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Top games: Holy Angels, Becker battle for top spot in Class 3A

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 02/13/22, 10:30PM CST

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Feb. 19: The two highest-ranked 3A squads meet in what could be a preview of a state tournament matchup.


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.

Holy Angels vs. Becker

2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19

Holy Angels and Becker have become regulars when it comes to contending for the Class 3A crown. So, when these two powers meet, it's worth watching.

The Bulldogs are the defending Class 3A champions and looked prime to win it in 2020 before the state tournament was canceled. The Stars appear to be one of the best bets to take down Becker. That includes their meeting on Feb. 19 and a potential state tournament game.

The Stars (18-3, 9-1) sit at No. 2 in the Feb. 9 Minnesota Basketball News Class 3A rankings. Holy Angels has reached this point thanks to key wins such as one against Benilde-St. Margaret's and DeLaSalle.

Heading into this week's games, the Stars are on an 11-game winning streak and won the teams' last meeting on March 9, 2021. 

Holy Angels is doing all this while filling a big hole left by Frankie Vascellaro, who graduated last spring.

Filling that void is the duo of senior guards Grace Massaquoi and Kassandra Caron. They are averaging more than 37 points per game combined.

Meanwhile, Becker (18-4, 12-0) sits at No. 1 in the rankings and has lost to just one Class 3A team—Willmar—on Jan. 6. The Bulldogs haven't lost since.

Becker relies on a balanced approach as five different Bulldogs are averaging at least 10 points per game. The current leading scorer is junior guard Dani Nuest. The Michigan Tech-bound scorer leads the Bulldogs with 17 points per game.

Guards Ayla Brown and Adeline Kent are not far behind as each averages about 15 points per game.


Providence Academy vs. Holy Family

7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15

Both Holy Family and Providence Academy are ranked in the top five of the Feb. 9 Class 2A Minnesota Basketball News rankings, but only one will end up at the state tournament as both reside in Section 5. These two section rivals will meet on Feb. 15 in what could be a precursor to a section final.

The No. 5-2A Lions (18-4, 5-1) are the two-time defending section champs and were the runner-up in last year's state tournament. They are back again with vengeance, riding a seven-game win streak.

Those who have seen Providence Academy play know that the Lions' fine-tuned machine runs through eighth-grade guard Maddyn Greenway. She is averaging 23.3 points per game and recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in a game against Breck.

The No. 2-2A Fire (20-3, 7-1) have emerged as one of Class 2A's best with some impressive victories against the likes of Maranatha Academy, No. 2-4A Minnetonka and Chanhassen. 

Those wins have come thanks in part to the play of sophomore forward Jocelyn Land and junior forward Sophia Hall. Land leads the way with 18.9 points per game while Hall isn't far behind at 16.1 points per game.


Rogers vs. Elk River

7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18

Rogers has not been a significant factor in girls' basketball since its most recent state tournament appearance in 2011. However, the Royals look like they could be a factor come postseason. One of the teams that could be in their way is Class 4A, Section 8 rival Elk River.

Rogers (19-2, 14-1) recently jumped into Minnesota Basketball News' Class 4A rankings at No. 10 on Feb. 9. That has come part in the midst of a 14-game win streak for the Royals.

Looking at Rogers' top scorers, it's a similar group from a season ago that includes guards Ellie Buzzelle and Clara Glad. Buzzelle, a senior guard, leads the way with 20.7 points per game. Glad, a junior averages 13 points per game.

The Elks (13-8, 11-4) will look for some revenge on Feb. 18 as they lost to Rogers 68-57 on Jan. 17. Much like the Royals, Elk River is in the midst of a hot streak as the Elks have won nine of their past 10 games.

This stretch comes after Elk River opened the season with three consecutive losses but will still garner respect from Rogers as the Elks are the defending section champions. 

Elk River will look to one up its section rival with the play of junior Jordan Langbehn. She leads her team in scoring, averaging 10.6 points per game.


Other games to keep an eye on

Hopkins vs. Minnetonka, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15. This is another No. 1-No. 2 matchup in Class 4A taking place this week, though there is more of a gap between these two squads. However, the Skippers hold the No. 2 spot in Class 4A for a reason and could be one of the biggest obstacles left for the Royals as they go for a perfect regular season against Minnesota squads.

Stephen-Argyle vs. Fosston, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15. These are two of the teams that have a shot at coming out of their section in Class 1A and need wins like this for seeding in their respective section tournaments.

Mankato East vs. Mankato West, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17. It's round two for these crosstown, top-10 ranked opponents. The Cougars edged out the Scarlets 50-49 on Jan. 11.


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