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#1 Prentice (25-1) vs. #2 River Ridge (19-7) @ 1:35 - These two teams will tip off the entire state tournament and in doing so, you can expect nerves to play a factor in this game.  Prentice has dominated opponents this year, dropping only one game to Newman this season (and later avenging that loss).  They have average 61 points on offense and only give up 30 points defensively.  They are the only team to hand Newman a loss this season and hope to have a chance to hand them another one Saturday.  They are led by a talented group of seniors, Abbie Anderson (pictured), Cassie Hallstrand and Hailey Niemi who all average double figures for the Buccaneers.  Anderson, a 5-foot-11 post player, averages 17.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, while teammates Hallstrand and Niemi add 15 and 11 respectively.  River Ridge is in the midst of their first state tournament berth and thus are bound to be a tad bit in awe of their surroundings.  Hopefully they can get into their game quickly as Prentice likes to jump on teams quick.  River Ridge is led by a trio of 5-foot-9 players, Jessica Mergen (10.9 ppg), Megan White (10.4 ppg) and Traci Kirshbaum (9.4 ppg).  

Key to the game - River Ridge doesn't have any players taller than 5-foot-9 listed on their roster and Prentice's top three players are all forwards/posts.  It will be imperative that River Ridge slow down the Buccaneer bigs.

MY PICK - PRENTICE OVER RIVER RIDGE

#1 Newman Catholic (26-1) vs. Black Hawk (26-0) @ 3:15 - Second up on our first day of tournament action will be a rematch of last year's Division 4 State Final in which Newman pounded BlackHawk by a final of 64-30.  The Warriors have had to chew on that for the last year and are hungry for revenge.  Newman, however, has stormed through the season defeating opponents by an average of 49 points.  They average close to 70 points per game and are led by 6-foot senior Taylor Thomas (pictured) who averages 14.1 points per game.  Teammate Erica Hartke, a 5-foot-8 senior, adds another 9.9 per game.  Bottom line, Newman can score.  On the other side of the ball, Black Hawk enters this game as one of only two undefeated teams left in the state.   They are led by seniors Rachel Rygh (14.8 ppg) and Melissa Wellnitz (11.2 ppg).  Between the two rosters, there are 11 seniors who all want to end their careers with a chance at the gold ball.

Key to the game -  Can Black Hawk shut down the Newman offense and hold them at bay.  Not just Thomas, because what the Cardinals do best is find a way to score when Thomas isn't getting all the points.  On the flip side, can Newman contain Rygh.  She has had a great tournament and no doubt will be ready to play tomorrow.

MY PICK - NEWMAN OVER BLACK HAWK