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Top Games: Providence Academy meets Minnehaha Academy in clash of Class 2A titans

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 01/17/22, 1:30PM CST

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Jan. 18: The second-ranked Lions visit the top-ranked Redhawks in a postseason primer.


Photo by SportsEngine

We task our reporters with identifying several intriguing games throughout the state to assemble our Top Games of the Week. The matchups are presented in no particular order, and when there are additional games we want to highlight, we’ll include them with brief notes.

Providence Academy vs. Minnehaha Academy

7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18

Providence Academy and Minnehaha Academy have both shown themselves to be two of the top teams in Class 2A, and these Independent Metro Athletic Conference foes will meet Jan. 18 to decide — at this point — which squad is the best. 

Providence Academy sits at No. 2 in Minnesota Basketball News' Class 2A rankings released Jan. 12, while Minnehaha Academy is No. 1.

The Lions (11-3, 2-0) have made their mark thanks to young star Maddyn Greenway, the daughter of longtime Minnesota Viking Chad Greenway. The younger Greenway has become quite the scorer as just an eighth-grader. She enters this game averaging 22.1 points per game and has three games in which she has scored 30 or more points this season.

Behind Greenway is a sister act that provides a punch in the paint. Maria Counts, a senior forward, and her sister, junior forward Grace, each average 12.8 points per game.

The Redhawks (11-2, 1-0) have a young star of their own in freshman guard Addi Mack. She's been the leading scorer for Minnehaha Academy this season, averaging 23.2 points per game.

Another similarity to Providence Academy is the fact Minnehaha Academy's young star has some senior leadership around her. That includes Redhawks senior guard Charita Lewis, who averages 14.9 points per game.


Grand Rapids vs. Hermantown

1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22

These northern Minnesota teams have battled it out for years as conference and section rivals. The rivalry resumes on Jan. 22 as Grand Rapids is on the rise and Hermantown is trying to get back on track.

The Thunderhawks (13-2, 5-0) sit at No. 10 in the 3A rankings and sit atop the Lake Superior Conference. Grand Rapids has won its games in dominant fashion. Twelve of the Thunderhawks' 13 victories have come by at least 10 points.

Grand Rapids' success is due in part to the play of junior guard Taryn Hamling and sophomore forward/center Jessika Lofstrom.

Hamling, who's committed to play at North Dakota State, leads her team with an average of 21.3 points per game. Lofstrom isn't far behind at 14.6 points per game.

Hermantown (4-9, 1-3) opened the season with consecutive victories. However, it's been downhill from there as the Hawks have gone 2-9 since and are averaging just 38.8 points per game this season.

Two of the bright spots for the Hawks have been Live Birkeland and Avery Farrell. The two Hermantown scorers have played well in the Hawks' five most recent games. Birkeland had at least 15 points in each of those games while Farrell had at least 10.


Hopkins vs. Wayzata

7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18

The grind that is the Lake Conference schedule rolls on again this week with the question still remaining: Can anyone take down Hopkins?

As of now, the Royals have answered that question with a resounding "no." Hopkins (11-0, 3-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and has won every game by at least 20 points this season. The latest came in a 76-55 win on the road at No. 4-4A Eden Prairie on Jan. 14.

The Royals continue to have balance with all five starters averaging at least 10 points per game. Senior forward Maya Nnaji continues to lead the way as the Arizona commit is averaging 18 points per game.

Not far behind are junior guard Nunu Agara (15.2 points per game) and junior forward Taylor Woodson (15.1 points per game). 

Wayzata gets its first crack at Hopkins on Jan. 18 but will see them once more again during the regular season. The squads are also the favorites to meet in the Class 4A, Section 6 championship game.

The No. 5-4A Trojans (9-2, 0-1) have rolled through most of their schedule but have stumbled against high-ranked opponents. Wayzata lost to No. 3-4A Chaska 61-51 on Dec. 14. The Trojans dropped their second game of the season on Jan. 14 at No. 6-4A St. Michael-Albertville.

Wayzata will counter Hopkins with a Division I commit in Mara Braun. The future Minnesota Gopher continues to be a dominant force since scoring 37 points in a 79-66 victory over Maple Grove in the season opener.

Sophie Hawkinson, a freshman shooting guard, has also emerged as a key factor for Wayzata as she averages more than 12 points per game this season.


Other games to keep an eye on

Chanhassen vs. Shakopee, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 20. This tilt could be a possible Class 4A, Section 2 tournament matchup. While Chanhassen has struggled to find consistency, Shakopee has thrived and sits atop the South Suburban Conference standings.

Mayer Lutheran vs. Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart, 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21. Mayer Lutheran is unbeaten and ranked No. 2 in Class 1A. But the Crusaders will certainly face a challenge when they travel to face a tough Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart squad.

Visitation vs. Academy of Holy Angels, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18. As of now, the Tri-Metro Conference championship race looks to be between Holy Angels and DeLaSalle. However, Visitation has had success this season and could make a real statement with a road win against the Stars.


Top Games poll

The MN Girls' Basketball Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.

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