Following the Class AAAA Section Preview is the preview of the eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Austin Packers are en route toward their 30th trip to the state tournament. Both of their losses this season have been to the Rochester John Marshall Rockets. They are the team to beat in this section unless the second seeded Northfield Raiders and the third seeded Winona Winhawks can pull off an upset.
The top two seeds in Section 2 have identical 23-3 records, the top seeded Marshall Tigers and the second seeded Waseca Bluejays. The two teams split their season series with Waseca winning the more recent battle on March 2 54-50. Will they meet in the rubber game for a trip to Minneapolis? Or will the third seeded Mankato East Cougars or the fourth seeded Faribault Falcons emerge?
In Section 3, the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets look to accomplish what their ice counterparts have done this week and head for another state tournament. But the second seeded St. Paul Highland Park Scots are on a roll with nine straight wins and three more away from their first trip to Minneapolis since winning the Class AAA title in 1999. Not much beyond them in a weak section.
Over in Section 4, it's going to be a big week for Mahtomedi Zephyr fans. First, the boys hockey team, who upset St. Paul Academy in the Section 4A final will be playing in the state tournament. As for the boys basketball team, they are the section's top seed. The Zephyrs have been 14-2 since losing to the Columbia Heights Hylanders January 5. The Hylanders are the second seed and there could be a possible rematch in the section final. But wait. There's also another Tri-Metro Conference team in the mix, the third seeded St. Anthony Village Huskies.
The top seed in Section 5 is the Big Lake Hornets, looking for their first trip to state. The second seeded Rocori Spartans could make their first trip under Nate Guetter, who took over from long-time head coach Bob Brink. Also going for their first trip to Minneapolis is the third seeded Zimmerman Thunder. Will Hornet fans pack the Northstar Commuter Rail if Big Lake plays March 22 in the state Class AAA quarterfinals.
Section 6 has a familar ring to it. The DeLaSalle Islanders are the number one seed. Head coach Dave Thorson last season broke the 500 career win mark and won his fifth consecutive state Class AAA championship. The Islanders are led by a pair of talented athletes in Goanar Mar and Gabe Kalscheur. Looking to keep the Islanders team bus in it's Mississippi River campus garage are the hot second seeded Orono Spartans who have won seven in a row, the third seeded Delano Tigers and the fourth seeded Minneapolis Patrick Henry Patriots. DeLaSalle's championship could come to an end in a loaded Section 6.
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks are the top seed in Section 7 and are the only team with a record above .500. Grand Rapids has gone 14-1 since losing to Esko 64-57 on January 10. They could be on cruise control down Highway 169 since they are the heavy favorites to win the section title.
Wrapping up the Class AAA preview is Section 8 where there is a three team race led by the top seeded Fergus Falls Otters. Last year, the Otters advanced to the Class AAA final, losing 79-65 to the DeLaSalle Islanders. The second seeded Alexandria Cardinals and the third seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks are also in contention. The Lumberjacks are vying for their 30th trip to the state tournament and their first since 1985. It should be an interesting section to watch.
Next up: Who's left and who's contending in Class AA?
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