In the first of four posts preview the four girls and boys basketball classes, part one cover the eight Class AAAA & AAA girls basketball classes.
Last season, the Farmington Tigers advanced to the championship game only to have their state title hopes derailed by COVID-19. This season the unbeaten Tigers are the top seed in Section 1 and need to get past the Rochester Mayo Spartans for a return trip to state.
Section 2 has another unbeaten, the Chaska Hawks, led by Gopher recruit Mallory Heyer. But a couple of Lake Conference teams are on their path, the Minnetonka Skippers and the Eden Prairie Eagles.
The only two teams in Section 3 with a winning record are the Rosemount Irish and the Lakeville North Panthers. The Irish could make their first trip to state since 2002.
The top seed in Section 4 is the unbeaten Stillwater Ponies. They have to get past their Suburban East Conference rival the East Ridge Raptors.
To Section 5 where the Centennial Cougars have won seven straight games. Also in contention are the Roseville Raiders and the Spring Lake Park Panthers.
Over in Section 6, the top seeded Hopkins Royals haven't missed a beat since Paige Bueckers graduated and long-time head coach Brian Cosgriff retired. They have won 75 straight games and could get closer to Fosston's with another state tournament berth.
In Section 7, the two teams with a winning record are the Forest Lake Rangers and the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets. The Rangers are on a roll, entering tournament play with a seven game winning streak.
And in Section 8, the Elk River Elks only loss this season was to the Centennial Cougars. They will have to get past the Maple Grove Crimson and the Brainerd Warriors.
In Class AAA. Section 1 has the top seeded Red Wing Wingers. It should be an interesting section with the Kasson-Mantorville Komets and the Austin Packers in contention.
To Section 2 where the unbeaten Marshall Tigers are the top seed but it will be tough because the second seeded Waconia Wildcats are on their heals along with the Mankato East Cougars and the Mankato West Scarlets.
Now to Section 3 as the top seeded Como Park Cougars are unbeaten. Look out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the third seeded Henry Sibley warriors, winners of six straight games.
In Section 4, the Hill-Murray Pioneers haven't lost a game since their season opening loss to the Minnetonka Skippers. They have to get past the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.
Over in Section 5, the top seeded Becker Bulldogs have to get back on track after losing their last three games. But the Bulldogs quest for a return to state could be derailed by the Willmar Cardinals and the Big Lake Hornets.
In Section 6, head coach Dan Woods has another outstanding team for the Holy Angels Stars. They have played some outstanding basketball this season and need to beat the Orono Spartans to get back to the tournament.
Only two teams in Second have a winning record. The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks and the Chisago Lakes Wildcats. Who will emerge with the title trophy? Find out in the section final.
Finally in Section 8, the Alexandria Cardinals, under the veteran leadership of Wendy Kohler could make their 10th trip to state if they can get past the Detroit Lakes Cardinals who have not made the trip down Highway 10 to the Twin Cities since 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment