MSHSL sets state tourneys dates for prep winter sports

Yes, Virginia, there will be state tournaments this year.
Minneota girls basketball players must have felt a sense of relief with the news that the Minnesota State High Schools Board of Directors decided to hold state tournaments for winter sports at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The Minneota girls were eyeing a second straight Class A state title last March when the tournament was cancelled just prior to the semifinals due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And with the recent news of the state tournament being put in place, the Vikings could possibly have another shot at that coveted title.
"Our goal is to win the section tournament," said Minneota coach Chad Johnston. "It's nice that there is going to be a state tournament this year. It give us something to shoot for."
Johnston made it a point to remind everyone that just because there is a state tournament, it doesn't mean it's an automatic invitation.
"We have to earn our way there," he said. "Nothing is given to you."
The MSHSL board of directors decided on having the girls' state quarterfinals on March 30 and 31 at a site to be determined. The semifinals are slated for April 6-8 and tentatively held at Target Center. The championships will be April 9-10, also tentatively for Target Center. There will be no consolation or third place games.
The state boys basketball teams were competing in their section tournaments when the shutdown occurred last year. The Minneota boys had been eliminated in the Section 3A tournament by the time the shutdown occurred.
The boys' state tournament is also set for the same dates as the girls' tournament this year. The quarterfinals will be March 30 and 31 at sites to be determined, the semifinals will be April 6-8 and the finals April 9-10.
Wrestling completed its state tournament last season just before Gov. Walz used an executive order to shut down high school sports among many other activities and businesses.
The wrestling state tournament this year will is slated for March 25-27 at a site to be determined with each class competing on a separate day. The team portion of the state tournament will have four teams competing in the semifinals and finals and only eight wrestlers in each weight class for the individual portion of the state tournament.
The tentative plan is for the wrestling team sections will be held Thursday, March 11 at two sites hosted by the top two seeds. The two champions advance to a Super Section. The Super Section will be held Saturday, March 13 with four teams competing and the champion advancing to the four-team state meet.
The section individuals will be held on Tuesday, March 16 with the top four advancing to a Super Section on March 19 and 20 for the first round of the state. The champion advances to the semifinals of state.
More information is expected this week on the wrestling tournament.
The dance state tournament for Jazz will be March 12 and High Kick on March 13.
The speech state tournament is yet to be determined.