Eastview's Madison Guebert named Metro Player of the Year

Madison Guebert was thrust into Eastview's starting lineup as a freshman. Disbelievers thought it was a bit premature.

Four consecutive Class 4A state tournament appearances later, including a championship run a year ago, doubters have vanished. The senior point guard has guided Eastview to a 113-12 mark over that period and earned the honor of the Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year.

"Madison was good enough to start for us a freshman," former Lightning assistant coach Paul Goetz said. He was an assistant coach under Melissa Guebert, Madison's mother, during her freshman and sophomore seasons before taking over the boys' program.

"Melissa was skeptical on if Madison should start or not, being that she was in her first year of coaching at Eastview," Goetz said. "I had to put my foot down on that one. I think Melissa might have needed to hear it from somebody else. She was ready to start."

Madison Guebert will exit as one of 34 players in state history to top 2,500 points. The one-time strictly three-pointer shooter has transformed into a well-rounded scoring threat.

"She started out as just a shooter," Melissa said. "She has worked hard to become tougher to guard each year. Now she is versatile."

After that freshman season, Guebert worked on getting to the basket and followed that up by developing a pull-up jumper.

Guebert also knows the importance of taking care of the basketball. In Eastview's past two state tournament appearances covering six games, she has only 16 turnovers.

"Madison is very composed, poised every time she steps on the court," Goetz said. "She has had that since she got to Eastview."

Guebert is averaging 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game for her career. She is a 49 percent shooter from the floor, 48 percent from three-point range and 87 percent from the free-throw line over that period. She has also been selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state.

South Dakota State coach Aaron Johnston and his staff took notice of Guebert at a young age. She signed a letter of intent with the Jackrabbits in November.

"We showed a genuine interest in her and her family," Johnston said. "Madison is exactly what every coach is looking for — a great player and phenomenal leader."

"Shooters have a tendency to get labeled as a liability on defense," Johnston said. "Madison isn't that way. She is a very underrated defensive player. She is a complete player."

It's something Hopkins coach Brian Cosgriff has been aware of for years.