Girls Basketball State Champions: Who Took The Crown?

who won state girls basketball

Girls' basketball in Missouri began in the 1920s, but it was mostly played in rural areas north of the current U.S. Route 36. Regional girls' basketball tournaments resumed in Missouri in 1972, and the Missouri State High School Activities Association has sanctioned state championships since 1973. In 2025, UConn won the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, defeating South Carolina with a score of 82-59.

Characteristics Values
Championship 2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament
Winner No. 2 UConn
Runner-up No. 1 South Carolina
Final score 82-59
Location Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
Date Sunday, April 6, 2025
Time 3 p.m. ET
Channel ABC

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2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament champions

The UConn Huskies emerged as the champions of the 2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in the final with a score of 82-59. This marked the first time in NCAA women's March Madness history with 64 teams that no team successfully executed an official upset. Additionally, no team seeded 6th through 10th managed to win their Round of 32 game.

The 43rd edition of the tournament commenced on March 19, 2025, and concluded with the championship game on April 6 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Out of 355 eligible Division I teams, 68 participated in the single-elimination tournament to determine the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball national champion for the 2024-25 season.

The tournament featured several teams making their NCAA debuts or rare appearances. Atlantic 10 champion George Mason, Big West champion UC San Diego, NEC champion Fairleigh Dickinson, Sun Belt champion Arkansas State, WAC champion Grand Canyon, and CAA champion William & Mary all participated in the NCAA tournament for the first time. Meanwhile, SoCon champion UNC Greensboro made its second appearance overall and first since 1998. Notably, Stanford failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1987.

The First Four games, considered the official start of March Madness, involved eight teams, including the four lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the four lowest-seeded at-large teams. The winners of these games advanced to the main tournament bracket. Nine teams were ineligible for the tournament due to their ongoing reclassification to Division I from a lower division.

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Missouri state high school girls basketball championships

Girls' basketball in Missouri dates back to the 1920s, but it was mostly played in rural areas north of the current U.S. Route 36. Regional tournaments were held in Monroe City, Missouri, from 1927 to 1933, and these winners could be considered de facto state champions. State-sanctioned tournaments were held during the 1939–40 and 1940–41 seasons in Clarence, Missouri, but they were discontinued due to World War II and gas rationing. It wasn't until 1972 that regional girls' basketball tournaments resumed in Missouri, and the Missouri State High School Activities Association began holding official state championship tournaments in 1973.

While some information after 2007 is missing or awaiting sources, we do have details on the 2024 Missouri state high school girls' basketball championships. On Day 4 of the tournament, Incarnate Word extended its win streak to 130 games after defeating Rock Bridge in the Missouri Class 6 girls' basketball semifinals. Kickapoo beat Cor Jesu in the other Class 6 semifinal. In the Class 5 girls' basketball semifinals, Jordan Speiser led Lutheran St. Charles past Smithville, and Burroughs topped Marshfield. Meanwhile, in the Class 4 girls' basketball semifinals, Lift for Life edged Chillicothe in overtime, and Park Hills Central rallied in the second half to defeat Owensville.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find specific information on the winners of the 2024 Missouri state high school girls' basketball championships. However, the Missouri High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is the official body that sanctions these tournaments.

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Connecticut's record in the WNBA draft

The Connecticut Sun is a professional basketball team based in Connecticut. The Sun played one 2024 home game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The team has had a notable presence in the WNBA drafts over the years, with several notable player selections and trades.

In the 1999 WNBA Expansion Draft, the Connecticut Sun, then known as the Orlando Miracle, selected Andrea Congreaves, Kisha Ford, Yolanda Moore, and Adrienne Johnson. In the initial formation of the WNBA, two UConn women's basketball players with Connecticut ties were allocated to teams: Rebecca Lobo to the New York Liberty in 1997 and Nykesha Sales to the Orlando Miracle in 1999. Lobo is considered one of the WNBA's first players.

The Connecticut Sun made several notable moves in the 2016 WNBA Draft. They selected Morgan Tuck with their third overall draft pick. The team also traded Chelsea Gray to the Los Angeles Sparks, along with two second-round picks in the 2016 draft and a 2017 first-round pick, in exchange for Jonquel Jones and the Sparks' second-round selection in 2016. Additionally, they sent Elizabeth Williams to the Atlanta Dream for the 2016 fourth overall pick, Rachel Banham.

In the 2017 WNBA Draft, the Connecticut Sun gained a second-round draft selection from the Phoenix Mercury as part of a trade that included Kelsey Bone and Courtney Williams. The Sun has also hosted the WNBA Draft contests in 2013 and 2015.

The UConn Huskies women's basketball team, representing the University of Connecticut, has had a significant impact on the WNBA draft. A total of 48 players have been selected, with 28 of those being first-round picks. Notable first overall picks include Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), Breanna Stewart (2016), and Paige Bueckers (2025). UConn alumnae have also found success in the WNBA, with 14 players becoming part of WNBA championship teams and three being named WNBA Finals MVP: Maya Moore (2013), Diana Taurasi (2009, 2014), and Breanna Stewart (2018, 2020).

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Girls basketball in Missouri during the 1920s

Girls' basketball in Missouri during the 1920s was largely confined to rural areas in the northern part of the state, with few schools in larger metropolitan areas offering organized basketball for girls. However, the sport was gaining traction, and by 1924-25, basketball had become one of the most popular women's sports in the state, with Washington University in St. Louis fielding a women's team. Competitive women's basketball flourished in Missouri's industrial towns, rural areas, and African American communities during this period.

The 1920s were a significant decade for women's basketball across the United States, with more opportunities for sponsored sports teams and competitions. The International Women's Sports Federation was formed in 1924, leading to an increase in competitions for women. This was also the year that women's basketball was included as an exhibition event in the Olympics.

The game itself looked quite different from what we see today. Players in the 1920s spent more time passing the ball than dribbling, as the balls were often bumpy and difficult to dribble. The rosters were smaller, typically consisting of nine players. The uniforms were also more conservative, with players wearing floor-length wool skirts, high-collar linen shirts, woolen stockings, and Converse All Star shoes. They were distinguished by their team's color, which was displayed on a scarf worn around their necks.

While girls' basketball in Missouri may have been less structured during the 1920s compared to subsequent decades, it laid the foundation for the sport's growth and development in the state. A series of regional tournaments were held in Monroe City, Missouri, from 1927 to 1933, and these regional winners could be considered de facto state champions.

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Minnesota girls' high school basketball

Girls' high school basketball in Minnesota has seen several standout teams and players in recent years. The Lions, led by Maddyn Greenway, made history by becoming the first girls' basketball team in Minnesota to win four consecutive titles. Greenway's impressive statistics, including 32.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 4.9 steals per regular-season game, contributed to her team's success.

The Red Knights also achieved a notable feat by becoming the sixth girls' basketball team to win three titles in the MSHSL era. Additionally, Hopkins secured its ninth title with a strong performance from sophomore Erma Walker, who scored 28 points, breaking a tie with Rochester Lourdes.

In terms of individual players, Jordan Ode of Maple Grove, who will be headed to Michigan State for college, stood out and led her team to second place in the Class 4A tournament. Another notable athlete is Mesaiya Bettis, a volleyball player from Burnsville, who was among the winners recognised for their achievements.

Girls' high school basketball in Minnesota is closely followed by local media outlets such as the Star Tribune, which provides comprehensive coverage of the sport, including scores, schedules, rankings, and player statistics. The Minnesota Girls Basketball Hub is another dedicated platform for news, updates, and information related to girls' high school basketball in the state.

Frequently asked questions

No. 2 UConn won the 2025 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, beating No. 1 South Carolina with a score of 82-59.

Connecticut leads all women's college basketball programs with 28 players taken in the first round of the WNBA draft.

The 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament took place on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. ET at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

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