Review: State A Girls

Let's do a quick comparison:

Take a look at my State A Girls Preview from last week, and pay particular attention to my Predictions at the bottom of the post.

Now take a look at the final State A Girls Bracket from the MHSA website.

Notice anything?

This Tournament shaped up exactly as I thought it would. Anaconda, Glendive, and Miles City wee clearly the three best teams in this field, and the bracket finished up with very few upsets. Once again, it's odd that a State Tourney would shape up as many would have predicted, with the two best teams advancing to the title. Any March Madness fans out there know what I'm talking about.

Anaconda went into this tournament ranked as the #1 seed in the state, and it showed in their dominating performances. They had maybe the toughest road of any team in any State Tournament, facing Miles City in the first round (and winning easily might I add over the very tough defending Champion Cowgirls) and then having to beat a good Havre squad in the semis...only to have to face the East's #1 seed, and probably state's 2nd best team in Glendive. The Copperheads proved they were the best, and did it against the best competition.

Unfortunately for the Lady Devils of Glendive, they once again had to settle for that runner-up trophy. And now face going after that elusive state title without their best player and team leader, Kalli Stanhope, who will graduate in a few short months. Glendive will return 5 prominent players from this year's team, which will allow them to still be a solid club next year, but I don't think it's going to be enough.

As for Miles City, they were another "matchup" victim as they just ran into the wrong team in the 1st Round (Anaconda). I also think the Cowgirls faded down the season stretch, losing their last two meetings with Glendive (including the Eastern Division title). Thus, I dont think Miles City ever had a chance to beat the Copperheads. But kudos to them and their coaching staff for pulling it together after the opening loss and reeling off three straight Loser-Out wins to take home a Trophy.

Congrats as well to Glendive, and most of all Anaconda. You truly were the best this year.