In a rescheduled showdown that had all the makings of a state tournament preview, two of Minnesota’s top high school basketball programs went head-to-head as Maple Grove and East Ridge clashed on Saturday. With Minnesota assistant coach David Thorson in the stands, all eyes were on the marquee matchup between elite wing Baboucarr Ann and scoring machine Cedric Tomes.
Let’s start with Ann and Maple Grove. The Crimson are currently sitting at No. 2 in Class AAAA, and it’s easy to see why.
Ann, a dynamic scorer and one of the most sought-after prospects in the state, is averaging 21 points per game, but his impact stretches far beyond the box score. He’s the kind of player who draws double teams, opens up the floor for his teammates, and makes the right play more often than not.
And it helps that he’s surrounded by a well-rounded supporting cast. North Dakota State signee Max Iversen brings a steady hand and veteran presence to the backcourt, while 2027 seven-footer Jack Thelen-already holding mid-major offers-anchors the paint with size and upside. This isn’t just a one-man show; it’s a team built to make a deep postseason run.
On the other side, East Ridge came in ranked No. 7 in Class AAAA, and they’ve been riding the red-hot scoring of Tomes, who’s putting up a staggering 34.8 points per game. He dropped 43 in his previous outing against Forest Lake and came into this matchup with momentum-and a big target on his back.
Tomes has been carrying a heavy load for the Raptors this season, especially with key contributors like Bennett Skinner (a Minnesota baseball commit who would’ve been a senior shooter this year) not in the lineup, and center Andrew Theraldson sidelined by injury. That’s left East Ridge short on depth, but Tomes hasn’t flinched. He’s elevated his game, playing with pace, confidence, and an attacking mindset that’s tough to contain.
What we saw on Saturday was a clash of styles and strengths: Maple Grove’s balanced, team-first approach versus East Ridge’s explosive, Tomes-led offense. It was also a chance for college scouts, fans, and local hoops followers to see two of the state’s top talents go head-to-head in a high-stakes environment.
With Big Ten eyes watching from the bleachers, performances like these matter. And while the scoreboard will tell one story, the long-term takeaway is this: Baboucarr Ann and Cedric Tomes are both the real deal. Whether it’s Ann’s smooth all-around game or Tomes’ relentless scoring ability, these are players who don’t just fill up stat sheets-they shape the identity of their teams.
As the season rolls on and the postseason picture starts to take shape, don’t be surprised if these two squads cross paths again. And if they do, expect another battle worth watching.