March in Minnesota is usually just a depressing mix of gray slush and false hope for spring, but for a few days in 2025, the only thing that actually mattered was what went down at Williams Arena and the Target Center. Honestly, if you weren’t there, you missed a bizarrely high-level display of hoops. We saw dynasties continue their reign and some serious "Cinderella" energy that basically flipped the script on what everyone expected from the preseason rankings.
The mn state high school basketball tournament 2025 wasn't just another year of suburban powerhouses hogging the spotlight. It was a week where the small towns showed up in force.
The Class A Chaos: Dawson-Boyd’s Big Night
Everyone was talking about Cherry. And why wouldn't they? They came in as the #1 seed with a 29-1 record and a target on their backs the size of a barn door. They looked nearly invincible in the quarterfinals, dismantling BOLD 89-57. But that’s the thing about the state tourney—momentum is a fickle thing.
In the title game on March 22, Dawson-Boyd pulled off what many thought was impossible. They took down Cherry 81-74. It was a gritty, back-and-forth affair where Dawson-Boyd just refused to blink.
- Final Score: Dawson-Boyd 81, Cherry 74
- The Hero: It was a team effort, but their ability to handle Cherry's press made the difference.
- Third Place: Red Lake County Rebels squeezed past Nevis 67-62.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Cherry was the heavy favorite, but Dawson-Boyd proved that rankings are just numbers on a PDF until you actually lace them up at The Barn.
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Wayzata and the 4A Heavyweights
If Class A was about the upset, Class 4A was about the inevitable. Wayzata entered the tournament looking like a "transcendental" team, and they didn't disappoint. They’ve been thumping teams by double digits all year. Watching them move the ball is basically a clinic.
Wayzata’s path wasn't exactly a cakewalk, though. They had to deal with a bracket featuring a revitalized Cretin-Derham Hall and a Maple Grove squad that plays a brand of physical basketball that leaves bruises. Tommy Ahneman from Cretin-Derham Hall was a literal mountain in the paint, but Wayzata’s guard play, led by sharp-shooters like Isaac Olmstead, was just too much to contain.
The Mr. Basketball Connection
You can't talk about the 2025 season without mentioning Chase Thompson from Alexandria. The kid is a 6'7" powerhouse. He didn't just lead his team; he carried the weight of the city on his shoulders. He ended up winning the 2025 Minnesota Mr. Basketball award, and it wasn't even that controversial. He helped Alexandria secure their first-ever state title in Class 3A just a week prior to the award announcement.
Other finalists who put on a show during the tournament:
- Nolan Groves (Orono) - A wing with a motor that never quits.
- Jalen Wilson (Benilde-St. Margaret's) - Pure old-school post moves.
- Anthony Smith III (Hopkins) - Explosive is an understatement.
Girls’ Tournament: The Dynasties Hold Strong
The girls' side of the mn state high school basketball tournament 2025 was equally electric. We saw Providence Academy and Benilde-St. Margaret's coming in with massive expectations. Providence was hunting for a fourth straight championship. Think about that for a second. Four years of being the best.
In Class A, West Central Area School shocked a few people by taking the title over MACCRAY with a 58-41 victory. It wasn't the prettiest game, but defense wins championships, and West Central turned the lights out on MACCRAY's offense.
Key Girls' Results:
- Class A Champion: West Central Area School
- Class 4A Standouts: Minnetonka and Hopkins continued their eternal rivalry, with Hopkins showing why their backcourt is considered the best in the state.
- The Greenway Legacy: Keep an eye on the name Beckett Greenway. The eighth-grader already picked up a D1 offer from South Dakota State. The talent pool in MN is getting younger and deeper.
The Venue Experience: Williams Arena vs. Target Center
There’s a massive debate every year about where the games should be played. Some people love the professional feel of the Target Center. It’s clean, the sightlines are great, and you feel like you're in the NBA.
But then there’s Williams Arena (The Barn).
There is nothing—and I mean nothing—like a packed house at The Barn for a state semifinal. The raised floor, the smell of popcorn, and the deafening roar of a small town’s entire population screaming at once. It’s iconic. In 2025, the MSHSL split the games between these two and the Maturi Pavilion, but the finals at Williams Arena still felt like the "real" home of Minnesota basketball.
Logistics: What it Cost to Get In
If you’re planning for next year (or just wondering why your wallet felt light), the 2025 prices were pretty standard for MSHSL events. They’ve gone almost entirely cashless, which caught a few grandparents off guard at the gate.
- Adult Tickets: $17.50 (includes those pesky facility fees).
- Student Tickets: $11.50.
- Daily Pass: $22 for adults. This is the move if you’re a "gym rat" who wants to stay for four games in a row.
They even had a fan bus from places like Waseca for ten bucks a head. It’s a cheap way to get to the city, though you still had to buy your game ticket separately.
Why 2025 Felt Different
Maybe it was the shot clock. Minnesota finally embraced it, and the pace of play has noticeably improved. No more "stalling" for four minutes in the fourth quarter. It forced coaches to actually coach and players to actually make plays under pressure.
We also saw a surge in the Class of 2027 talent. Players like Ty Schlagel (Cretin-Derham Hall) and Baboucarr Ann (Maple Grove) are already being scouted by the Gophers. The 2025 tournament was a passing of the torch in many ways. The seniors like Chase Thompson left their mark, but the sophomores are already breathing down their necks.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the fallout of the tournament or prepare for the 2026 season, here is what you should do:
- Check the Final Brackets: Visit the MSHSL website to see the full point spreads and consolation brackets for all four classes.
- Follow Recruiting: Keep an eye on Prep Hoops Minnesota or 247 Sports. Several players from the 2025 tournament will likely see their stock rise after their performances in Minneapolis.
- Plan for 2026: The dates are already tentatively set for March 24–28, 2026. Mark your calendar now if you want to secure hotel rooms near the University of Minnesota campus, as they fill up months in advance.
- Watch Replays: If you missed the live action, many of the championship games are archived on NSPN.tv. It's worth a watch just to see that Dawson-Boyd fourth-quarter comeback.
The 2025 season is officially in the books. It was a year of "The Barn" magic, incredible individual performances, and the reminder that in Minnesota, high school basketball is basically a religion.