MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead women's basketball and head coach Karla Nelson have announced the program's class of 2027. The Dragons inked four signees who will join MSUM in the fall of 2027. 

"We are proud to announce the signing of four outstanding student-athletes in Trinity, Katie, Lexi & Cora," said Nelson of the quartet. "The Dragon Family is welcoming student-athletes who have been tremendously successful on the floor in any sport they have played & have been even more successful in the classroom."
 
The signees are as follows:
 
Cora Sauer, Guard (5-8 - Lake Mills, Iowa – Lake Mills Community School)
 
Has scored over 1,200 career points entering her senior season at Lake Mills Community School under head coach Hunter Kingland…has logged career highs of 34 points and 11 assists in her prep career…scored a school record 453 points as a junior…averaged 19.3 points and nearly six rebounds a contest in 2025-26…also shot 45.3 percent from the floor for the season…is a two-time first team all-conference selection…also earned honorable mention as a freshman…was named conference player of the year as a junior, helping Lake Mills to a school record 17 wins and its first trip to a region final…is a two-time all-state selection as well…also competed in volleyball, track & field and softball…daughter of Jennifer and Adam Sauer…plans to major in nursing. 
 
What Coach Nelson Says
"Cora is a dynamic guard who can score from all three levels. She is also a combo guard who can play the point guard & shooting guard position. She can light it up from three & has continuously improved her downhill attack to the rim. She has made big strides each year & we know she is going to have a fantastic senior year."
 
Katie Burchill, Forward (5-11 - Luverne, N.D. – Valley City HS)
 
Has tallied 1,386 career points entering her senior season at Valley City High School under coach James Howard…has a career-high of 37 points while also totaling 120 assists and 729 rebounds in her prep career so far…has a career-high of 18 rebounds at Valley City…is a two-time state title winner while also earning back-to-back state tournament MVP awards…a two-time all-state selection and three-time all-region honoree…three-time all-state tournament team…will be a three-year team captain for the Hi-Liners…also competed in track & field and volleyball…daughter of Deb and Casey Burchill…undecided major. 
 
What Coach Nelson Says
"Katie is a winner having won back-to-back state championships at Valley City HS. She has led her team in a variety of ways on & off the floor. She has a lot of versatility in her game. She can do a little bit of everything out of the post position. She is great at playing with her back to the basket, she can face up as well as shoot the three. Plus she is an exceptional rebounder."
 
Lexi Lawrence, Forward/Center (6-0 - East Grand Forks, Minn. – Sacred Heart HS)
 
Enters her senior season having scored 1,591 career points for Sacred Heart High School under head coach Brian Loe…also has 907 career rebounds as well as 193 steals and 166 assists…averaged 18.4 points and 8.9 rebounds as a junior at Sacred Heart…is a three-time all-conference honoree…earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior…helped Sacred Heart to a pair of conference championships in 2024 and 2025…will be a three-year captain for Sacred Heart… also competed in volleyball and softball…Samantha and David Allard and Marcus Lawrence…undecided major. 
 
What Coach Nelson Says
"Lexi is our prototypical Dragon post player. Has some old school built into her game with physical low post play with great touch around the rim. Like, Katie she can play with her back to the basket with stepping away to attack off the dribble. She is also going to be a force on the boards. Lexi is another Minnesotan who has helped lead her team to a MN State Tournament berth."
 
Trinity Baker, Guard (5-5 - Underwood, Minn. – Underwood HS)
 
Baker has scored 1,221 points through three varsity seasons at Underwood High School under head coach Brian Hovland…also has career totals of 383 assists, 305 steals and 487 rebounds…has played in 131 career varsity games, helping Underwood to a 124 wins in her varsity career…holds a career-high of 29 points…is a three-time all-conference selection…earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior…will be a two-year captain at Underwood…also competed in soccer, volleyball and track & field…daughter of Hope and Adam Baker….undecided major. 
 
What Coach Nelson Says
"Trinity is a shooter who can get her shot off in a variety of ways. She comes from a very successful basketball program, which qualified for the Minnesota State Tournament last year. We are excited to see how high she can push her ceiling in a Dragon uniform."