After which there have been two. With 48 of the 50 states right here in America having already wrapped up their respective 2025-2026 basketball seasons, Indiana and Minnesota had been the ultimate two remaining. Now residing in Minneapolis, I took within the Minnesota MSHSL AAA or 3A (second greatest division) quarterfinals on Wednesday, and there was no scarcity of expertise available.
Held on the College of Minnesota’s historic Williams Enviornment, video games had been a tad extra vigorous than they had been on the large Goal Heart. Affectionately often called “The Barn”, Williams Enviornment gives an fascinating atmosphere the place the ground is raised, putting the benches under the court docket. While you’re enjoying there, it is nearly as if you happen to’re enjoying on an elevated stage.
Minnesota energy DeLaSalle cruises to #MSHSL Closing 4 w/defensive clinic in 87-37 W.6’2 ’27 Jaeden Udean was strolling bucket w/26pts in 17 minutes,6’8 Ichima Idoko confirmed he is finest ’28 in state w/always bettering w/2 means play,6’4 ’27 Kamar Thomas does far more than reveals up in field pic.twitter.com/pZeEmXQKFH
— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) March 25, 2026
Prime-seeded Totino-Grace has gained three of the final 4 AAA State titles and is in its fifth consecutive MSHSL State Event. TG coach Nick Carroll (additionally the founding father of Prep Hoops) has a loaded squad from prime to backside that blends protection, dimension, and positional versatility, as seen in Wednesday’s victory.
Minnesota MSHSL AAA Quarterfinals Outcomes
Jaeden Udean, 6’2, PG/SG, DeLaSalle HS (Minn.), 2027
Essentially the most electrical scorer in Minnesota’s junior class lived as much as his popularity in DeLaSalle’s Elite Eight victory, pouring in 26 factors in 17Â minutes. The lefty confirmed the power to hold factors on the board with restricted dribbles, was nice coming off of screens in both route, and was assured capturing the ball past the NBA 3-point line.
Having performed varsity since his center college days, Jaeden Udean is likely one of the extra polished gamers, no matter class, that the Land of 10,000 Lakes has to supply.
Dothan Ijadimbola, 6’6, SF, Totino-Grace HS (Minn.), 2026
The most effective two-way wing in Minnesota’s senior class lived as much as his popularity on Wednesday, dropping 22 factors in TG’s lopsided victory to maneuver on to the MSHSL semfinals. Taking part in by contact, Dothan Ijadimbola drew a ton of fouls (shot 13 free throws), was a bull along with his straight-line drives to the rim, and put immense stress on the rock defensively.
The Mr. Basketball Finalist is headed to Drake, the place his skill to play on each ends of the ground ought to allow him to see fast enjoying time within the Missouri Valley Convention.
Ichima Idoko, 6’8, SF, DeLaSalle HS (Minn.), 2028
Whereas Udean stole the present along with his scoring, Ichima Idoko confirmed the uncooked expertise that has made him the highest sophomore within the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The lefty swingman hit a pair of easy 3-pointers, confirmed off loopy contact within the paint along with his floater, and guarded each single place on the ground at instances.
Already proudly owning excessive main gives, Idoko will undoubtedly be gaining extra on the circuit with Grassroots Sizzle, however he has his eyes on a state title first.
Tyrece Hagler, 6’2, PG/SG, Richfield HS (Minn.), 2027
Richfield has had a outstanding resurgence over the previous few years, and whereas there isn’t any pure “star” on this 12 months’s group, somebody steps up every recreation. Within the quarterfinals, it was Tyrece Hagler. The guard poured in 20 factors through a flurry of deep threes, was a relentless risk as a shooter, and completely modified the complexion of the sport.
Richfield is led by head coach Omar McMillan (who additionally runs the Minnesota Black Basketball Coaches Affiliation) and can have arguably the sport of the day in opposition to DeLaSalle within the semis.
Daniel Zoa, 6’6, PF, Totino-Grace HS (Minn.), 2028
Whereas he did not put up big numbers, the impression that Daniel Zoa delivered to The Barn went far past the field rating. He rebounded the ball outdoors of his space, was a shot-blocking presence on the rim, and was nice as a cutter or enjoying out of the dunker spot.
The athletic ahead has continued to enhance all through the season and shall be operating with Division I Minnesota on the 3SSB circuit this spring.
Isaac Bergstrom, 6’7, SF/PF, Sartell HS (Minn.), 2026
It was my first time seeing Isaac Bergstrom on the MSHSL Tourney, and although it was the final recreation of his highschool profession, it will not be the final time that I see him.
Maybe the perfect passing large within the state, Bergstrom hit cutters with each move possible, bought the rock to shooters of their candy spots, and threw comfortable passes excessive to the put up. The ten factors, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists do not do justice to the flexibility that this ahead from rural Minnesota brings to the desk.
