Another private school vs. public school battle will take place at 3:00 p.m. Saturday when defending Class AAA state champion Benilde-St. Margaret’s takes on perennial Class AAAA power Bloomington Kennedy at the Breakdown Sports Tip Off Classic. If you are a college coach looking for an array of prospects in many different classes, make sure that you don’t miss this one.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s had a dream season last year, going 30-2 and ending the season as the only Class AAA team celebrating. The Red Knights welcome back a trio of junior standouts in Khadijah Shumpert, Olivia Antilla and Josie Dillon, who also happened to be their three leading scorers a year ago. Freshman point guard Grace Coughlin will be tabbed to replace floor leader Itisha Alexander. Coughlin came up in the Edina traveling program and actually declined a spot on a very strong Edina varsity team after tryouts last season as an 8th grader.

Bloomington Kennedy will need to replace the losses of last year’s leading scorer Aubrey Davis (who transferred to Eden Prairie) and another double-digit scorer in Bailey Lund (graduation). By all accounts, sophomore Jade Martin is up for the challenge. Kennedy will need to lean heavily upon dynamic freshman Tonoia Wade and Kenisha Bell if it is to return to prominence in the Class AAAA state tournament picture.

Tonoia Wade vs Grace Coughlin:
Although both are freshmen, both will be asked to do a lot of ball handling for their respective teams. The winner of battle may not show up in the box score, as it could be the player who can take care of the ball better and direct traffic for their team. In this matchup of summer circuit teammates, we give the edge to Wade, only because of her varsity experience coming
off the bench in the extremely tough Lake Conference last season.

Why Benilde-St Margaret’s will win:
The Red Knights' dominating and experienced front court will be too much for Kennedy to handle.  Josie Dillon will get hot behind the arc, and Benilde will make 4-times more three point shots than will Kennedy

Why Bloomington Kennedy will win:
The Eagles are quicker and more athletic at most positions and will bother Benilde’s in experienced backcourt.  Jade Martin will embrace her new role as the Eagles go-to player, and assert herself as one of
the top sophomores in the state

Our prediction: Benilde-St. Margaret’s