This much anticipated matchup between two top three teams in their
respective classes features an array of stars.  Seniors Bethany
Doolittle (Iowa) and Morgan Van Riper-Rose (Denver) have already
signed Division 1 national letters of intent, while Juniors Tessa
Cichy, Shayne Mullaney and Jackie Johnson are some of the most
coveted prospects in the 2012 class.

Hill-Murray made a run all the way to the Class AAA state championship game last season behind Cichy and Doolittle, but lost to Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the finals.  The Pioneers are the favorite to go back to the state tournament this year out of Section 4AAA, and should be a power all year long in the Classic Suburban Conference.

Eden Prairie is the only team remaining in the new Lake Conference
and they are joined by Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata and Edina from
the old Classic Lake.  However, that’s not the only big change for the
Eagles.  They also have a new point guard in Bloomington Kennedy
transfer Aubrey Davis and a new head coach in former NBA journeyman Chris Carr.  

The Eagles are led by pre-season first team all-stater Jackie Johnson and are the favorite to enter the state tournament field out of section 2AAAA.

Bethany Doolittle vs. Jackie Johnson 

Both are high major Division 1 post players, but they are a bit different.  Future Iowa Hawkeye Doolittle is a back to the basket presence who scores a lot of points off of post moves, lob passes and offensive rebounds.  Johnson is a lefty who can shoot the three and is more effective in her mid-range game.  Reports from the summer circuit are that Johnson was better in multiple matchups.  We give the edge to Johnson, whose ability to face up and attack the basket will give Doolittle some trouble.

Why Eden Prairie will win:
The Eagles will use their depth to take advantage of mismatches offensively.  Davis will gel early with the returning trio of Mullaney, Johnson and Van Riper-Rose.  Their plethora of capable three point shooters bury Hill-Murray from behind the arc.

Why Hill-Murray will win:
Superstar Tessa Cichy, often an inconsistent shooter, will find her
rhythm and score 25+ points. They will control the tempo and keep the game in the 50’s. Their role players will step up and take some of the load off Doolittle and Cichy.

Our prediction: Eden Prairie