Three classes for girls basketball sections have been examined and one more to go with the eight Class A sections.
It's down to the final four in Section 1 where the top seeded Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms are two wins away from their first trip to state since 1999. First they take on the fourth seeded Hayfield Vikings. The lower bracket has the second seeded Fillmore Central Falcons, winners of four straight going up against the sixth seeded Grand Meadow Superlarks, The Superlarks were super in quarterfinal play with an upset win over the third seeded Houston Hurricanes.
The top seed in the Section 2 North subsection is the Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Saints, in the hunt for their first trip to Minneapolis in 15 years. The will have to get past the second seeded Central Minnesota Christian Bluejays and the third seeded Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Mustangs. The South Subsection could be a two team race between the top seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers and the second seeded Springfield Trojans.
Section 3 is also down to the final four with the top seeded and defending Class A champion Minneota Vikings facing the Lakeview Lakers in the North Subsection final and in the South Subsection final, the top seeded Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots face the second seeded Southwest Minnesota Christian Eagles.
The most interesting Class A section is Section 4 since there are six teams that have a shot at heading to The Barn. There's the top seeded Mayer Lutheran Crusaders who have not been to state since 2001 and played in a state title game since 1977. But before Crusader fans head down Highway 7, there could be gridlock in the second seeded Heritage Christian Eagles, the third seeded Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs, the fourth seeded Legacy Christian Lady Lions, followed by the red hot fifth seeded United Christian Academy Thunder who have won 14 straight games and the school with perhaps the most unique nickname in Minnesota, the Avail Academy Valor. Who will come out of this section? The mystery will be solved March 6.
Fans could be celebrating in Walker, Hackensack and Akeley since the Wolves are the top seed in the Section 5 West Subsection and are on a quest to head to their first state tournament. They will have to get past the second seeded Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars. The top seed in the East Subsection is the East Central Eagles followed by the second seeded Ogilvie Lions.
Here's an outstanding section in Section 6. In the North Subsection, it's a four team race that starts with the top seeded Henning Hornets, hoping to duplicate the success of their male counterparts who won the Class A title last season. Henning fans, don't make your hotel reservations for Minneapolis just yet since the Hornets have tough competition in the second seeded Underwood Rockets, the third seeded Park Christian Falcons and the fourth seeded Ada-Borup Cougars who have one of the state's best pep bands. The South Subsection has the top seeded West Central Area Knights, looking for their first trip to state. The second seeded Hancock Owls have won nine straight games and have to get past the third seeded Parkers Prairie Bulldogs. Next Friday's section final should be a dandy. Who will make the trip down I-94 to The Barn?
Another tough northern section is Section 7 where the top seeded Cromwell-Wright Cardinals have won 10 straight games. Watch out Cardinals, the second seeded Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers are in your path. Jeff Buffetta has led the Rangers to nine straight state tournaments and are in danger of the streak ending if they don't beat the Cardinals. Looking for the upsets are the third seeded Cherry Tigers, the fourth seeded Ely Timberwolves and the fifth seeded Chisholm Bluestreaks. Get up north to see some great girls basketball.
And finally Section 8 where the top seed in the East Subsection is the Fosston Greyhounds who are in the hunet for their first trip to state in 14 years. Another drought that could end is the second seeded Cass Lake-Bena Panthers whose last trip to Minneapolis was in 2005. But the top seeded Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Ponies have not lost a game since they were beaten by Red Lake County Central January 9. A rematch could occur since Red Lake County Central is the second seed.
That's the section preview for the four classes. Research coming from minnesota-scores.net and the Minnesota State High School League website.
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