waconia (6) 20-11
8. Stillwater (4) 24-6 8. Mankato West (2) 20-8
9. Minnetonka (2) 17-11 9. Mankato East (2) 12-15
10. Maple Grove (8) 23-6 10. Big Lake (5)19-9
11. St. Louis Park (6)14-13 11. Hermantown (7) 26-5
12. Rogers (8) 10-17 12. Hutchinson (2)19-8
13. Park Center (5) 26-5 13. Alexandria (8) 23-8
14. St. Michael-Albertville (8) 20-9 14. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (6) 7-21
15. East Ridge (4) 18-11 15. St. Croix Lutheran (3) 20-8
16. Roseville (5) 19-9 16. Austin (1) 21-7
17. Rochester Mayo (1) 23-5 17. Kasson-Mantorville (1) 19-10
18. Elk River (8) 20-8 18. Orono (6) 14-14
19. Rochester JM (1) 18-10 19. Detroit Lakes (8) 15-13
20. Robbinsdale Cooper (6) 19-9 20. St. Peter (2) 21-6
CLASS 2A CLASS 1A
1. Fergus Falls (8) 25-5 1. Minneota (3) 31-1
2. New London-Spicer (3) 29-2 2. Henning (6) 29-2
3. Albany (6) 27-3 3. Mountain Iron-Buhl (7) 23-7
4. Lake City (1) 22-6 4. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown (2) 27-4
5. Goodhue (1) 26-4 5. Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s (2) 25-3
6. Watertown-Mayer (5) 22-8 6. Mayer Lutheran (2) 23-6
7. Concordia Academy (4) 20-11 7. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (5) 19-11
8. Sauk Centre (6) 28-4 8. Fosston (8) 21-8
9. Providence Academy (5) 26-5 9. Parkers Prairie (6) 16-9
10. Duluth Marshall (7) 26-5 10. Blooming Prairie (1) 21-6
11. Belle Plaine (2) 25-4 11. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (5) 27-3
12. Crosby-Ironton (7) 16-12 12. Red Lake (8) 21-10
13. Pine City (6) 26-3 13. Pine River-Backus (5) 17-11
14. Glencoe-Silver Lake (2)14-14 14. Central MN Christian (2) 20-7
15. Dover-Eyota (1) 20-8 15. West Central Area (6) 22-6
16. Minnehaha Academy (4) 19-9 16. Hancock (6) 22-7
17. Rochester Lourdes (1) 28-2 17. Chisholm (7) 20-9
18. Redwood Valley (3) 9-19 18. Heritage Christian (4) 22-8
19. Lake Crystal-Wellcome Mem. (2) 22-6 19. SW MN Christian (3) 24-6
20. Stewartville (1) 20-9 20. Lester Prairie-Holy Trinity (4) 17-11Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 12
Boys pre-season Top 20
CLASS 4A CLASS 3A
1. Wayzata (6) 11-17 1. Minnehaha Academy (4) 25-3
2. Lakeville South (1) 21-7 2. Totino-Grace (4) 20-9
3. Hopkins (6) 24-5 3. DeLaSalle (6) 24-5
4. Chaska (2) 24-4 4. Richfield (3) 23-6
5. Champlin Park (5) 18-10 5. Hibbing (7) 20-8
6. Maple Grove (8) 23-5 6. Marshall (2) 28-2
7. East Ridge (4) 23-6 7. South St. Paul (3) 18-10
8. Eastview (3) 24-4 8. Mankato East (2) 27-2
9. Duluth East (7) 24-5 9. Austin (1) 23-5
10. Edina (2) 13-14 10. Columbia Heights (4) 13-12
11. Shakopee (2) 23-5 11. Byron (1) 16-12
12. Cretin-Derham Hall (4) 25-4 12. Holy Angels (3) 19-10
13. Woodbury (4) 19-9 13. Alexandria (8) 20-9
14. Park Center (5) 23-5 14. Mound Westonka (6) 21-7
15. Mounds View (5) 20-8 15. St. Croix Lutheran (3) 13-13
16. Tartan (4) 24-4 16. Princeton (7) 25-4
17. Lakeville North (3) 17-11 17. Waconia (6) 24-5
18. North St. Paul (4) 18-9 18. Delano (5) 25-4
19. St. Paul Central (4) 14-7 19. St. Paul Johnson (4) 16-9
20. Eden Prairie (2) 28-0 20. Monticello (5) 16-13
CLASS 2A CLASS 1A
1. Waseca (2) 25-5 1. Nevis (5) 24-4
2. Minneapolis North (5) 21-8 2. Hayfield (1) 24-6
3. Caledonia (1) 28-1 3. North Woods (7) 23-6
4. Perham (8) 28-0 4. St. Clair (2) 17-10
5. Stewartville (1) 25-6 5. BOLD (2) 27-2
6. Melrose (6) 23-6 6. Ashby (6) 19-9
7. Blake (5) 22-8 7. Nicollet (2) 21-6
8. Fergus Falls (8) 25-4 8. Westbrook-Walnut Grove (3) 20-9
9. St. Charles (1) 20-8 9. Mountain Iron-Buhl (7) 15-13
10. St. Croix Prep (4) 26-1 10. Badger-Greenbush-Middle River (8) 21-7
11. Pelican Rapids (8) 19-9 11. Fond du Lac Ojibwe (7) 16-12
12. Minnewaska Area (3) 21-7 12. Deer River (7) 18-10
13. Mora (6) 22-7 13. Fertile-Beltrami (8) 25-5
14. Annandale (6) 20-8 14. Lac qui Parle Valley (3) 19-9
15. Esko (7) 21-7 15. Nashwauk-Keewatin (7) 25-4
16. Redwood Valley (3) 19-10 16. Mahnomen-Waubun (6) 17-11
17. Litchfield (5) 18-10 17. Legacy Christian (4) 24-4
18. Plainview-Elgin-Millville (8) 19-9 18. Hancock (6) 20-9
19. Jordan (2) 21-7 19. Henning (6) 29-1
20. Lewiston-Altura (1) 22-5 20. SW MN Christian (3) 29-0Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 13
Pacesetter re-schedules 2020 youth
MN State Championships for Feb. 20-21
The Pacesetter 2020 Minnesota Youth Basketball State Teams should register soon at www.pacesettersports.net.
Championships have been re-scheduled for Saturday- All teams must be school/community teams.
Sunday, February 20-21, at Monticello High School for
all teams currently in grades 5-10. (Grades 4-9 from the The 2021 Pacesetter Minnesota Youth Basketball State
2019-2020 season) Championships will begin an 8-region playoff in March-
April at various regional sites across the state. See article
All girls’ teams will play Saturday and all boys’ teams will and ad in this issue.
play Sunday. All teams will play 3-4 games. Brackets
will be set for 8 teams and adjusted based on registra- Pacesetter Sports has conducted a Minnesota statewide
tion and court space. playoff system for youth basketball since 1993, involving
600-900 teams annually. Teams from Iowa, Wisconsin,
The Minnesota state champions and runners-up will South Dakota and North Dakota also play in the Paceset-
be invited to play in the Pacesetter Great Five-State ter Great State Tournament, which began in 2010.
Championships at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Pacesetter 2021 youth playoffs to start with regionals
Pacesetter will begin youth basketball Region Playoffs Region 3: Redwood Falls March 27-28
for grades 4-9 in 8 Minnesota regions in March and April Regions 4-8: To be announced
as facilities begin to re-open and COVID restrictions ease
to allow a return to play basketball across Minnesota. All teams will play 3-4 games in each regional playoff.
The regional champions will be invited to play in the
Regional sites last spring included Rochester/Stewart- 8-region Minnesota State Championships in June.
ville (Region 1), Mankato (Region 2), Redwood Falls (Re- Other top teams will be invited to play in the Pacesetter
gion 3), Mora/Willow River (Region 4), Paynesville (Re- Minnesota Invitational Tournament in June at the same
gion 5), Alexandria (Region 6), Grand Rapids/Mountain location.
Iron (Region 7), and Bemidji (Region 8).
TopMinnesotateamsatthestatetournamentwillbeinvited
Regions scheduled so far: (See ad in this issue.) to play in the Pacesetter Great Five-State Championships
Region 1: Rochester/Stewartville March 27-28 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Region 2: Mankato April 17-18
Pacesetter Winter Classics slated at Redwood, Sartell
Pacesetter will be offering two Winter Classic Youth At Sartell
Basketball Tournaments for teams in grades 4-5-6-7-8: Sat, March 6: Boys in Grades 4, 6 and 8, Girls in Grades
Redwood Area Community Center on Saturday-Sunday, 4 and 6
Feb. 27-28, and Sartell Community Center on Saturday- Sun, March 7: Boys in Grades 5 and 7, Girls in Grades 5,
Sunday, March 6-7. 7 and 8
All teams will play 3-4 games in one day at each site. Teams should register soon at www.pacesettersports.net.
At Redwood Falls Teams should register soon for Regions 1-3 and follow
Sat, Feb. 27: Boys and Girls in Grades 4, 6 and 8 further regional date announcements at www.pacesetter-
Sun, Feb. 28: Boys and Girls in Grades 5 and 7 sports.net.Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 14
By Jeff McCarron
Back in the Game which is being produced by Pfizer and Moderna, that
Pacesetter Director alters human cells artificially and permanently - making
humans a GMO - genetically modified organism. More
W ho would like to hear some positive news?
As I write this, the Minnesota high school basketball sea-
research, more open debate, freedom of all news and
opinions, and more trials are needed before we can
trust it. Billions of dollars are being made and vaccine
son is beginning! producers are protected from liability, so there is no re-
course for people.
What a challenging time for everyone. What can we do
but adjust and comply...and do our best to make sure it Here are a couple of videos with experts cautioning
never happens again. against taking the mRNA vaccine:
The Minnesota High Dr. Louise - Harvard medical doctor - RNA risks 6 min.
School League, the https://www.bitchute.com/video/L3uY1q8nH1tX/
Governor’s staff, the
MN Department of Professor Delores Cahill
Health, MYAS and ev- https://www.bitchute.com/video/pHIo7NE582pN/
eryone else involved
deserves recognition
and appreciation for From our office, Pacesetter Basketball has re-scheduled
all the extra efforts our 2020 Minnesota Youth Basketball State Champion-
involved in creating ships for February 20-21 at Monticello High School. We
guidelines to rescue a are asking the MSHSL for a special waiver so that high
basketball season. It school players can play in it during their season. Some
is VERY DIFFICULT. players have played every year since 4th grade and are
looking to play their FINAL Pacesetter State Tournament.
Personally, I feel the If a waiver isn’t provided, we will schedule an additional
virus was created and site and date, after the high school state tournament, for
spread intentionally current grades 9-10 to play off the 2020 state tournament.
by China in coopera-
tion with international one-world government promot- The Pacesetter Great Five-State Tournament at the
ers (See World Economic Forum “Great Reset”), includ- Target Center may be held in April for 2020 teams if al-
ing Deep State elements within the USA. The danger of lowed at that time – or the 2020 qualifiers will join the
COVID-19 and the number of cases are being intention- 2021 qualifiers for a combined event in June or July 2021.
ally inflated to create fear and force people to submit Teams from Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South
to authority. The vaccination of the entire world is now Dakota will be invited to fill openings.
being promoted by a unified “Narrative News” force –
using mainstream news and censoring any detracting We are also setting up the 2021 Pacesetter Playoffs for
opinions from social media. That is the first step and grades 4-9 in eight regions in March and April and hope
a giant leap toward totalitarianism, my friends. I don’t all tournaments can be held. (Article and ad in this issue)
trust it one bit.
Hopefully, the virus concerns will melt away, and we can
Forces are also being applied to split our country apart. return to normal life. Wow, what a fantasy – “normal
People need to wake up fast or we can kiss freedom and life.” We will all have a greater appreciation of it.
a unified America goodbye. When big business and big
government unite, helping “The People” is rarely the This issue is our Early Season publication, which pro-
motive. The vaccines are too untested. I would feel safer vides the Top 20 Rankings and Top 50 Player lists for
getting COVID-19 than a vaccine, especially the mRNA, each class for boys and girls. We hope you enjoy it. It
feels good to be back in the game!Pacesetter Newsletter Minnesota Basketball News January 15 Page 15
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