Cretin-Derham Hall Girls Basketball Preps for 3A State Tournament

Raiders aim to build on last year's semifinal run as a 4-seed in this year's tournament.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Cretin-Derham Hall girls basketball team is back in the 3A state tournament after an impressive run to the semifinals last year. The Raiders are the 4-seed and will open play on Wednesday against 5-seed Hill-Murray. Head coach Tara Gunderson, who led Chaska to a state title in 2021, and senior guard Sage Gilbert, who will play college basketball at Bethel, spoke with KSTP Sports about the team's preparations and expectations for the tournament.

Why it matters

Cretin-Derham Hall has a storied girls basketball program, having won a state title in 1999 and finishing runner-up in 1998. After a few years away from the state tournament, the Raiders' return last season and their current 4-seed status this year showcase the program's continued strength and ability to compete at the highest level in Minnesota 3A basketball.

The details

The Raiders are the 4-seed in this year's 3A state tournament and will open play on Wednesday at noon against 5-seed Hill-Murray at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus. Stewartville is the 1-seed, Benilde-St. Margaret's is the 2-seed, and Marshall is the 3-seed. Head coach Tara Gunderson, in her third year with the team, previously led Chaska to a state title in 2021. Senior guard Sage Gilbert, who will play college basketball at Bethel, is a key player for the Raiders.

  • The 3A state tournament begins on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.
  • Cretin-Derham Hall's first-round game against Hill-Murray is scheduled for Wednesday at noon.

The players

Tara Gunderson

The third-year head coach of the Cretin-Derham Hall girls basketball team, who previously led Chaska to a state title in 2021.

Sage Gilbert

A senior guard for the Cretin-Derham Hall girls basketball team who will play college basketball at Bethel.

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What they’re saying

“We caught up with the Cretin-Derham Hall girls basketball team on Monday. They are back in this week's 3A state tourney.”

— Darren Wolfson (kstp.com)

What’s next

The winner of Cretin-Derham Hall's first-round game against Hill-Murray will advance to the 3A state tournament semifinals on Friday, March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

Cretin-Derham Hall's return to the 3A state tournament after last year's semifinal run demonstrates the program's continued strength and ability to compete at the highest level in Minnesota girls basketball. With a veteran coach in Tara Gunderson and a talented senior leader in Sage Gilbert, the Raiders have the pieces in place to make another deep tournament run.