Minnehaha Academy 50, Sauk Centre 43

Minnehaha Academy overcame a three-point halftime deficit to surge past Sauk Centre in the Class A semifinals Friday night at Target Center. Sarina Baker hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch and finished with a team-high 15 points for the Redhawks (23-6), the defending Class A champions. Kali Peschel led the Mainstreeters (30-2) with 14 points, but shot just 4-of-22 from the field. Katelyn Adams aded 10 points for the Redhawks, while Emily Petermeier had 10 points for Sauk Centre.

To read the MN Girls Basketball Hub / Star-Tribune recap of the game, please click on this link.

Braham 59, Providence Academy 50

Braham set up a rematch of the 2010 state finals with a victory over Providence Academy in the Class AA semifinals at Target Center. Rebekah Dahlman poured in 26 points to lead the Bombers (30-2), while Kelsey Giffrow-Sorenson added 17 points and Katie Nickles had 10 rebounds. Leah Szabla paced the Lions (26-5) with 16 points and AnnMarie Healy (14 points) and Nathalie Ratliff (10 points) each scored in double figures. Both Szabla and Healy fouled out in the game, as did Dahlman in the final minutes of the physical battle.

To read the MN Girls Basketball Hub / Star-Tribune recap of the game, please click on this link.

Maranatha Christian 60, Hancock 57 2OT

In a Class A semifinal that threatened to go all afternoon, Maranatha Christian outlasted Hancock in a double-overtime thriller, 60-57. The Mustangs couldn't celebrate until a long three-poiner by Hancock's Kendra Schmidgall's fell short in the final seconds of the second overtime. Josie Taggatz-Ott scored 17 points for Maranatha (22-9), while Alexis Long had 14 points before fouling out with 4:33 remaining in the second half and Onye Osemenam added 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks. Hancock (27-3) had three scores in double-figures: Ilissa Koehl (18 points), Courtney Greiner (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Schmidgall (15 points). Koehl also fouled out with 19 seconds left in the first overtime.

To read the MN Girls Basketball Hub / Star-Tribune recap of the game, please click on this link.

Nicollet 53, Mt. Iron-Buhl 22

Nicollet advanced to the Class A state championship game with a resounding defensive effort against Mt. Iron-Buhl at Target Center Friday afternoon. The Raiders (18-8) limited the Rangers (27-4) to just 17.0 percent shooting (9-of-53 overall, 1-of-23 from three-point range) and held star player Charlotte Overbye to only four points before she fouled out with 4:54 remaining. Tailor Raymond led all scorers with 14 points for Nicollet, while teammates Kasslin Swenson (13 points) and Kayla Wenner (10 points, 10 rebounds) also had big games.

To read the MN Girls Basketball Hub / Star-Tribune recap of the game, please click on this link.

Minnesota Girls Basketball Hub
The crew at the the MN Girls Basketball Hub, in conjunction with the Star-Tribune, is featuring coverage at the tournament this season. Check out their main tournament page to keep on top of all the action.

John's Journal
For those interested in former Star Tribune writer John Millea and his thoughts with the MSHSL, he's blogging from the girls' state tournament this weekend.  Just go to the main MSHSL site and hit the tab for "John's Journal." 

Fox video interviews
The FoxPreps.com gang is doing a great job on their website, covering the 2011 state tournament.  Click on the link for additional news and interviews from the games.