Recent content from Jim Paulsen
Wayzata storms to victory over Cretin-Derham Hall, takes Class 4A boys basketball title
The Trojans limited Notre Dame-bound center Tommy Ahneman and cruised to the title.
Boys basketball live blog: Scores and updates from boys basketball championship games
Earlier Saturday, Alexandria defeated Mankato East 73-64 in the 3A final, Dawson-Boyd beat Cherry 81-74 in 1A, and Albany overcame Waseca 70-63 in 2A.
Albany and Waseca, the top two seeds, will play for the Class 2A boys basketball title
Albany turned away Caledonia and Waseca held off Breck in the semifinals.
Boys basketball state tournament: The matchups are set for a day of championships
Cherry and Dawson-Boyd advanced to the 1A final, and Albany and Waseca reached the 2A semifinal title game.
Boys basketball state tournament: Pairings are in place for Class 4A, 3A championship games
Wayzata will take on Cretin-Derham Hall in 4A, and Alexandria will play Mankato East in 3A.
Cretin-Derham Hall, Wayzata roll into Class 4A boys basketball state championship game
The Raiders topped Maple Grove after producing just 15 points in the first half, and the Trojans sunk Shakopee with a second-half rally.
Boys basketball state tournament: Thursday's semifinals are set in the three biggest classes
Class 4A's higher seeds all won, though Wayzata was tested by Moorhead, and Classes 3A and 2A also went according to form.
Benilde-St. Margaret's wins third consecutive Class 3A girls basketball title
The Red Knights are the sixth team to win three titles in the MSHSL era.
Hopkins closes championship day with a record-setting Class 4A girls basketball victory
West Central Area defeated MACCRAY to win Class 1A, Providence Academy topped Crosby-Ironton in 2A, and Benilde-St. Margaret's beat Marshall in 3A.
Providence Academy and Crosby-Ironton, a perfect pairing, reach Class 2A girls basketball final
Each of the finalists remained undefeated with a comfortable victory in the semifinals.
Maple Grove's Hanna triplets have one game left to play together. And it's for a state championship
The triplets — Addie, Lexi and Bella — are vital pieces of a core group of seven seniors that has Maple Grove on the cusp of its first girls basketball state championship.
Girls basketball state tournament: Pairings are set for four championship games
Providence Academy and Crosby-Ironton, both unbeaten, reached the Class 2A final. West Central and MACCRAY upset their way into the 1A title game.
Girls basketball state tournament: Championship pairings are set in the three biggest classes
In Class 4A, Hopkins will play Maple Grove for the title. In Class 3A, Benilde-St. Margaret's will take on Marshall.
The pairing is set: Benilde-St. Margaret's vs. Marshall for the 3A girls basketball title
The Red Knights will play for their third state championship in a row Saturday afternoon.
Girls basketball state tournament: Three classes' worth of semifinalists are settled
Classes 4A, 3A and 2A played it down to four teams Wednesday, and Class 1A will take that step Thursday.
Prep Athletes of the Week: St. Thomas Academy's Luke Mechtel wins plenty at boys swim state meet
Mechtel won the Class 1A 50-yard freestyle, the 100 breaststroke and swam the second leg on the winning 200 medley relay team.
Edina holds off Minnetonka, wins Class 2A boys swimming state championship
Rosemount diver Lucas Gerten won for the fourth year in a row. St. Thomas Academy ended Blake/Breck's streak in Class 1A.
Boys hockey state tournament: The Class 2A semifinal matchups are set
Edina, after an overtime victory over Rogers, will play Moorhead in one Friday game, and Stillwater will take on St. Thomas Academy in the other.
Boys hockey state tournament: The Class 1A semifinals are set at Xcel Energy Center
It'll be St. Cloud Cathedral vs. Orono and Hibbing/Chisholm vs. East Grand Forks in Friday's early session.
Snowstorm cuts into support for southern Minnesota team at boys hockey state championships
Thanks to a blast of winter, the Luverne band's bus and a fan bus didn't make the trip, some who did make it reported.
State hockey predictions: One program might finally break through, while another could dethrone defending champ
Longtime Star Tribune writers David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen offer their predictions on which boys hockey teams take home the Class 2A and Class 1A titles.
St. Michael-Albertville standout builds on history at wrestling state championships
Landon Robideau won his fourth state title and extended his state-record winning streak to 188 matches.
Anoka wrestler, standing alone as a girl competing against boys at state, opens with a loss and a lesson
Gigi Bragg doesn't call it a setback. She calls it a way to get ready to wrestle the world. Here's that and much more from Friday's competition.
St. Michael-Albertville, still driven by the troubles of 2023, repeats as Class 3A wrestling champ
Watertown-Mayer/Mayer Lutheran filled the Class 2A vacuum when six-time winner Simley lost, and Staples-Motley won in Class 1A.
New sport brings 'sense of belonging' for many Minnesotans
For many Asian student-athletes and their families, the first sanctioned boys volleyball season is a thrilling opportunity. More than 90 teams are set to go.
Wrestling state championships: 15 wrestlers to watch at the 2025 meet
Here are 10 boys and five girls with a chance to be standing on top of the podium Saturday night.
Everything to know about the 2025 wrestling state tournament at Xcel Energy Center
The three-day tournament begins Thursday at Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.
New Prague's Ava Bruegger in 2A, Monticello's Lauren Hansen in 1A are all-around gymnastics state champs
Bruegger defeated freshman teammate Hailey Proshek on a tiebreaker, and the other meet came down to the final two routines.
Gymnastics state meet: Owatonna wins Class 2A, Detroit Lakes returns to peak in 1A
Owatonna clinched on the tricky balance beam. Detroit Lakes won its sixth team championship, its first since 2019.
High school gymnastics state meet: A half-century later, four athletes to remember
As the event enters its second 50 years, here's a look at four gymnasts who left their mark on the first 50.
East Ridge athlete is named Miss Gymnastics 2025
Laney Schwellenbach received the award from the Minnesota Girls Gymnastics Coaches Association at a banquet preceding the state championships.
Explainer: How the U.S. Department of Education's investigation into MSHSL could unfold
The high school league doesn't receive federal or state money, so how much weight does a threat to pull government funding carry?
Leader board: The highest-scoring girl gymnasts in Minnesota
Here's a look at the highest-scoring gymnasts and team rankings in Minnesota as postseason competition begins.
Trump administration to MSHSL: Change transgender sports policy or face investigation, loss of funding
During a 60-day review period, the nonprofit's bylaw allowing transgender student participation would remain in place.
One of Minnesota's best high school football players chooses Big 12 school
Minnetonka quarterback Caleb Francois, who also had an offer from North Dakota, indicated he will play at running back at Iowa State, but the Cyclones will likely use his speed and versatility at different positions on offense.
Hockey coach's head injury leads to new calls for stronger helmet requirement
No official policy from the MSHSL regarding helmets exists, but that doesn't preclude individual schools from taking action to minimize risk, officials said.
MSHSL has 60-day ticking clock to re-examine policy for transgender athletes in girls sports
Leaders of the nonprofit organization that oversees high school athletics in Minnesota said the federal order is in direct violation of the equal protection clause of the Minnesota Constitution.
Where do good high school players go when colleges stop calling?
Four high school seniors share how recruiting changes have affected their college football dreams
Meet three trailblazing girl wrestlers in Minnesota
Northfield's Caley Graber, Simley's Charli Raymond and Anoka's Gigi Bragg have made themselves known through varying approaches.
Minnesota's best high school wrestler strives to be a different sort of winner
Landon Robideau, a senior from St. Michael-Albertville who hasn't lost a high school match since ninth grade, has embraced his spiritual side and "started caring more about others than about myself."
These ex-Minnesota high school football stars have entered the college transfer portal
Transfers include Bryce Hawthorne of Osseo leaving South Dakota State for Iowa and former Minnehaha Academy star Chase Carter heading to Memphis.
Rochester Mayo' Claire Loftus named Star Tribune's All-Minnesota Girls Tennis Player of the Year
The senior tennis player this fall concluded her high school career as a five-time state champion.
Here are the best high school wrestling teams in Minnesota for the 2024-2025 season
St. Michael-Albertville begins 2024-25 campaign as the No. 1-ranked team in Minnesota.
High school wrestling 2024-25: Meet the athletes to watch and learn their college plans
A half-dozen of the best wrestlers in Minnesota have committed to the Gophers.
Softball title games moving to the U; St. Thomas to hold boys volleyball tournament
The softball coaches association had cited gender equity in pushing for the move from North Mankato to Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
Talented homebody and sought-after defensive lineman makes it official with Gophers
Though he had a number of NCAA Division I offers, Abu Tarawallie of Providence Academy had no desire to play far from home.
Maple Grove football finishes season No. 1 in Star Tribune's Minnesota Top 20
Minnesota Star Tribune sports writer Jim Paulsen wraps up the 2024 high school football season with a statewide, class-crossing football ranking.
Meet the Star Tribune's All-Prep Bowl Team
A list of the standout players across all classifications competing in the high school football championship games at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Elk River tops Alexandria for Prep Bowl's 5A state title
The Elks relied on their power run game to drain the clock and keep the ball out of the Cardinals' hands.
Maple Grove's perfect season culminates with Class 6A Prep Bowl victory
Minnetonka hoped to tie the score in the closing seconds, but a deep pass was intercepted by Maple Grove's Dylan Vokal, sealing the Crimson's victory.
Becker completes perfect season with defeat over Totino-Grace in 4A Prep Bowl
The Bulldogs finish the season 13-0 with their fourth state championship in program history.
Prep Bowl predictions: Our picks for the winner of each football championship at U.S. Bank Stadium
Star Tribune prep writers David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen offer their predictions for the high school football championship games this weekend.
All-Minnesota: Meet our picks for the state's best prep football players
From the Twin Cities to greater Minnesota, the Minnesota Star Tribune picks our top 25 football players in the state this year.
Talented running back is the Star Tribune's All-Minnesota Player of the Year
Kevon Johnson carried the ball 245 times for 2,143 yards this season, and his 35 rushing touchdowns tied for the most in the state.
Alexandria pours it on against Owatonna, advances to Class 5A Prep Bowl
Chase Thompson passed for five touchdowns and ran for another for the Cardinals, who will play a rematch against Elk River.
Dassel-Cokato makes last-minute push into Prep Bowl, where Stewartville awaits
A touchdown with 51 seconds left settled the first Class 3A semifinal. Stewartville receiver Parker Wangen, whose team won its 27th game in a row, settled the second.
Dassel-Cokato 300-pounder lives a lineman's dream: He's a fullback now
Coaches rescued Lars Salmen from a lifetime on the offensive line. "He even caught a touchdown pass this season," his dad said. "He loves it."
Maple Grove withstands Shakopee's challenge in Class 6A football semifinal
Chuck Langama scored a touchdown in every quarter, driving the undefeated Crimson into a Prep Bowl final vs. Minnetonka.
Kimball Area savors a trip to state three decades in the making
"Wouldn't it be cool to get to this spot?" coach Clay Anderson had asked from the U.S. Bank Stadium stands in 2023. The 2024 answer from senior Owen Mortenson: "It was just huge for us."
Football prognosticators ponder five final semifinals
Saturday's games will set all the pairings for next week's Prep Bowl.
Football: Totino-Grace defeats Orono, advances to meet Becker in 4A Prep Bowl
Kicker Jimmy McNeil makes a pair of 36-yard field goals, the last coming with 2:24 left in the game, to secure the win for Totino-Grace.
Mountain Iron-Buhl coach takes on accusations that he showed too little mercy
Dan Zubich about his team's regular-season blowouts: "How do you get 91 points? Well, when you never get tackled, you can get 91 points."
Five more semifinals present a handful of challenge for football prognosticators
The indoor portion of the prep postseason continues at U.S. Bank Stadium with games spread over four classes, closing with the Class 6A clash of Shakopee and Maple Grove.
![U.S. Bank Stadium - Exterior and construction images. ] US Bank Stadium - Vikings brian.peterson@startribune.com Minneapolis, MN - 06/30/2016](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VD64MQFZSLRSXX7V62MLGPDJWM.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Hills-Beaver Creek, Fertile-Beltrami set up a perfect Nine-Player Prep Bowl
Hills-Beaver Creek, the less-noticed undefeated team in the first semifinal, knocked off powerful Mountain Iron-Buhl. Isaiah Wright scored seven touchdowns for Fertile-Beltrami against LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli.
Football: Becker beats Marshall 28-7 in Class 4A semifinals
Sawyer Brown both threw a touchdown pass and ran for a TD for Becker, which remains undefeated at 12-0.
Prognosticators make their guesses as playoffs settle into U.S. Bank Stadium
Four games from three classes open the indoor portion of the high school football postseason, closing with the Class 6A clash of Minnetonka and Anoka.
Here are the 10 finalists for Minnesota's Mr. Football award
On the eve of the state high school football semifinals, the Minnesota Football Coaches Association released the names of its 10 finalists for its postseason Mr. Football award, meant to recognize the coaches choice for the top senior football player in Minnesota.
Field goal moves Alexandria past Armstrong in Class 5A quarterfinals
Daniel Jackson, committed to the Gophers, nailed a 32-yard field goal with 3:01 left in the game, giving the Cardinals their first lead.
Alexandria, Marshall advance to play for Class 3A volleyball championship ... plus other semifinals results
Alexandria sank undefeated Delano in the semifinals. Mayer Lutheran won its 1A semifinal to head to its fourth consecutive state title game. In Class 2A, Hawley and Southwest Christian pulled off upsets.
Shakopee turns back Mounds View in Class 6A football quarterfinal
The Sabers let a chunky lead get away, then regained their footing with the support of a big defensive play and the running of T.J. Clark.
Maple Grove remains undefeated with an exclamation point, routing Edina 35-0 in Class 6A football quarterfinals
The Crimson, ranked first in Class 6A, got two passing touchdowns and one running from quarterback Kaden Harney.
Here are this weekend's best matchups in the Minnesota high school football quarterfinals
Head-to-head quarterback battles and sturdy defensive fronts against savvy rushing attacks highlight the playoff action happening Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Volleyball: Lakeville South, Champlin Park to meet in Class 4A final at Xcel Energy Center
Lakeville South and Champlin Park advanced in the state semifinals Thursday. The Cougars will make their first championship match appearance. The Rebels last reached the state tournament in 2018, which resulted in a state title.
Football predictions: Three quarterfinal matchups in Class 6A and two in Class 5A challenge our pickers
See who reporters David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen pick as winners in these clashes: Edina-Maple Grove, Alexandria-Armstrong, Minnetonka-Blaine, Mounds View-Shakopee and Chanhassen-St. Thomas Academy.
Maple Grove rolls against Eden Prairie in Class 6A playoffs
The Crimson regained the services of running back Charles Langama, who celebrated his return after four games away with two touchdowns.
