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Minnehaha Academy wins fourth state title in last four tries

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 04/10/21, 7:30PM CDT

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Led by Chet Holmgren and brothers Hercy and Mercy Miller, the Redhawks raced to an 80-29 victory over Alexandria to win the Class 3A state title.


Minnehaha Academy's Mercy Miller (25) gets an open look at a three-point shot against Alexandria in the first half of the Class 3A championship game Saturday at Target Center. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Underdog Alexandria opened the Class 3A championship game Saturday with no fear. Minnehaha Academy countered with too much Mercy.

Freshman guard Mercy Miller hit a trio of three-pointers in the first half, putting his team ahead early and creating lasting problems for the Cardinals’ game plan. In the end, top-ranked Minnehaha won its fourth state tournament championship in as many tries, besting Alexandria 80-29 at the Target Center.

The Redhawks (20-1) ended the past three full seasons with Class 2A titles. They moved up to Class 3A last season and won the Section 4 title but lost their chance to go further when the coronavirus canceled the state tournament. Winning on Saturday makes Minnehaha the fourth program to win at least four consecutive titles.

Alexandria (22-2), playing in its first championship game since 1943, never backed down.

“Our number one message to our guys was, ‘We can play with them and we can beat them,’ ” Cardinals coach Forrest Witt said. “But we had to make our shots.”

Therein was the rub. While Miller’s shooting rendered Alexandria’s pack-it-in defense ineffective, the Cardinals couldn’t answer with enough offense of their own.

Alexandria junior guard Kristen Hoskins, who has verbally committed to play football for the Gophers, flashed quickness and fearlessness by attacking the rim from the start.

“He impressed us,” Minnehaha coach Lance Johnson said. “He drove past our guys for two layups. We knew we had to double-team him, but also give him room.”

First report

Top-ranked Minnehaha Academy won its fourth state tournament championship in as many tries, besting Alexandria 80-29 on Saturday at the Target Center.

The Redhawks (20-1) ending the past three full seasons with Class 2A titles. They moved up to Class 3A last season and won the Section 4 title. But coronavirus canceled the state tournament. Winning Saturday makes Minnehaha the fourth program to win at least four consecutive titles.

Redhawks senior Chet Holmgren, a 7-1 matchup nightmare considered the top college recruit in the nation, made his share of plays. So did freshman Mercy Miller, who scored 15 points. Older brother Hercy poured in 24. Holmgren added 18.

Alexandria (22-2), playing in its first championship game since 1943, never backed down. Junior Kristen Hoskins, who made a verbal commitment to play football for the Gophers, attacked the rim from the start. Teammates used their bodies against Holmgren, hoping to deter the slender big man. But none of the Cardinals’ efforts produced enough points to keep pace.

Minnehaha led 36-20 at halftime and never looked back.

Check back later for more on the game.

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