Oh, if we would have been able to see this game last year! It would have been and epic battle of No. 1AAAA versus No. 1AAA. However, this year is a different story. This will be an uphill climb for Hill-Murray, as most all of Hopkins' opponents will be facing throughout this season. The Pioneers should not get down however, as they are picked to make a third straight trip to the Class AAA state tournament by our staff.

Hill-Murray will miss its 2011 senior class a lot this year, but none of them more than Miss Basketball candidate Bethany Doolittle. She is already down in Iowa City, with a very good University of Iowa team, playing about 15 minutes a game as a freshman. Tessa Cichy is still there, and is motivated for her senior season. She brings in much experience, playing varsity since she was in eighth grade. She is a potential Miss Basketball candidate this winter and after losses in both of the last two state championship games, a title would really complete her outstanding career.

Hopkins is this year’s powerhouse. Comparisons are already being made to the St. Paul Central team of the late 2000s -- and some are saying this team is better. Leading the way are the Coffey sisters, Sydney who is has Miss Basketball potential and will be going to Marist next year and Nia who could be in the running to play in the McDonald's All-America game in 2013. Barring injuries, they are so good that it is possible that no one plays within 20 points of them this year. 

Sydney Coffey, Hopkins vs.
Tessa Cichy, Hill-Murray
A match-up of two potential Miss Basketball candidates. Cichy is a hard-nosed competitor, and you don’t want to get in her way. Coffey is more of a smooth, go-with-the-flow player who is very dangerous from beyond the three-point line.

Why Hill-Murray will win:

• Tessa Cichy will have the game of her life… think 2010 state semifinals against DeLaSalle, plus shutting down Coffey on the other end.
• They are able to keep in a halfcourt game to keep Hopkins from running and keep the score low.

Why Hopkins will win:

• They are faster, stronger, deeper, and more experienced.

Our prediction: Hopkins