Terra Rhoades has finally found her comfort zone, and it's come at the perfect time for Minnehaha Academy.

Rhoades posted double-digit point totals in each of the team’s three playoff games, including a game-high 14 to help the top-seeded Redhawks clinch a state tournament bid with a 55-27 victory over second-seeded St. Croix Lutheran in the Class 2A, Section 4 championship at Macalester College on Friday night.

The freshman guard, who averaged just 6.8 points per game during the regular season, scored 15 points in a 78-41 quarterfinal win over Minneapolis Roosevelt and had a season-high 20 in a 62-28 semifinal win over St. Agnes.

"I've had a lot of time to work on my shot (all season), so that's helped a lot," said Rhoades, who scored 10 or more points only three times during the regular season. "I'm more of a shooter now than I was before ... I'm more comfortable and I can get (the shot) off quicker."

Minnehaha Academy coach Josh Thurow said Rhoades was a well-rounded basketball player but lacked one trait the Redhawks desperately needed: consistent three-point shooting.

"She's worked real hard on that, and she's hit a couple in each section game and it's been huge," he added.

Thurow said the Redhawks needed someone to take pressure off leading scorer Sarah Kaminski (13.7 ppg) this season and also stretch out opposing defenses.

Minnehaha Academy also has plenty of depth, as eight players average at least 4 points per game. It's a luxury Thurow said he's never had at any time in his coaching career.

Rhoades said having a lot of good players on the bench has helped the Redhawks notch 25 wins and secure their second consecutive - and eighth in the last 11 years - berth in the Class 2A state tournament.

"If someone isn't doing well, we can get someone else in who can do just as good and keep the game going,” Rhoades added.

Rhoades played on last season's squad that lost in the state quarterfinals, and while that appearance ended quickly, Rhoades’ career in the Redhawks’ program is just getting started. 

"I'm really excited about what the future holds as well," Thurow said. "I graduate five seniors (this year), but I play four middle schoolers."

Rhoades said it's nice to be heading back to state and is hoping she can help extend the season for Minnehaha’s seniors.

"I think making it back is really important for our seniors," Rhoades said. "Hopefully we'll do a lot better this year. But we're all out there together, so that helps."

Freshman Terra Rhoades scored a game-high 14 points as No. 1-seeded Minnehaha Academy secured a state tournament bid by defeating No. 2-seeded St. Croix Lutheran 55-27 in the Class 2A, Section 4 championship at Macalester College on Friday night.

Senior Gracia Gilreath posted 12 points and junior Sarah Kaminski chipped in 10 as the Redhawks (25-4), ranked No. 6 in Class 2A by Minnesota Basketball News, beat the No. 8-4A Crusaders (24-5) for the second time this season.

St. Croix Lutheran got 10 points from junior Danica Cambrice.

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