It’s the second Class A matchup in this year’s Breakdown Tip Off Classic, and it is indeed a classic matchup of big and small, of full-court vs. half-court, inside vs. outside, and youth vs. experience.

On this side, Blooming Prairie represents size, a classic inside game, a measured approach and plenty of senior leadership. On the other hand, it’s the Awesome Blossoms who haven’t been to the state tournament since 1999. BP is rated #5 at Northstar Girls Hoops and #3 at the Breakdown.

On the other side are youth, speed, a full-court full-tilt style—and four straight state tournament appearances. MIB is #4 at Northstar, and #2 at the Breakdown.

BP got to the Section 1A final last year and hopes to go at least one game further this year behind 6-2 center-power forward Taylor Hagen, a D1 Northern Iowa recruit. She’s shown herself during the past summer season to be one of the toughest low post defenders in the state, but don’t forget that she also scored 16 ppg last year.

Her sidekick is Madison Worke, a 5-10 wing and coach’s daughter who is now committed to D2 Winona State.

MIB counters with the platoon approach. The first platoon features guards Chelsea Mason and Mya Buffetta, still just sophomores. Alli Knuti and all of MIB’s bigs have completed their high school careers, so there’s precious little size now, and coach Jeff Buffetta promises that the Rangers will be playing at an even faster pace than before. Is that possible?

Madison Worke, Blooming Prairie vs. Lissy McCulloch, Mountain Iron-Buhl

BP should do well inside, and MIB should be just fine in the backcourt. That leaves the wing as the real battleground. Worke is 5-10, McCulloch 5-8, and each is her team’s best jump shooter. If one of them gets hot, it could be the difference-maker.

Why Blooming Prairie Will Win

• BP will have a big size advantage inside, and that should translate into a lot of easy buckets including off the offensive glass.

• BP will slow it down, keep a grip on the basketball, and deny MIB easy transition baskets.

Why Mountain Iron-Buhl Will Win

• Chelsea Mason will out-run anybody BP puts out there, getting to the rim in transition and shooting too many layups.

• MIB’s quickness will shut down BP’s perimeter scoring game, specifically Madison Worke, while also enabling the Rangers to win the turnover battle.

Our Pick

MIB by 8