Just like the eight Class AA sections, several Class A sections have already started and some are about to get underway so here's who's left standing and who are the top seeds in the eight Class A sections.
A highly competitive section is Section 1 as the top four seeds are still in competition. The top seeded Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms, followed by the second seeded Hayfield Vikings, the third seeded Randolph Rockets and the fourth seeded Schaffer Academy Lions, who are in the hunt for their first state tournament berth. Don't count out the fifth seeded Grand Meadow Superlarks and the sixth seeded Lyle/Austin Pacelli Athletics. Who will head up I-35 to Minneapolis? It's tough to answer the question.
In Section 2, the top seed in the North subsection is the BOLD Warriors, whose only loss this season was to the Minnewaska Area Lakers they will have to get past the second seeded New Ulm Cathedral Greyhounds. The South Subsection's top four seeds are still vying for a state tournament berth, starting with the top seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers, the second seeded Springfield Trojans, the third seeded Mountain Lake/Comfrey Wolverines and the fourth seeded Nicollet Raiders. Who will be bold against BOLD if the Warriors head to the section title game?
Over in Section 3, the North subsection's top seed, the Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays face the fourth seeded Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks and the second seeded MACCRAY Wolverines face the Lac Qui Parle Valley Eagles. Looking at the South Subsection, the top seeded Southwest Minnesota Christian Eagles are unbeaten and they will have to get past the fifth seeded Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots before they battle the winner of the Westbook/Walnut Grove Chargers and the third seeded Adrian/Ellsworth Dragons, seeds two and three.
The top seed in Section 4 is the Christ's Household of Faith Lions, who played in last year's state tournament and lost to the eventual state champion Henning Hornets. But the Lions have another team with the same nickname that's on a roll, second seeded Legacy Christian, who enters section play on an eight game winning streak. Could the Section 4 final be the Battle of the Lions?
In Section 5, the East Subsection could be a two team race with the top seeded Cromwell-Wright Cardinals and the second seeded East Central Eagles. It's also a two team race in the West Subsection with the top seeded Nevis Tigers and the second seeded Pine River-Backus Tigers.
Last year's Class A champions the Henning Hornets are the top seed in the Section 6 North subsection. Looking to end the Hornets run is the second seeded Norman County East/Ulen Hitterdal Titans. The top seed in the South Subsection is the West Central Area Knights, who ended regular season play with 14 straight victories. But look out for the second seeded Parkers Prairie Panthers, the third seeded Hancock Owls, the fourth seeded Ashby Arrows and the fifth seeded Brandon-Evansvile Chargers. Can the Hornets earn a return trip to Minneapolis or will any of the five teams in the South subsection put an end to their run?
Up north in Section 7 the top seeded Nashwauk-Keewatin Spartans could make their first trip down I-35 to Minneapolis since 2004. However, the second seeded North Woods Grizzlies is in the hunt for their fourth consecutive trip to state where they lost three consecutive championship games. The third seeded Ely Timberwolves have a shot at their first trip to state since 2001 and the fourth seeded Deer River Warriors could surprise and make their state tournament debut. It could be an interesting section.
Closing out the section preview is Section 8. In the East Subsection, the top seed is the Cass Lake-Bena Panthers and the second seed is the Red Lake Warriors. Could a Native American school return to Minneapolis? It would be great for diversity since the state tournament began in 1913, though the Panthers have been to state six times and the Warriors nine. Looking at the West Subsection, the top seeded Ada-Borup Cougars have won 18 straight games but before the pep band and fan buses head to the Twin Cities, there could be four other teams that could cage the Cougars state tournament chances. The second seeded Fertile-Beltrami Falcons haven't been to state since 2001, the third seeded Banger-Greenbush-Middle River Raiders have won 10 of their last 11 games the fourth seeded Red Lake County Rebels have a chance at an All Red Lake final if Red Lake wins the East subsection and the fifth seeded Kittson County Central Bearcats are in the hunt for their first state tournament berth. It's more than just exciting hockey in northwestern Minnesota, there's some exciting boys basketball in that neck of the woods.
There they are. A preview of the eight sections in each of the four classes. The Road to Minneapolis is paved with some great games. Get out and see one.
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