Grand Rapids girls hoops bring State experience into Class AAA opener

The Grand Rapids girls basketball, without any seniors on their roster, will be making their second straight state tournament appearance after claiming the Section 7AAA title over Cloquet Thursday.

Ranked eighth in the state in Class AAA, the 25-3 Thunderhawks will open the 2021-2022 Minnesota State High School girls basketball state tournament against second ranked St. Paul Como Park (22-6).

"The girls are so excited. This is what they’ve worked for," head coach Kris Hamling said. "I remember them being tiny little travel girls and that’s what they always wanted to do, and it’s just been a wonderful experience for them to be able to do this two years in a row."

After falling in the state quarterfinals last season, Grand Rapids will fight to see the semifinal round for the first time since taking third place to cap off the 2017-18 season.

"This year our QRF (Quality Results Formula) is even better than it was last year, so hopefully we’ll make it even further than we did last year," junior guard Taryn Hamling added. "That’s really important because we really want to go far in state."

Tip-off against St. Paul is set for Wednesday at Maturi Pavilion in Minneapolis at 2pm. For a full bracket, click here.