2022 Class A State Boys Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS A BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                         (Games played Wednesday, March 23 at Williams Arena on University of Minnesota campus)

11:00:  Russell-Tyler-Ruthton vs. Hayfield (Seed 1)

 1:00:   Cherry (Seed 5) vs. Nevis (Seed 4)

 3:00:   Sleepy Eye St. Mary's vs. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (Seed 2)

 5:00:   Sacred Heart vs. New Life Academy (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  There's some top notch boys basketball Wednesday at The Barn and it starts with the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights in their seventh trip to state facing the top seed and defending state champion Hayfield Vikings.  The Knights shined in the spotlight in the Section 3 final as they beat the Central Minnesota Christian Blue Jays in overtime.  They don't have a lot of height as they face the defending Class A champion Vikings who are making their sixth trip to Minneapolis.  Their only losses this season were to the Rushford-Peterson Trojans and the Maple River Eagles.  Can the Vikings make it back to back Class A titles this season.  

For the first time since 1997, the Cherry Tigers have qualified for the state tournament.  They played their opponent the Nevis Tigers on January 18 and lost 67-45.  They also faced the Hayfield Vikings on February 5 and lost 78-65.  The Nevis Tigers, in their fifth state tournament, overcame a two game losing streak and have gone 19-1 since the calendar page changed to 2022.  Their only loss since then was on March 4 to he Cass Lake-Bena Panthers.  It will be a Battle of the Tigers in the day's second quarterfinal game.  Can Nevis continue their winning streak and set up a possible rematch with Hayfield?  

Another hot team in the field is the Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Saints, making the trip to Minneapolis for the fifth time.  The Saints have not lost a game since they were defeated by Minnesota Valley Lutheran on January 25 70-62.  They will face the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars, playing in their fourth state tournament and their first since 2014.  They had some great teams back then under the leadership of a former Bloomington Jefferson Jaguar Dave Montbriand.  Now Chris Anderson is guiding the Jaguars and they have gone 19-1 since they lost to the New London-Spicer Wildcats 58-56 on January 7.  Can Anderson lead the Jaguars to a title game berth?  

Wrapping up the quarterfinal session is the only first time team in the tournament. the Sacred Heart Eagles as they take on the New Life Academy Eagles, playing in their fourth state tournament and making their first trip down I-94 since 2004.  Sacred Heart took home the Section 8 title trophy with a double overtime win over the Cass Lake-Bena Panthers.  There is joy for basketball fans in the Woodbury area after the East Ridge Raptors were beat by the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders in the Section 4AAAA final.  New Life Academy is a young team with only one senior, Kollin Kaemingk and a 6'8" junior Erick Reader.  New Life has won 16 straight games since losing on December 22 to Plainview-Elgin-Millville.  Who will win the Battle of the Birds?  

There's some great basketball action coming up this week.  

2022 Class AA State Boys Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AA BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                               (Games played Tuesday, March 22 at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus)

6:00:  Glencoe-Silver Lake vs. Minneapolis North (Seed 1)

8:00:  Morris Area/Chokio Alberta (Seed 5) vs. Minnehaha Academy (Seed 4)

                              (Games played Tuesday, March 22 at Target Center. Minneapolis. )

Examining the Field:  The Class AA portion at Williams Arena opens with the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers in their third trip down Highway 212 to Minneapolis but their first since 2001.  The Panthers bounced back after ending the regular season with two straight losses to beat the Maple River Eagles in the Section 2 finals.  They will face the top seeded Minneapolis North Polars, playing in their 25th state tournament.  The Polars have been one of the top Class AA teams in Minnesota this season and have won seven straight games.  They did play the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks in the season opener December 11 and beat them 84-81.  Is a semifinal rematch possible?  

Closing the day at Williams Arena a team with a long name but playing outstanding basketball, the Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers.  The Tigers, playing in their sixth state tournament held on to beat the Redwood Valley Cardinals in the Section 3 final.  The Redhawks have dropped from Class AAA to AA and are three wins away from the south Minneapolis school's fifth straight state title.  Minnehaha have rebounded from a 1-4 start to finish the season 16-6.  Can the Redhawks run continue?  

Over at Target Center. the Perham Yellowjackets head down Highway 10 for the sixth time.  The Yellowjackets were seeded third in Section 8, and beat top seeds Pelican Rapids and Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton.  The Warriors are unbeaten against instate teams with their only loss to DeForest from Wisconsin.  The Section 1 final at Mayo Civic Auditorium in Rochester turned out to be a dandy with Caledonia coming through a tough section with a triple overtime win over the Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs.  The Warriors have been successful in football with five straight Class AA titles.  Can they add one in basketball?  

Ending the day is the Pequot Lakes Patriots and the Annandale Cardinals.  The Patriots are in their fourth state tournament and first since 2007.  They have won five straight games and beat the perennial Section 7 power the Esko Eskomos 58-50 in the section final.  The Cardinals, in their 8th trip down Highway 55 to Minneapolis have not lost a game since December 16 when they lost 63-58 to the Albany Huskies.  One of the favorites to watch in Class AA.  

Next the Class A preview.  

2022 Class AAA State Boys Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AAA BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

             (Games played Tuesday, March 22 at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus)

10:00:  Hermantown vs. Totino-Grace (Seed 1)

12:00:  Mound-Westonka (Seed 5) vs. Mankato East (Seed 4)

  2:00:  Austin vs. Princeton (Seed 2)

  4:00:  St. Cloud Tech vs. DeLaSalle (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  Opening up the Williams Arena portion of the state tournament is the Hermantown Hawks, in their third trip to state facing the top seeded Totino-Grace Eagles.  Hermantown is best known for its success in boys hockey where the Hawks wrapped up the Class A title two weeks ago.  But the Hawks, seeded third in Section 7 have a tough task ahead in the top seeded Totino-Grace Eagles.  The Eagles are in their sixth state tournament and they have been the top Class AAA team most of the season and have won seven straight games, including the Section 4 final against the unbeaten Columbia Heights Hylanders.  Can the Eagles add another trophy to their case after the girls basketball team won the state Class AAA title over Becker or will the Hawks pull the upset.  

For the first time since 1974, the Mound-Westonka Whitehawks are back in the state tournament.  They made it to the Class A title game and fell to the Melrose Dutchmen, led by Mark Olberding 38-32.  The Whitehawks were the number three seed in Section 6 and beat Orono in the section final.  The Mankato East bus drivers seem to be getting paid overtime for frequent trips down Highway 169 to the Twin Cities since the boys and girls hockey and girls basketball teams have qualified for the state tournament.  Thr Cougars are playing in their 10th state tournament and beat the New Ulm Eagles in the Section 2 final.  Will the Whitehawks play for their first state title in almost 50 years or will the Cougars finally bring home a title trophy to the Key City?  

The third quarterfinal game might be the last game for veteran Austin Packer head coach Kris Fadness.  He will be retiring after this season and he leads the Packers to their 34th trip to Minneapolis.  They did beat Mankato East in the regular season 73-71 in overtime and have gone 8-2 since losing three straight games in February.  The Princeton Tigers are on a 16 game winning streak since they lost to Orono on January 15 76-74.  An interesting out state match up to watch.  

Concluding the Class AAA quarterfinals is the St. Cloud Tech Tigers and a perennia power, the third seeded DeLaSalle Islanders.  The Tigers, in their new building in the Granite City are in their 11th state tournament and have won five consecutive games, including a 71-69 win over the Alexandria Cardinals in the Section 8 final.  The Islanders in their 27th state tournament and defeated the undefeated South St. Paul Packers in the Section 4 final.  Can DeLaSalle add another trophy to its bulging trophy case?  

Next, the Class AA preview

2022 Class AAAA State Boys Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                           (Games played Tuesday, March 22 at Target Center in Minneapolis)

10:00:  Andover vs. Park Center (Seed 1)

12:00:  Eden Prairie (Seed 5) vs. Eastview (Seed 4)

 2:00:  Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Owatonna (Seed 2)

 4:00:  Moorhead vs. Wayzata (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  It will be a Northwest Suburban Conference showdown to open the 2022 State Boys Basketball Tournament as the Andover Huskies, playing in their sixth state tournament face the top seeded Park Center Pirates.  The two teams met on March 1 with the Pirates prevailing 77-62.  Park Center, led by Gopher signee Braeden Carrington won three games against tournament teams DeLaSalle, Minneapolis North and Minnehaha Academy.  They have been the top Class AAAA team in Minnesota most of the season.  Can they bring home a championship trophy up Brooklyn Blvd.?  

The fifth seeded Eden Prairie Eagles are in Minneapolis for the 14th time and beat the top seeded Shakopee Sabers in the Section 2 final.  They are on a five game winning streak and face the fourth seeded Eastview Lightning, who make the trip from Apple Valley for the sixth time.  The Lightning came off losses to Shakopee and Farmington and won four of their last six games.  Who will emerge victorious?  This should be a good game to go to on your lunch break if you work downtown.  

Another team making its 14th trip to state is the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders.  The Raiders are led by Michigan St. bound Tre Holloman, who has been a part of two successful state tournament teams.  The Owatonna Huskies head up I-35 for the eighth time to Minneapolis and have won 21 straight games.  Their only two losses were to the Armstrong Falcons and the Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack.  Owatonna beat the top seeded Farmington Tigers in the Section 1 final.  Can Holloman end his career on a high note or will Owatonna head south with a trophy?  

Wrapping up the Class AAAA quarterfinals is the Moorhead Spuds, who travel down I-94 for the 24th time to state.  The last time the Spuds played for a state title was in the one class era back in 1958.  They will have a tough task in the defending Class AAAA state champion Wayzata Trojans.  The Trojan offense, anchored by Carter Bjerke are in the tournament for the seventh time and won the school's first state title since 1958 last season.  Can they make it two straight or will Moorhead try to end their championship drought?  

Next, the Class AAA preview

2022 Class A State Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS A GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE 

                     (Games Played Thursday, March 17 at Maturi Pavilion on University of Minnesota campus)

11:00:  Minneota vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl (Seed 1)

 1:00:  Hayfield (Seed 5) vs. Cass Lake-Bena (Seed 4)

 3:00:  United Christian Academy vs. Mayer Lutheran (Seed 2)

 5:00:  Nevis vs. Hancock (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  This could finally be the year that Jeff Buffetta leads the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers to their first state Class A title.  The Rangers have been to Minneapolis 12 times and have never taken home a championship trophy.  It won't be easy since they will face the defending Class A champion Minneota Vikings.  Minneota is playing in its 11th state tournament and fifth in a row.  Veteran head coach Chad Johnston has also had success in football.  Can the Vikings repeat as state champs or will the Rangers finally earn the gold medals?  

The unbeaten Hayfield Vikings make their third trip to state and first since 2008.  If you're wondering why they are not the number one seed with an unblemished record it's probably because they haven't played a tougher schedule than Mountain Iron-Buhl.  They have not played any of the top metro area teams such as Becker and Providence Academy.  Hayfield takes on the Cass Lake-Bena Panthers, in their fifth state tournament.  One of their two losses was to Mountain Iron-Buhl.  Can Hayfield prove they are one of the top Class A teams or with Cass Lake-Bena forge ahead to the school's first state title?  \

The third game pits one of two first time teams in the field, the United Christian Academy Thunder.  The Bloomington based school was formerly known as Bethany Academy and has entered the tournament on an 11 game winning streak.  Their opponent, the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders is making their fifth trip down Highway 7 to Minneapolis.  One of the Crusaders is a familiar name to volleyball fans, Lilly Wachholz.  Three of their four losses were to teams in the state tournament, Providence Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Mountain Iron-Buhl.  Will the Crusaders also succeed on the basketball court or will the Thunder go for their first state title?  

Closing out the quarterfinal session is the other first time team, the Nevis Tigers.  The Tigers were the third seed in Section 5 and beat Browerville-Eagle Valley and top seed Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa to take home the section title trophy.  The Tigers take on the Hancock Owls, playing in their eighth state tournament and first since 2011.  Hancock is a young team with five freshman and five sophomores.  Their only loss this season was to West Central Area.  Can these young players help Hancock to their first title game since 2007 and build a solid future for the program?  

Plenty of action coming up this weekend.  

2022 State Class AA Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

 GAMES PLAYED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 AT WILLIAMS ARENA ON UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUS

6:00:  Montevideo vs. Providence Academy (Seed 1)

8:00:  Rochester Lourdes (Seed 5) vs. Albany (Seed 4)

GAMES PLAYED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 AT MATURI PAVILION ON UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUS

6:00:  Pequot Lakes vs. Fergus Falls (Seed 2)

8:00:  Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial vs. Minnehaha Academy (Seed 2)

Examining the Field:  There are two first time teams in the Class AA field and the first is the Montevideo Thunderhawks.  The Thunderhawks have won eight of their last nine games and go up against the top seeded Providence Academy Lions.  The Lions have one of the best young girls basketball players in the state in eighth grader Maddyn Greenway, daughter of former Viking Chad Greenway.  There's also the Providence Academy version of the Chekov play Three Sisters, starring Grace, Maria and Hope Counts.  They have played a tough nonconference schedule which includes wins over Benilde-St. Margaret's and Albany.  The Lions split their season series with conference rival Minnehaha Academy.  Is a third meeting possible in the Class AA finals?  

The final game of the day at The Barn is a match up of two perennial powers as the Rochester Lourdes Eagles square off with the defending Class AA champion Albany Huskies.  The Eagles head up Highway 52 for the 21st time and the Huskies make their 15th trip to state.  Rochester Lourdes coasted through their first three Section 1 games and earned their state tournament berth with a 62-57 win over the Lake City Tigers.  Albany has only lost one game since they were blown out by the Minnetonka Skippers December 30 in the Granite City Classic.  Can the Huskies continue their quest for a second consecutive state title or will the Eagles end their reign?  

Next door at the Maturi Pavilion is the Pequot Lakes Patriots, in their eighth trip to Minneapolis and the second seeded Fergus Falls Otters, heading down I-94 for their sixth state tournament trip.  If there's one team that could be considered a favorite, it's the Patriots.  Their only defeat was against the Albany Huskies 59-54 December 17.  The red hot Otters enter the tournament winning 15 of their last 16 games.  Which one of these teams will continue their quest for their first state title?  

Roll out the welcome mat Knights fans!  Your Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial Knights are headed to their first state tournament.  The Knights are on a five game winning streak and have a difficult task ahead as they face one of the top Class AA teams in the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks.  The Redhawks overcame a three game losing streak that included defeats to St. Paul Como Park and Providence Academy.  Minnehaha Academy has a high powered offense that has broken the 100 point mark five times this season.  Is a rematch with the Lions in the works for the Class AA finals?  

Next, the Class A preview.  

2022 Class AAA State Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE CLASS AAA GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                                       (Games played Wednesday, March 16 at Maturi Pavilion on University of Minnesota campus)

10:00:  Austin vs. Becker (Seed 1)

12:00:  Mankato East (Seed 5) vs. Benilde-St. Margaret's (Seed 4)

 2:00:  Grand Rapids vs. St. Paul Como Park (Seed 2)

 4:00:  Detroit Lakes vs. Totino-Grace (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  The Maturi Pavilion portion of the state tournament begins with the Austin Packers making their sixth trip to state and enter winning nine of their last 10 games.  They will face the defending Class AAA state champion Becker Bulldogs in their ninth tournament appearance.  Dan Baird's bunch hasn't missed a beat this season and hasn't lost since January 4 when they fell to the Willmar Cardinals 74-64.  Can Baird's bunch head back up Highway 10 with another championship trophy.  

It's been a big year so far for Mankato East with both hockey teams playing in the state tournament and now it's the girls basketball team's turn to make the trip up Highway 169 to the Twin Cities.  The Cougars are in their eighth state tournament and their first since 1998.  They face the Red Knights, in their seventh state tournament and led by sophomore sensation Olivia Olson.  If your live or work near the U, take your lunch hour at the Pavilion and you'll see an outstanding game.  

They're known as The Halloween Machine and it's no trick but a real treat for Grand Rapids fans as the Thunderhawks head to their ninth state tournament.  They have lost only one game since January 4, a 43-35 defeat in the season finale against the Esko Eskomos.  The St. Paul Como Park Cougars make their second trip across the river to Minneapolis and have one of the best players, regardless of size in 5'2" Ronnie Porter.  Porter has been the key to the Cougars success as they head to state on a 10 game winning streak.  Can she help lead Como Park to it first state title game berth?  

Closing the Class AAA quarterfinals is the Detroit Lake Lakers, in their fourth state tournament but their first since 2009.  They Lakers, seeded third in Section 8 beat Alexandria in double overtime and Willmar in the section final.  They face the Totino-Grace Eagles, in their sixth trip to state and first since 2009.  It's been a great year so far for basketball in the Highway 65 corridor with outstanding boys teams in Columbia Heights as well as Totino-Grace and now the girls get their moment in the spotlight after defeating the Hill-Murray Pioneers in the Section 4 final 59-50.  

Next is the Class AA preview.  

2022 State Class AAAA Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AAAA GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULEwith 

                           (Games played Wednesday, March 16 at Williams Arena on University of Minnesota campus)

10:00:  Lakeville North vs. Hopkins (Seed 1)

12:00:  White Bear Lake (Seed 5) vs. Rosemount (Seed 4)

 2:00:  Roseville vs. Shakopee (Seed 2)

 4:00:  Centennial vs. St. Michael-Albertville (Seed 3)

Examining the Field:  The good news for Lakeville North fans is the Panthers open up the day's festivities playing in their 11th state tournament.  Now the bad news.  They face the top seeded Hopkins Royals who have gone undefeated against in-state teams with their only loss against a school from Washington DC.  Head coach Tara Starks has four solid players back from the team that lost to Chaska in last year's semifinals, Amaya Battle, NuNu Agara, Taylor Woodson and Maya Nnaji.  We can hope that Gopher head coach Lindsey Whalen will be in the stands for the game because Battle will be playing her home games next season on The Barn floor.  Hopkins, a heavy favorite for the Class AAAA title trophy.  

The White Bear Lake Bears make their ninth trip to state and their first since 2017.  The Bears were the third seed in Section 4 and beat the top seeded Stillwater Ponies 63-57 in the section final.  They have won seven straight games following a three game losing streak.  The Rosemount Irish last season lost to Chaska in the Class AAAA championship and enter the tournament winning 12 straight games.  Rosemount coasted through Section 3 with the average win margin for the tournament over 33 points.  Can the Irish head into a showdown with the Royals? 

The second team from the Suburban East Conference in the field is the Roseville Raiders.  The Raiders have played a touch nonconference schedule that included defeats to the Chaska Hawks and the Becker Bulldogs.  Roseville clinched their ninth trip to Minneapolis with a 60-50 win over the Maple Grove Crimson in the Section 5 final.  The Sabers are the third South Suburban Conference school to advance to state and are in their seventh state tournament.  They have not lost a game since they were beaten by the Rosemount Irish 62-40 December 21.  Could a rematch be possible in the semifinals?

Wrapping up the Class AAAA quarterfinals is the Centennial Cougars and the third seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights.  The Circle Pines based Cougars head down I-35W for the ninth time and won a wide open Section 7 with a 67-36 victory over the Andover Huskies.  The Knights overcame a season ending two game losing streak to Lake Conference rivals Hopkins and Minnetonka.  Could the Knights possibly set up a Lake Conference showdown in Saturday night's finals?  

Next up, the Class AAA preview

Hermantown Hawks Win Fourth Class A Title

 Twin Ports hockey fans can celebrate as Zam Plante blossomed in the Class A Championship when he scored two goals to lead the Hermantown Hawks to a 4-1 win over the Warroad Warriors Saturday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.  

It was the fourth state title for the Hawks in their 18th trip to state.  The two teams played each other January 15 with Hermantown victorious 2-1.

Both teams would tally in the first period.  The Warriors struck first when Garrett Hennum picked up the loose puck on the left side and the puck crossed the goal line.  The Hawks would even the score on Ty Hanson's pass banked off the boards and picked up by Dominic Thomas.  He circled around the net and found an opening to tie the game.  

It didn't take long for Hermantown to take the lead in the second period.  Plante, the grandson of former Hawks head coach Bruce Plante, fired a shot from the right corner boards and it would land in the net.  But Warroad would tie the game :46 on Carson Pilgrim's shot that deflected off of Griffin Marvin's skate and entered the net.  The Hawks would regain the lead on a goal that would eventually decide the championship.  Kade Kohanski made a back pass to Plante and he fired it into the net for his second goal of the game.  

It looked like the Hawks would distance themselves late in the third period.  With 1:52 left in regulation time, Warrior head coach Jay Hardwick pulled goalie Hampton Slukynsky for a sixth attacker.  Hermantown's strong defense and a number of clearing passes down the ice that went for icing kept the margin at one goal.  

Warroad's Matthew Hard was the winner of the Herb Brooks Award, which is awarded to a player who best exemplifies the characteristics of the late coach.  

In the third place game played earlier at the Xcel Energy Center, Mahtomedi bounced back from an early deficit to beat Alexandria 4-2.  In the consolation championship game, played at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the University of Minnesota campus, Jack Hanson scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead Minneapolis to a 4-1 win over the Monticello Moose.  

The Hawks ended their season with a record of 29-2.  The Warriors finished with a record of 26-4-1.

2022 Class A Boys Basketball Section Preview

 Just like the Class AA preview, some of the eight Class A sections are in progress and some are about to begin.  so here's who is left standing and those who are about to embark on section play.  

The defending state Class A state champion Hayfield Vikings are in the semi finals and face the fourth seeded Spring Grove Lions.  They await either the second seeded Roshford-Peterson Trojans or the third seeded Goodhue Wildcats.  

Section 2 has the Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Saints as the top seed in the North Subsection.  The Saints have won 10 in a row and look to return to Minneapolis.  They will have to get past one of two South Subsection opponents, the top seeded Martin County West Mavericks or the second seeded Mankato Loyola Ramblers.

In Section 3, the North Subsection is a three team race between the top seeded Central MN Christian Bluejays, the second seeded Lakeview Lakers and the third seeded Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks.  It's also a three team race in the South Subsection with the top seeded Southwest MN Christian Eagles, winners of 13 straight games, the second seeded Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Knights and the third seeded Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers, looking for their first trip to state by a Tracy based team since 2003.  An interesting section to watch.  

Section 4 has the hot New Life Academy Eagles as the top seed, entering section play on a 13 game winning streak.  Looking to end their streak is the second seeded West Lutheran Warriors, the third seeded Legacy Christian Lions and the fourth seeded team that also has the Lions name, Liberty Classical Academy.  

There are only two teams with a winning record in the East Subsection of Section 5.  The top seeded Barnum Bombers and the second seeded Cromwell-Wright Cardinals.  The winner will likely face the top seed in the West Subsection, the Nevis tigers, who have won 15 of their last 16 games.  

Looking at Section 6, it doesn't look like there is a clear cut favorite to head to The Barn.  In the North Subsection, there's the top seeded New York Mills, in the hunt for their first trip to state since 2006, followed by the second seeded Henning Hornets and the third seeded Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets.  The south subsection is a toughie with the top seeded Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars, the second seeded Ashby Arrows, the third seeded Hancock Owls and the fourth seeded Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg Saints.  Which one of these teams will play in the section final at Minnewaska?  Too tough to answer.  

A couple of hot teams highlight Section 7.  The top seeded Cherry Tigers have won 13 of their last 14 games, their only loss to the Hayfield Vikings on February 5 in Kasson.  the second seeded North Woods Grizzlies have won 12 in a row and hope to return to Minneapolis for the fifth time in six years.  

Wrapping up this section preview is Section 8, where the top two teams in the East Subsection are the Cass Lake-Bena Panthers and the Fertile-Beltrami Falcons who might have some fellows who played in the state Nine Man Football final last final.  But look out for the top seed in the West Subsection,, the Sacred Heart Eagles from East Grand Forks.  The Eagles got off to an outstanding 13-0 start and went 11-3 heading into sections.  

There's plenty of excellent boys basketball coming up.  

2022 Class AA Boys Basketball Section Preview

 Some Class AA sections are underway and some are about to begin.  Here's what's happening in the eight Class AA sections. 

The final four is taking shape in Section 1 with the top seeded Caledonia Warriors advancing to the semifinals with a win over the Triton Cobras.  Lookout for the second seeded Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs, the third seeded Lake City Tigers and the fourth seeded La Crescent-Hokah Lancers.  Head down Highway 52 to Rochester for some outstanding basketball at the Mayo Civic Arena.  

The top seed in the Section 2 North Subsection is the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers.  The South Subsection could be a three team race with the top seeded Maple River Eagles, second seeded Lake Crystal/Wellcome Memorial and the third seeded St. Clair Cyclones.  Who will emerge from the South and likely face Glencoe-Silver Lake in the section final.  

There are some hot teams to watch for in Section 3.  In the North Subsection, it's the top seeded Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers, the second seeded New London-Spicer Wildcats and the third seeded West Central Area Knights.  The Tigers and Knights enter section play with six game winning streaks.  In the South Subsection, the top seed is the Pipestone Arrows, followed by the second seeded Redwood Valley Cardinals.  

Last year, the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks were the Class AAA champions but this year due to realignment, they have dropped to Class AA and Section 4 where they are the top seed.  Led by Boston College bound Prince Aligbe, the Redhawks dominance is challenged by the St. Croix Prep Lions and the St. Paul Academy Spartans.  

To Section 5, where the top seeded Minneapolis North Polars have been the dominant team in Class AA this season.  Polars fans, beware of several challengers ready to usurp your section throne.  They are the second seeded Rockford Rockets, the third seeded Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs, the fourth seeded Providence Academy Lions and their IMAC rival the Blake Bears, the number five seed.  The Bears enter section play on a nine game winning streak. Will the Polars prevail or will any of their opponents take home the section title trophy?  

Think Section 5 was tough?  Think again.  Section 6 is perhaps the toughest section in any of the four classes.  The top seeded Annandale Cardinals are on a 22 game winning streak and the second seed Mora Mustangs have won 10 in a row.  The Mustangs qualified for the 2020 tournament but it was cancelled due to COVID-19, spoiling their first trip to state since 1958.  There's also the third seeded Albany Huskies and the red hot Osakis Silverstreaks, winners of seven straight games.  Add the fifth seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters and a team you probably haven't heard of, the Spectrum Sting from Elk River and it turns out to be a very competitive section.  Who will make the trip down I-94 to The Barn?  Head up to St. Cloud State on March 18 to find out the answer.  

Over in Section 7, the top seeded Esko Eskomos have won six straight games but there's some serious competition in the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots, the third seeded Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels, the fourth seeded Crosby-Ironton Rangers and the fifth seeded Two Harbors Agates.  The last time Two Harbors went to Minneapolis was the first year of the two class tournament 1971.  Another great section to watch.  

Finally in Section 8, the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebels are the top seed but they have to get past the second seeded Pelican Rapids Vikings, the third seeded Perham Yellowjackets and the fourth seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers, who have not been to state since 1974.  

Next will be who's left in Class A

2022 Class AAA Boys Basketball Section Preview

 Following the preview of the eight Class AAAA sections is a preview of the eight Class AAA sections.  

In Section 1, the top seeded Austin Packers are on a quest to end the Kris Fadness Era on a high note with a return trip to Minneapolis.  But look out for the second seeded Stewartville Trojans and the third seeded Winona Winhawks.  There's also the fourth seeded Kasson-Mantorville KoMets.  

There's outstanding basketball coming up in the Key City as the Mankato East Cougars and the Mankato West Scarlets are the top two seeds in Section 2.  Looking to prevent an All Mankato section final are the third seeded New Ulm Eagles and the fourth seeded Jordan Hubmen.  Head down Highway 169 for some great section basketball.  

The top seed in Section 3 is the unbeaten South St. Paul Packers.  There's excitement in a city known for hockey as the Packers hope to return to the state tournament for the first time since the final year of the one class era 1970.  They have to get past the perennial power, the second seeded DeLaSalle Islanders, the third seeded Simley Spartans and the fourth seeded Two Rivers Warriors.  Can the Packers pack up a section title trophy and end a 52 year state tournament drought?  

Another unbeaten team is the top seed in Section 4, the Columbia Heights Hylanders.  But the Hylanders will have to contend with their Highway 65 rival, the second seeded Totino-Grace Eagles, the third seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the fourth seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors.  It has the makings of an tough section.  

To Section 5, where the top seeded Princeton Tigers came up two points short of an unbeaten season as they lost to the Orono Spartans 76-74 January 15.  The Tigers high powered offense will have to contend with the second seeded Becker Bulldogs.  

Speaking of the Orono Spartans, they are the top seed in Section 6.  They could get a rematch with the second seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights who they defeated twice in the regular season.  Or will the face the third seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks?  

There's only six teams in Section and four of them have winning records.  They are the top seeded Hibbing Bluejackets, who returned to the state tournament last year after a 32 year absence, followed by the second seeded North Branch Vikings, the third seeded Hermantwon Hawks and the fourth seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks.  Who will come out of this section?  Find out in the section final.  

Section 8 has the top seeded Alexandria Cardinals, who lost to Minnehaha Academy in last year's Class AAA finals.  To earn a return trip down I-94, they will have to get past the second seeded St. Cloud Tech Tigers and the third seeded Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm.  

Who's left in Class AA?  The answer is coming up next.  

2022 Class AAAA Boys Basketball Section Preview

 A busy week is coming up with the state boys hockey tournament, girls basketball heading into section finals and boys basketball entering section play.  Here's a preview of the eight Class AAAA sections.  

It could be a three team race in Section 1 with the top seeded Farmington Tigers, the second seeded Owatonna Huskies and the third seeded Lakeville North Panthers.  The Huskies have been red hot and have not lost since January 8 when they lost 58-52 to the Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack.  

The Shakopee Sabers are the top seed in Section 2.  Two of their three defeats have been by one point.  Can they hold off the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles.  

An interesting section to watch is Section 3, with the top seeded Eastview Lightning, the second seeded Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack and the third seeded Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars.  The Jaguars, led by sophomore Daniel Freitag wrapped up the regular season winning seven straight games.  A sleeper in the section is the fourth seeded Rosemount Irish.  Who will emerge as section champion?   Find out in the section final.  

The top seed in Section 4 is the East Ridge Raptors, ending the season on a seven game winning streak.  But can they hold off the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, led by Michigan State bound Tre Holloman?  Don't count out the third seeded Tartan Titans.  

Heading to Section 5, the top seeded Park Center Pirates have been the top team so far in Class AAAA.  Led by Gopher signee Braeden Carrington, the Pirates only loss came to the Totino-Grace Eagles by three points.  Park Center's two district rivals, the Osseo Orioles and the Maple Grove Crimson are the second and third seeds.  District 279 could supply the Class AAAA bracket with one of the three schools.  Which one?  

The pairings have not yet been posted for Section 6, but it will be likely that the top two seeds will be the defending Class AAAA champion Wayzata Trojans and the Hopkins Royals.  

In Section 7, the Andover Huskies are the top seed but on their trail are the second seeded Coon Rapids Cardinals, the third seeded Centennial Cougars and the fourth seeded Duluth East Greyhounds.  It's a wide open section.  

The Buffalo Bison is the top seed in Section 8 though they ended the season with three straight losses.  Also in the hunt are the second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabres and the third seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks.  

Next up, the eight Class AAA sections.  

2022 Class AA Boys Hockey State Tournament Preview

2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS AA BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                            (Games played Thursday, March 10 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

11:00:  Prior Lake vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (Seed 2)

  1:00:  Edina vs. Maple Grove (Seed 3)

  6:00:  Lakeville South vs. Hill-Murray (Seed 1)

  8:00:  Andover (Seed 5) vs. Moorhead (Seed 4)

Examining the field:  After a day of Class A quarterfinal action, it's the Class AA teams turn before many fans populating the X's green seats.  The only team in both classes to make its first trip to state is the Prior Lake Lakers.  The Lakers, seeded fourth in Section 2, dethroned the defending Class AA champions in the semifinals and beat the Chaska Hawks in the title game.  The Lakers are coached by a former Bloomington Jefferson Jaguar Joe Pankratz and face the top ranked team in Class AA, the second seeded Cretin Derham Hall Raiders.  The Raiders head to downtown St. Paul for the first time since 2009.  One of the favorites in Class AA, can they wrap up a state title in their home city?  

Wrapping up the afternoon session is the Edina Hornets and the third seeded Maple Grove Crimson.  Whether it's Edina-Morningside, Edina East or West or Edina, it will be the 42nd time a team from the Twin Cities suburb has qualified for the state tournament.  Coming out of a touch Section 6 field, the Hornets shut out the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knight's 4-0 to take home the championship trophy.  The Crimson, seeded second in Section 5, beat the top seeded Rogers Royals 4-2 to earn their fifth state tournament berth.  This should be an interesting match up.  

Heading into the evening session will be the Lakeville South Cougars and the top seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers.  The Cougars head up I-35 for the seventh time and have won 16 straight games.  They will face another hot team in the Pioneers, entering the tournament with seven straight wins.  It's the 32nd trip to state for the Maplewood based school.  They have bounced back from a 1-2 start to go 22-2-1.  One of the losses was to the Andover Huskies in the Bloomington Tournament December 29.  Is a rematch possible in the semifinals?  

Concluding Quarterfinal Thursday is the fifth seeded Andover Huskies and the fourth seeded Moorhead Spuds.  What a winter for Andover hockey fans.  The girls team went unbeaten to win the Class AA state title and now the boys are in St. Paul for the third straight year.  The Huskies are 3-1 against state tournament teams, including wins over Cretin-Derham Hall and Hill-Murray.  The Spuds are in their 19th state tournament and still looking for their first state title trophy.  They ended the regular season with a 5-4 loss to Hill-Murray on February 19.  Will they get a rematch in the semifinals or will Andover continue their quest for a second championship trophy in two weeks?  

Lots of great high school hockey action coming up.  

2022 Class A Boys Hockey State Tournament Preview

 2022 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT CLASS A QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

             (Games played Wednesday, March 9 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

11:00:  Monticello vs. Warroad (Seed 2)

 1:00:  Mankato East/Loyola vs. Mahtomedi (Seed 3)  

 6:00:  New Prague vs. Hermantown (Seed 1)

 8:00:  Alexandria (Seed 5) vs. Minneapolis (Seed 4)

Examining the field:  If there's one thing certain about this year's edition of the state boys hockey tournament, there will be two new champions since Gentry Academy and Eden Prairie did not qualify.  Leading off the festivities is the Monticello Moose, in their fourth trip down I-94 to the X.  The Moose were the fourth seed in Section 5 and took home the title trophy with three one goal wins, including a semifinal victory over the top seeded Little Falls Flyers.  Things will get tough for Monticello as they face the Warroad Warriors, playing in their 23rd state tournament.  The Warriors enter the tournament with a nine game unbeaten streak.  They faced the Hermantown Hawks on January 15 and lost 4-3.  Two weeks after the girls team won the Class A championship, can the boys bring another trophy to "Hockeytown USA"?  They have a good chance.  

Closing the afternoon session is the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars, continuing an even numbered year pattern of playing in St. Paul.  It's their fourth trip overall and includes 2018 and 2020.  The Cougars have one five straight games, including a 6-0 shutout of the top seeded New Ulm Eagles.  They will face a very tough Mahtomedi Zephyrs who have scored 25 consecutive goals in four games.  The key to the Zephyrs run is goalie Ben Dardis, who broke the career goalie shutout record in February with his 18th shutout.  Hopefully, Gopher head coach Bob Motzko will be in attendance because he could use him next season to help lead Minnesota to the Frozen Four.  Can Mahtomedi's high powered offense and Dardis' defense lead Mahtomedi to their quest for their first Class A title since 2020.  

Despite the racism controversy that has plagued New Prague, the Trojans will open the evening session against the top seeded Hermantown Hawks.  It's the third trip to St. Paul for the Trojans and first since 2015 as they recovered from a seven game losing streak in the regular season.  New Prague, the fourth seed in Section 1, beat the top seeded Northfield Raiders in overtime and the Albert Lea Tigers in the title game.  Their opponent, the Hermantown Hawks, makes their 18th trip down I-35 and haven't lost a game since they were defeated by the Maple Grove Crimson 6-3 on January 29.  Is another state title in the works for the Twin Ports powerhouse?  

The last game of the day pits the fifth seeded Alexandria Cardinals against the fourth seeded team from Minneapolis.  The Cardinals make their sixth trip down I-94 to St. Paul and are on a 12 game unbeaten streak.  Minneapolis, the team with no nickname, represents the state's largest city for the first time by a public school since 1994.  The last Minneapolis school to qualify?  The Edison Tommies.  Joe Dzeidzic, an Edison alum, leads Minneapolis after defeating the Delano Tigers in the Section 2 final.  Park yourself in front of the TV or streaming device for this game, it should be a great game to end the Class A quarterfinals.  

Next up, the Class AA preview.