Next up are the previews of the eight Class AAA sections.
Take a look at Section 1 and the top seed is the team that made it to last year's Class AAA final the Winona Winhawks, who lost to the Holy Angels Stars. It won't be easy for the Winhawks to win another trip to Minneapolis since there are three other teams that could keep the Winona team bus off Highway 61. There's also the second seeded Kasson-Mantorville Komets who have gone 11-2 since January 14. The third seeded Northfield Raiders were the number one team early in February until they lost to Austin and Winona. It's been a big year for the Big Nine as well as girls athletics in the home of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges as the Raiders look to bring another busload of fans who saw the girls hockey team last weekend back to the Twin Cities. Also in the hunt are the fourth seeded Red Wing Wingers and the fifth seeded Byron Bears. Looking for some outstanding girls basketball March 4, drive down Highway 52 to the Mayo Civic Arena in Rochester. This could be a hard section to forecast.
Over in Section 2, there will likely be a new champion this year since the Marshall Tigers, who have dominated the section the last few years are the number six seed and lost the starters from last year's team to graduation. This year, the top seed is the Waseca Bluejays, who are looking for their first trip to state. Also contending for its first trip to Minneapolis is the second seeded New Ulm Eagles. Who will it be? Could it also be the third seeded Faribault Falcons or the fourth seeded Jordan Jaguars? Another interesting section to watch.
In Section 3, the defending Class AAA Holy Angels Stars are the top seed and head coach Dan Woods has another outstanding team anchored by Destinee Oberg and the two Megans, Meyer and Thompson. Holy Angels was the number one team early in the season until they lost to the Forest Lake Rangers in the Hill-Murray Tournament in December. They could also force a rematch with the second seeded Bloomington Kennedy Eagles. The Stars beat the Eagles on December 9 61-49. It could be a "Battle of the Nicollet Ave. Schools" that could take place March 9 at Bloomington Jefferson.
Over in Section 4, the top seed is the Mahtomedi Zephyrs. But look out for the second seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars who are on a nine game winning streak and the third seeded St. Anthony Village Huskies. Also in the hunt is the fourth seeded DeLaSalle Islanders.
History could be in the making in Section 5 as the top seeded Zimmerman Thunder does something no athletic team other than a co-op with Elk River in hockey has done, advance to a state tournament since the school opened in 2003. The Thunder's only two losses have been to Grand Rapids and Albany. They will need to get past the only other school in the section with a winning record, the second seeded Willmar Cardinals.
The top seed in Section 6 is the top ranked team in Class AAA the Hutchinson Tigers. They have won 14 straight games since they lost to the Orono Spartans 76-66 on January 6. A rematch between the two Wright County Conference schools is likely, since the Spartans have the number two seed.
Now to Section 7 where the top seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks have a quarterfinal bye. The second seeded Hermantown Hawks are on a 10 game winning streak and if they can beat Grand Rapids, it could be the second straight week Hermantown fans can head down I-35 to the Twin Cities if the boys hockey team can defend its state Class A title. Looking to play the spoiler role are the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the fourth seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks.
Wrapping up the Class AAA preview is Section 8 where the Alexandria Cardinals are the top seed and have a senior dominated team that could be one of the favorites if the can get past the second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers and the third seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers.
Who's left standing in Class AA? Find out in the next post.
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