Two West Central Minnesota teams just 77 miles apart will meet for the MSHSL Class A State Tournament Championship at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Hancock and Minneota will meet for the Class A State Title.
The last time Hancock was in this position was 1997. The team brought home the championship that year. Minneota will look to defend its 2021 state title. The Vikings are well-known at the state level as the team was a semifinalist in 2020 and the champion in 2019.
Minneota has proved its random draw at state was a fluke after upsetting the No. 1-seeded Mountain Iron-Buhl 51-48 in the quarterfinals Thursday. The Vikings earned their spot in the title game after a 53-45 win over No. 5 Hayfield Friday.
No. 3 Hancock continued its sharp shooting and knock out defense with an upset win over No. 2 Mayer Lutheran in the second semifinal game Friday, March 18. The Owls were dominant, with a 71-40 final score.
Just like the win over Nevis, the entire bench got into the game, including senior Tori Pahl, who was wearing her jersey over a sweatshirt and shorts underneath her sweatpants while on the bench. Pahl had a season-ending surgery at the beginning of February.
“It was extra special, and classy of the (Mayer Lutheran) coach for allowing it,” head coach Tony Thielke said of allowing Pahl to play in the semifinal game for five or so seconds.
Pahl played in her last game Jan. 31, senior night. She’s missed on the court, but has thrived in her new role on the bench.
“It’s always fun to have her (on the court),” senior Rylee Hanson said of getting to play with her classmate on the court Friday. “We miss her a ton on the court, but she’s still a huge part of this team.”
“She’s stepped up on the bench with the role of being a team leader, rallying around the girls and encouraging them,” Thielke said.
