Some sections are already underway in Class A but there are some section that haven't started. Here's a preview and who's left standing in the eight Class A sections.
One thing that's certain in Section 1 is that there is likely going to be a new champion. Last year's section and state champion the Lyle/Pacelli Athletics has the fourth seed and the way the bracket looks, they may have to face the top seeded Grand Meadow Superlarks. There's very tough competition in the section with the second seeded Goodhue Wildcats and the third seeded Hayfield Vikings. One upset has taken place, the 12th seeded Southland Rebels beat fifth seeded Fillmore Central. Plenty of outstanding basketball coming up at the Mayo Civic Auditorium in Rochester.
Heading south to Section 2 where the North Subsection's top seed is the BOLD Warriors, who are in the hunt for their first trip to Minneapolis since 2013. They will have to get past the second seeded Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Knights. To the South Subsection where the Mountain Lake Comfrey/Wolverines are the top two seeds and the only ones with a winning record.
The top ranked team in Class A is also the top seed in the North Subsection of Section 3, the Minneota Vikings. Head coach Chad Johnston has built two power programs at the southwest Minnesota school in football and girls basketball and they are undefeated against in-state teams, losing only to a South Dakota school, Brandon Valley. They have to get past the second seeded Lac Qui Parle Valley Eagles or the third seeded Wabasso Rabbits to head to the section final. The top seed in the South Subsection is the unbeaten Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots. Still in action are the second seeded Southwest MN Christian Eagles and the third seeded Red Rock Central Falcons. Look out for a potential Minneota-Hills-Beaver Creek section final. It will be a big test for the Vikings.
In Section 4, the bracket hasn't been released as of this post but in all likelihood the top seed will be the Heritage Christian Academy Eagles. They have close to the number one spot all season and could be back to state for the second straight year. But there plenty of competition in the Eagles way. The Christ's Household of Faith Lions and one of the hottest teams you probably haven't heard of the Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas. Where's Cristo Rey Jesuit? It's located in south Minneapolis and home to a 17 game winning streak. They have not lost since December 28 when Mounds Park Academy beat them in a holiday tournament. Can they pull the upset and head to the University of Minnesota campus?
Now to Section 5. In the North Subsection, the top seeded and defending section champion Menagha Braves look to return to state but there's a hot team that could make their first trip to Minneapolis and it's the second seeded Pine River-Backus Tigers, winners of 16 straight games. Also looked at a good run is the third seeded Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves. The top two seeded in the south Subsection are on a quest for their first trip to state. They are the top seeded Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars and the second seeded Swanville Swans.
Looking at Section 6, the top seed in the North Subsection is the Pelican Rapids Vikings, who are in the hunt for their first trip down I-94 to state in six years. But look out for perennial power, the second seeded Ada-Boru/Norman County West Cougars and a team looking for their first state tournament berth the third seeded Park Christian Falcons. Over in the South Subsection, the top seeded Parkers Prairie Bulldogs have a shot at their first state tournament berth since 2010 when fans got their first look at a player who would play for the Gophers, Sari Noga. But one team also looking for their first state tournament trip, the second seeded West Central Area Knights. Exciting basketball to watch in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
In Section 7, could this be the end of the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers eight year state tournament run? The Cromwell-Wright Cardinals have the number one seed while the Rangers are seeded second. The two team split their regular season series. A rematch is possible in the section final as Jeff Buffetta's bunch looks to extend their state tournament run to nine.
The last section examined is Section 8, beginning with the East Subsection. The top seed is the Red Lake Warriors followed by the second seeded Fosston Greyhounds who are looking for their first trip to Minneapolis since 2006. In the West Subsection, the top seeded team is best known for their outstanding Nine Man Football program, the Stephen-Argyle Storm. The defending section champions only regular season loss was by four points to the Crookston Pirates. The second seeded Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies got off to a 12-1 start but went 5-7 the rest of the season. Also in the hunt is the third seeded Greenbush-Middle River Gators.
Who will fill the brackets for the four classes? Plenty or drama and excitement coming up as the Road to the Barn gets underway.
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