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The madness has officially arrived in Minnesota. As the girls state basketball tournament tips off at Williams Arena and the Maturi Pavilion, we are joined by Star Tribune and Strib Varsity reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer to break down the brackets, the star power, and the stories defining this season.

In this episode, Cassidy shares her observations on the elite level of talent across the state—from the Metro powerhouses to the small-town programs making noise up north. We dive deep into the most anticipated matchups and players, including:

• The Class 2A Gauntlet: Why the first-round clash between New London-Spicer and Minnehaha Academy is a must-watch, and the potential "appointment television" championship matchup between sophomore sensation Chloe Johnson and Kentucky-bound senior Maddyn Greenway.
• Championship Predictions: Cassidy reveals her picks for every class, including why she’s leaning toward Northome/Kelliher in 1A and Marshall in 3A.
• The "State Trip" Experience: From the grind of a marathon winter season to the collaborative new era of high school sports coverage at Strib Varsity, we discuss what makes the Minnesota tournament atmosphere unique.

Whether you’re heading to Dinkytown to catch the games in person or following the action from home, this episode is your definitive scouting report for the week.

Follow Cassidy on Instagram @cassidyhsports and follow her writing at StarTribune and varsity.startribune.com.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

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