2021 Class AAA Boys Basketball State Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AAA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                              Games played Wednesday, March 31

                               GAMES AT ST. CLOUD TECH

5:00:  Monticello (Seed North 4) vs. Alexandria (Seed North 1) 

7:30:  Hibbing (Seed North 3) vs. DeLaSalle (Seed North 2)

6:30:  Richfield (Seed South 3) vs. Mankato West (Seed South 2) at Chanhassen

4:30:  Byron (Seed South 4) vs. Minnehaha Academy (Seed 1)

Examining the field:  The Monticello Magic make their 11th trip to state and have not won a state title.  They will face the Alexandria Cardinals, in their seventh state tournament appearance and their first since 2002.  It's been a big year for Alexandria with the girls basketball and hockey teams in the state tournament and now it's the boys basketball team's turn as they go for their first championship berth since 1943.

Last season, the Richfield Spartans would have played in their sixth state tournament but the tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19.  Now the Spartans qualified with a big upset win against the top seeded South St. Paul Packers.  The Mankato West Scarlets are playing in their sixth state tournament, their first since 2009.  Will Governor Tim Walz make the trip to see his former school in action at the Chanhassen High School gym?  He taught and coached football at Mankato West.  

Good news for Byron Bears fans, your team is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2013.  The bad news is their quarterfinal opponent is the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, perhaps the most dominant team in Minnesota.  The Redhawks only loss this season has been to IMG Academy from Florida.  Led by seven footer Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy is the favorite to win their fourth consecutive state title in eight state tournament appearances.  

Thw final quarterfinal game features the Hibbing Bluejackets, in their 11th trip to state and first since 1989.  They will face the perennial private school power from Minneapolis the DeLaSalle Islanders.  It's the 25th trip to state for the school on the banks of the Mississippi River.  The Islanders have won seven titles in their last eight appearances.  Can they make it eight of nine?