Schools
Tri-Metro Conference Girls Basketball: Will Providence Lions Get To State Again?
Experience-laden Lions squad looks to return to Target Center for state tournament.
With memories of their first state basketball tournament fresh in their head, the Providence Academy Lions Girls Basketball team is geared up for more.
“We keep raising the bar,” Lions coach Ray Finley said. “They are learning to drink from the fire hydrant.”
They have five returning starters, and that includes Division I potential in the talent department. They also have seven players that have received looks from college programs and the team has a No. 1 Class AA ranking in the preseason polls.
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Their challenge, however, will be their first season in the Tri-Metro Conference. They won the Minnesota Christian Athletic Association crow last year before their run to state.
The Lions (2-1) will take part in the Breakdown Tip Off Classic today against No. 8 ranked Class AAA Fergus Falls. More tough competition will come the Lions way as the season goes on with Minnesota powers Eden Prairie, Richfield and Lakeville North.
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TEAMS TO WATCH
DeLaSalle - The Islanders have the No. 1 ranking in Class AAA.
Minnehaha - The Redhawks enter the season after a 2011 Class AA runner-up performance.
KEY RETURNERS
AnnMarie Healy (Providence) - She will play NCAA Division I basketball at Harvard next year.
Katie Nordick (Providence) - Lions star has also drawn Division I recruiting looks.
Tyseanna Johnson (DeLaSalle) - She provides a scoring spark for the Islanders with 18 points per game.
Gabbi Stienstra (Minnehaha) - Will need to step up for the Redhawks as the top scorer returning with 10 points per game from last year.
KEY LOSSES
Sarina Baker (Minnehaha) - The leading scorer for the Redhawks last season with 20 points per game.
Morgan Thomas (Providence) - She served as the Lions captain last year and provided strong leadership.
Nicole Frogner (Providence) - The Lions all-conference player and all-region honoree for 5AA has taken her game to Saint Olaf College in Northfield.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AnnMarie Healy (Providence) - Averages double digits in scoring and will play Division I basketball at Harvard.
