2024 Class AAA Girls Basketball Section Preview

 Some really competitive sections comprise the eight Class AAA sections.  Here's how they look.  

Starting with Section 1, there are a couple of red hot teams that are the top two seeds.  They are the top seeded Byron Bears, who bring an eight game winning streak into section play and the second seeded Winona Winhawks, winners of seven straight.  But don't count out the third seeded Stewartville Trojans.  Looks like a three team race.  

It could be a four team race in Section 2 as the top seeded St. Peter Saints rebound from a regular season ending loss to the Byron Bears.  Looking to prevent Saints fans from heading up Highway 169 are the second Marshall Tigers and the third seeded Mankato East Cougars.  Looking to pull the upset is the fourth seeded New Ulm Eagles, on a nine game winning streak.  Can they avenge their two regular season losses to St. Peter and make the section race even more complex?  

In Section 3, the top seeded Minneapolis Roosevelt Teddies are three wins away from becoming the fourth City Conference school to advance to the state tournament.  But standing in their way are the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and the third seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars.  

The top ranked team in Class AAA is also the top seed in Section 4, the DeLaSalle Islanders.  They enter section play on a 12 game winning streak.  Can they get past the second seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the third seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers?  

Over in Section 5, the top seeded Becker Bulldogs could see their long state tournament run come to an end in the second seeded Monticello Magic.  The Bulldogs swept the regular season series with the Magic.  Could they meet a third time in St. Michael-Albertville on March 7?  

Good news for Benilde-St. Margaret's fans, your Red Knights have overcome an injury to outstanding senior Olivia Olson and clinched the top seed in Section 6.  But the defending Class AAA champions have to get past the second seeded Delano Tigers, whose only loss was in overtime to St. Peter.  Which one of these two teams will head to The Barn?  

Up in the Iron Range, the Rock Ridge Wolverines are the top seed and will need to contend with the second seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks and third seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks en route to the school's first tournament berth.  

The Section 8 pairings have not yet been released but it's very likely the top seed will be the Alexandria Cardinals, who look to face possibly the Fergus Falls Otters for the third time this season.  

2024 Class AAAA Girls Basketball Section Preview

 As February heads into March and boys hockey settles their state tournament berths, here is a preview of the eight Class AAAA sections.  

If there's any guarantee in Section 1, The Road to The Barn will go through Lakeville and Rochester.  The top seed is the Lakeville North Panthers, followed by the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans and the third seeded Lakeville South Cougars.  Could there be a Battle of Lakeville in the section finals?  

Get those fan buses ready Minnetonka bus drivers, the Skippers have the top seed in Section 2.  Minnetonka, anchored by future Gopher Tori McKinney and Aaliyah Crump have been one of the state's top teams this season.  They have not lost a game since they were beaten by Wayzata February 1.  Can second seeded Eden Prairie and third seeded Chaska keep the Skippers ship from sailing down Highway 7?  

The red hot Rosemount Irish are the top seed in Section 3, entering section play on a five game winning streak.  But can they get by the second seeded Eastview Lightning and the third seeded Eagan Wildcats, also winners of five straight?  

The pairings have not yet been posted in Section 4, but it's likely the top three seeds will be the White Bear Lake Bears, the Stillwater Ponies and the East Ridge Raptors.  

So far, it's been an outstanding year for girls athletics in Maple Grove,.  First the girls hockey team took home the Class AA consolation trophy and now the girls basketball has the number one seed in Section 5.  Three of their four defeats were to St. Michael-Albertville, Hopkins and Minnetonka.  Can the Crimson set up a third showdown with the second seeded Park Center Pirates?  

The top seed in Section 6 is the Hopkins Royals, who ended the regular season falling to their Lake Conference rival the Minnetonka Skippers.  Looking to derail the Royals path is the second seeded Wayzata Trojans.  A memo to Hopkins head coach Tara Starks, you have a potential roadblock in your path as the third seeded Minneapolis Southwest Lakers who enter section play winning their last eight games.  Can they unseat the perennial power Royals?  

Heading to Section 7, the top seeded Andover Huskies have beaten their Northwest Suburban Conference rivals the second seeded Centennial Cougars and the third seeded Anoka Tornadoes in regular season play.  Which one of them will the Huskies face in the section finals?  

The defending Class AAAA champion St. Michael-Albertville Knights are the top seed in Section 8.  But as the Ringo Starr song would tell them, it don't come easy to return to The Barn.  The section is loaded with outstanding teams in the second seeded Elk River Elks, the third seeded Brainerd Warriors and the fourth seeded Sartell Sabers.  Who will come out of this section?  

Next:  The eight Class AAA sections.  

2024 Class AA Boys Hockey Section Preview

 After previewing the eight Class A sections, it time to look at the eight Class AA sections.  

'Starting with Section 1, the top seeded Lakeville South Cougars look to return to St. Paul since they lost to Eden Prairie in the 2021 Class AA final.  But look out for second seeded Rochester Century/John Marshall and the third seeded New Prague Trojans.  Also in the hunt is the fourth seeded Owatonna Huskies.  

So far, it's been an outstanding winter sports season in Minnetonka.  First the girls team is in the state tournament, now their male counterparts are the top seed.  The Skippers are unbeaten in 25 games and will have to get past the second seeded Chanhassen Storm, the third seeded Shakopee Sabers and the fourth seeded Eden Prairie Eagles.  

The top seed in Section 3 is the Eastview Lightning, entering section play on a six game winning streak.  Can they get past the second seeded Rosemount Irish and the third seeded St. Thomas Academy Academy Cadets?  

Section 4's top seed is the perennial power Hill-Hurray Pioneers.  Looking to keep the green and white clad fans from heading to the X are the second seeded White Bear Lake Bears and the third seeded Stillwater Ponies.  Don't count out the fourth seeded Gentry Academy Stars.  

Heading to Section 5, it looks like a six team race for the title trophy.  The top seed is the Maple Grove Crimson, followed by the second seeded Centennial Cougars, the third seeded Rogers Royals, the fourth seeded Champlin Park Rebels, who battle the fifth seeded Totino-Grace Eagles and the sixth seeded Coon Rapids Cardinals.  Which one of these teams will head to the X?  No definitive answer.  

Even tougher is Section 6, with the top three seeds, the Wayzata Trojans, the second seeded Edina Hornets, the third seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the fourth seeded Holy Angels Stars who open with the fifth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles.  Who will come out of this section?  Another tough one to answer.  

Up north to Section 7 where the top seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks have to battle the second seeded Andover Huskies and the third seeded Duluth East Greyhounds.  But looking for their first state berth as a Class AA school is the fourth seeded Rock Ridge Wolverines.  Some interesting action in the Iron Range and Twin Ports.  

Finally, in Section 8, it could boil down to four teams that could head down I-94 to St. Paul.  They are the top seeded Moorhead Spuds, the second seeded Roseau Rams, the third seeded Sartell Sabres and fourth seeded Elk River/Zimmerman.  Who will capture the title trophy?  

Lots of exciting action coming up in section tournament play.  

2024 Class A Boys Hockey Section Preview

 While the state girls hockey tournament takes place in downtown St. Paul, it's their male counterparts turn to begin the road to the X.  Here's a preview of the eight Class A sections.  

The top seed in Section 1 is the Northfield Raiders, who have lost two of their last four games in overtime.  Looking to make their first trip to state are the second seeded Dodge County Wildcats and the third seeded La Crescent-Hokah Lancers.  It could be a three team race for the title trophy.  

A pair of Wright County Conference teams occupy the top two seeds in Section 2, the Orono Spartans and the Delano Tigers.  The two teams met January 6 with Orono emerging as a 3-2 winner.  Could a rematch be possible in the Section final or will third seeded Minneapolis or fourth seeded Providence Academy pull an upset?  

In Section 3, the top seeded Luverne Cardinals enter section play on an eight game winning streak.  But look out for the second seeded New Ulm Eagles and third seeded Mankato East/Loyola.  Will busloads of fans from the confluence of Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota make another trip to St. Paul if the Cardinals take home the section title trophy?  

'The top seed in Section 4 is the perennial power and defending Class A champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs.  Looking to zap the Zephyrs is second seeded Southwest Christian/Richfield and the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats.  

There could be joy in The Granite City since the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders are the top seed and look to extend a nine game winning streak into double figures.  They will contend with the second seeded Monticello Moose and the third seeded Little Falls Flyers.  

In Section 6, the top seeded Alexandria Cardinals take a four game winning streak into section play. m Looking to earn their first state tournament berth is the second seeded Northern Lakes Lightning who lost twice to the Cardinals in regular season play. Could the third time be the charm?  

A familiar ring in Section 7 is that the top seed is the Hermantown Hawks.  Looking to keep the Hawks fan buses from heading down I-35 are the second seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Lumberjacks and the third seeded Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets.  

There could be a changing of the guard in Section 8 as the top seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave is three games away from pursuing their first state title sine 2015.  Looking for a return trip to the X is the second seeded Warroad Warriors who split their season series with the Green Wave?  Who will win the rubber game if they meet in the section finals?  

Next the eight Class AA sections

2024 State Class AA Girls Hockey Tournament Quarterfinal Preview

 2024 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT CLASS AA QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

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

11:00:  Roseau vs. Hill-Murray (Seed 2)

  1:00:  Rosemount vs. Andover (Seed 3)

  6:00:  Maple Grove vs. Minnetonka (Seed 1)

  8:00:  Northfield (Seed 5) vs. Edina (Seed 4)

Examining the field:  While the Class A teams take a breather, except for consolation action, it's the Class AA teams that populate the Xcel Energy Center.  First up is the Roseau Rams, in their seventh state tournament.  They used a strong third period comeback to beat the top seeded Moorhead Spuds in the Section 8 final.  They will face the second seeded Pioneers, in their 10th trip to state and looking for their fourth championship game berth after coming out of a rugged Section 4.  Can the Pioneers climb back to the top of the hill?  

The afternoon session wraps up with the Rosemount Irish facing the third seeded Andover Huskies.  It could be a long day for the Irish as they face the Huskies, playing in their fifth consecutive tournament and eight overall.  Last year, Andover fell to Gentry Academy in the Class AA final.  Could they upgrade their medals from silver to gold? 

Opening the evening session will be the Maple Grove Crimson and the top seeded Minnetonka Skippers.  The Crimson are headed down I-94 to the X for the fifth time and have won nine of their last ten games, their only loss coming against Hill-Murray in the regular season finale.  The top seeded Skippers are back in St. Paul for the sixth straight year and ninth overall.  Their only losses were to Hill-Murray and Edina.  Could a third meeting with Edina occur in the semifinals?  

Wrapping up the quarterfinals is the fifth seeded Northfield Raiders and the fourth seeded Edina Hornets.  The Raiders, in their fourth state tournament have lost only one game in regular season play to the Dodge County Wildcats.  Their toughest challenge is coming in the fourth seeded Edina Hornets, who haven't missed a state tournament since 2015.  Edina beat the top seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights 5-4 in the Section 6 final to earn their 14th state tournament berth.  Are the Raiders for real and could send Edina to the consolation bracket?  

Enjoy the action this week.  

2024 State Girls Hockey Tournament Class A Preview

 2024 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HOCKEYvs. Holy Angels TOURNAMENT CLASS A QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

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

11:00:  Willmar vs. Orono (Seed 2)

1:00:    Fergus Falls vs. Dodge County Wildcats (Seed 3)

6:00:    Luverne vs. Holy Angels (Seed 1)

8:00:    Proctor/Hermantown (Seed 5) v. Warroad (Seed 4)

Examining the Field:  The 2024 State Girls Hockey Tournament gets underway as the Willmar Cardinals make their fourth trip to state by beating the top seeded River Lakes Stars in the Section 2 final after losing twice to the m in regular season play.  It will be a difficult task for the Cardinals as they face the second seeded Orono Spartans, last year's Class A runner up.  The Spartans punched their third straight tournament ticket with a win over Wright County Conference rival Mound-Westonka-Southwest Christian in the Section 5 title game.  Orono is 5-3 against state tournament teams, including a 5-4 defeat to Holy Angels on January 13.  Could a rematch be possible in the Class A final?  

Wrapping up the afternoon session is the Fergus Falls Otters and the third seeded Dodge County Wildcats.  The Otters, in their fourth state tournament come out of a weak Section 6 and will have their hands full with the third seeded Dodge County Wildcats, who are making their first trip up Highway 52 to St. Paul.  The Wildcats enter the state winning six of their last seven games.  Their loss to Orono 5-4 on January 20 was the only game they gave up more than three goals.  Don't count out the Wildcats.  They could derail the Spartans chances if they play in the semifinals.  

Opening the evening session is the Luverne Cardinals facing the top seeded Holy Angels Stars.  The Cardinals are playing in their sixth state tournament and fourth consecutive but they will face the Stars who are in their first tournament since 2006.  They are in the hunt for their first state title since 2005.  Holy Angels comes to the X on a five game winning streak.  Can they end a 19 year title drought?  

Closing out Quarterfinal Wednesday is the fifth seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage and the defending Class A champion and fourth seeded Warroad Warriors.  It's no mirage that Proctor/Hermantown is playing in their fourth straight state tournament and eighth overall after they knocked the top seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers from the top of the Section 7 hill.  The Warriors are back in St. Paul for the ninth straight year and 15th overall.  The two teams met in their season opener November 10 with Warroad a 2-1 winner.  If you have the chance to attend only one game in the quarterfinals, head to the X for this one.  It should be a great climax to the day's proceedings.  

Next:  The Class AA quarterfinal preview

Trojan Trouncing

 The St. Louis Park Orioles first home game in two weeks was to the max as Max Rider scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead them to a 4-0 shutout of the New Prague Trojans Thursday night at The Rec Center.  

Rider would assist on the lone first period goal when he passed to Henry Schrader in the left slot and he fired it into the net.  

The Orioles would strike twice in the second period.  Goalie Josh Middleton sent the puck to Rider and he went down the ice and put St. Louis Park ahead by two.  The Orioles quickly put another puck past the goal line when Griffin Krone tallied :12 later.  

St. Louis Park would increase the lead to four in the third period as Ryan Moran's shot from the left corner entered the net.  

The Orioles improved their record to 13-10 and wrap up their regular season on Saturday, February 17 at 7 PM as they host the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars at The Rec Center.  It will also be Senior Night as 13 Oriole hockey players will be honored prior to the start of the game.  

The Trojans will also conclude the regular season on the 17th as they face the Chanhassen Storm at 3 PM at the Victoria Ice Arena.  

2024 Class AA Girls Hockey Tournament Section Preview

 After examining the eight Class A sections, it's time to preview the Eight Class AA sections.  

The top seed in Section 1 is the Northfield Raiders.  The Raiders only loss this season was to the Dodge County Wildcats.  Can they get past the second seeded Lakeville South Cougars and the third seeded Farmington Tigers to head up Highway 3 to St. Paul?

This could be the start of a big tournament season for Minnetonka fans as the top seeded Skippers enter Section 2 play on an eight game winning streak.  Looking to keep the Minnetonka fan buses in the garage are the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles and the third seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire.  

In Section 3, the top seed is the Lakeville North Panthers.  But looking to end their 16 year state tournament drought is the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders.  The two teams met in the third place game of the Eden Prairie tournament December 29 with the Panthers winning 3-1.  Is a rematch possible in the section final?  

To Section 4, where the top seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers have been a dominant team this season in Class AA.  But getting to the X won't be an easy task with second seeded Stillwater, third seeded Woodbury and fourth seeded White Bear Lake.  Don't count out the fifth seeded and defending Class AA champion Gentry Academy Stars.  It's a tough section but who will emerge with the championship trophy?  

The pairings have not been released for Section 5 but co-op teams could dominate the top four seeds, starting with Centennial/Spring Lake Park.  Roseville/Mahtomedi and Champlin Park/Coon Rapids are also in the hunt along with nonhyphenated Maple Grove.  

Over in Section 6, the top seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights have a shot at ending the second seeded Edina Hornets run of nine straight trips to St. Paul.  They're the only two teams in the section with a winning record and look toward a rematch of the December 5 game which was won by BSM 5-2.  Can the Red Knights return to the X after a 10 year absence?  

The Andover Huskies are the top seed in Section 7 and lost in last year's Class AA final to Gentry Academy.  In order to get a return trip to state for the seventh straight year, they have to get past second seeded Grand Rapids/Greenway and the third seeded Blaine Bengals.  

Finally, in Section 8, the top seeded Moorhead Spuds are on a roll, ending the regular season on a 12 game winning streak.  They have not lost a game since they came up short against the Minnetonka Skippers on December 26 2-1.  They could face the second seeded Roseau Rams, a team they beat twice in the regular season.  

Let The Road to St. Paul begin.  

2024 Class A Girls Hockey Section Preview

 The Road to St. Paul gets underway with section play in Minnesota girls high school hockey.  First up, a preview of the eight Class A sections.  

In the leadoff spot is Section 1, where the top seeded Dodge County Wildcats have won 11 of their first 12 games.  Can they get by the second seeded Albert Lea Tigers?

Heading into Section 2, it could be a two team race between the top seeded River Lakes Stars and the second seeded Willmar Cardinals.  The Stars shut out the Cardinals twice in regular season play and are three wins away from their first trip to the X since 2022.  

Going south to Section 3, it's a three team race between the top seeded Marshall Tigers, the second seeded Luverne Cardinals and the third seeded New Ulm Eagles.  Can the Tigers end their 16 year state tournament drought? 

There are only two teams with a winning record in Section 4, the top seeded Holy Angels Stars and the second seeded South St. Paul Packers.  The two teams played each other to open their regular season with the Stars emerging victorious 4-1.  Could a rematch take place in the section final?  

In Section 5, the top seeded Orono Spartans could wind up battling their Wright County Conference rivals, second seeded Mound-Westonka/Southwest Christian.  But look out for the third seeded Breck Mustangs, fourth seeded Delano/Rockford and the fifth seeded Pine City Area Dragons.  Who will come out of this section?  

There's only one team with a winning record in Section 6 and it's the top seeded Fergus Falls Otters.  It's a four team section and the Otters could earn another trip down I-94 to St. Paul.  

Up north in Section 7, the top seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers can end the three years section dominance of the second seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage.  The two teams played each other January 23 with the Mirage a 4-3 winner.  Can Marshall climb to the top of the section hill or will Proctor/Hermantown head to St. Paul for the fourth consecutive year?  

Wrapping up the Class A preview is Section 8, where the top seeded and defending state champion Warroad Warriors have to get by the Crookston Pirates to earn their 14th state tournament berth.  

Next:  The eight Class AA sections