2023 Class AAAA State Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2023 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AAAA GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                   (Games played Wednesday, March 15 at Williams Arena on University of Minnesota Campus)

10:00:  Roseville at Hopkins (Seed 1)

12:00    Lakeville North (Seed 5) v. Stillwater (Seed 4)

  2:00:   Eagan vs. St. Michael-Albertville (Seed 2) 

  4:00    Centennial vs. Eden Prairie (Seed 3)

                                   EXAMINING THE FIELD

Opening up the state girls basketball tournament is the Roseville Raiders, playing in their 10th tournament against the defending Class AAAA champion Hopkins Royals.  The Raiders have a difficult task in facing the top seeded Royals, who are led by Taylor Woodson, Kelly Boyle,Nunu Agara and Liv McGill.  It's the ninth straight year and 17th overall that Hopkins has been to state and since the loss to the Wayzata Trojans in the regular season they have regained their dominance.  With Chaska out due to their defeat by Eden Prairie, Hopkins is a heavy favorite to bring home the title trophy.  

For the 12th time, the fifth seeded Lakeville North Panthers head up I-35 to The Barn as they face the fourth seeded Stillwater Ponies, in their sixth state tournament.  Lakeville North enters the tournament on a four game winning streak following losses to Eagan and Rosemount.  Stillwater also enters the tournament on a four game winning streak.  Who will face Hopkins Thursday night?  

The only first time team in the field and the second from the South Suburban Conference is the Eagan Wildcats as they face last year's Class AAAA runner up, the second seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights.  Long time state tournament PA announcer Dave Giles also does the Wildcats games in the regular season but of course he has to play it straight as Eagan faces future South Carolina Gamecock Tessa Johnson.  Could another All Lake Conference final be in the works?  

Wrapping up the Class AAAA field is the Centennial Cougars, playing in their 10th state tournament and third straight against the third seeded Eden Prairie Eagles.  The cougars enter the tournament winning seven of their last eight games.  The Eagles, in thweir fifth state tournament played the role of spoiler and beat the top ranked Chaska Hawks in the Section 2 final.  They are the third team from the Lake Conference in the tournament.  An Eagle win could set up a third showdown with St. Michael-Albertville in the semifinals. Can they solve the Knights if they advance?  

Next:  The Class AAA preview