Hopkins girls’ basketball just made history — and Paige Bueckers couldn’t be prouder. On Saturday night, Hopkins beat No. 1 Maple Grove 81-67 to win the Class 4A state championship at Williams Arena. It wasn’t just another trophy. It was Hopkins’ ninth state title, breaking the tie with Rochester Lourdes for the most girls’ basketball championships in Minnesota history.
Paige didn’t waste time celebrating her alma mater’s big moment. She posted “Another One…RTH“ on her Instagram story, showing how much the win meant to her. Paige knows what it takes to win at Hopkins because she helped build that legacy.
Before starring at UConn, she was running the show at Hopkins, stepping onto varsity as an eighth grader in 2015. Even then, it was clear she was special. She scored 28 points in her freshman debut and averaged 23.3 points that season, leading Hopkins to a 31-1 record and a state championship appearance.
By the time her Hopkins career ended, Paige had over 2,000 points, multiple state titles, and every major accolade — Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year — you name it. But more than the stats, it was how she played that made her a legend. Hopkins coach Brian Cosgriff once said, “She makes everybody around her better. She’s confident but not cocky. She’s humble, works incredibly hard, and cares about the entire program.”
That’s why this latest win feels like a continuation of what Paige started. But this year’s title wasn’t easy. After winning it all in 2022, Hopkins fell short the past two years. This season, they lost top scorer Tatum Woodson to an ACL tear in December, and Florida standout Liv McGill graduated. That left Hopkins with just two of their top seven scorers from last season — but coach Tara Starks wasn’t about to let them fold.
When Woodson came out of surgery, her teammates were already texting her, saying Starks had them working harder than ever. That toughness showed on Saturday. Hopkins shot 72% in the second half and 57.9% for the game. Erma Walker led with 28 points on 13-for-15 shooting, while Jaliyah Diggs scored 15, London Harris added 11, and Lauren Hillesheim chipped in 10. Tied at 46 early in the second half, Hopkins erupted for a 21-5 run to take control, capped off by back-to-back threes from Maliyah White. Maple Grove never recovered.
“We still live by ‘We’re still Hopkins,’” Harris said.
That mindset — the confidence that Hopkins belongs on top — is exactly what Paige helped instill. She led Hopkins to three state titles, including a perfect 32-0 season in 2019. Even when things got tough, she carried the team — like when she dropped 43 points in a playoff win over Wayzata or played through illness to win another state championship.
Hopkins expects to win because that’s who they are — and that winning DNA traces right back to Paige Bueckers. And now, as March Madness heats up, Paige is bringing that same Hopkins mentality to UConn — chasing another banner, just like old times. “Obviously, very excited,” Bueckers said earlier this month.
Paige Bueckers is Soaking in Every Moment as UConn Eyes March Magic
“March is great. Playing during this time is great.” That’s how Paige Bueckers summed up the vibe as UConn gears up for another deep tournament run. The prospective No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick knows these next few weeks could define her legacy — and she’s ready to make them count.
Bueckers has had an incredible season with the Huskies. She’s been dominant on both ends of the floor, leading UConn to yet another Big East title. In the championship game against Creighton, she put up 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals — securing her spot as the first player to win Big East Tournament MVP three times. “It’s very cool,” Bueckers said. “It’s hard to do something that’s never been done at UConn before.”
That win gave UConn its 30th conference tournament title — the most in Division I history — and extended their streak to 12 straight tournament wins. Bueckers’ consistency has been unmatched. She’s never lost a Big East game in her career, a testament to how dominant she’s been since stepping onto the court.
Even though she has one more year of eligibility, Bueckers seems ready to take the next step. After watching Caitlin Clark dominate headlines, Bueckers is expected to follow as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. But for now, she’s focused on finishing strong at UConn. “We just want to continue to keep getting better and keep looking forward to the future,” she said.
UConn hasn’t won a national title since 2016. They’ve come close, making the Final Four multiple times, but Bueckers wants to be the one to bring that next banner home. “I love playing with this team. I love playing at UConn,” she said. “There’s an emphasis on me having fun during this last postseason run, just enjoying it, just embracing it.”
Now, it’s all about finishing the job and bringing that next banner home.
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