Notes: Minnehaha Academy eyes future

Despite a quarterfinal loss to Sauk Centre, the future looks positively dazzling for Minnehaha Academy.

The Redhawks made the Class 2A girls' basketball state tournament with a lineup packed with freshmen and sophomores. Of the few upperclassmen on the roster, only junior Terra Rhoads receives significant playing time.

"We're pretty excited," coach Josh Thurow said. "We might have been one year ahead of schedule this year, but that's fine. We couldn't be more excited about the future."

Rhoads, whose younger sister Taytum Rhoads led the team with 25 points Wednesday, perked up when asked about what lies ahead.

"I think this provides great experience for us," she said. "We're lucky to be here, but I'm really looking forward to next year."

Roseau senior guard Kiley Borowicz is a 3,000-point career scorer and has led the Rams to the Class 2A semifinals for three consecutive years. The 5-8 Borowicz has yet to make a college commitment, however, and the question of why is something she hears frequently.

"Just about every day," she said in the aftermath of the Rams' 82-64 quarterfinal victory over New Richland-HEG. "I'm hoping to play Division I, either with a scholarship or walking on."

"I've worked so hard that I feel I can do better," she said. "I know I can play at the highest level."

First-time state tournament qualifier Waseca brought a solid crowd Wednesday to Mariucci Arena. Fans weren't just cheering good basketball, they were reciprocating the community support players showed last fall. About 10 inches of rain fell during September flash flooding in Waseca, washing out county roads, submerging cars and swamping basements. Varsity athletes pitched in.