Though some of the Class AA sections are already in progress, there are several that are about to begin. Who is left and who could contend in the eight Class AA sections.
The top four seeds in Section 1 are still alive. The top seeded Stewartville Tigers are in the hunt for their first trip to the state tournament but they have to get past the fourth seeded Caledonia Warriors or the fifth seeded Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars. On the other end of the bracket the second seeded Rochester Lourdes, who have built a solid program under Myron Glass are now under the leadership of Aaron Berg. They will face the third seeded Byron Bears in their quest for their 18th state tournament appearance.
In Section 2, the Norwood-Young America Raiders are three wins away from their first trip down Highway 5 to Minneapolis since 2016. They have one 10 straight games and one of them was to a team they will likely face in the section final the St. Peter Saints. Before they head to Mankato for the section final, Gary Lembcke's bunch could have a rematch with the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers, who they beat 55-44 on January 20.
Down south in Section 3, the two top seeds, the Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers and the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles are still in contention. But look for the Martin County West mavericks and the New London-Spicer Wildcats, who got head coach Mike Dreier's 900th career win early in 2018. It could be an interesting section to watch.
Now to Section 4 where the top seeded Minnehaha Academy Redhawks return several players from last year;'s state tournament team including Taytum and Terra Rhoades. There could be a rematch with the second seeded Concordia Academy Beacons who Minnehaha beat on December 5 77-71. The sleeper team to watch is the third seeded St. Croix Prep Lions. Now if you're wondering where St. Croix Prep is located, it's in the home of the Ponies, Stillwater. The Lions got off to a 5-0 start and have gone 12-7 the rest of the way.
If there's one section that's tough to forecast, it's Section 5. There are five teams that have a legitimate shot at heading to Target Center. First up is the top seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire. The Fire hasn't been on fire lately, losing three of their last four games. One of them was to the second seeded Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs, moved up to Class AA after dominating Class A under Jim Hammond and now Chris Buerman. The Mustangs have played a tough nonconference schedule and it can prove they're ready to make a statement. There's also the third seeded Watertown-Mayer Royals, led by Monica and Maggie Czinano. Gopher fans could see Monica next season at the Barn because she signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes. But wait, there's more. The fourth seeded Minneapolis North Polars have won seven of their last eight games and the fifth seeded Annandale Cardinals, coached by Mike Dreier's son Matt. Take a drive up I-94 to St.Michael-Albertville for the semifinals. Which team will play for a state tournament berth March 9 in St. Cloud?
The top seed in Section 6 is the top ranked team in Class AA the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters. Scott Bergman has another talented team led by the Peschels, Kelsey and Tori and Maesyn Thiesen. Mainstreeter fans, before you get on your cell phone to make hotel reservations to Minneapolis, there are two other teams that can end Sauk Centre's section title reign, the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the Rush City Tigers, who lost to the Crusaders in overtime January 29. The Tigers have only two seniors on their roster Abby Moe and Stephanie Braund. Can Rush City rush past Sauk Centre for their first trip to state?
There could be a four team race in Section 7 as the Esko Eskomos are in the hunt for their 13th state tournament trip. But on their heels are the Proctor Rails, the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers and the Mesabi East Giants. The Hilltoppers are the only Twin Ports area school that's never played in a state tournament. Will it be their year?
Finally in Section 8, another four team race is possible with the Barnesville Trojans, the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels, the East Grand Forks Green Wave and the defending Class AA champion Roseau Rams. Another interseting section to watch.
Next up, the eight Class A sections.
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