Our final game is always the marquee matchup of the event, and this year is most definitely no different! Olathe (o-LAY-tha) Northwest is making the trek north from the Kansas City area for a big-time national showdown with Hopkins. The Ravens bring up a team they are very excited about. They finished last year with a 23-2 record and a 2^nd place finish at the Kansas big-school state tournament. They are led by a trio of D1 signees in Kelsey Brooks (Arkansas), Michaela Crall (Wisconsin) and Jaylah Jackson (South Dakota).

Hopkins is fresh of a Minnesota AAAA State Championship and have plans for another one this season. They have already downed the #2 team in the state this season and should be tested again on  Saturday. The Royals are led by their own trio of D1 senior signees in Nia Coffey (Northwestern), Mikaala Shackelford (Illinois), and Erin O’Toole (North Dakota). Hopkins will be without Viria Livingston, a starting guard who suffered an injury on Tuesday night.

Nia Coffey vs Shea Shipman: Coffey is the multitalented star and is the engine that makes Hopkins go on both ends of the court. Typically it is hard for teams to find a player who can match up with her 6’2 perimeter frame and athleticism.  Shipman has the athletic tools and size (6’0) to potential stay with Coffey. Not just from the aspect keeping her in front of her on defense, but also to win the rebounding battle and keeping her out of the paint when Olathe is on offense.

Why Hopkins will win:

• Familiarity: The Royals are at home, have played in the event before, will sleep in their own beds the night before, and we are playing MN rules (18 minute halves vs 8 minute quarters)
• They will already have 3 games under their belt (it will be Olathe’s first), including one against another high powered team.

Why Olathe Northwest will win:

• The Ravens have the size, speed, and athleticism that matches up with Hopkins very well at all the positions, which is something the Royals are not used to.
• They are coming all the way up here to play one game, and will come out with an insane amount of energy and intensity; Hopkins also isn’t used to teams that can match their intensity.

Our Prediction: Hopkins