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The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Grade State basketball tournament marks the end of the winter season for thousands of players across Minnesota. But while the players finally get a break, the work for local board members never stops. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the logistical "mountain" behind youth sports—from gym-space wars to the emotional intensity of tryout week.

Joining the show are veteran board members Kristi Hicks and Sara Schwartz. We discuss the "shop talk" that happens when association leaders from different communities get together to navigate the challenges of running a program.

In this episode:

• The Mission: Why the focus is on a "growth mindset" and ensuring every kid from 3rd to 8th grade has a place to play.
• The Logistical Puzzle: Balancing gym schedules between varsity sports, JO volleyball, and community ed in a crowded district. Why tournament scheduling begins in June and the behind-the-scenes chaos of hosting a home event.
• The Coaching Debate: The reality of recruiting volunteer coaches versus the challenges of finding and hiring paid professionals.
• The Truth About Tryouts: Navigating evaluation models, the "48-hour rule," and why early team placements don't define a player's long-term ceiling.
• The Human Element: A look at the "emotional labor" and thousands of volunteer hours put in by board members to keep the game alive.

Whether you’re a parent curious about where registration fees go or a coach looking for perspective on association checklists, this episode offers a candid look at the people behind the program.

Plus I start the show off with a few thoughts on the Timberwolves falling again in LA, this time to the Clippers. The 3rd loss in a row is a concerning point as the NBA playoffs loom and as seeding in the Western Conference tightens up.

And the Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's basketball team falls in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. A costly run of empty possessions in the 2nd half doom the team that had little margin of error the past 2-3 months.

It's all in this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast!

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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.

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Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.

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In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman dives deep into the current state of the Timberwolves and Gophers. We'll break down the Timberwolves' recent performance, including a tough loss to Orlando, and discuss what it means for their standing in the Western Conference. Steve looks at the starters' offensive production in wins vs losses to diagnose what goes wrong.

On the Gophers front, we'll examine the close of their regular season and preview their prospects for postseason play. The Gopher women, despite a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals, could be hosting the first two rounds if they get a top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Gopher men meanwhile have raised eyebrows with their inspired play. Overcoming injuries, and bad luck, Niko Medved's team beat expectations and now have a chance to make noise in the Big Ten tournament.

Along the way, we’ll also touch on noteworthy performances in regional small college basketball and provide a special announcement about a live podcast event during March Madness weekend.

Connect with Steve and the podcast on social media to learn more about upcoming guests and events.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.