2023 Class AAA Girls Basketball Section Preview

 Part two of this year's girls basketball section preview focuses on the eight Class AAA sections.  

Starting with Section 1, this could be the year the top seeded Stewartville Trojans make their first trip to The Barn.  They have won 21 straight games and have to get past the second seeded Red Wing Wingers and the third seeded Austin Packers, two teams the Trojans beat in the regular season.  

Section 2 looks like a jigsaw puzzle with several pieces that could fit into a title trophy.  The first is the top seeded Jordan Jaguars, who haven't made the trip to state since 2009.  The next piece of the puzzle is the second seeded Mankato East Cougars, heading into section play on a nine game winning streak.  The rest of the pieces include the third seeded St. Peter Saints, the fourth seeded Marshall Tigers and the fifth seeded New Ulm Eagles.  It's a tough puzzle to solve but only one team will head up Highway 169 to Minneapolis.  

Section 3 looks like a two team race between the top seeded DeLaSalle Islanders and the second seeded Visitation Blazers.  Visitation, based in Mendota Heights is looking for its first state tournament berth.  But wait.  Can the third seeded Como Park Cougars get back on track after ending the season with six straight losses?  

The red hot Mahtomedi Zephyrs are the top seed in Section 4, ending the regular season with 13 straight wins.  But can they hold off the second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers and the third seeded North St. Paul Polars?  

The top seed in Section 5 is the perennial power Becker Bulldogs.  Dan Baird's bunch is a couple of wins away from their fifth straight trip to Minneapolis.  But standing in their way and hoping to end the Bulldogs run is the second seeded Monticello Magic, who has not been to state since 2014.  

A pair of powerhouses are the top two seeds in Section 6.  The top seeded Benilde-St. Maragret's Red Knights and the second seeded Holy Angels Stars.  The two teams met in December with the Red Knights, led by junior Olivia Olson victorious.  could their be a rematch in the section final?  

Up north to Section 7, where the top seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks have not lost a game since starting the season 0-2.  The only other section team with a winning record is the second seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks.  

The top two seeds in Section 8 have identical 22-4 records, the top seeded Alexandria Cardinals and the second seeded Detroit Lakes Cardinals.  The two teams split in the regular season.  Is a rematch possible in the section final|?  

Next;  What's happening in Class AA?

2023 Class AAAA Girls Basketball Section Preview

 Girls hockey is finished.  Boys hockey is closer to deciding 16 state tournament berths and that means The Road to the Barn is open for girls basketball with the start of section play.  Here's a preview of the eight Class AAAA sections.  

There seems to be a pattern in Section 1.  The top seed is the Lakeville North Panthers, followed by the second seeded Rochester Mayo, the third seeded Lakeville South Cougars and the fourth seeded Rochester Century Panthers.  Will it be an All Lakeville or All Rochester section final?  

In Section 2, the top seeded Chaska Hawks are also the top ranked team in Class AAAA.  Led by Colorado bound Kennedy Sanders, the Hawks have won 20 straight games and have Mallory Heyer's sister Aubrey in the starting lineup.  Looking to keep the Chaska fans buses off Highway 212 are the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers, the third seeded Prior Lake Lakers and the fourth seeded Ededn Prairie Eagles.  Could the Hawks go Heyer, Heyer and Heyer toward a state tournament berth?  

The top seed in Section 3 is the Rosemount Irish.  The Irish have gone 3-2 in their last five games but can they hold off the second seeded Eagan Wildcats and the third seeded Eastview Lightning?  

To Section 4, where the top seeded East Ridge Raptors are three wins away from their first trip to The Barn.  But Raptors fans, before you head down I-94 to Minneapolis, there are two other challengers that could take home the title trophy.  They are the second seeded Stillwater Ponies and the third seeded White Bear Lake Bears, who enter section play with five straight wins.  An interesting section to watch.  

Heading to Section 5, the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson has lost only one game since January 5, losing 77-72 to the Eden Prairie Eagles.  The only other team in their section with a record above .500 is the second seeded Roseville Raiders.  

It could be a two team race between a pair of Lake Conference powers.  The top seeded and defending state Class AAAA champion Hopkins Royals and the second seeded Wayzata Trojans.  Both teams split their season series.  Is a third meeting possible in the section final?  

Section 7 has no dominate force but four teams have a shot at the section title.  They are the top seeded Centennial Cougars,  the second seeded Blaine Bengals, the third seeded Anoka Tornadoes and the fourth seeded Andover Huskies.  Who will come out of this section?  

Another Lake Conference power is the top seed in Section 8, the St. Michael-Albertville Knights.  The Knights armor was a little tarnished, losing their last two regular season games.  It won't be easy for STMA as they battle the second seeded Elk River Elks, the red hot Rogers Royals and the fourth seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers.  

Next the eight Class AAA sections.  

Warroad Warriors Wallop Albert Lea Tigers

 Playing before a sparse crowd due to a nasty snowstorm, the top seeded and defending Class A champion Warroad Warriors didn't miss a beat as Rylee Bartz scored four goals to lead them to a 15-1 drubbing of the Albert Lea Tigers Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.  

Bartz would account for the first two goals, the first coming from a cross ice pass from Kate Johnson and the second on a rebound.  The third came on Abby Chamernick's pass from the side boards to Maddie Skogman and she put the Warriors ahead by three.  Bartz would get the hat trick as she went two on one, went between the Tiger defenders and sent the puck to the net.  Warroad led by four at the end of the first period.  

The Warriors would extend their unanswered goal streak to six in the second period.  The first came on Kate Johnson's corner pass to Talya Hendrickson and she would go top shelf.  Kate Johnson would pick up her second point of the period on a rebound goal.  But lo and behold, there would be good news for Albert Lea fans who made the trip up I-35 when Albert Lea had a five on three advantage for 1:41 and Shelby Evans would pick up the power play goal.  Warroad would add three more goals to their ledger.  The first came when Skogman rebounded Emmie Hardwick's shot and the puck slid over the goal line.  Kate Johnson picked up her second goal of the period after receiving a back pass from Emma Kirkeby.  She made the pass between her skates to Johnson in the center slot and she would put it in the net.  Chamernick would wrap up the second period scoring on her goal from the left faceoff circle.

The game headed into running time in the third period and the goals continued to mount for the Warriors.  Bartz scored her fourth goal, scoring from the center slot.  At that time, Tiger head coach Mark Goskeson pulled goalie Jayda Moyer and sent in Rachel Doppelhammer.  The goalie change didn't do Albert Lea good since she gave up five goals to Calilah Lindquist, Hardwick, Kate Johnson, Bartz's fifth goal,  and Skogman, the third Warroad player to record a hat trick.  

Warroad set a tournament record for most goals in a single game.  They broke their own single game record of 13 in 2012 against Detroit Lakes.  The Warriors outshot the Tigers 67-7.

Warroad improved their record to 24-3-1 and will face the South St. Paul Packers in the Class A semifinals Friday, February 24 at 1 PM at the Xcel Energy Center.  The Packers beat the Fergus Falls Otters 1-0 in double overtime on a game winning goal from Sarah Windcentsen with 6:50 left in the second overtime.  

2023 Class AA Boys Hockey Section Preview

 Due to the massive snowstorm that's about to hit the Twin Cities area, some Class AA sections are already underway.  But some haven't started.  Here's a preview and an update on the eight Class AA sections.  

Section 1 could be a two team race between the top seeded Lakeville South Cougars and the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans.  The last time the Spartans headed up Highway 52 to St. Paul was 2000.  Will this be the year they end the drought?  

In Section 2, the top seeded Chanhassen Storm is two wins away from their first trip to state.  Also advancing is the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers.  There's also the third seeded Shakopee Sabers and the fourth seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire.  

It's down to the Final Four in Section 3 as the top seeded St.  Thomas Academy Cadets faces the fourth seeded Eastview Lighting.  The second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders moved on and will face the Eagan Wildcats.  

There could be a changing of ther guard in Section 4 as the top seeded White Bear Lake Bears look to make their 20th state tournament and first since 2019.  The second seed is the Stillwater Ponies.  But where's Hill-Murray?  Bill Lechner's bunch has the number three seed.  Can they get past the Ponies and bring in green clad fans to the matching seat colors at the X?  

Over in Section 5, it could be the year the top seeded Rogers Royals advance to their first state tournament.  But they have to get past laast year's Class AA runner up the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson.  Don't count out the third season Champlin Park Rebels.  

Section 6 quarterfinal play took place Tuesday and three of the four quarterfinal games were anticlimatic with the top seeded Wayzata Trojans, the second seeded Edina Hornets and the third seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights coasting to victories.  The only close game was between the fourth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles and the fifth seeded Holy Angels Stars as Holy Angels beat St. Louis Park 5-4 in overtime.  The Trojans have been the top ranked team most of the season?  Can they get past Edina for a chance to win their first state title.  

Section 7 could be a three team race with the top seeded Duluth East Greyhounds, the second seeded and the defending state Class AA champion Andover Huskies and the third seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks.  

Semifinal action is set in Section 8 as the top seeded Moorhead Spuds face the fourth seeded Sartell Sabers and the second seeded Roseau Rams battling Elk River Zimmerman.  Can the Spuds earn their fifth straight trip down I-94 to St. Paul?  

Plenty of action coming up.  Be careful out there.  

Holy Angels Stars End SLP Orioles Season in Overtime

 On a snowy Tuesday night in St. Louis Park, Charlie Clements scored two goals, including the game winner with 2:14 left in overtime to lead the Holy Angels Stars to a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Park Orioles in the Section 6AA Boys Hockey Quarterfinals at The Rec Center.  

The Orioles jumped out to a two goal lead in the first period.  Trey Janssen would put the Orioles ahead followed by Mason Amelse off a pass from his defense partner Cole Taylor.

In the second period, the Stars would shine as they vaulted into the lead with three goals.  Clements would cut the lead to one :28 into the period as he scored on a rebound.  Gabe Perron would tally twice.  The first would be on a power play goal and the second would come from the left point.  

The Orioles would regain the lead in the third period.  Griffin Krone fed Sam Fuller in the left slot and he evened the game at three.  The Rider Brothers, Max and Miles would factor in a power play goal that put St. Louis Park ahead.  The Orioles would be a man short due to a cross checking penalty on Phil Hirte and Holy Angels would capitalize on it as Henry Lechner put it past Josh Middleton to even the score at four.  The game stayed that away through the rest of regulation time and so it was overtime.  

In the overtime period, Clements would get the game winner as he sent the puck on the right side of Middleton with 2:14 left and it would send the Stars into the semifinals.  

Holy Angels improved their record to 19-6-1 and will face the top seeded Wayzata Trojans on Saturday, February 25 at 3 PM at the Bloomington Ice Garden.  St. Louis Park concluded their season with a record of 12-13-1.  

2023 Class A Boys Hockey Section Preview

This week, the Road to St. Paul begins for boys hockey teams throughout Minnesota as section play gets underway.  Here's a preview of the eight Class A sections.  

Section 1 looks like a four team race with the top seeded Northfield Raiders, the second seeded New Prague Trojans, the third seeded Albert Lea Tigers and the fourth seeded Dodge County Wildcats.  Who will emerge from the south?  

It's been a great year for Orono hockey fans.  The girls team is the number three seed in the Class A state tournament and the boys team is the top seed in Section 2.  But looking to make their first trip to the X is the second seeded Providence Academy Lions.  Don't count out the third seeded Delano Tigers or last year's section champion fourth seeded Minneapolis.  

The top seed in Section 3 is the New Ulm Eagles.  Look out for the second seeded New Ulm Tigers who have won eight straight games after they lost to New Ulm.  Is a rematch possible in the section final?  

A perennial power is the top seed in Section 4, the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.  But can they hold off the second seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the third seeded Two Rivers Warriors?  

On to Section 5 with the top seeded Little Falls Flyers finishing the regular season winning 10 of their last 11 games.  They opened their season against the team that is the second seed, the Monticello Magic 2-1 in overtime.  Is another overtime game possible if the two should meet for the Section 5 title?  

Section 6 is up for grabs with five possible candidates to make the trip to St. Paul.  They are the top seeded  Alexandria Cardinals, the second seeded Fergus Falls Otters, third seeded Northern Lakes, the fourth seeded Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines and fifth seeded Morris/Benson Area.  Which one will take home the championship trophy?

The top seed in Section 7 is who else?  The Hermantown Hawks.  The Hawks have won 10 straight games and their only losses were to the Warroad Warriors and the St. Thomas Academy Cadets.  Can they get a rematch in the section final with the Rock Ridge Wolverines?

Great things have been happening this season in Warroad.  The girls team is the top seed in the Class A tournament and the boys have the top seed in Section 8.  The Warriors are the only unbeaten team in Class A.  They have to get past the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave and the third seeded Detroit Lakes Cardinals.  

Next, the eight Class AA sections.  

2023 State Class AA Girls Hockey Tournament Preview

 2023 MINNESOTA STATE CLASS AA GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                   (Games played Thursday, Feburary 22 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

11:00:  Rosemount vs. Andover (Seed 2)

 1:00:   Lakeville North vs. Edina (Seed 3)

 6:00:   Centennial/Spring Lake Park vs. Minnetonka

  8:00:  Moorhead (Seed 5) vs. Gentry Academy (Seed 4)

                                          EXAMINING THE FIELD

 After the Class A schools conclude quarterfinal play on Wednesday, it's the Class AA schools turn in the X's spotlight.  First up is the Rosemount Irish, returning to state for the first time since 2011 battling the defending Class AA champion Andover Huskies.  Rosemount was the number two seed in Section 3 and earned the trip to St. Paul with a 3-2 overtime win over the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders.  It won't be an easy task for the Irish against the Huskies who are playing in their fourth straight tournament and eighth overall.  Andover is on a 12 game winning streak and has outscored their Section 7 opponents in three games 29-1.  They are the favorites to return to the Class AA title game but could Irish eyes be smiling after an upset?  

Closing the afternoon session will be the Lakeville North Panthers, playing in their fifth state tournament and their first since 2014.  The Panthers earned their fifth trip up I-35 with a 5-3 win over the Northfield Raiders.  Things get tough for Lakeville North as they face the third seeded Edina Hornets, playing in their eighth straight tournament and 13th overall.  Edina has won eight state titles and could set up a semifinal showdown with Andover.  Is an All Lake Conference final in the works?  

Opening the evening session is the tournament's only co-op team, Centennial/Spring Lake Park.  It's the first appearance from the Circle Pines based school since 2021 and the fifth overall.  They were the second seed in Section 5 and beat top seeded Maple Grove 2-1 in the title game.  But the Cougars have a tough task ahead in the top seeded Minnetonka Skippers.  The Skippers ship sails into St. Paul for the eight time and the fifth straight year with an outstanding defense that has recorded 15 shutouts and an offense that has outscored their Section 2 opponents 24-1.  Last season, Minnetonka lost to Andover in the Class AA championship game.  Can they upgrade their medals from silver to gold?  

Wrapping up Quarterfinal Thursday is the fifth seeded Moorhead Spuds and the fourth seeded Gentry Academy Stars.  The Spuds are the only first time team in this year's tournament and beat the Roseau Rams in the Section 8 final.  Three of their eight losses were to powerhouses Warroad and Andover.  The Gentry Academy Stars, in their third straight trip to state, have won nine straight games and made it through a tough Section 4 with a 4-1 win over the Hill-Murray Pioneers.  Will this finally be the year a Moorhead hockey team takes home the gold medals or will the red hot Stars shine en route to a possible showdown with Minnetonka.  

There's plenty of outstanding action beginning Wednesday.  Hopefully the impending snowstorm won't keep fans from heading to the X.  

2023 State Class A Girls Hockey Tournament Preview

2023 MINNESOTA STATE CLASS A GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE     

                         (Games Played Wednesday, February 22 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)

11:00:  Mankato East vs. Proctor/Hermantown (Seed 2)

 1:00:   Luverne vs. Orono (Seed 3)

 6:00:  Albert Lea vs. Warroad (Seed !) 

 8:00:  Fergus Falls (Seed 5) vs. South St. Paul (Seed 4)

                          EXAMINING THE FIELD

The 2023 edition of the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament gets underway as the Mankato East Cougars make their second straight trip up Highway 169 to face the second seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage.  The Cougars enter the tournament on a six game winning winning streak and breezed through Section 2 competition scoring 10 unanswered goals.  The streak could be in jeopardy against the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage, playing in their eight state tournament and third in a row.  It's no mirage that Proctor/Hermantown has played in two straight Class A finals and won in 2021 but lost to Warroad.  Could a rematch be possible with the Warriors or will the Cougars pull the upset?

Wrapping up the afternoon session is the Luverne Cardinals, back for the fourth straight year and fifth overall battling the third seeded Orono Spartans.  The Cardinals have won 10 of their last 11 games, including a 4-0 shutout against rival New Ulm in the Section 3 final.  The Spartans, in their second straight appearance, have not lost a game since December 28, including ties against South St. Paul and Bebilde-St. Margaret's.  Their high powered offense outscored their Section 5 tournament opponents 14-1.  Could Orono bring their first state title back to Long Lake?  

Opening the evening asession will bea another team out of the Big Nine Conference making their second consecutive state tournament appearance, the Albert Lea Tigers.  The Tigers took home the Section 1 title trophy with a 3-2 overtime win over the Dodge County Wildcats.  They will have a difficult task in the top seeded and defending Class A champion Warroad Warriors.  The Warriors are playing in their eight straight tournament and 14th overall and lost two of their three games to Class AA tournament teams Edina and Andover.  Warroad is 3-5 in state title games.  Can they make it four?  

Ending the day's festivities will be the fifth seeded Fergus Falls Otters and the fourth seeded South St. Paul Packers.  The Otters playing in their third state tournament and the first since 2019.  Fergus Falls has not lost a game since December 17 when they lost 3-2 to Bemidji.  The Packers are back.  That's right.  South St. Paul is playing in their 17th state tournament, the most of any in this year's tournament.  The Packers earned their trip to state by packing up their Metro East Conference rival, the Simley Spartans.  Will Fergus Falls head for a possible showdown with Warroad or will South St. Paul continue their momentum?  

Next:  The Class AA preview

Senior Night Success

 Thursday night was Senior Night for the St. Louis Park Orioles and Miles Rider rode the train to victory, scoring two goals to lead the Orioles to a 3-1 win over the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars at The Rec Center.  

The Orioles got the only goal of the first period on Miles Rider's power play goal.  

St. Louis Park would strike twice in the second period.  Once again, it was Miles Rider as he fired a shot from the left point and it landed in the net.  The Orioles used the power play to their advantage to score their final goal when Mason Amelse skated toward the left slot,  sent the puck between two Jefferson defenders and he would put St. Louis Park ahead by three.  There would be no shutout on this Thursday night when Grant Baker received a pass from Daniel Schmitz and sent it past Oriole goalie Josh Middleton.  The third period had no goals entering the net, even after Jefferson head coach Matt Elsen pulled goalie Luke Swanson with 2:58 left in the period for a sixth attacker.  Things got a bit rough with :40.7 to play when Drew Hoenie received a game misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct.  

The Orioles conclude their regular season with a record of 12-12-1.  Section 6AA tournament play begins Thursday, February 23.  The Jaguars fell to 3-20-1 and close out their regular season on Saturday, February 18 at 7 PM against the Waconia Wildcats at the Bloomington Ice Garden.  

SLP Orioles Topple New Prague Trojans

 Max Rider rode the New Prague Trojans into the sunset,  scoring two goals to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 4-2 win Tuesday night at The Rec Center.  

The Orioles would put the game away in the first period with three goals.  The first came from Ryan Moran on the left side of Trojan goalie Cole Murphy.  Following a couple of outstanding saves from St. Louis Park goalie Josh Middleton, Mason Amelse drove down the ice like traffic driving in the rain on Excelsior Blvd. and he would score the unassisted goal.  Max Rider would put the Orioles ahead by three :58 later on a power play goal.  

New Prague would end the St. Louis Park shutout in the second period on a pair of goals from Ryan Christensen on passes from Tyler Giesen.  The two Trojan goals were bookended by Max Rider's second goal as he rebounded Henry Schultz's shot.  It would also wrap up the scoring since both teams did not increase the red numerals from the West Rink scoreboard in the third period.  New Prague head coach Brad Drazan pulled Murphy with 1:38 left in the game for a sixth attacker and their defense kept the Orioles from finding the empty net.  

The Orioles improved their record to 11-12-1 and will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, February 16 when the host the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars at 7 PM at The Rec Center.  The Trojans fell to 14-9-1 and will host the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights on Friday, February 17 at 7:15 PM at the New Prague Community Center.  

2023 Class AA Girls Hockey Section Preview

 After examining the eight Class A sections, here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.

The two Lakeville schools are the top two seeds in Section 1, with Lakeville South the top seed and Lakeville North second.  Looking to crash the party for Lakeville fans is the red hot and third seeded Owatonna Huskies.  The Huskies have won 10 straight games, including a 6-2 win over Lakeville South on January 30.  Don't count out the fourth seeded Northfield Raiders.  Which team will make the trip of I-35 to the X?  It's a toughie.  

In Section 2, the top seeded and top ranked team in Class AA is the Minnetonka Skippers.  Head coach Tracy Cassano leads the Skippers into section play on a six game winning streak.  But look out for the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire who could sink the Skippers ship for their first state tournament berth.  

Heading south to Section 3 where the only team with a record above .500 is the top seeded Apple Valley Eagles.  Could the second seeded Rosemount Irish pull an upset?  

If you're looking for one section tournament to watch live, head to Aldrich Arena in Maplewood for the Section 4 semifinals and finals.  There are five outstanding teams that could make the trip down Highway 36 to downtown St. Paul.  First is the top seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers, whose only two losses were two Edina and Minnetonka.  Then comes the second seeded Gentry Academy Stars, the third seeded Stillwater Ponies and fourth seeded Roseville/Mahtomedi.  Also in the mix the fifth seeded East Ridge Raptors.  Who will come out of this section?  Take your pick.  

Next up is Section 5, where the pairings have not yet been released but it could be a three team race between the Maple Grove Crimson, the Centennial Cougars and Champlin Park/Coon Rapids.  

Could this be the year Edina is dethroned as Section 6 champions?  It's not a typo on the state high school league website, the Hornets are the number two seed behind the top seeded Blake Bears.  The two teams met on January 17, with the Bears stinging the Hornets 1-0.  Is a rematch possible in the section final?  

The top seed in Section 7 is the defending Class AA champion Andover Huskies.  Head coach Melissa Volk has put the Huskies through a bruising nonconference schedule and they have not lost a game since January 14 when they lost to the Hill-Murray Pioneers 2-1. Looking to end the Huskies championship reign is the second seeded Blaine Bengals and third seeded Grand Rapids/Greenway. Can Andover return to St. Paul to defend their title or will it end in the section final?  

Wrapping up the section preview is Section 8, where the top seeded Moorhead Spuds are on a quest for their first trip to the X since 2013.  Hoping to keep the Moorhead fan buses in the garage are the second seed Roseau Rams and the third seeded Alexandria Cardinals.  Don't count out the fourth seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks.  

Let section play begin on The Road to St. Paul.  

2023 Class A Girls Hockey Section Preview

 The regular season has concluded in Minnesota girls high school hockey and the next step begins on The Road to the X and the state tournament.  Here's a preview of the eight Class A sections.  

Starting with Section 1, the Dodge County Wildcats are the top seed as they look for thir first trip down Highway 52 to St. Paul.  But can they get past the second seeded Albert Lea Tigers, who they beat in the regular season 4-2 on December 10.  Will the Tigers extend their winning streak or will the Wildcats finally take home the Section 1 title trophy?  

In Section 2, the top seeded Mankato East Cougars are in the hunt for their second straight trip to state.  Can they get past the second seeded Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Dragons and the third seeded Hutchinson Tigers?  

The top seed in Section 3 is the Luverne Cardinals, who also look for a return trip to St. Paul.  They split their season series with the second seeded New Ulm Eagles.  Is a thrid meeting possible in the section final?  

There could be a celebration in Inver Grove Heights if the top seed in Section 4, the Simley Spartans wins their first state tournament berth.  Simley, on a six game winning streak, has beaten second seeded and perennial power the South St. Paul Packers twice this season.  Can they make it three in a row if the two teams meet in the section final?  

The Section 5 pairings have not been posted as of this post but it looks like the Orono Spartans will get the top seed.  They enter section play on a seven game winning streak and will have to get past the Holy Angels Stars and the Mound-Westonka Whitehawks.  

Also unavailable are the Section 6 pairings.  There ware only two teams with winning records in the section.  They are the Fergus Falls Otters and the Willmar Cardinals.  The Otters have won four straight games and could be the favorite to return to the X for the first time since 2019.  

Heading north to Section 7 where the top seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage, last year's class A runner up is two wins away from their third straight trip down I-35 to St. Paul.  But there's a hot new contender in the Twin Ports, the second seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers.  The Hilltoppers have won four straight games since losing 4-3 to the Mirage.  Another contender is the third seeded Moose Lake Area Rebels.  Can Duluth Marshall dethrone Proctor/Hermantown from the section hilltop or will the Mirage take home their third straight section title?  

Finally, in Section 8, the pairings have not been posted but there is no doubt that the defending Class A champion Warroad Warriors will be the top seed.  The Warriors three losses were to Class AA schools Benilde-St. Margaret's, Edina and defending Class AA champion Andover.  They will have to get past the only other team in Section 8 with a winning record, the Crookston Pirates.  

Next:  The eight Class AA sections.  

Jefferson Jaguars Pack Up Hiawatha Collegiate Wolves

 Marcus Horton didn't hear a who in West Bloomington Saturday afternoon, he scored a game high 17 points to lead the host Jefferson Jaguars to a 61-50 win over the Hiawatha Collegiate Wolves.  

Gavin Luick began the first half scoring for the Jaguars :55 into the game.  Horton would hit a pair of free throws to put Jefferson on a 4-0 run.  The Wolves would vault ahead on a three pointer from Jessye Lewis and and a left handed layup from Romelle Bell.  Horton would help propel the Jaguars on an 11-0 run that included Nick Mamalakis scoring after missing his own shot.  Bell would keep Hiawatha close to Jefferson as Travonte Sumpter hit a three pointer and Bell would cut the lead to four.  Hiawatha reduced the lead to two on Jahaim Houts' basket.  But the Wolves suffered a blow when Bell left the game due to an injured ankle with 5:13 in the half.  He did not return for the remainder of the game.  Jefferson led 27-22 at halftime.  

The Wolves would start the second half creeping up on the Jaguar lead as Kam'Ron Solomon hit a three pointer and a basket by Jahaim Hoout cut the lead to one.  Mamalakis' tip in ended Hiawatha's early run.  The Jaguars would widen their lead thanks to outstanding defense and contributions from Daniel Freitag as well as reserves Tommy Rowland and Jack Sawyer.  Jefferson would build a 10 point lead and it would grow on Horton's three pointer and Rowland getting credit on a basket as a result of goaltending.  With the game decided, Jefferson head coach Jeff Evens put in more reserves to get some playing time.  

Other Jaguars in double figures were Freitag with 14 points and Reece Washington added 12.  Sumpter was the only Hiawatha player in double figures, scoring 17 points.  

Jefferson improved their record to 8-9 and continues their home stand on Tuesday, February 7 against the Chanhassen Storm at 7 PM.  Hiawatha fell to 12-5 and will host the Community of Peace Tigers on Monday February 6 in Minneapolis.  

Orono Spartans Sweep SLP Orioles

 Two days after the Orono Spartans beat the St. Louis Park Orioles in overtime, the Spartans completed the sweep as Cayden Effertz scored two goals to lead them to a 3-0 shutout at The Rec Center.  

Orono scored the lone first period goal on Easton Sankey's shot from the left corner boards.  Neither team would tally in the second period thanks to outstanding goaltending from the Spartans Brock Peyton and the Orioles Josh Middleton.  

Heading into the third period, it would be an outstanding effort from Effertz and he would put the game away with two goals.  His first goal came on a rebound of Brooks Fegers's shot and the second after St. Louis Park pulled Middleton with 1:06 to go and utilize a sixth attacker.  But it was Effertz who found the empty net with :16.8 to play.  

Orono improved their record to 18-3 and returns to action Tuesday, February 7 against the Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights at 7 PM at the Morrison Ice Arena in Long Lake.  St. Louis Park fell to 9-10-1 and will begin a three game road trip on Saturday, February 4 at 3 PM against the Holy Family Catholic Fire at the Victoria Ice Arena.