March in Minnesota usually means slushy driveways and the slow, painful realization that spring is still a month away. But if you were anywhere near the University of Minnesota campus last March, you know the real heat was inside Williams Arena. The MN girls basketball state tournament 2025 wasn't just another bracket to fill out. It was a four-day masterclass in high-pressure hoops that saw dynasties cemented and a few "neighborhood" teams finally get their due.
Honestly, the energy was different this year. You’ve got these kids—some already committed to big-time D1 programs—playing in front of packed sections of screaming fans from towns you'd need a map to find. It’s basically the peak of Minnesota sports culture.
The Big Schools: Hopkins Reclaims the Throne
If you followed Class 4A, you knew the collision between Hopkins and Maple Grove was inevitable. It felt like watching two freight trains on the same track. Hopkins entered as the three-seed, which, if we’re being real, is a bit of a joke given their history. They proved the doubters wrong by taking down top-seeded Maple Grove 81-67 in the title game.
The story of that game? Erma Walker.
She was absolutely unstoppable, dropping 26 points. Maple Grove kept it tight early, trailing only 35-31 at the half, but the Royals have this way of suffocating you in the final five minutes. They hit three straight triples—two from Maliyah White and one from Lauren Hillesheim—and suddenly a four-point lead was 17. Maple Grove’s Jordan Ode, the Michigan State commit, did everything she could with her own 26 points, but Hopkins just had too many weapons.
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It’s their ninth state title. That’s not a streak; it’s a kingdom.
Class 2A: The Greenway vs. Oehrlein Showdown
Let’s talk about the game everyone had circled since December. The Class 2A championship featured a battle between two of the best juniors in the country: Maddyn Greenway (Providence Academy) and Tori Oehrlein (Crosby-Ironton). Both teams were undefeated. 32-0 vs. 32-0.
It wasn’t just about the trophy; it was about the scouts in the stands and the legacy on the line. Providence Academy ended up winning 81-63, securing their fourth straight state title. Greenway, who is headed to Kentucky, was a blur on the court, finishing with 40 points. Oehrlein, a Gophers commit, played a massive game with 17 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the Lions' depth was just too much. Hope Counts was a beast on the boards with 15 rebounds to go along with 23 points.
Watching these two go at it felt like a preview of what we’re going to see on national TV in a couple of years. It’s rare for a 2A game to feel that "big," but that’s the Greenway effect for you.
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The 3A Three-Peat and a 1A First-Timer
Over in Class 3A, Benilde-St. Margaret’s proved that even without some of last year's star power, they still own the division. They beat Marshall 73-57 to complete the three-peat. It was a six-point game at the half, but Kendall McGee and Zahara Bishop took over in the second period. Marshall’s Taleigha Bigler put up a fight with 19 points, but the Red Knights' transition game is basically a buzzsaw once it gets going.
Then you have Class 1A. This is where the small-town magic lives. West Central Area won their first-ever state title by taking down MACCRAY 58-41. It was a "dream run" for a four-seed. Jayden Styba and Macy Grosz led a balanced attack that finally broke through the MACCRAY defense. Even though Brielle Janssen from MACCRAY dropped 28, the Knights played better team ball when it mattered most.
Who Left Their Mark?
If you're looking at the big picture of the MN girls basketball state tournament 2025, a few names are now etched in MSHSL history.
- Maddyn Greenway (Providence Academy): Her 40-point performance in the final is the stuff of legends.
- Erma Walker (Hopkins): The sophomore who showed she can lead the biggest program in the state.
- Addi Mack (Minnehaha Academy): Even though they fell in the quarterfinals to Caledonia, Mack (now at Maryland) remained one of the most exciting players to watch.
- Jordan Ode (Maple Grove): Proved why she’s a top-tier recruit, even in a losing effort.
How the Brackets Shook Out
The tournament was split between Williams Arena (The Barn) and Maturi Pavilion. Most people don’t realize how grueling the schedule is. You play the quarterfinals on Wednesday or Thursday, and if you’re lucky, you’re back on the court Friday and Saturday.
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Class 4A Finals: Hopkins 81, Maple Grove 67
Class 3A Finals: Benilde-St. Margaret's 73, Marshall 57
Class 2A Finals: Providence Academy 81, Crosby-Ironton 63
Class 1A Finals: West Central Area 58, MACCRAY 41
Getting Ready for Next Year
The 2025 season is in the books, but the "Way-Too-Early" rankings for 2026 are already causing arguments in bleachers across the state. With stars like Greenway and Oehrlein returning for their senior years, the 2026 tournament is already looking like a sell-out.
If you’re a fan or a parent trying to keep up, here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve:
- Follow the QRF: Minnesota-Scores.net is the gold standard for seeing how teams actually stack up. Don’t just look at wins and losses; look at the strength of schedule.
- Watch the Sections: The state tournament is great, but Section 6AAAA and Section 2AA are often harder to win than the actual state tourney. If you want to see the best ball, go to the section finals in early March.
- Stream through NFHS: If you can't make it to Minneapolis, the NFHS Network carries almost every post-season game. It's worth the sub for that month alone.
- Keep an eye on the freshmen: Every year, a ninth-grader like Sidney Friedly or Pressley Watkins comes out of nowhere to change the momentum of a program.
The MN girls basketball state tournament 2025 reminded us why we sit in cold gyms on Tuesday nights in January. It’s all for those four days in March where a town's pride is on the line and a group of kids can become legends. Whether you’re from the metro or the Iron Range, you’ve got to respect the hustle.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Athletes
To stay updated on the upcoming 2025-2026 season and beyond, ensure you are tracking the MSHSL official calendar for schedule changes. Athletes looking to compete at this level should focus on multi-positional defensive drills, as the 2025 tournament showed that versatility is what separates champions from runners-up. Coaches should note that the shot clock, which was fully integrated into the flow this year, has significantly increased the value of high-speed decision-making over traditional set plays.