Section 1 Posts Two State Champions and a Runner-up

We often call Southeastern Minnesota the hotbed of basketball in the state and two state title holders and a runner-up from the area in the girls state high school basketball tournament helped to solidify that idea.

The Goodhue Wildcats are the Class A title holders after being ranked No. 1 virtually all season.

I don't know if you realize just how hard it is to win when there is a big target on your back. A team really does get every team's best shot when they are rated No. 1 and, of course, the Wildcats also received the top seed in the tournament, which adds to the pressure.

Head Coach Josh Wieme told KDHL before the title game, "The No. 1 rating is a big burden."

I asked Wieme after the semifinal win over Wheaton/Herman-Norcross if his team would have a walk-through practice in preparation for the next game.

At state the approach was to have a team meeting each evening and go over his scouting report of the opponents. Wieme said they compared players on the opposing team to players they played against during the season, like Mara Quam from Kenyon-Wanamingo and Kristin Scott from Kasson-Mantorville.

The Goodhue head coach also credited the competition his team gets to play against in the Hiawatha Valley League with helping prepare them for state in a way most other teams aren't blessed with in Class A.

The HVL has a number of Class 2A schools and a couple of 3A schools the Wildcats see each season.

I did look at the box scores from throughout the tournament and here are the top five scorers, regardless of class, in the girls tournament.

Kiley Borowicz, junior, Roseau: 111 (33-35-43)
Ashley Bates, senior, Hopkins: 81 (28-30-23)
Maddy Miller, junior, Goodhue: 69 (17-24-28)
Laura Bagwell-Katalinich, senior, Holy Angels: 68 (25-9-34)
Nia Hollie, senior, Hopkins: 67 (28-21-18)

I would have included a list of top rebounders and assists, but the opening day first couple of games in Class 4A had no rebounds or assists included due to issues with the stat program.

By the way, Bagwell-Katalinich played every tick-tock of the clock in every game in the tournament. Miller logged 79 minutes. That's almost 30 minutes less.

Here is a complete rundown of the results from the tournament.

Class A champion Goodhue finished with a record of 30-4 after an 89-64 win over Maranatha Christian Academy of Brooklyn Park.

Third-place Mountain Iron-Buhl 65, Wheaton/Herman-Norcross 37

Class 2A champion Plainview-Elgin-Millville ends the season at 31-1 after a 72-42 win over New London-Spicer.

Third-place Roseau 94, Sauk Centre 82

Class 3A champion Academy of Holy Angels of Richfield 25-5 after a 51-43 win over Winona.

Third-place Thief River Falls 56, Becker 42

Class 4A champion Minnetonka 25-4 after a 61-52 win over Hopkins.

Third-place Eastview of Apple Valley 53, White Bear Lake Area 48

Goodhue wins their first title in six trips to state. Plainview-Elgin-Millville captures their first title in their first trip to state. Academy of Holy Angels wins their second (1986) in four trips. Minnetonka wins their first in their second trip to state.

Thanks, ladies, for the memories and Lord willing I'll be back calling more exciting games next year.

Who will ever forget the incredible comeback by Goodhue in the subsection title game against Lyle/Pacelli?

I'm no Faye Haugen, but check out the photo gallery below to see a few pictures from my perch in The Barn loft.