Recent content from David La Vaque
Lacrosse lists: 21 top players and the school that's No. 1 for boys and girls
Five players on our list play for the same high school, so it's no surprise that school has the top ranked teams for boys and girls.
Track and field 2024: Six athletes likely to jump farthest, finish fastest
Meet three girls and three boys, most with state titles in place and five committed to prominent colleges.
Talking Preps: New Maple Grove football coach fulfills a long-time dream
On the latest edition of the Talking Preps podcast, Adam Spurrell joins David La Vaque to discuss being named the third head coach in Maple Grove's nearly 30-year history.
USA Hockey leans on Minnesota to fortify under-17 roster
Eight from the state make up more than a third of the development program's squad. Two played for their high schools last season.
High school sports and NIL: Bigger things are ahead for younger stars
Name, image and likeness deals are already expanding beyond college sports. Some top metro boys basketball players are aligned with a barbershop. The top girls hockey player touts a fitness center. Another high school standout represents a chain of chicken restaurants.
Holy Family hires boys hockey coach from program on the rise
Zack Friedli, who was associate head coach as Chanhassen reached the Class 2A final, will take over the Fire.
Totino-Grace's 3A dominance leads to the opt-up question
Totino-Grace played a schedule almost entirely from 4A. Also Saturday, Cherry completed a rise from 0-22 to a state title, and Breck's Miles Newton channeled his dad.
Totino-Grace makes it three, winning another Class 3A state title
The Eagles surged away from Mankato East on the strength of senior Isaiah Johnson-Arigu's dunks and his 25 points.
Boys basketball championship games set in all four classes
Breck and Badgers-bound Daniel Freitag flew past Minnehaha Academy in Friday's first Class 2A semifinal. and will face Lake City Fertile-Beltrami and Cherry, led by Gophers-bound Isaac Asuma, advanced to Saturday's Class 1A championship.
Small-class semifinals at Williams Arena makes for a big day at The Barn
Breck entered the tournament missing one key intangible, but it hasn't held back the Mustangs — yet. Nevis coach Scott Kramer made a bold prediction for Cherry, which is treating its third state tournament appearance as a business trip.
It's all right here! Wednesday's boys basketball tournament news, notes.
Eagan pulled off the biggest surprise of the quarterfinals, dropping Class 4A second seed Park Center. Tap here for game results and more from the first day of play.
We call this fun: State boys basketball opens with a 12-game day
A Wayzata sophomore spiced an early 4A quarterfinal with his passing. The 3A teams also got going before lunch, and 2A schools will take over the night.
Rivals to battle it out for Class 4A title in girls basketball; 3A championship also set
The finals are solidified in the top two classes while the top four seeds in Class 1A advanced to the semifinals. Tap here for coverage on all of Thursday's games.
Iron Range family starred for one basketball team; next generation stars for another
Moments of March: The Lamppa family was the foundation of a small school that no longer exists. This year, the Lamppas were key to another school's state tournament run.
Big day for a first-time tournament team -- despite the final score
Moments of March: Roosevelt fans showed up in numbers for the Teddies' first state tournament game. Plus this from a coach with a unique angle: 'Caitlin [Clark] is good, but I still think Paige [Bueckers] is better.'
Girls basketball state quarterfinals: Wednesday's news and notes
The day began with top seeds Hopkins and Benilde-St. Margaret's rolling, and it wound down with Providence Academy's Maddyn Greenway scoring 49 points. Tap here for stories, tournament details and more from Minneapolis.
Chanhassen's 'season none of them will forget' will just have to do
The Storm achieved their dream of reaching the state tournament for the first time, and the run continued into the championship game before Edina stopped it.
Five reasons Edina became the boys hockey state champion
The program's 14th state championship featured, of course, a hot goalie, but it also came with a list of intangible reasons for success.
Chanhassen's Chase: A state tourney journey. Read the complete series
Our special report followed the Chanhassen Storm from their hopes at the beginning of the boys hockey season to fulfilling their dream of a berth in the Class 2A tournament with an upset in an unforgettable section final game.
The top seniors in boys hockey add to their stacks of honors
Minnetonka forward Hagen Burrows was declared Mr. Hockey, and Chanhassen goaltender Kam Hendrickson won the Frank Brimsek Award.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from Championship Day
Edina became the Class 2A champion, St. Cloud Cathedral won in 1A, the attendance record fell, we took one more look at Lou Nanne and we heard dramatic talk from the winners and the others.
Gone green: Edina surges to its 14th boys hockey championship
Edina scored two third-period goals, ending Chanhassen's dream of winning a title in its first tournament trip.
Chanhassen awakens, sort of, to prep for the state championship game
Coaches admitted to sleepiness at morning skate but mixed it with determination, and supporters who showed up had a wearisome travel tale.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from the hockey semifinals
Edina and Grand Rapids revived a rivalry late in the day, giving credence to the notion that Friday is always the hottest spot in state tournament week.
After close games set 1A final, drama is low for the 2A qualifiers
Chanhassen and Edina comfortably landed spots in the Class 2A final, and Hermantown and St. Cloud Cathedral both needed extra time to escape the 1A semifinals.
Getting ready for the semis, Storm wakes up with a skate
A small group — this small: two people with love for assistant coach Sam Sather — greeted Chanhassen at the Eagan Civic Center for a wake-up skate.
Grand Rapids' hero on goal with 1.6 seconds left: 'I just tucked it in'
Sophomore Nathan Garski sunk White Bear Lake and inserted himself into the history of the boys hockey state tournament with a short moment tall on importance.
Chanhassen devours lunch after feasting on Rochester Century/John Marshall
The Storm encountered more drama eating Chipotle in their St. Paul hotel than they did in their first state tournament game.
Last-second stunner by Grand Rapids caps 2A hockey quarterfinals
Edina and Chanhassen won easily while Cretin-Derham Hall won in double overtime and Grand Rapids on a goal with 1.6 seconds left.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from Class 2A quarterfinals
Cretin-Derham Hall goalie Owen Nelson wears his heart on his head, and it's the last call for a legend in the broadcast booth.
Minnesota boys hockey state tournament: Class 1A quarterfinals roundup
There were three one-sided games and a thriller in the nightcap of Class 1A. Tap here for all of our coverage from the X.
A bus filled with hockey dreams heads to state for the first time
The band played and a fire truck escorted the Chanhassen Storm out of town for the school's first-ever appearance in the Minnesota boys hockey tournament.
Behind the scenes at the boys hockey state tournament
Sights and sounds from the Xcel Energy Center include Warroad honoring Henry Boucha and a player tip on how you can use pickles to keep the energy up in overtime.
Why so many high school hockey stars this season? Coaches explain.
One indication of the strength of this year's class is the number of nominations for the state's Mr. Hockey award. Coaches cited three major reasons why this was an excellent year.
Talking Preps podcast: Breaking down the boys hockey state tournament
Andover boys hockey coach Mark Manney dishes on this week's Class 1 A and 2A state tournament fields.
The state tourney goalie with a challenge — and a sister he can't let down
Kam Hendrickson, Chanhassen's star goaltender, heads to the state hockey tournament with the enthusiastic support of his sister Gabriella. And with the intent of spreading awareness about Down syndrome.
Eight teams, four games: Where it all begins in Class 2A boys hockey
Know the big scorers, meet the goaltender and learn the facts for each of Thursday's state quarterfinalists.
'The Professor' is in: Meet the boys hockey Metro Player of the Year
Minnetonka's Hagen Burrows, known for his hockey acumen (not to mention that 4.1 GPA), stood out on a team loaded with standouts.
Who made the boys hockey All-Metro teams? Our best 26 players.
Four first-teamers plan to make Minnesota colleges their next stop, one staying in town to play with the Gophers. The second team features players choosing state rivals.
Perennial power, newbie and 'bunch of nobodies' receive top hockey seeds
Edina is No. 1 in the Class 2A boys state bracket, Chanhassen is No. 2 in its first trip to state and Centennial is No. 3.
White Bear Lake books a boys hockey trip to Xcel Energy Center
The Bears defeated rival Hill-Murray with a goal 36 seconds into the game, plus two empty-netters and Leo Gabriel's shutout goaltending.
Taking down Goliath: Chanhassen stuns Tonka for first tourney trip
Minnetonka was undefeated, top ranked and the defending 2A champions. Andy Earl scored both goals and Kam Hendrickson made 44 saves in the 2-1 upset.
'The Rivalry' looms just as White Bear Lake regains its hockey health
A section championship game against Hill-Murray is a standard part of the season for the Bears.
Big night arrives: Can underdog take down Tonka for its first trip to state?
The Chanhassen Storm boys spent the season chasing their first state hockey tournament berth. What's in the way tonight? The undefeated and defending state champ.
We ignite the 51 Hours of Fury with a giant slain, a moment to be seized
Fourth seed Elk River-Zimmerman ended Moorhead's streak of section final appearances at 23. Now the Elks face Buffalo/Annandale for a spot in the boys hockey tournament.
Edina rolls past Wayzata and into the state tournament
The Hornets gave up a goal 1:37 into the game, but they scored the next four and seized the section title.
Five moments that made Edina a girls hockey state champion
It was no simple season, far separate from those three-peat years of 2017-19, coach Sami Cowger said: "This team showed up and bought in at the right time."
A future Gopher is Ms. Hockey, and a state standout is Senior Goalie of the Year
Ayla Puppe of Northfield was the state's leading scorer with 61 goals and 110 points. Goaltender Grace Zhan propelled Hill-Murray to the Class 2A title game.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from the girls hockey championships
Discussed: Opting up holds no interest for 1A champ Warroad. Goalies were stories on both 2A finalists. Analysis of the much-pondered 2A seedings.
Edina puts on a third-period show, wins Class 2A girls hockey title
The Hornets defeated Hill-Murray by bringing a sudden end to a stretch of scoreless dominance by goalies and defenses.
State title games set in girls hockey. Get the updates here.
Edina toppled Minnetonka in Class 2A, the last result of a day when both top seeds were eliminated. Traditional power Warroad sunk Class 1A No. 1 Holy Angels.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from Day 3 of girls hockey
Edina toppled top seed Minnetonka after Warroad dropped 1A No. 1 Holy Angels. Hill-Murray's Grace Zhan and Dodge County's Ida Huber issued reminders of the importance of goalies.
Looking for Mr. Hockey: The list of contenders is down to 10.
The award goes to the state's top senior boys skater. Three goaltenders remain in the competition for the Frank Brimsek.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from Day 2 of girls hockey
The state tournament draws a variety of fans to the Xcel Energy Center, including some from Minnesota's professional team.
Girls hockey Class 2A state quarterfinals. Get the results here.
Edina shut down Ayla Puppe and Northfield to join Minnetonka, Andover and Hill-Murray in Friday's semifinals. Tap here for game results, updates on games in progress, how to watch and more.
State Tourney Insiders: Sights and sounds from Day 1 in St. Paul
Orono, runner-up last season, and Dodge County, with a section final failure burning in memory, won first-round games, as did top seed Holy Angels and defending champ Warroad.
From the X: Girls hockey Class 1A quarterfinal results
The seeds held in the Class 1A quarterfinals. No. 1 Holy Angels, No. 2 Orono, No. 3 Dodge County and No. 4 Warroad advanced to the semifinals. Tap here for results, game updates and more.
3 teams, 19 players: Who's on the All-Metro girls hockey teams?
The Gophers landed one first-teamer; Ohio State landed two. Others on the Star Tribune's list are heading to schools around Minnesota, the Ivy League and elsewhere.
For school and country: Meet the girls hockey Metro Player of the Year
Josie St. Martin of Stillwater led her high school team in points and also propelled Team USA to Under-18 World Championships gold.
Coaches see flaws as seeds are set for girls hockey state tournament
Spooky parallels to last year, among them that No. 1 must play the best of the unseeded teams again, led to questions.
Minnetonka beats Holy Family 4-0 for sixth state berth in a row
The Skippers are expected to nab the No. 1 seed in next week's Class 2A girls hockey tournament.
Hill-Murray girls hockey back at state after 5-2 section final victory over Stillwater
Senior forward Chloe Boreen scored the first and fifth goals for the Pioneers. In between were goals by players representing grades 8-10.
Rosemount's girls hockey team beats Apple Valley to secure spot at state
Rosemount lived by its motto, 'Whatever it takes,' in a 6-1 triumph over Apple Valley in the Class 2A, Section 3 girls hockey final Wednesday night.
Girls hockey rankings foretell drama in section tournaments
Several include multiple top-10 teams in the bracket, indicating disappointment will be rampant.
A look at the boys hockey rankings reveals a loud weekend clash ahead
It's No. 1 and undefeated Minnetonka against No. 2 Edina as the end of the regular season nears.
What did the coach learn about hockey on his 2,000-mile canoe trip? Everything.
Sean Bloomfield, these days leading Chanhassen's push for its first state tournament berth, is a canoeist with a 2,000-mile run to Hudson Bay on his résumé.
Important boys hockey ahead: No. 1 Minnetonka vs. No. 3 Wayzata
That's a highlight of a high-quality Thursday that also includes top-10 matchups that cross classes.
Pace quickens, girls hockey rankings adjust as regular season nears end
Minnetonka is a stronger No. 1 in the big class, Edina is on the rise and no undefeated teams remain.
Breakfast at Hockey Day Minnesota: Two top-10 girls teams
Host Warroad and Lakeville North will start the annual event, followed by two boys games.
Hockey Day Minnesota host carries top ranking into game against top rival
Warroad will take on Roseau on Saturday as part of the annual event.
Hockey academy issue hovers over team trying for 1st state tournament
Breakaway Academy, a school with hockey in its roots and a hockey coach among its principals, produced nine players on the current Chanhassen High School roster.
![At the Blue Mound Ice Arena, the Luverne hockey team has built a strong following and culture in the region.] rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com/ Richard](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/L23WPVE37VPYJWP5X36SGJQ6VI.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
A scream for attention in the boys hockey state rankings goes unheard
At 13-0, Luverne was the last undefeated team in Class 1A, but it didn't crack the top 10, and then the Cardinals lost.
Streaks show in girls hockey rankings, but one run stands out
Northfield is 19-0 and ranked fifth in Class 2A. Lakeville South and Centennial/Spring Lake Park also are into double figures.
Dream chasers: A season on the rink with Chanhassen boys hockey
Reaching the hockey state tournament is the dream of every young skater in Minnesota. The Chanhassen boys have never been there, but this season the Storm have a shot. Our ongoing series will follow them the rest of the way.
A season with Chanhassen as the Storm chase the boys hockey state tournament
Reaching the hockey state tournament is the dream of every young skater in Minnesota. The Chanhassen boys have never been there, but this season the Storm have a shot. Our ongoing series will follow them the rest of the way.