Monday, March 29, 2021

2021 Class A State Boys Basketball Quarterfinal Preview

 2021 CLASS A STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                              Games played Wednesday, March 31

5:00:  Hancock (Seed North 4) vs. Nevis (Seed North 1) at Perham

7:30:  Sleepy Eye St. Mary's (Seed South 3) vs. Central MN Christian (Seed South 2) at Mankato East

4:30:  Hayfield (Seed South 4) vs. Legacy Christian Academy (Seed South 1) at Rochester Mayo

6:00:  Badger/Greenbush-Middle River (Seed North 3) vs. Deer River (Seed North 1) at Pequot Lakes

Examining the field:  The first team to win the Class A title since the four class format began in 1997 was the Hancock Owls and they make their sixth trip to state and first since 2013.  They beat the top ranked team in Class A Mahnomen/Waubun 77-71 in the Section 6 final.  They face the hot Nevis Tigers, in their second straight and fourth overall tournament.  The Tigers enter tournament play on a 12 game winning streak.  Can they remain hot to win their first Class A title?  

It's been a great winter for Sleepy Eye St. Mary's fans.  First the girls battle the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders on the 31st at Mankato East then fans can stick around and see the boys team in their fourth trip to state against the Central MN Christina Bluejays.  The Saints, in their fourth state tournament are on a nine game winning streak.  Two of their three losses were to Minnesota Valley Lutheran.  The Bluejays are in their fifth state tournament and beat Southwest MN Christian in the Section 3 finals.

The Hayfield Vikings make their fifth state tournament appearance and their first since 2013.  They were the number three seed in Section 1.  Hayfield beat the top seeded Southland Rebels in the Section 1 final.  It's the second straight trip to state for the Legacy Christian Academy Lions.  The Andover based school, formerly known as Meadow Creek Christian, has won 11 straight games since losing to Lester Prairie.  Can the Lions roar their way to their first Class A title?  

Fans from Badger, Greenbush and Middle River can celebrate because the Gators are heading to their first state tournament since 2007.  The Gators are on a 10 game winning streak.  If you haven't heard of these northwestern Minnesota towns, you will probably hear more about them if they play on 45TV should they make it to the semifinals.  First they have to face the Deer River Warriors, who are playing in their first state tournament.  They have not lost a game since they were defeated by the Northland Eagles January 22.  

That's all the state tournament previews.  Plenty of exciting action in both basketball and hockey this week and next week.  

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