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.
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