Girls Basketball State Tournament 2024: Class AAA semifinals
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2024 - 10:25 PM
Benilde-St. Margaret’s played the part of top seed on Thursday, March 14 in the Minnesota State High School League’s Girls Basketball State Tournament at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. The Red Knights took control early and didn’t ease up in recording a 73-42 victory over Stewartville in the Class AAA semifinals.
Senior guard Olivia Olson, a University of Michigan recruit, scored 32 points and grabbed seven rebounds in powering the Red Knights (26-5) past Stewartville (22-9) in a rematch of last season’s Class AAA championship game that Benilde-St. Margaret’s won. Junior guard Zahara Bishop added 18 points in sending the Red Knights to a championship game for the second consecutive season and fifth time overall. In four previous state championship game appearances, Benilde-St. Margaret’s is 3-1.
On Championship Saturday, St. Louis Park-based Benilde-St. Margaret’s faces Nicollet Island’s DeLaSalle, a school located 13 minutes and 5.4 miles away. Not only will a title be at stake, but perhaps for a little piece of redemption, too. DeLaSalle defeated Benilde-St. Margaret’s 78-65 on Dec. 22. Olson didn’t play in that game as she missed seven with a broken left hand. Since that defeat, Benilde-St. Margaret’s is on a 23-game winning streak.
DeLaSalle, the No. 2 seed, advanced with an 82-69 victory over No. 3 Alexandria Area in the second semifinal. The entertaining game featured equal parts physicality and high-level offense. Junior guard Aneisha Scott powered the Islanders (27-3) with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Junior forward Jordyn Johnson added 20 points.
Junior Hadley Thul paced the Cardinals (25-4) with 29 points. She was 9 of 11 from the field, including 2 of 3 from three-point range and made 9 of 12 free throws while playing the entire game. Junior Chloe Scholl added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
DeLaSalle is playing in a state championship game for the seventh time. That includes a three-peat of Class AAA crowns from 2011-13. The Islanders had runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Another title was captured in 2019.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s advanced to the semifinals with a 75-40 victory over Minneapolis Roosevelt in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Later, DeLaSalle posted an 81-49 victory over Totino-Grace in another quarterfinal.
Consolation semifinals
Rock Ridge 55, Totino-Grace 39: Junior guard Anna Westby scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to power Rock Ridge (27-4) past Totino-Grace (17-13). Junior guard Chloe Nuss had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Eagles.
St. Peter 75, Minneapolis Roosevelt 39: Senior guard Rhyan Holmgren's 24 points and 10 assists sent the Saints (28-3) to a victory over Minneapolis Roosevelt (23-9), which was making its state tournament debut. Senior guard Olivia Wren had 18 points for the Teddies.