This is the second game matching top-10 teams from different classes at this year’s Breakdown Tip Off Classic; as No. 2AA Providence Academy takes on No. 8AAA Fergus Falls. It also matches two teams that have goals of state tournament appearances, especially Providence, which has eyes on a state championship.

Providence Academy will likely not consider this season a success unless then can upend Braham and win this year’s Class AA state tournament. To get ready, they have once again loaded up their schedule with the likes of Richfield, Eden Prairie, Lakeville North, and of course DeLaSalle twice now that they join the Tri-Metro Conference. The Lions are led by Harvard bound Ann Marie Healy, a 6’1” wing player who is coming off a great summer season on the AAU circuit.

Fergus Falls is led by the Monke sisters (Mariah and Anna) who are both very good in the post. Older sister Mariah is headed to UW-Green Bay on a basketball scholarship this fall, and sophomore Anna would love nothing less than to follow in her footsteps (to a D1 school). This team will also be hungry this year after securing the No. 1 seed in Section 8AAA last season, but losing to No. 2 Alexandria in the championship game. This year, the stage is set for a section final against Sartell-St. Stephen, which is also playing Saturday in the Tip Off.
 

Mariah Monke, Fergus Falls vs.
McKenna Happke, Providence Academy
Happke will need to be the answer for Monke or Fergus Falls could eat Providence up in the post. Happke is a strong, physical post player who has the tools to neutralize Monke, but will give up two years of experience and maturity.

Why Providence Academy will win:

• Their plethora of long, athletic guards are too much for Fergus Falls to handle.
• They get up early, and play their trademark ball control basketball, winning the turn over battle the rest of the way.

Why Fergus Falls will win:

• Sydney Schultz gets hot shooting from the outside, which forces Providence into a less comfortable, faster pace to catch up.
• The Monke sisters dominate the block, scoring on offense; and dominate the glass on both ends.

Our prediction: Fergus Falls