As the Class AAA & AAAA sections get underway this week, The Road to The Barn is already underway in Class AA. Here's who is left standing and who are the top seeds in the eight Class AA sections.
In Section 1, the defending Class AA champion Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs are the top seed but it could be a tough road for P-E-M as there are several teams that could keep the black and gold clad fans from making the trip up Highway 52. The second seeded Hayfield Vikings face the 10th seeded Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars, who upset seventh seeded Dover-Eyota. Third seeded Rochester Lourdes, with Aaron Berg taking over the coaching reins from Myron Glass who retired after last season take on the sixth seeded Caledonia Warriors. There's also the fifth seeded Pine Island Panthers facing the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights. Keep you eye on this section. There's a lot of exciting basketball to be played at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
Section 2 has the makings of a three team race between the top seeded and the defending section champion Norwood-Young America Raiders and the second seeded St. Peter Saints in the north subsection and top seeded NRHEG in the south subsection. Raiders head coach Gary Lembcke has lost only one game this season, a two point defeat to St. Peter. But watch out for the third seeded Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers and the fourth seeded Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds who have a 14 game winning streak.
There are a couple of red hot teams in the Section 3 north subsection including the top seeded New London-Spicer Wildcats and the second seeded Minnewaska Lakers. There's also third seeded Morris/Chokio Alberta with an eight game winning streak. In the south section, it ould come down to battle between the top seeded Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers and the second seeded Pipestone Arrows. First, the Arrows have to get past the third seeded Minneota Vikings. Southwest Minnesota has some outstanding basketball to go before a trip to Minneapolis.
In Section 4, the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks are the top seed and head coach Josh Thurow has a team with only one senior that could make a return trip to state. But look out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders, the third seeded Columbia Heights Hylanders and the fourth seeded Minneapolis Edison Tommies, winners of nine straight games. Could Tommie fans be celebrating in northeast Minneapolis if they meet the Redhawks in the Section 4AA final at Anoka Ramsey Community College March 10 and dethrone Minnehaha Academy?
The top seed in Section 5 is the Watertown-Mayer Royals as they are three wins away from their first trip to state since Marissa Janning hit shots from Highway 25 to lead them to their last trip in 2010. But there's a hot team on the Royals path, the second seeded Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles who are on a nine game winning streak. The third seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire are the defending section champions and have a shot at returning to Minneapolis. Two other teams in the mix are the fourth seeded Southwest Christian Stars and the fifth seeded Litchfield Dragons.
Section 6 has some talented teams that could take home the championship trophy. The top seed in the east subsection is the unbeaten Rush City Tigers. Head coach Joe Nelson has a solid young team with no seniors and a chance to head to their first state tournament. But before they can make the trip down I-35, they will have to battle the second seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the third seeded Pine City Dragons. The west subsection is led by the top seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters, winners of 24 straight games Head coach Scott Bergman has built a solid program that has played in each state tournament this decade except 2014. But don't count out the second seeded Albany Huskies and the third seeded Osakis Silverstreaks. The Silverstreaks have won seven straight games and have a shot at the gold medals. An outstanding section that should have some great basketball in central Minnesota. Who will bring home the championship trophy.
Up north to Section 7 where the Esko Eskomos are the top seed in Subsection 1. Also in the hunt is the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. In Subsection 2, the top seed is the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers who hope to make their first trip to state. Duluth Marshall is best known for their successful boys hockey program but this year it could be the girls basketball team's turn to play for a state title. First they have to get past the second seeded International Falls Broncos and the third seeded Two Harbors Agates. The Agates are also vying for their first trip to Minneapolis and they have a shot at becoming the first North Shore team to qualify for state since Cook County in 2001.
Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8 with the top ranked team in Class AA the Roseau Rams the number one seed. They've been playing great basketball in a community that's been rich in hockey tradition. This year, the girls basketball team can add to the town's history with the Borowicz Sisters, Kacie, Kiley and Katie leading the way for head coach Kelsey Didrikson. Looking to derail the Rams chances of a state tournament berth are the second seeded Staples-Motley Cardinals and the third seeded Barnesville Trojans.
Next will be the eight Class A sections.
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