No. 7 Apple Valley upset No. 3 Maple Grove, and No. 5 Chaska upset top-seeded Tartan in the Class 4A semifinals at Williams Arena on Thursday, March 26. The Eagles and Hawks will play for the state championship Saturday, March 28.

Earlier Thursday, DeLaSalle and Totino-Grace secured their spots in the 3A championship game, and Red Lake County, J-W-P, Hills-Beaver Creek and Henning won to advance to Friday’s 1A semifinals.

Here’s more of what you need to know about the tournament:

• Video: No. 7 Apple Valley and No. 5 Chaska to meet in Class 4A championship
• No. 5 Chaska ends No. 1 Tartan’s undefeated season, advances to 4A title game
• Totino-Grace, DeLaSalle look to ‘carry the torch’ for storied programs in Class 3A title game
• Everything that happened on Day 1 (4A & 2A quarterfinals)
• Everything that happened on Day 2 (3A & 2A quarterfinals)

View the complete brackets for 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A and follow live scores on our boys basketball hub.

Scroll through the updates below to catch up on Thursday’s games:

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Video: No. 7 Apple Valley and No. 5 Chaska to meet in Class 4A championship

The Apple Valley boys basketball team entered the 2026 state tournament as the seventh seed, and two upsets later, the Eagles are bound for the Class 4A championship game.

On Thursday, Apple Valley defeated third-seeded Maple Grove 73-63 in the state semifinals at Williams Arena. They are now fated to meet fifth-seeded Chaska in the title game, following the Hawks’ 60-51 semifinal victory over top-seeded, previously undefeated Tartan.

— Alicia Tipcke

Watch and hear from the Eagles and Hawks following their state semifinal victories at this link.

Apple Valley on upsetting the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds at state: ‘Rankings don’t matter’

Class 4A semifinals

Apple Valley entered this year’s Class 4A boys basketball tournament as the No. 7 seed, but it didn’t consider itself a long shot to make a championship run.

“Rankings do not matter,” said senior Trey Parker, who had 23 points in Thursday’s 73-63 Class 4A semifinal victory against Maple Grove at Williams Arena.

The Eagles (21-10), who will play No. 5 Chaska in the 4A final on Saturday, were not in the final regular-season top 10 coaches rankings, but they upset No. 2 Wayzata in the quarterfinals and No. 3 Maple Grove in the semifinals this week.

“Seeing everyone else get all the hype,” senior Tylan Ward said, “we just kind of stayed in the shadows. We just used it as motivation.”

In the section playoffs, Apple Valley was also an underdog as the No. 3 seed. The Eagles won 78-66 at No. 2 seed Rosemount and 67-62 at No. 1 Eagan to win the Class 4A, Section 3 championship on March 12.

In the state tournament opener on March 24, the Eagles pulled off the biggest shocker 75-73 against defending champion Wayzata at Target Center, but it didn’t end there.

On Thursday, Apple Valley avenged last season’s 74-51 loss against Maple Grove in the quarterfinals.

“We just stayed confident,” said All-Minnesota senior Camare’ Young, who had 18 points and seven assists Thursday. “We don’t really try to pay attention to social media. It gets in your head. As long as we stay who we are, we can keep it going and take it all the way.”

— Marcus Fuller

Final: Apple Valley 73, Maple Grove 63

Class 4A semifinals

Trey Parker and Camare’ Young combined for 41 points to lead No. 7 Apple Valley to its first state championship game since 2018 after upsetting No. 3 Maple Grove 73-63 on Thursday night at Williams Arena.

Parker had 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Young had 18 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Eagles (21-10), who will be vying for their first state title since 2017.

The top three seeds in the Class 4A tournament were bounced in the first two rounds at the state tournament, including the Eagles beating defending champion Wayzata in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

No. 5 Chaska will play Apple Valley in Saturday’s Class 4A title game after upsetting top-seeded Tartan in the earlier semifinal Thursday at the Barn.

The Eagles were just 4-23 when coach David Collier took over in 2022-23, but they turned the program around, making the state tournament the last two seasons.

The Crimson (24-7), who are still without a state championship in program history, were led by Max Iversen with 24 points. Baboucarr Ann and Jack Thelen added 15 and 12 points.

— Marcus Fuller

Eagles take double-digit lead down the stretch

Class 4A semifinals

Three-pointers made a big difference for Apple Valley down the stretch in Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal against Maple Grove.

The Eagles have hit four of their nine three-pointers in the game in the second half. The Crimson were 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the second half with under two minutes to play.

One of the biggest three-pointers for Maple Grove came from Trey Parker to make it 67-57 with 2:14 remaining.

— Marcus Fuller

Freshman with big three-pointer late for Apple Valley

Class 4A semifinals

Apple Valley freshman Gio Horton was a big-time performer in the quarterfinal win vs. Wayzata with 15 points, but he wasn’t done yet at the state tournament.

Horton hit his second three-pointer of Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal vs. Maple Grove in a critical moment to give the Eagles a 64-56 lead with 3:13 to play.

The Crimson got to the foul line on the ensuing possession, but Max Iversen hit 1 of 2 free throws to only trim the deficit to 64-57.

— Marcus Fuller

Eagles fly to extend lead against Crimson

Class 4A semifinals

Apple Valley’s student section erupted when Camare’ Young caught an alley-oop pass from Trey Parker to finish with a two-handed slam with 7:44 left in the second half.

The Eagles, though, had a larger lead at 51-43 earlier after Parker’s steal and layup.

Maple Grove tried to make a statement defensively midway through the second half with a block from Jack Thelen, but Apple Valley’s Gio Horton drilled a three-pointer on the same possession.

Baboucarr Ann hit two free throws and Max Iversen scored a basket to get the Crimson within 55-51 with under six minutes to play.

— Marcus Fuller

No. 5 Chaska ends No. 1 Tartan’s undefeated season

Class 4A semifinals

The final buzzer at Williams Arena sounded just before Chaska junior guard Tyler Forrest rose up for a final dunk in the Hawks’ state semifinal against Class 4A’s No. 1 seed, undefeated Tartan.

But instead of having to rush to beat the final buzzer for a last-gasp winner, the No. 5-seeded Hawks didn’t need any dramatic heroics, just a euphoric punctuation on the second big upset of this year’s 4A tournament.

Chaska (27-4), making just its second trip to state since its 2004 state title, handed Tartan its first loss of the year (30-1) with a 60-51 semifinal win.

Read the full recap of the upset from Strib Varsity reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer at this link.

Apple Valley tandem puts the heat on Maple Grove

Class 4A semifinals

The Eagles had one of the state’s top scoring tandems entering the state tournament with Camare’ Young and Trey Parker, who combined to average more than 40 points.

Parker and Young put pressure offensively on Maple Grove in the second half in Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal after trailing 34-33 at halftime.

Young scored his 14th points on back-to-back drives to give Apple Valley a 44-39 lead with 13:35 left in the second half. Parker and Young combined to score 26 points at that point in the game.

— Marcus Fuller

Halftime: Maple Grove 34, Apple Valley 33

Class 4A semifinals

Maple Grove looked like the superior team this season, but that didn’t matter much to Apple Valley when the teams met Thursday night in the Class 4A semifinals.

After six lead changes, the Crimson found themselves trailing by a point with seconds winding down in the first half. Max Iversen came up with a steal and dunk to help his team go into halftime up 34-33.

Iversen had 12 points and five rebounds in the first half. Maple Grove’s big man Jack Thelen also added 10 points and four rebounds.

The Eagles, who had the lead for 8½ minutes in the first half, shot 52% from the field. They were led by Ryan Christiansen and Camare’ Young with a combined 17 points. Christiansen’s three-pointer made it 33-32 Apple Valley with 35 seconds to play in the first half before Iversen converted a turnover into a slam.

— Marcus Fuller

Maple Grove trying to hold on to lead with Ann finding his rhythm

Class 4A semifinals

The Crimson watched their standout junior Baboucarr Ann sit out before they reached the state tournament this season, and the All-Minnesota guard hasn’t been himself since then.

After missing Maple Grove’s section championship game with an illness, Ann didn’t perform like his usual self with 11 points in the Class 4A quarterfinal win vs. Alexandria.

On Thursday night, Ann didn’t score his first basket until there was 2:50 left in the first half, but it helped the Crimson take a 30-28 lead. Apple Valley’s Camare’ Young, also an All-Minnesota selection, answered right back to tie the game for the Eagles with under two minutes to play in the half.

— Marcus Fuller

When was Max Iversen’s first breakout game this season before state?

Class 4A semifinals

Maple Grove guard Max Iversen, a Strib Varsity All-Minnesota selection, transferred from Delano to play in big games for his senior season.

The North Dakota State recruit had 41 points in his first state tournament game this season against Alexandria. But Iversen first showed up on a big stage in a regular-season win vs. Wayzata, and Strib Varsity and Strictly Bball were there that night. Read about the game and watch the Strictly recap video at this link.

— Marcus Fuller

Maple Grove off to slow shooting start

Class 4A semifinals

The Crimson have one of the most talented rosters left in the state tournament, but their opponent has seen that before.

No. 8 seed Apple Valley led 13-9 to open Thursday’s Class 4A semifinal against No. 3 seed Maple Grove after forcing 2-for-8 shooting to start.

All-Minnesota guard Max Iversen, who scored 41 points in Tuesday’s quarterfinal for Maple Grove, didn’t have his first three-pointer on the night until 2:36 into the game.

Maple Grove got 7-footer Jack Thelen involved with his second basket of the game to cut its deficit to 15-14 with 10:21 left in the first half.

— Marcus Fuller

Chaska pulls off semifinal upset

Class 4A semifinals

No. 1 Tartan’s season is no longer undefeated, and No. 5 Chaska pulls off its second seeded upset of the Class 4A tournament to get the chance to play for its first state title since 2004 after a 60-51 win over the Titans. The Hawks’ All-Minnesota junior guard and recent Strib Varsity Athlete of the Week Tyler Forrest punctuated the win with a dunk after the final buzzer as a sea of purple erupted on the Chaska sideline.

That makes 24 straight wins for Chaska after the Hawks started their season 3-4.

Chaska had wrestled away an early Titans lead for a one-point edge at halftime. The semifinal was tied 51-51 with 4:49 to play, but the Hawks ended the game on a 9-0 run, which included two of freshman forward Jed Keenan’s five three-pointers. Keenan and junior guard Kalin Jochum each scored a team-high 17 points. The Hawks held the Titans to 30.6% shooting, 8-for-31 from three.

And while the Hawks shot just a smidge better, at 32.7%, they found a way to get downhill, draw fouls and go 17-for-21 from the free-throw line.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Totino-Grace, DeLaSalle look to ‘carry the torch’ for storied programs in Class 3A title game

Only four of the state’s boys basketball teams get to start their season by hanging up a new state title banner in their gym and admiring last season’s first-place hardware in their trophy cabinet.

For Totino-Grace players like senior forward Dothan Ijadimbola, the feeling of not starting the season last fall among the exclusive club of defending champions was a strange one.

After winning the program’s first three Class 3A state titles back-to-back-to-back from 2022-24, the Eagles lost in last year’s semifinals to eventual champion Alexandria.

On Saturday, No. 1-seeded Totino-Grace (27-2) faces No. 2 DeLaSalle (28-3) with the chance to get back on top of Class 3A.

Read the full preview of Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game at this link.

Chaska leads late

Class 4A semifinals

With 2:33 to play, Chaska leads Tartan 55-51 after another Jed Keenan three and Tyler Forrest went 1-for-2 at the line. The Hawks are 15-for-19 at the line tonight, Tartan 5-for-8.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Titans retake the lead

Class 4A semifinals

A midrange jumper from Duke King tied the game for Tartan, then a floating layup from Jaylen Goergen, rising above a crowd of defenders in the paint, gave the Titans a 51-49 lead, now with five minutes to play. Goergen, Kevin Wilson Jr. and Emmanuel Oyesanmi are all in double figures for the Titans as they get out on the front foot for the first time in over 10 minutes.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Red Lake County leans on experience to advance to 1A semifinals

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s all about the experience.

Red Lake County showed what having been there before means in a state tournament environment. The Rebels played efficiently and confidently in an 85-63 victory over Liberty Classical Academy in the final Class 1A quarterfinal at Target Center.

The Rebels made their first state tournament appearance last year, losing to Dawson-Boyd in the semifinals after building a big lead early.

On Thursday, it was their turn to school their opponents. Liberty was making its maiden voyage in a state tournament.

Red Lake showed no signs of jitters, making 33 of 54 shots from the floor (61.1%) and building a lead that reached double digits in the second half.

Will Gieseke was a perfect 11-for-11 from the floor, finishing with a team-high 25 points. Fellow guard Connor Duden added 24, including six three-pointers.

“It makes a huge difference,” coach Steve Philion said of the experience gained last year. “We come from up north where, who knows what’s going on down here? But now they know that we can compete down here for sure.”

For the Lions, their first trip to the tournament wasn’t what they hoped for, but coach John Towle thought his team didn’t play the game they hoped.

“We got sped up, we got beat on the boards, and we didn’t play the game we wanted,” Towle said. “They were cool, calm and collected. We had a little bit of jitters, but we did take a little bit of lead. I thought we were the better ball club, but we just didn’t play the way we can play.”

— Jim Paulsen

Chaska quarterfinal stars find other ways to impact game

Class 4A semifinals

Chaska leads 49-47 with 7:22 to play. Hawks junior guard Tyler Forrest, often the team’s leading scorer, has just two points, but he’s found other ways to impact this semifinal, with six assists, three rebounds and a block. Similar deal for Chase Maetzold, who also had a big scoring outing in Chaska’s quarterfinal; he just hit a three for his first points of the night but has seven rebounds and a steal.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Close into final 10 minutes

Class 4A semifinals

Chaska senior guard Evan Atkinson celebrated his corner three with a flourish, kissing his fingers before holding up three of them as he’s up to nine points. That three gave Chaska its biggest lead of the night, up by six, before Tartan answered with a three from Kevin Wilson Jr., who is now up to 12 points. Chaska leads 45-42 with just over 10 minutes left in the second half.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Pregame: Apple Valley vs. Maple Grove

Class 4A semifinals

Maple Grove’s claim to fame this season was being the only Minnesota team to beat defending champion Wayzata during the regular season. Not once but twice.

The third-seeded Crimson (24-6), who are on an 11-game winning streak, were expected to play the Trojans again in the state tournament before Apple Valley pulled off the quarterfinal upset Tuesday at Target Center.

The No. 7 Eagles (20-10), led by seniors Camare’ Young, an All-Minnesota selection, and Trey Parker, are the underdogs again in Thursday night’s semifinal at Williams Arena.

Maple Grove arguably has the most talented prospect in the state with All-Minnesota junior guard Baboucarr Ann, who has an offer from Gophers coach Niko Medved. But All-Minnesota senior Max Iversen, a North Dakota State recruit, was the star of the quarterfinal win vs. Alexandria with 41 points on 6-for-10 shooting from three-point range. Ann was held to 11 points that night.

The Eagles, who had five players score in double figures against Wayzata, have the much deeper championship tradition between the two programs. Maple Grove’s only trip to the championship game was finishing runner-up in 2000. Apple Valley won 4A titles in 2013, 2015 and 2017 with Tyus and Tre Jones. The younger Jones brother also finished state runner-up in 2018.

— Marcus Fuller

Jochum keeps Chaska ahead

Class 4A semifinals

Junior guard Kalin Jochum is having himself a game for Chaska. He averages 12.6 points per game and just passed that mark, hitting another three-pointer to put himself up to 15 points, 3-for-4 from three, with 12:21 to play. The Hawks keep ahold of their edge over Tartan, 42-39, after a Matthew Welter layup.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Hawks making most of free throws

Class 4A semifinals

Early timeout here less than two minutes into the second half, with Chaska still up 31-29 over Tartan. The Titans briefly retook the lead to open the second half after senior forward Duke King, with his back to the basket, made a nice move one-on-one for a layup, followed by a Jaylen Goergen fadeaway jumper.

But the Hawks are 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the second half, with a trio from Eli Herzog, fouled on a falling three-point attempt. Chaska is 9-for-11 from the line in this 4A semifinal, Tartan just 2-for-2.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Hawks lead at half, chasing upset

Class 4A semifinals

No. 5 Chaska pounced right before halftime, up 27-25 over top-seeded Tartan after a 16-5 run.

With 49 seconds to play in the first half, Chaska took its first lead of the game with a three-pointer from freshman forward Jed Keenan, the Hawks having hit just enough threes (now 6-for-18) to hang close behind Tartan through its shooting slumps.

Both teams, with a combined 10 points in the paint, are shooting high-volume from beyond the arc; Tartan is 5-for-19 from three. Emmanuel Oyesanmi leads the Titans with eight points at the half, while Kevin Wilson Jr. has six points and four rebounds.

Keenan has 11 points off the bench for Chaska, 3-for-6 from three. The Hawks bench played a major role in its quarterfinal win over Lakeville South, too.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Chaska breaks inside

Class 4A semifinals

With 3:15 to play in the first half, Chaska had only made three-pointers and free throws; the Hawks were 5-for-15 from three, 5-for-6 at the line and, otherwise, 0-for-6. But then, the Hawks managed to find some looks in the paint, with back-to-back layups from All-Minnesota selection Tyler Forrest and Kalin Jochum (now with a game-high nine points) cutting Tartan’s lead to 25-24.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Hawks cut into Tartan lead

Class 4A semifinals

Tartan might have let go of a breath it was holding as a three-pointer from All-Minnesota sophomore forward Kevin Wilson Jr. ended a five-minute scoring drought. But then, back-to-back three-pointers from Chaska’s Jed Keenan and Kalin Jochum cut the Titans’ edge to 20-17 with 4:49 to play in the first half.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Shaking off early shooting woes

Class 4A semifinals

Neither Tartan (shooting 28.6%) nor Chaska (shooting 13.3%) has truly been able to find an offensive groove early, with 10 combined turnovers between the two teams 11 minutes in. But with two trips to the free-throw line, plus an Eli Herzog three-pointer, Chaska has cut Tartan’s lead to 14-10 with 6:40 to play in the first half.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Red Lake County wins 85-63

Class 1A quarterfinals

Rebels coach Steve Philion emptied his bench with his team leading 80-59 with two minutes left. What a game by Will Gieseke. The senior swingman took a seat with 25 points and was perfect from the floor, making all 11 field-goal attempts. He also had nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Nice game from Connor Duden as well: 24 points, six three-pointers and five rebounds.

Sam Rupnow finished with 28 points for Liberty Classical, which was making its first state tournament appearance.

Red Lake County will play Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton in Friday’s Class 1A semifinals at Williams Arena.

— Jim Paulsen

Titans surge ahead early

Class 4A semifinals

A 9-0 Tartan run, with scoring from four different Titans, has Class 4A’s top seed out ahead of Chaska 14-3 with 11 minutes to play in the first half. Sophomore forward Emmanuel Oyesanmi sank yet another three-pointer; he’s got an early eight points on 3-for-3 shooting.

The Titans defense has held the Hawks to just 1-for-12 shooting to start, including 1-for-8 from beyond the arc.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Chaska vs. Tartan underway

Class 4A semifinals

Hot start for Tartan sophomore forward Emmanuel Oyesanmi, who opens the game’s scoring with a dunk and adds to that with a corner three, which Chaska answers with a three of its own from junior guard Kalin Jochum. We’re rocking and rolling here at Williams Arena, with Tartan up 5-3 three minutes in.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Timeout Liberty

Class 1A quarterfinals

The game is starting to get away from Liberty Classical. Red Lake County’s aggressive defense is not giving the Lions much room to move. They have 10 fouls and eight turnovers. Tall forward Jimmy Youtsey has been sidelined for the entire second half with ice on his injured ankle. Red Lake County just appears to be the more athletic of the two teams. Red Lake County leads 71-51 with 6:21 left.

— Jim Paulsen

Red Lake County extends its lead

Class 1A quarterfinals

The Rebels have taken their biggest lead of the game, 61-46.

Will Gieseke is having a game. He leads Red Lake County with 21 points and is a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor after converting an and-one. Red Lake is owning the boards early in the second half. Liberty Classical is not getting any second-chance points.

— Jim Paulsen

Halftime: Red Lake County 42, Liberty Classical Academy 33

Class 1A quarterfinals

The difference in the first half was the quick hands of Red Lake County. The Rebels were constantly in the passing lanes and pressing the ball out at the top of the key. Liberty Classical only has five official turnovers, but Red Lake’s ball pressure has given the Lions fits. Not to mention the Rebels’ three-point shooting. They’re 8-for-16 from beyond the arc, with Ben Gullingsrud and Connor Duden each knocking down four threes. When Liberty Classical avoids the pressure, the Lions are shooting well, making 14 of 25 shots from the field. But they’re not getting to the line, shooting just two free throws in the first half.

— Jim Paulsen

DeLaSalle’s loss to open state last season motivated title game run

Class 3A semifinals

Several members of last year’s DeLaSalle boys basketball team returned to state this week having experienced the bitterness of losing in the Class 3A quarterfinals the previous year.

This time around, All-Minnesota player Jaeden Udean, Kamar Thomas, Evan Miller and Deon Wallace-Johnson took that heartbreak and turned it into motivation to make a run to the state title game.

The Islanders (28-3) were tested down the stretch, but they edged out a 73-70 semifinal victory Thursday against rival Richfield. A win Saturday vs. Totino-Grace would give them the program’s first state championship since 2019.

“Definitely playing harder and with a chip on our shoulder,” said Udean, who finished with 19 points Thursday. “Knowing we have to play with each other. And it will take all of us and not just one to get where we need to go. We came here to win three [games], not two.”

Udean and Thomas combined for 44 points last season, but it wasn’t enough in DeLaSalle’s quarterfinal loss against Orono. The junior tandem finished with 43 points Thursday against Richfield, but contributions from other teammates were needed for the comeback win.

The Islanders trailed 52-43 with 13:33 left in the second half. They were scoreless from the field for more than three minutes but eventually used a 12-3 run to get back a slight advantage late.

Miller had nine points, but he also made 1-for-2 free throws with 16 seconds to play to give DeLaSalle a 72-70 advantage. Wallace-Johnson also finished with 12 points, six rebounds and five steals.

DeLaSalle’s run to its first state title game since 2023 more than makes up for last year’s early exit, but the players want more.

“We need every guy on our team,” Miller said. “Every guy plays a role that is vital to our team’s success.”

— Marcus Fuller

It’s raining threes from Red Lake County

Class 1A quarterfinals

Red Lake County has been money from beyond the arc. Ben Gullingsrud has hit four and Connor Duden two for the Rebels, who lead Liberty Classical 32-27 with 3:12 left the first half.

— Jim Paulsen

Settling down

Class 1A quarterfinals

The fast start of the first few minutes has slowed considerably. Sam Rupnow has not cooled off, however. The Liberty Classical guard with the sweet stroke has 10 points. The Lions lead Red Lake County 19-16.

— Jim Paulsen

No jitters so far in Liberty Classical Academy vs. Red Lake County

Class 1A quarterfinals

Both Liberty Classical and Red Lake County are showing no signs of nerves. Less than five minutes into the game, and both teams are shooting well. Liberty leads 14-9 with 12 minutes left in the half. Entertaining basketball so far.

— Jim Paulsen

J-W-P’s Bauer brothers reflect on reaching the state tournament

Class 1A quarterfinals

For senior guard Daulton Bauer and junior guard Gavin Bauer, a state tournament visit was long awaited.

The brothers grew up playing one-vs.-one in the backyard of their childhood home. But the NBA or college basketball was never the court dream. The two would yell, “3-2-1, state championship!” recalls Daulton Bauer.

After a 17-year dry spell, the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Bulldogs took a trip to Target Center in downtown Minneapolis for the state tournament. On the team’s fourth-ever visit and first since 2012, the brothers were determined to make an impression. And they sure did with an 81-72 win over the Cherry Tigers and top-scoring Asuma cousins, Noah and Isaiah.

Daulton Bauer led the team and game in scoring 39 points, making 13 of his 27 field-goal attempts and 12 of his 16 free throws. Gavin Bauer, the team’s top scorer, followed close behind with 32 points, two three-pointers and 14 rebounds.

“Ever since we were little, we’ve been dreaming of this afternoon,” Daulton Bauer said, still starry-eyed after playing on an NBA court.

Gavin Bauer added: “That’s what we’ve been working for all our careers. It’s just nice to see a payoff, and especially in front of the community we have.”

Now the two will attempt to do what the Bulldogs have never achieved: bring home a state title to their community.

— Olivia Hicks

Pregame: Chaska vs. Tartan

Class 4A semifinals

Now, onto the Class 4A semifinals. First up, No. 1 Tartan (30-0) vs. No. 5 Chaska (26-4).

The Titans have made their first trip to state since 2014 in fine fashion: undefeated, top-seeded and primed to add another trophy alongside their 2000 state title.

Tartan’s talented roster includes sophomore guard Kevin Wilson Jr., one of the standout players in the 2028 class. Read more about the All-Minnesota guard and Tartan’s season here, via Strib Varsity reporter Marcus Fuller. Fuller also wrote about the impact of the Titans’ preseason trip to Las Vegas after their 72-44 quarterfinal win over Blaine.

Chaska, the 2004 state champ on its first trip to the tournament since 2017, took care of business against Lakeville South in its quarterfinal, winning 71-53 with 19 points from sophomore forward Chase Maetzold and 15 points from another All-Minnesota guard, junior Tyler Forrest.

These two teams haven’t crossed paths this winter, but they will now, on the season’s biggest stage.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

J-W-P secures semifinal spot

Class 1A quarterfinals

In a tight Class 1A quarterfinal game, the Bulldogs held off the Cherry Tigers for a 81-72 win. It’s J-W-P’s fourth time at state, with the last appearance coming 17 years ago. The team shut down Cherry’s chances at a third consecutive state final appearance.

Senior guard Daulton Bauer led the team with 39 points and 10 rebounds.

— Olivia Hicks

Pregame: Liberty Classical Academy vs. Red Lake County

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s a matchup of neophytes. Sixth seed Liberty Classical (27-2, a charter school in White Bear Lake, is making the first state tournament appearance in school history. Third-seed Red Lake County (28-3) has been here one time before, last year, losing to Dawson-Boyd in the Class 1A semifinals. That single experience is likely to have an outsize effect on the game. Just having the chance to play in a state tournament environment can make a huge difference.

Red Lake County started the season 18-0 before dropping three games in February. The Rebels avenged one of their three losses when they beat Stephen-Argyle 68-52 in the Section 8, championship game. The Rebels aren’t afraid to get out and run, scoring more than 70 points per game.

Read more about the Rebels, a Strib Varsity/Taco Bell Team of the Week

You may not have heard much of Liberty, a charter school in White Bear Lake, but expect that to change. The Lions might play in a one of the state’s smallest gyms, but they basketball is still basketball and they know how to put the ball in the hoop. They’ve topped 100 points on 10 different occasions.

Read more: Liberty Classical moves from smallest gym to Minnesota basketball’s biggest stage

Senior Sam Rupnow is an elite scorer, averaging 29.2 points per game.

Expect a must-see game.

— Jim Paulsen

J-W-P holds off Cherry’s advance

Class 1A quarterfinals

J-W-P leads 71-60 with four minutes left.

Isaiah Asuma put two points on the board for the Cherry Tigers, followed by a free throw. The junior, who has scored 29 points in this game so far, was able to close the gap to four, but the Bulldogs don’t seem to let up. A foul on Kalub Brown allowed two free throws for senior guard Daulton Bauer. Bauer followed it up with a three-pointer for J-W-P.

— Olivia Hicks

Winning the 9-Player football title helped Patriots

Class 1A quarterfinals

Winning the football title in November paid off for Hills-Bever Creek in the Patriots 72-69 victory over Southland Thursday.

Senior Jamin Metzger began nodding his head immediately when that question came his way.

“We’re in those intense games in [U.S. Bank Stadium] and now coming here, we’ve been in the moment,” said Metzger, who played quarterback for the Patriots and was effective as a power forward Thursday. “Just not basketball-wise, but we know how it’s when the pressure is on us.”

Metzger left the game briefly midway through the second half with the Patriots holding 10-point lead when he hit the floor hard and injured his knee. He went to the locker room to have it looked at but was back soon.

His absence was felt immediately. Southland cut the deficit to four. Metzger, one of four Metzgers on the roster (along with Brodie, Maddox and Karson) finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite the injury, nothing was going to keep him from re-entering the game. “I wasn’t going to quit yet,” Jamin said.

“He was just a man inside,” said Micah Bush. “Grabbing offensive boards, finishing. He does a lot.”

Brodie, Jamin’s cousin, led the Patriots in scoring with 24 points, including a highlight-reel dunk on a baseline drive in the second half. That was a highlight moment for Brodie. One he’ll long remember.

“I was trying to get a poster all year long and I finally got one,” Brodie admitted, a wide grin across his face.

Read more about Hills-Beaver Creek’s football winning-season.

— Jim Paulsen

Final: DeLaSalle 73, Richfield 70

Class 3A semifinals

Kamar Thomas and Jaeden Udean had 24 and 19 points to lead DeLaSalle to a 73-70 Class 3A semifinal win vs. Richfield at Williams Arena.

The Islanders reach their first state championship game since back-to-back trips in 2022 and 2023.

After a timeout with 6.9 seconds left, Richfield had an opportunity to tie or score the game-winning shot, but Tyrece Hagler’s layup missed the mark.

Thomas was fouled and ended the game with 1-for-2 free throws to seal the second win vs. rival Richfield, who were meeting for the third time this season.

The Islanders led 72-70 after Evan Miller’s two free throws with 16 seconds left. Richfield’s Evan Buhl scored on a putback with 19 seconds left to pull his team to 71-70.

The Islanders (29-3), who advance to play No. 1 Totino-Grace on Saturday at the Barn, also got 12 points from Deon Wallace-Johnson. Catch up on Totino-Grace’s 89-61 win over Northfield here.

The Spartans (28-4) were led by Dre Collins with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Waleed Muhammad and Nathaniel Clifford also had 15 points each.

— Marcus Fuller

J-W-P leads by 10

Class 1A quarterfinals

Nearly halfway through the second half, the Bulldogs are on fire with a 59-49 lead. Cherry can’t seem to catch up as senior guard Daulton Bauer controls the game for J-W-P, finding passes that seem to always connect with their desired target. He has put up 24 points so far, with his brother Gavin just behind with 23 points.

Daulton Bauer was named a Strib Varsity Athlete of the Week in January.

Read more about the standout player: Strib Varsity Athletes of the Week: Seven high achievers.

— Olivia Hicks

Thomas shakes off hard foul but Richfield closes in

Class 3A semifinals

Richfield pulled within 71-70 on a putback from Evan Buhl with 19.1 seconds left.

A three-point play from Tyrece Hagler made it 71-68 with 42 seconds left.

DeLaSalle’s Kamar Thomas stole the ball and looked to throw down an emphatic dunk in transition late in the second half.

The Islanders’ student section was on their feet, but Richfield’s Dre Collins fouled Thomas in the air that resulted in a hard fall. It was not called for a flagrant.

Thomas hopped up to hit two free throws for an eight-point lead, but Richfield responded.

— Marcus Fuller

Cherry’s Brown opens up second half with a woosh

Class 1A quarterfinals

Cherry seems to be making up for its lack of three-pointers in the first half. The second half of his Class 1A quarterfinal game began with senior Kalub Brown finding a perfect arc and swooshing the ball in. The move put the Tigers on top for a moment until Gavin Bauer followed up with his own three-pointer. His brother, Daulton Bauer, scored a layup right after.

The score stands at 47-42, JWP leading.

— Olivia Hicks

DeLaSalle taking care of the ball fueled comeback

Class 3A semifinals

The Islanders, leading 65-61, are used to speeding up opponents to force an abundance of turnovers, but that can also lead to mistakes on their end. That didn’t happen much in the second half.

DeLaSalle didn’t have its second turnover in the period until less than five minutes remaining in the game.

The Spartans, meanwhile, committed their eighth turnover of the second half with less than four minutes to play, but the Islanders failed to convert.

— Marcus Fuller

J-W-P leads 38-37 at the half

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s hard to keep up with sneakers squeaking back-and-forth across center court here at Target Center. Everytime it looks like J-W-P might run away with it and create a decent points gap, Cherry is there with the Asuma cousins narrowing any lead.

With fewer than two minutes left in the first half, the lead changed from J-W-P to Cherry and back to J-W-P. The Tigers enjoyed a brief time on top thanks to junior Isaiah Asuma’s layup bringing the score to 35-34, but then brothers Gavin Bauer and Daulton Bauer responded with two layups that put J-W-P back in the lead. Isaiah Asuma’s layup in response couldn’t quite close the one-point difference as the clock ticked down.

Isaiah Asuma leads with 21 points while his cousin Noah Asuma has 11. Daulton Bauer scored 16 of J-W-P’s 38 points.

Stick around for updates on the close game that’s only heating up by the minute.

— Olivia Hicks

3A: Richfield’s Horne fouls out while DeLaSalle surges to take lead

Class 3A semifinals

DeLaSalle went on a 13-1 run to take a 59-55 lead with Deon Wallace-Johnson’s two free throws with 7:37 left to play.

Richfield wouldn’t have been in today’s semifinal without Gideon Horne, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the quarterfinal win vs. Sartell.

Horne couldn’t make the same impact a day later. The 6-4 junior fouled out with 9:24 left in the semifinal with just four points in 17 minutes.

— Marcus Fuller

3A: Clifford comes up big for Richfield

Class 3A semifinals

Richfield leads 54-51.

Richfield forward Nathaniel Clifford is having a breakout game in today’s Class 3A semifinals.

The 6-5 junior had 15 points for the Spartans midway through the second half before sitting with his fourth foul. He shot 6-for-7 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range before leaving with foul trouble.

Clifford’s previous season high was 14 points against Fridley on Dec. 16. He scored in double figures only three times this season before today.

After he left the game, DeLaSalle made a run to get within 54-51 after five straight points from Jaeden Udean.

— Marcus Fuller

J-W-P stretches points gap to six

Class 1A quarterfinals

The Bulldogs are capitalizing on Cherry’s mistakes and have stretched their lead to 26-20, but it’s a back-and-forth game.

The Tigers had yet to make a three-pointer, despite six attempts, until senior Noah Asuma scored one nine minutes into the game. J-W-P has made one of five three-pointer attempts, thanks to Gavin Bauer.

Cherry’s defense is proving to make up for any mistakes. Junior Levi Rusotsalainen’s block prevented a J-W-P layup and the Asumas have put up 17 points for the Tigers.

It’s anybody’s game.

— Olivia Hicks

DeLaSalle looking for more stops defensively in second half

Class 3A semifinals

Dre Collins’ three-pointer and Nathaniel Clifford’s jumper gave Richfield a 52-43 lead with 13:31 remaining, capping a 12-3 run in a span of three minutes.

DeLaSalle’s motto is “one stop” with defense being the identity of the program, but that didn’t show up much to start the second half in today’s semifinal.

Richfield took a 47-42 lead after Waleed Muhammad’s two free throws at the 15-minute mark in the second half. Two three-pointers from Nathaniel Clifford helped the Spartans get their offense going after leading 36-35 at halftime.

The Islanders tied it 40-40 at one point.

— Marcus Fuller

Meet Cherry’s top-scoring cousins: The Asumas

Class 1A quarterfinals

Current U of M Gopher and former Cherry basketball player Isaac Asuma surpassed 3,000 career points as a senior for the Tigers in 2024 and helped clinch the state title that year. But he’s passed the torch onto his brother, senior Noah Asuma, and his cousin, junior Isaiah Asuma. The two average over 50 points per game combined.

Get to know Noah and Isaiah as they look to bring the Asuma name to the third consecutive state final game this year: Minnesota boys basketball tournament players to know.

— Olivia Hicks

J-W-P and Cherry take turns leading

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s a close game here at Target Center.

J-W-P Bulldog senior guard Dalton Bauer got the first basket of the game, but Cherry’s Isaiah Asuma responded immediately with a layup.

The Bulldogs’ Gavin Bauer’s following layup helped put the team on top in the first few minutes of the game before Cherry’s Kalub Brown found the basket. Cherry leads 12-8.

— Olivia Hicks

Halftime: Richfield takes the lead twice against DeLaSalle

Class 3A semifinals

Richfield was embarrassed in a 28-point loss to DeLaSalle in the last meeting between the two teams in February, but that was far from the case in today’s semifinal.

The Spartans, who won the earlier matchup this season by a point, used a 7-0 run to take a 33-32 lead after Dre Collins’ three-point play with two minutes left in the first half.

DeLaSalle responded with two free throws from Evan Miller, but Tyrece Hagler’s three-pointer gave Richfield the advantage again 36-34.

That would be seven lead changes in the first half at that point.

— Marcus Fuller

Pregame: Cherry vs. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton

Class 1A quarterfinals

We’re still here courtside at Target Center where the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Bulldogs (28-3) are gearing up to tip-off against the Cherry Tigers (25-5).

The Bulldogs hold the second seed, seventh-seeded seed Cherry is no stranger to an upset. After two consecutive Class 1A state final appearances — with only 2024’s tourney ending in celebration — the Tigers are hungry for another trophy. But first, they have to get past the Bulldogs’ sophomore guard Gavin Bauer and his 24 points per game.

Cherry will look to the Asumas for a semifinal ticket-punching performance this afternoon. Junior Isaiah Asuma sits at 28.2 points per game while senior Noah Asuma boasts 24.2. Both were on the 2024 and 2025 state final games and will use what they learned on the big stage. Experience could be key here with state tourney regulars Cherry going up against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton’s fourth state tournament appearance and its first in 17 years.

Hang out here for game reports as the action gets going, but if you want a head start, read who Strib Varsity picked to win the game.

— Olivia Hicks

Thomas taking over in the first half for DeLaSalle

Class 3A semifinals

In Wednesday’s quarterfinals against Grand Rapids, DeLaSalle was carried by junior Jaeden Udean, who had 24 of his 26 points in the first half.

Udean’s teammate and junior Kamar Thomas took control for the Islanders in today’s semifinals vs. Richfield.

Thomas had a team-high 14 points late in the first half with his team leading 32-26 with just over four minute left. Udean didn’t have the same scorching start, but he also contributed two three-pointers at that point in the game.

— Marcus Fuller

Bonding out West

Class 4A semifinals

Tartan boys basketball coach Mark Klingsporn started taking his players to Las Vegas for bonding trips the year after his 2000 state title.

The Titans were able to play some of the top teams from Nevada while also building team chemistry. That tradition continued just about every other year for more than two decades.

And it helped breed success. Tartan went to eight consecutive state tournaments from 1998 to 2005.

But Klingsporn’s program played in its first state tournament since 2014 this week, defeating Blaine 72-44 in the Class 4A quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 24. The top-seeded Titans (30-0) will play Chaska tonight in their first semifinal since 2005.

Continue reading: Tartan’s journey to its first state boys basketball semifinal since 2005 started in Las Vegas

Back-and-forth affair has several lead changes

Class 3A semifinals

DeLaSalle and Richfield led almost the entire way in their quarterfinals games Wednesday, but they can’t get much separation from each other in today’s semifinals.

There were five lead changes midway through the first half.

The Islanders took a 17-16 lead with Kamar Thomas’ two free throws with just over eight minutes left. Previously for the Spartans, Waleed Muhammad’s three-pointer and layup twice gave his team the advantage.

The biggest lead for DeLaSalle came with Jaeden Udean’s second three-pointer of the game to make it 20-14 at the 7:45 mark. Thomas followed with a jumper for a six-point advantage.

— Marcus Fuller

Final: Hills-Beaver Creek 72, Southand 69

Class 1A quarterfinals

Making clutch plays when they are needed and controlling the play on the interior, Hills-Beaver Creek held off Southland in the game’s final minutes to advance to the Class 1A semifinals with a 72-69 victory.

Southand’s Tate Goergen’s three-point attempt at the buzzer came up short.

Hills-Beaver Creek (28-3) was led by Brodie Metzger’s 24 points and 21 from Jamin Metzger. The Patriots shot 28-of-55 from the floor, a 50.9%. The patriots forced Southland into 14 turnovers in the game. Tate Goergen and Henry Wiste each scored 21 points to pace Southland (28-2)

— Jim Paulsen

Best atmosphere for DeLaSalle this year? Not Williams Arena

Class 3A semifinals

DeLaSalle and Richfield student sections were going back and forth with cheer battles early in the first half of Thursday’s Class 3A semifinals, but that was nothing like an earlier game for the Islanders this season.

Check out the intense atmosphere when DeLaSalle battled Cretin-Derham Hall in an overtime game on Jan. 31. Strib Varsity and Strictly Bball were there to catch the action and craziest finish you’ll see all year. Watch it here:

— Marcus Fuller

DeLaSalle trails for first time at state tourney

Class 3A semifinals

After trailing early, DeLaSalle took the lead 6-3 over Richfield after Kamar Thomas’ two free throws after a hard foul at the 12:40 mark.

Early on, though, DeLaSalle experienced what it was like to trail for the first time in this year’s state tournament.

The Islanders started their last game, a 87-37 victory over Grand Rapids in the quarterfinals, with a 15-0 lead and never looked back. It wasn’t so easy vs. their conference rival.

The Richfield Spartans gave up a layup to Evan Miller on the opening play, but they scored the next three points to take a 3-2 lead at the 15-minute mark. Unfortunately for them, the Islanders turned up their defense to force them to shoot 1-for-7 from the field to start.

— Marcus Fuller

Karson Metzger fouls out

Class 1A quarterfinals

The Hills-Beaver Creek forward left after getting his fifth foul, but another Metzger, Brodie answered with a big three-pointer. Patriots lead 72-67 with 30 seconds left.

Minutes ago, Southland stayed close on another three-pointer by Brekken Koenigs. The Rebels have made 10 of 24 three-pointers, five by Koenigs. Who says basketball is just a game for big men?

— Jim Paulsen

Southland goes on a run with Metzger out

Class 1A quarterfinals

Jamin Metzger hurt his knee. The Patriots heart and soul left the game after getting knocked to the floor and banging his knee. He left with a limp and went to the locker room. Big loss if he can’t go any longer.

With Metzger out, Southland went on an 8-0 run, getting a couple of run-outs for transition baskets and a three-pointer by Brekken Koenigs.

Hills-Beaver Creek leads 66-58 with 5:10 left in the half.

— Jim Paulsen

Patriots hold lead

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s Hills-Beaver Creek 54, Southland 49 with less than 10 minutes remaining

Hills-Beaver Creek is getting a little edge on the interior, thanks largely to Jamin Metzger. He’s got 21 points and 10 rebounds. His brother Brodie just brought the house to its feet with a baseline drive and dunk.

— Jim Paulsen

Pregame: DeLaSalle vs. Richfield rematch

Class 3A semifinals

Richfield boys basketball coach Omar McMillan has 20-plus years of experience, so he knows better than to give his opponent extra motivation against his team.

When it comes to DeLaSalle, though, McMillan doesn’t really care about adding more fuel to the fire in the rivalry between the two programs.

“They don’t like us, and we don’t like them,” McMillan said after his team’s 72-62 quarterfinal win vs. Sartell on March 25.

The second-seeded Islanders (27-3) will play the third-seeded Spartans (28-2) on Thursday afternoon for the chance to reach the Class 3A state title game Saturday against No. 1 Totino-Grace at Williams Arena. The Eagles defeated Northfield in the first semifinal.

“We understand that DeLaSalle wants us, and we want them,” McMillan added. “We’re going to try to do the talking on the court, and may the best team win.”

The Spartans are expecting Thursday’s rematch to “be kind of somewhat of a battle,” McMillan said after the two teams split the regular season series.

It wasn’t a battle the last time the two teams met when DeLaSalle, a Tri-Metro Conference rival, won 94-66 on Feb. 4. Richfield escaped a hard-fought first meeting this season, 69-68 on Jan. 3. How would the state tournament rematch unfold Thursday?

A major factor might be the offensive success of Richfield’s star foursome of Dre Collins, Waleed Muhammad, Giden Horne and Tyrece Hagler, who combined for 67 of the team’s 72 points Wednesday.

The Islanders, who were led by Jaeden Udean’s 26 points, forced Grand Rapids to shoot 28% from the field and commit 18 turnovers in Wednesday’s quarterfinal win.

— Marcus Fuller

Hills-Beaver Creek’s defense is showing up early

Class 1A quarterfinals

The Patriot’s defense is leading to a pair of baskets in transition for Patriots guard Brodie Metzger.

Metzer is releasing and beating the Southland players down court. He had scored six points in a row until Tate Goergen stopped the run with a clutch three pointer. Patriots lead 45-42 at 14:06 of the second half.

— Jim Paulsen

Eagles advance to championship

Class 3A semifinals

No. 1 Totino-Grace (27-2) is the first team to book its ticket to one of Saturday’s state title games with an 89-61 Class 3A semifinal win over No. 4 Northfield (26-4). The Eagles, having won three straight titles from 2022-24, could make it four in five years, just awaiting the winner of our next semifinal, No. 2 DeLaSalle vs. No. 3 Richfield.

Totino-Grace never trailed, leading by 18 at halftime and pulling away early in the second half thanks to five different players hitting double figures and tough defense, which forced Northfield into 18 turnovers and kept the Raiders from finding their flow.

Totino-Grace outscored Northfield 44-18 in the paint, shot 11-for-23 from three and got 38 points from its bench. When the Eagles can score on early level, and from nearly every player, they’re tough to beat.

Eagles junior guard Jaylen Hynes scored a team-high 15 points in 15 minutes off the bench, shooting 5-for-8 from three-point range, while All-Minnesota senior forward Dothan Ijadimbola posted 12 points, five rebounds and four steals. Sophomore forward Daniel Zoa recorded 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds on 62.5% shooting.

For Northfield, making its first trip to state in 94 years, sophomore guard Liam Oakland finished with a team-best 14 points. The Raiders’ All-Minnesota senior guard, Kayden Oakland, dealt with some foul trouble but rarely came off the court, finishing with eight points and five rebounds.

Meet all 25 members of the 2026 All-Minnesota Boys Basketball Team

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Tied at halftime

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s Hills-Beaver Creek 37, Southland 37.

Neither team was able to establish any advantage in the first half, albeit lots of physical play inside. Jamin Metzger has been an interior force for Hills-Beaver Creek with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Southland is leaning on it’s big names. Tate Goergen has 13 points, Henry Wiste has 12 and Brekken Koenigs has eight, including two three-pointers.

— Jim Paulsen

Eagles bench shines

Class 3A semifinals

This Totino-Grace bench took the court and the level of play hardy dropped if at all. With Totino-Grace up 73-38 with 8:18 to play, the Eagles’ reverses outscored the Raiders’ 31-12, led by Jaylan Hynes’ 15 points in 14 minutes. AJ Taban got in on the three-point shooting fun, pulling up from the top of the key for two threes. Totino-Grace is shooting 10-for-18 from deep.

To note: Northfield guard Kayden Oakland picked up his fourth foul with 14:25 to go in the half, now playing down the back stretch one personal foul away from exiting the game.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Hello, Brekken Koenigs

Class 1A quarterfinals

While most basketball fans know about Southland’s Tate Goegern and Henry Wiste, the only player who has stood out for the Southland is freshman guard Brekken Koenigs. He’s only 5-7, but he attacks fearlessly.

Hills-Beaver Creek leads Southland 31-30 with four minutes remaining in the first half.

— Jim Paulsen

How Kale Misegades prepped for a state tournament performance

Class 1A quarterfinals

On February 14, Henning senior guard Kale Misegades set the bar sky high with a 50-point game against Hankinson. He’s stood out this season with his 36.3 points per game average and beat a school record in that mid-February game.

But none of those numbers were on Misegades’ mind as he reached his right hand toward Target Center’s overhead lights for tip-off in a Class 1A quarterfinal game against Upsala.

“Scoring points is never the goal,” Misegades said after scoring 35 of his team’s 61 points against Upsala (final score 61-45). “My role on this team, I guess, is to score, but as long as we get the win, that’s really all that matters. Points come with that, but it’s definitely not the goal in mind.”

It’s clear Misegades’ mentality is mirrored by the whole team. Despite carrying the No. 1 seed in the boys basketball state tournament and continuing an undefeated 31-0 season into the state semifinals, the Hornets gave off a cool and collected energy. Henning would be the first undefeated Class 1A team to win the state title in 14 years.

“We’re undefeated, you kind of get everyone’s best shot,” said Misegades, also one of Strib Varsity’s 2026 All-Minnesota basketball players. “So just going into the game expecting that.”

“I just got to come prepared everyday,” echoed senior guard Dawson Bushman. “We practice a lot so we’re ready for it.”

For head coach and Kale’s dad Randy Misegades, a zero-loss season was the cherry on top of a good season. But the stats sheet and a 31-win season doesn’t mean much unless the Hornets come home with their first trophy in hand since 2019.

“The undefeated is maybe a nice bonus, but that was never something that we had as a goal,” Randy Misegades said. “We just kept winning and here we are. It’s cool, but at the end of the day, if you don’t finish the task down here, that stuff doesn’t matter.”

Get to know Misegades: These seven students are the top performers in MN high school sports.

— Olivia Hicks

Haynes heats up

Class 3A semifinals

Totino-Grace junior guard Jaylan Haynes sank three three-pointers in the span of 50 seconds, now up to a game-high 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from deep. He’s hit a few right in front of the Eagles student section, much to the spectators’ delight. Totino-Grace leads 66-34 with 11:38 to play.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Totino-Grace starts second half hot

Class 3A semifinals

Totino-Grace opened the second half with a 17-5 run, kicked off by a Dothan Ijadimbola jam. The Drake commit and Tian Chatman each had five points in the Eagles’ latest second-half push, now up 60-30 with 12:54 to play.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Patriots lead, but not by much

Class 1A quarterfinals

Hills-Beaver Creek leads Southland 19-17 with 8:35 left in the first half.

These two teams look very evenly matched. There’s good athletes all over the court for both teams. Tate Goergen and Henry Wiste are leading the offense for Southland, Jamin Metzger and Micah Bush for Hills-Beaver Creek.

These Greater Minnesota teams still feeling each other out, though.

— Jim Paulsen

Raiders will have to rally, again

Class 3A semifinals

At halftime, No. 1 Totino-Grace built out a sizable 43-25 lead over No. 4 Northfield.

The Eagles have been flying around defensively, breaking up Northfield’s chances at fast breaks and forcing 11 turnovers and just 30.4% shooting from the floor. Though seven Raiders players had first-half buckets, Totino-Grace has held Northfield standout senior guard Kayden Oakland to just four points and, notably, drawn three personal fouls on Oakland.

Both the Raiders and Oakland put together a stronger second half in their quarterfinal against Mankato East, trailing 11 coming out of halftime, and will have to rally again if they want to keep this semifinal close.

Interestingly enough, this game has no players in double digits after the first half. Eight Eagles have also found the scoresheet, with sophomore forward Daniel Zoa’s seven points leading the way, plus four more players with six points. The Raiders can’t quite know where Totino-Grace’s next shot will come from, making them a tough defensive matchup.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Hill gets on the board

Class 3A semifinals

With 4:55 to go in the first half, Totino-Grace pulled ahead 31-12 thanks to a 9-2 run sparked by junior guard Malachi Hill’s first four points of the game and a pair of steals from Hill and Dothan Ijadimbola.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Pregame: Hills-Beaver Creek vs. Southland

Class 1A quarterfinals

It’s been a memorable year for No. 5 seed Hills-Beaver Creek (27-3) . The Patriots completed a perfect football season at 13-0 with a 46-22 victory over Hillcrest Lutheran in the 9-Player championship game.

Many of the players on that football team are also regulars on the basketball team. Guard Micah Bush was an All-Minnesota defensive back for the Patriots and Jamin Metzger, Brodie Metzger, Karson Metzger and Eduardo Wegener were also key contributors to their state championship run.

Read more on Hills-Beaver Creek’s two-sport stars from sports columnist Patrick Reusse: Football state champions from southwest Minnesota seeking to double up in basketball, too

The Patriots don’t go deep into their bench, playing just six players on a regular basis.

No. 4 seed Southland (28-1) likes to get out and pressure the opposition defense with an uptempo attack. The Rebels are averaging 77.1 points per game and have topped 90 on 10 occasions.

Two players average more than 20 points per game, Tate Goergen (22.2 ppg) and Henry Wiste (20.3). Wiste, a 6-3 wing, is a force on the glass, hauling down 12.3 rebound per gameExpect the scoreboard operator to be busy in this one.

Go here to see which team Strib Varsity predicted will win the game

— Jim Paulsen

Eagles dial up defense

Class 3A semifinals

Nice play by Totino-Grace junior guard Shay Jackson to leap and pick off Northfield’s attempt at a half-court lob from their own baseline, looking for a fast break. Jackson turned that into his own jumper in the paint, then assisted a Jaylan Hynes three-pointer on the next possession to put Totino-Grace up 17-5 over the Raiders. That’s six early turnovers for the Raiders, including three Eagles steals.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

The other Oakland brother

Class 3A semifinals

With a dozen minutes left in the first half, Totino-Grace is up 12-5 over Northfield, with all five points coming from sophomore guard Liam Oakland, the younger brother of leading scorer Kayden. The younger Oakland had just four points in the Raiders’ quarterfinal win but was tasked with tough defensive assignments, picking up four steals and four blocks.

Go here to see which team Strib Varsity predicted will win the game

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Eagles at the line early

Class 3A semifinals

Totino-Grace got up to double-digits before Northfield’s got its first first points, jumping out to a 10-0 lead just over three minutes into the first half. Dothan Ijadimbola got five points early, including a three-pointer to open the Eagles’ scoring. The Eagles have already been sent to the line three times, making five of its six early free throws. To note: That’s two early fouls on Northfield All-Minnesota guard Kayden Oakland (Meet all 25 members of the 2026 All-Minnesota Boys Basketball Team).

Northfield is 0-for-3 from three with two early turnovers.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Henning comes one win closer to an undefeated season

Class 1A quarterfinals

The No. 1 seed Henning Hornets secured their ticket to the semifinals with a 61-45 win against No. 8 seed Upsala. Senior guard Kale Misegades led the team, scoring 35 of Henning’s 61 points.

The Hornets hope to extend their 31-0 season in a 1A semifinal game on Friday, March 27 at 12 p.m. against either Hills-Beaver Creek or Southland

— Olivia Hicks

The dynamic duos

Class 1A quarterfinals

Henning’s two starting senior guards, Dawson Bushman and Kale Misegades, are proving to be magic on the court. The duo continued to connect, highlight by a second-half play in which by the two worked to set up Ryan Despard for a layup that gave Henning a 20-point lead, 55-39.

Upsala has its own duo in Quinn and Caleb Guthrie. The two are leading in points for the Cardinals with 10 and eight points, respectively.

— Olivia Hicks

Eagles tested, and rewarded with tacos

Class 3A semifinals

Totino-Grace was Strib Varsity’s very first Taco Bell Team of the Week, a new weekly honor rolled out on Dec. 18, 2025. The Eagles earned that honor after picking up early-season wins over Class 4A foes Maple Grove and Hopkins.

Read more about the Eagles’ early-season success here, via Strib Varsity reporter Marcus Fuller.

“Our first seven games against Minnesota competition are against top-10 teams,” Totino-Grace head coach Nick Carroll said in December. “We’re seeing what we got in the tank right now. We tried to set it up so that [early] play would mimic state. It’s validating to be on the right side of the scoreboard, but the experience is invaluable.”

The Eagles went 5-2 in that stretch of seven games against top Class 4A teams, and haven’t lost since falling to Wayzata and East Ridge around the turn of the new year. They’re battle-tested, and ready to try and return to the top of Class 3A after three straight titles from 2022-24.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Upsala finally finds the basket in the second half

Class 1A quarterfinals

It took four minutes for the Cardinals to score their first points of the second half. Henning leads 47-28.

Four points from Caleb Guthrie and a three-pointer from senior guard Isaiah Sobiech gave Upsala some momentum, but nothing seems to stop the Hornets.

— Olivia Hicks

Henning is on fire as second half begins

Class 1A quarterfinals

Senior guard Kale Misegades started the second half with back-to-back buckets, putting up four points within a 40 seconds for Henning. After Upsala took a timeout to regroup, Misegades put up six more points with two layups and a tip-in, giving Henning a 38-21 lead.

Meanwhile, Quinn Guthrie’s three-pointer attempts just can’t seem to connect with the net for Upsala. Guthrie scored eight of the team’s 21 first-half points, including going 2-for-3 from three-point range.

Misegades scored half of Henning’s points going in the first half, with 14 of the team’s 28 points. Playing all 18 minutes, he made nearly half of his 13 field goal attempts at 46.2%, including 2-of-4 from the three-point line.

With undefeated Henning ahead, one question is on everyone’s minds: Who will advance?

Find out who Strib Varsity predicted here: MN high school boys basketball state tournament predictions

— Olivia Hicks

Pregame: Totino-Grace vs. Northfield at Williams Arena, 12 p.m.

Class 3A semifinals

In Class 3A, the winner of the semifinal between No. 1 Totino-Grace (25-2) vs. No. 4 Northfield (26-3) will be the first of the lucky (or rather, talented) eight teams that get to compete for a state title in Saturday’s four title games at Williams Arena.

The Eagles, vying for four state championships in five years, dominated their quarterfinal with a 90-56 win over Minneapolis South, led by 22 points from All-Minnesota senior forward Dothan Ijadimbola, a Drake commit (Meet all 25 members of the 2026 All-Minnesota Boys Basketball Team). Junior guard Malachi Hill and senior guards DeAngelo Dungey and Tian Chatman are also all regulars in double-figures for the top-seeded team, giving the Eagles a pick-your-poison of scoring options.

In the Raiders’ quarterfinal, Northfield rallied in the second half to push past Mankato East 56-49, sparked by 22 points and 5-for-7 shooting from three by senior guard JT Graupmann and a big second half from All-Minnesota senior guard Kayden Oakland. Both are standout basketball players, but committed to play other sports collegiately: Oakland, football for South Dakota State; Graupmann, baseball for Minnesota State Mankato.The Raiders are making their first trip to state since 1932.

Read more about Northfield’s return to state here, from Strib Varsity reporter Marcus Fuller, before they try to pull the upset over the Eagles.

— Cassidy Hettesheimer

Ryan Despard found the basket for Henning when it mattered most

Class 1A quarterfinals

Henning leads 28-21, and a timely basket helped the Hornets maintain the lead.

With two seconds left on the shot clock, senior guard Ryan Despard made a three-pointer that brought the score to 23-15.

In this tight game, the Cardinals responded immediately with Samuel Laliberte putting two points on the board for Upsala.

Henning’s Kale Misegades has a game-high 14 points, and an attempt to give him 16 fell short just before halftime.

The Hornets may be leading, but it’s not quite the dominant performance No. 1 seed Henning would have wanted in its attempt to complete an undefeated season.

— Olivia Hicks

Upsala finds a rhythm

Class 1A quarterfinals

Henning had a 18-13 lead halfway through the first half, but Upsala is gaining ground, thanks to junior guard Quinn Guthrie.

Upsala’s top scorer, Guthrie’s three-pointer narrowed the difference to five. Noah Ripplinger followed with another three-pointer.

— Olivia Hicks

Henning scores first

Class 1A quarterfinals

The Cardinals scored first in this quarterfinal game vs. Upsala. After a missed three-pointer by Upsala’s Calvin Leners, Henning top-scorer and senior guard Kale Misegades got the rebound, dribbled across the length of the court at Target Center for a swift layup.

Leners made up for the miss with a layup on the other end.

Henning leads 4-2.

— Olivia Hicks

“That’s part of sports, part of life.”

Jackson County Central made it through Section 3 to reach the Class 2A boys basketball state tournament in 2024. The Huskies ran into Albany in the quarterfinals and were defeated 87-66. There was a rematch on Tuesday, March 24, before a smallish audience at Target Center, and Jackson County brought with it a plan of action for this trip to Minneapolis:

“Let’s win that thing.”

Comparing scores always is a risky business, particularly in a competition with the nightly variables of basketball, but the Huskies could find optimism in the fact they had defeated No. 1-rated Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 57-52 in the section final, and Albany had lost to MACA earlier in February.

This tournament also was going to be the last go-round for Roman Voss and Weston Rowe as partners in athletic success, going back to third grade. They were big parts of back-to-back Class 2A football titles in 2024 and 2025.

Football will now be the game for both, with Voss headed to the Gophers as a coveted recruit, and Rowe having committed to South Dakota State early in 2025.

Read more from columnist Patrick Reusse: For Jackson County Central football stars, state basketball tournament ends with life lesson

Who is Kale Misegades?

Few basketball players in the state can boast a 36.3 points per game average, but Henning’s Kale Misegades is no ordinary guard.

Misegades recorded a 50-point game during Henning’s regular season — a school record. Not only was he one of Strib Varsity’s All-Minnesota basketball players, but he also was named an Athlete of the Week in December for a 49-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist game against Lake Park-Audubon. His stats may be impressive, but it’s the senior’s mentality that makes him memorable on the court.

“Kale has always been the hardest worker in our gym,” head coach and father Randy Misegades said. “When your best player is your hardest worker, it sets the tone for the entire program. Kale has put up some incredible offensive numbers, but he’s even better on the defensive end of floor. Kale is a 4.0 student and a role model for all the kids in our school and youth program. It’s been a joy to be his coach and his dad.”

Get to know the standout senior: These seven students are the top performers in MN high school sports.

— Olivia Hicks

Pregame: Upsala vs. Henning

Class 1A quarterfinals

Good morning from Target Center for the Class 1A quarterfinals.

The No. 8 seed Upsala Cardinals (24-6) are warming up to take on No. 1 seed Henning. The Hornets have had a perfect season at 30-0. If the team goes all the way, it would be the first 1A basketball program to go undefeated since Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa’s 33-0 season in 2012.

The Cardinals will attempt to put up a fight in their third trip to state and first since 2013. The team is led by junior guard duo Quinn Guthrie (14.4 points per game and a 48% field goal percentage this season) and Samuel Laliberte (13.5 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game).

But it’s difficult to bet against Henning’s odds and even more difficult to underestimate the team’s leading scorer. All-Minnesota senior guard Kale Misegades has put up an average of 36.3 points per game. The 6-foot-3 Southwest Minnesota State commit and son of head coach Randy Misegades will hope to bring the Hornets all the way to state tourney glory for the second time in school history.

— Olivia Hicks

Go here to see which team Strib Varsity predicted will win the game