After examining eight Class AAAA sections, here's a preview of the eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Austin Packers are looking for their third straight trip up I-35 to Minneapolis. They have won nine of their last ten games and have a great chance to make their 32nd trip to state as well compete for their first state title since 1958. Austin has finished second six times since then. But first they will have to get past the second seeded Winona Winhawks or the third seeded Northfield Raiders.
Over in Section 2, the top seeded Waseca Blue Jays got off to a great start with 23 straight wins until they lost to the Marshall Tigers 77-73 on February 22. Waseca could get a rematch with the third seeded Tigers or the second seeded Mankato East Cougars who are on a seven game winning streak after losing three in a row.
Now to Section 3 where the top seeded Holy Angels Stars could follow in the footsteps of the girls team that's playing for a state tournament berth March 7. But there could be three other teams that could dim the Stars state tournament path. The second seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets, the third seeded St. Paul Harding Knights, which is looking for it's first state tournament trip since the school opened in 1932 and the fourth seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders.
Section 4 has the top seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs, who are on a nine game winning streak and hope to extend it to a dozen to earn their first trip to state since 1961. Looking to end the Zephyrs win streak are the second seeded Totino-Grace Eagles and the third seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors. The only other team at.500 is the fourth seeded St. Anthony Village Huskies.
The good news in Section 5 is that the defending state Class AAA champion Delano Tigers are the top seed. The bad news is they ended the season on a four game losing streak. It could also be a wide open race between the second seeded Willmar Cardinals, the third seeded Monticello Magic and the fourth seeded Big Lake Hornets.
Now here's a familiar refrain. the top seed in Section 6 is the DeLaSalle Islanders, who ended their six year championship reign last season with a loss to the Columbia Heights Hylanders in the Class AAA finals. It won't be easy with contenders that include the second seeded Cooper Hawks, the third seeded Waconia Wildcats and a team that's won 12 straight games and in the hunt for their first state tournament berth since 1974, the fourth seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks. Keep an eye on this section. It could get interesting.
Heading up north to Section 7, could this finally be the year the top seeded Princeton Tigers make their first trip down highway 169 to Minneapolis since 1932? Head coach Brett Cloutier has built an outstanding program that is led by Jon Stimmler. But before the Orange and Black fans descend on Minneapolis, there's another hot team to contend with, the second seeded Hibbing Bluejackets. The Bluejackets are on a 14 game winning streak as the vie for the first trip to state in 30 years. It has the makings of an outstanding section final.
Finishing the Class AAA preview is Section 8 as the top seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks are on a quest for their first state tournament trip since 1985. But in their path is the second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers and the third seeded Alexandria Cardinals.
Next up: The eight Class AA sections.
No comments:
Post a Comment