The final section basketball preview of 2019 examines the eight Class A sections. Some are already underway.
Section 1 has started and the top seeded Spring Grove Lions look to duplicate their championship success in Nine Man Football on the basketball court with Alex Folz, who quarterbacked the Lions to the state title. But there's plenty of competition ahead with the second seeded Randolph Rockets, the third seeded Rushford-Peterson Trojans who are looking for their 16th trip up Highway 52 and the fourth seeded Hayfield Vikings who enter section play on an eight game winning streak.
In Section 2, the top seed in the North Subsection is another school who had success on the gridiron, the BOLD Warriors. The Warriors lost to Mahnomen/Waubun by one point in the Class A final but they have a shot at state in basketball if they can get past the second seeded Minnesota Valley Lutheran Chargers or the third seeded Mayer Lutheran Crusaders. The South Subsection will be a three team race between the top seeded Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers, the second seeded Springfield Trojans and the third seeded Mountain Lake Area/Comfrey Wolverines.
What a season for basketball in Minneota. First the girls are the top ranked team in Class A and the boys are the top seeded team in the North Subsection as they lost their only two games by two points to second seeded Lac Qui Parle Valley and the Yellow Medicine East Sting. The Southwest MN Christian Eagles are the top seed in the South Subsection which also has the second seeded Murray county Central Rebels and the third seeded Westbrook/Walnut Grove Chargers.
Heading to Section 4, the top seeded Christ's Household of Faith Lions look to return to their first state tournament since 2001 when they lost in the Class A final to the Southwest MN Christian Eagles. But there are a couple of teams you've probably never heard of that could keep CHOF in St. Paul. They play in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference and they are the second seeded Avail Academy Valor and the third seeded Liberty Classical Academy Lions who are on a seven game winning streak. Avail Academy is based in Fridley and formerly known as Calvin Christian and Liberty Classical Academy is headquartered in White Bear Lake. No TCAC school has ever advanced to the state tournament. Could this be the year?
A couple of hot teams are the top two seeds in the North Subsection of Section 5. The top seeded Cromwell-Wright Cardinals enter section play with an 11 game winning streak and the second seeded Pine River-Backus Tigers have won eight straight. The Tigers are on a quest to return to Minneapolis for the first time since 2001. The South Subsection final could be a "Battle of the Jaguars" with top seeded Hinckley-Finlayson battling Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. Looking to crash the battle is the third seeded Upsala Cardinals, who are looking up into section play after finishing the season with a four game winning streak.
Now to Section 6, where the top seed in the North Section the Henning Hornets could head to the state tournament for the first time since 1966. The town of 802 inhabitants can celebrate if the get past second seeded Mahnomen/Waubun and the top seeded team in the South Subsection their only loss, the Parkers Prairie Bulldogs. The Bulldogs beat the Hornets in their final regular season game 77-74 in overtime. Could another overtime game be possible in the section final?
In Section 7, the top seeded North Woods Grizzlies lost their second straight Class A title game last season and being a 14 game win streak into section play. But the second seeded Nashwauk-Keewatin Spartans and the third seeded Lakeview Christian Lions, who are looking for their first trip down I-35 to Minneapolis since 2013 could keep the Iron Range team back in the range.
Wrapping up the section preview is Section 8 with the top seed in the East Subsection, the Cass Lake Panthers who are in the hunt for their eighth state tournament appearance. The Panthers only loss was to Mahnomen/Waubun on February 5 64-36. First they have to get past the second seeded Win-E-Mac Patriots, in the hunt for their first trip to state since 2000. In the West Subsection, the top seeded Ada-Borup West Cougars are the top seed and it could mean that fans could see one of the great pep bands in the state for the second state week if the girls head to Minneapolis the preceding week. It could be tough for the Cougars as the second seeded Sacred Heart Eagles from East Grand Forks enter section play winning their last four games and the third seeded Fertile-Beltrami Falcons could end their 18 year tournament drought.
There you have it. The four section previews in each class. Plenty of drama and excitement coming up.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Kaleidoscope Charter Comets Rout Groves Academy Griffins
On a chilly Monday night in St. Louis Park, Jacob Donnett heated up and scored a game high 47 points to lead the Kaleidoscope/Holy Spirit Comets to a 103-65 drubbing of the Groves Academy Griffins in the opening round of the 2019 Section 4A Boys Basketball Tournament.
There was good news for the Griffins early when Nick Maiers began the first half scoring on a three pointer :10 into the game. AJ Kargel would score first for the Comets and Goldstein would put Groves Academy ahead. Jacob Donnet would score five of the Comets first seven points and also hit a three pointer to help energize a 6-0 run. Goldstein would end the run for the Griffins and Noah Yager would hit to tie the game at 14. The Comets would forge ahead on a 12-0 run and they would stay in the lead the remainder of the game as Goldstein would end another run. Donnett would hit six shots from Minnetonka Blvd. and he would score 35 first half points to lead the Comets at halftime 62-35.
A brief glimmer of hope for the Griffins came in the second half as they went on a 4-0 run. That would be the only bright spot for Groves Academy in the second half as Kargel would score seven consecutive points as Donnett would go cold, missing several shots. he would hit his first second half basket with 11:24 to play. The Kargel and Donnett tandem would send the game into running time halfway through the second half. With the margin already decided, Griffins head coach Peter Shutte gave reserves an Ethan Ellertson and Jake Anderson some playing time as the season was winding down.
Kargel would finish the game with 41 points for the Comets. Goldstein would lead Groves Academy with 19 points. Larry Mohamed would add 18.
The Comets improved their record to 8-14 and will head to Maple Grove on Tuesday, March 5 to face the Heritage Christian Academy Eagles at 5:30 in the Section 4A Round of 16. The Griffins ended their season with a 5-18 record.
There was good news for the Griffins early when Nick Maiers began the first half scoring on a three pointer :10 into the game. AJ Kargel would score first for the Comets and Goldstein would put Groves Academy ahead. Jacob Donnet would score five of the Comets first seven points and also hit a three pointer to help energize a 6-0 run. Goldstein would end the run for the Griffins and Noah Yager would hit to tie the game at 14. The Comets would forge ahead on a 12-0 run and they would stay in the lead the remainder of the game as Goldstein would end another run. Donnett would hit six shots from Minnetonka Blvd. and he would score 35 first half points to lead the Comets at halftime 62-35.
A brief glimmer of hope for the Griffins came in the second half as they went on a 4-0 run. That would be the only bright spot for Groves Academy in the second half as Kargel would score seven consecutive points as Donnett would go cold, missing several shots. he would hit his first second half basket with 11:24 to play. The Kargel and Donnett tandem would send the game into running time halfway through the second half. With the margin already decided, Griffins head coach Peter Shutte gave reserves an Ethan Ellertson and Jake Anderson some playing time as the season was winding down.
Kargel would finish the game with 41 points for the Comets. Goldstein would lead Groves Academy with 19 points. Larry Mohamed would add 18.
The Comets improved their record to 8-14 and will head to Maple Grove on Tuesday, March 5 to face the Heritage Christian Academy Eagles at 5:30 in the Section 4A Round of 16. The Griffins ended their season with a 5-18 record.
2019 Class AA Boys Basketball Section Preview
Two classes have been previewed and two left to go. Some of the eight Class AA sections are already underway. Who's left standing? Here's who is left and who is about to start section play.
Section 1 has already started and the top seeded Lake City Tigers are the top seed, 40 years after a seven footer named Randy Breuer led them to their second straight Class A title. Looking to keep the Lake city fan buses from heading down the Great River Road are the second seeded Caledonia Warriors, which includes several players from the powerhouse Class AA football championship team, the third seeded Stewartville Trojans and the fourth seeded La Crescent Lancers.
There are only two teams with winning records in Section 2. In the North Subsection, the top seed is the Jordan Hubmen and in the South Subsection, the top seed is the St. Peter Saints. Jordan or St. Peter? Which team will make the trip up Highway 169 to Target Center?
Over in Section 3, the North Subsection's top seed is the New London-Spicer Wildcats, on the trail to their first trip to state since 2014 and their ninth overall. They will have to get past the second seeded Minnewaska Area Lakers or the third seeded Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers. To the South Subsection where the top seeded St. James Saints look to head to Minneapolis for the first time since 2003. The Jackson County Central Huskies occupy the second seed.
The top seed in Section 4 is the winner of two consecutive Class AA state titles the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks. The Redhawks are on a 16 game winning streak and have a very talented team led by Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren. They may be the odds on favorites to go for the threepeat but look out for the second seeded St. Croix Prep Lions and the third seeded Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas who could ground the Redhawks chances and earn their first trip to Target Center.
In Section 5, the top seeded Minneapolis North Polars were a dominant team in Class A but now that they are in Class AA, it will be a tough road for the Polars with the second seeded Breck Mustangs who are led by Colorado State bound David Roddy, the third seeded Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs and the fourth seeded Litchfield Dragons. Can the Polars freeze the opposition or there be an upset along the way?
There's some really good basketball coming up in Section 6 as the top seeded Melrose Dutchmen look to return to state for the first time since they won the Class AA title in 2015 and on the 45th anniversary of the team led by Mark Olberding that won the Class A championship. But before Melrose fans can make the trip down I-94, they are a number of hot teams that could dethrone the Dutchmen. They are the second seeded Albany Huskies, who enter section play with a nine game winning streak, the third seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders who finished the season with four wins in a row plus the fourth seeded Spectrum Sting from Elk River that's won 12 of their last 14 games. But wait, there's more. There is also the fifth seeded Pine City Dragons who have not lost a game since the Blake Bears defeated them 68-66 on January 5. The Dragons are in the hunt for their first state tournament berth since 1980? Who will come out of this section? Head up to St. Cloud State March 15 to find out.
Up north to Section 7 where the top seed in Subsection 1 is the Esko Eskomos, en route to their sixth trip down I-35 to Minneapolis in seven years. But look out for the second seeded Crosby-Ironton Rangers and the third seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. Fans in the Iron Range could be celebrating again, especially in the small town of Coleraine where the top seeded Greenway Raiders have a shot at their first state tournament berth since 1985. It comes after the boys hockey team sent the Hermantown Hawks home with a double overtime win in the Section 7A final. Greenway is hot while the second seeded Proctor Rails and the third seeded Virginia Blue Devils are not, ending the regualr season with losing streaks of seven and five games.
Concluding the Class AA preview is Section 8, with the North Subsection's top seed the Hawley Nuggets who look to win their first gold medals since 2000. They will have to get past a couple of hot teams, the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave, the third seeded Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebelss and the fourth seeded Roseau Rams. The top two seeds in the South Subsection have identical 25-1 records and could mead in the subsection final. The Perham Yellowjackets and the Osakis Silverstreaks. Some great basketball coming up in a region known for hockey.
next up: The eight Class A sections.
Section 1 has already started and the top seeded Lake City Tigers are the top seed, 40 years after a seven footer named Randy Breuer led them to their second straight Class A title. Looking to keep the Lake city fan buses from heading down the Great River Road are the second seeded Caledonia Warriors, which includes several players from the powerhouse Class AA football championship team, the third seeded Stewartville Trojans and the fourth seeded La Crescent Lancers.
There are only two teams with winning records in Section 2. In the North Subsection, the top seed is the Jordan Hubmen and in the South Subsection, the top seed is the St. Peter Saints. Jordan or St. Peter? Which team will make the trip up Highway 169 to Target Center?
Over in Section 3, the North Subsection's top seed is the New London-Spicer Wildcats, on the trail to their first trip to state since 2014 and their ninth overall. They will have to get past the second seeded Minnewaska Area Lakers or the third seeded Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers. To the South Subsection where the top seeded St. James Saints look to head to Minneapolis for the first time since 2003. The Jackson County Central Huskies occupy the second seed.
The top seed in Section 4 is the winner of two consecutive Class AA state titles the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks. The Redhawks are on a 16 game winning streak and have a very talented team led by Jalen Suggs and Chet Holmgren. They may be the odds on favorites to go for the threepeat but look out for the second seeded St. Croix Prep Lions and the third seeded Cristo Rey Jesuit Pumas who could ground the Redhawks chances and earn their first trip to Target Center.
In Section 5, the top seeded Minneapolis North Polars were a dominant team in Class A but now that they are in Class AA, it will be a tough road for the Polars with the second seeded Breck Mustangs who are led by Colorado State bound David Roddy, the third seeded Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs and the fourth seeded Litchfield Dragons. Can the Polars freeze the opposition or there be an upset along the way?
There's some really good basketball coming up in Section 6 as the top seeded Melrose Dutchmen look to return to state for the first time since they won the Class AA title in 2015 and on the 45th anniversary of the team led by Mark Olberding that won the Class A championship. But before Melrose fans can make the trip down I-94, they are a number of hot teams that could dethrone the Dutchmen. They are the second seeded Albany Huskies, who enter section play with a nine game winning streak, the third seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders who finished the season with four wins in a row plus the fourth seeded Spectrum Sting from Elk River that's won 12 of their last 14 games. But wait, there's more. There is also the fifth seeded Pine City Dragons who have not lost a game since the Blake Bears defeated them 68-66 on January 5. The Dragons are in the hunt for their first state tournament berth since 1980? Who will come out of this section? Head up to St. Cloud State March 15 to find out.
Up north to Section 7 where the top seed in Subsection 1 is the Esko Eskomos, en route to their sixth trip down I-35 to Minneapolis in seven years. But look out for the second seeded Crosby-Ironton Rangers and the third seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. Fans in the Iron Range could be celebrating again, especially in the small town of Coleraine where the top seeded Greenway Raiders have a shot at their first state tournament berth since 1985. It comes after the boys hockey team sent the Hermantown Hawks home with a double overtime win in the Section 7A final. Greenway is hot while the second seeded Proctor Rails and the third seeded Virginia Blue Devils are not, ending the regualr season with losing streaks of seven and five games.
Concluding the Class AA preview is Section 8, with the North Subsection's top seed the Hawley Nuggets who look to win their first gold medals since 2000. They will have to get past a couple of hot teams, the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave, the third seeded Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Rebelss and the fourth seeded Roseau Rams. The top two seeds in the South Subsection have identical 25-1 records and could mead in the subsection final. The Perham Yellowjackets and the Osakis Silverstreaks. Some great basketball coming up in a region known for hockey.
next up: The eight Class A sections.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
2019 Class AAA Boys Basketball Section Preview
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.
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.
2019 Class AAAA Boys Basketball Section Preview
The second and last four part section preview looks at the eight boys basketball sections in the four classes. First up is Class AAAA.
Heading south to Section 1 where once again head coach John Oxton has led the Lakeville North Panthers to the top seed. Last season, the Panthers took home the Class AAAA third place trophy. But this year could be the end of the Lakeville monopoly in Section 1 with the hot, second seeded Rochester John Marshall Rockers, winners of 12 straight games. The Rockets have the state's best player in Matthew Hurt, who has not led his team to Target Center. This could be the be the year basketball fans can finally see this talented youngster before some Division I power outside Minnesota keeps him from playing along side his brother Michael at The Barn.
Over in Section 2, the top ranked team in Class AAAA is the top seeded Prior Lake Lakers. Section play, in the words of Ringo Starr "It Don't Come Easy" because there are five other teams that could dethrone Prior Lake. Two teams from the Lake Conference, the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles and the third seeded Edina Hornets followed by the fourth seeded Shakopee Sabers, the fifth seeded Chaska Hawks who are on an 11 game winning streak and look out for the sixith seeded Chanhassen Storm. Who will it be? Find out in the section final, March 15.
What's up with Section 3? There's only one team with a winning record, the top seeded Eastview Lightning. They enter section play with four wins in their last five games. Looking to pull the upset are the second seeded Burnsville Blaze and the third seeded Eagan Wildcats.
Now to Section 4 which has the best team in Class AAAA besides Prior Lake, the top seeded East Ridge Raptors. The City of Woodbury has had some outstanding team when the Royals were the lone high school team going back to the days of Del Schifffler and on the girls side, Dave Preller but it could be a first for Bryce Texdahl's bunch, led by Ben Carlson and Alex Larson. But first they have to get past the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders or the hot third seed, the Tartan Titans who have won 17 games in a row. It should be an outstanding section.
In Section 5, it could be a two team race with a couple of Northwest Suburban Conference teams, the top seeded Park Center Pirates and the second seeded Champlin Park Rebels, who are on a nine game winning streak. The Pirates only loss this season was to the Armstrong Falcons January 8. They have a very talented junior in 6'10" Dain Dainja. Remember Theo John, who led the Rebels to the 2017 Class AAAA final and now plays for Marquette? His brother Alex is a 6'8" senior. Can he lead the Rebels to another trip to Target Center? First they will likely deal with the third seeded Spring Lake Park Panthers.
As of this writing, the Section 6 pairings have not yet been released but it is likely that the top seeds, just like their female counterparts will be Hopkins and Wayzata. As for the St. Louis Park Orioles, they could go fourth or fifth.
Heading north to Section 7 where it has been a great winter season for the blue and white clad Blaine fans. First, the boys hockey team got the number two seed in the state tournament and now the boys basketball team has the top seed. Another school that's also battling for the Class AA boys hockey title is the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds. Also in the hunt is the third seeded Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets.
Concluding the Class AAAA Preview is Section 8 as the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson hasn't missed a beat since they lost Brad Davison to graduation and the Wisconsin Badgers. A memo to Nick Schroeder, you've got tough competition in your path down I-94 to downtown Minneapolis as the second seeded Buffalo Bison, the third seeded Moorhead Spuds and the fourth seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights battle the Crimson. Another tough section.
Next up, the eight Class AAA sections.
Heading south to Section 1 where once again head coach John Oxton has led the Lakeville North Panthers to the top seed. Last season, the Panthers took home the Class AAAA third place trophy. But this year could be the end of the Lakeville monopoly in Section 1 with the hot, second seeded Rochester John Marshall Rockers, winners of 12 straight games. The Rockets have the state's best player in Matthew Hurt, who has not led his team to Target Center. This could be the be the year basketball fans can finally see this talented youngster before some Division I power outside Minnesota keeps him from playing along side his brother Michael at The Barn.
Over in Section 2, the top ranked team in Class AAAA is the top seeded Prior Lake Lakers. Section play, in the words of Ringo Starr "It Don't Come Easy" because there are five other teams that could dethrone Prior Lake. Two teams from the Lake Conference, the second seeded Eden Prairie Eagles and the third seeded Edina Hornets followed by the fourth seeded Shakopee Sabers, the fifth seeded Chaska Hawks who are on an 11 game winning streak and look out for the sixith seeded Chanhassen Storm. Who will it be? Find out in the section final, March 15.
What's up with Section 3? There's only one team with a winning record, the top seeded Eastview Lightning. They enter section play with four wins in their last five games. Looking to pull the upset are the second seeded Burnsville Blaze and the third seeded Eagan Wildcats.
Now to Section 4 which has the best team in Class AAAA besides Prior Lake, the top seeded East Ridge Raptors. The City of Woodbury has had some outstanding team when the Royals were the lone high school team going back to the days of Del Schifffler and on the girls side, Dave Preller but it could be a first for Bryce Texdahl's bunch, led by Ben Carlson and Alex Larson. But first they have to get past the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders or the hot third seed, the Tartan Titans who have won 17 games in a row. It should be an outstanding section.
In Section 5, it could be a two team race with a couple of Northwest Suburban Conference teams, the top seeded Park Center Pirates and the second seeded Champlin Park Rebels, who are on a nine game winning streak. The Pirates only loss this season was to the Armstrong Falcons January 8. They have a very talented junior in 6'10" Dain Dainja. Remember Theo John, who led the Rebels to the 2017 Class AAAA final and now plays for Marquette? His brother Alex is a 6'8" senior. Can he lead the Rebels to another trip to Target Center? First they will likely deal with the third seeded Spring Lake Park Panthers.
As of this writing, the Section 6 pairings have not yet been released but it is likely that the top seeds, just like their female counterparts will be Hopkins and Wayzata. As for the St. Louis Park Orioles, they could go fourth or fifth.
Heading north to Section 7 where it has been a great winter season for the blue and white clad Blaine fans. First, the boys hockey team got the number two seed in the state tournament and now the boys basketball team has the top seed. Another school that's also battling for the Class AA boys hockey title is the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds. Also in the hunt is the third seeded Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets.
Concluding the Class AAAA Preview is Section 8 as the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson hasn't missed a beat since they lost Brad Davison to graduation and the Wisconsin Badgers. A memo to Nick Schroeder, you've got tough competition in your path down I-94 to downtown Minneapolis as the second seeded Buffalo Bison, the third seeded Moorhead Spuds and the fourth seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights battle the Crimson. Another tough section.
Next up, the eight Class AAA sections.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
2019 State Class AA Boys Hockey Tournament Preview
2019 STATE CLASS AA BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
(GAMES PLAYED THURSDAY, MARCH 7 AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL)
11:00: White Bear Lake vs. Blaine (Seed 2)
1:00: Lakeville South vs. Eden Prairie (Seed 3)
6:00: Moorhead vs. Edina (Seed 1)
8:00: Duluth East (Seed 5) vs. St. Thomas Academy (Seed 4)
EXAMINING THE FIELD
Hey fans, get ready to pack the Xcel Energy Center's green seats as the Class AA quarterfinals begin with the White Bear Lake Bears head to state for the 19th time against the second seeded Blaine Bengals.who head down Highway 65 for their 12th trip to St. Paul. The Bears earned their trip down White Bear Way with a 3-2 win in the Section 4AA final against perennial power Hill-Murray. White Bear Lake has not brought home a championship trophy in their 18 previous trips to state. It won't be easy against the Bengals, who have not lost a game since they fell to the Eden Prairie Eagles 7-6 on December 22.
And speaking of Eden Prairie, the Eagles are the third seed and are in the tournament for the 11th time. They clinched their trip to the X with a 2-1 win over the Holy Family Catholic Fire. Hopefully Casey Mittelstadt will be watching on prep45.com because his brothers John and Luke are playing on the varsity. They will go against the Lakeville South Cougars, who were the fourth seed in Section 1AA and beat the top seeded Hastings Raiders and their city rival, the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers. It's the fourth trip to the X for the Cougars and 14th for a team from the growing metropolis of Lakeville. Can they beat another top seeded team.
Now to the evening session as the Moorhead Spuds are back at the X for their 16th trip to state but they have never won a state title. The Spuds have seven second place finishes and it gets even tougher going up against the top seeded and top ranked team in Class AA the Edina Hornets. The Hornets played Moorhead during the regular season, downing the Spuds 6-5 on December 27. Since the calendar changed to 2019, Edina has gone 15-1-1, including a come from behind win against the Minnetonka Skippers that lofted the Hornets to the top of the Class AA rankings. It's the 38th trip to state for a team from edina. Can they add another trophy to their crowded trophy case?
Concluding the Class AA quarterfinals is the fifth seeded Duluth East Greyhounds, making their 24th trip down I-35 against the St. Thomas Academy Cadets, who head to the X for the 12th time. It's a battle featuring two outstanding coaches, Mike Randolph of the Greyhounds and Tom and Greg Vannelli of the Cadets. The Brothers Vannelli are wrapping up their coaching career looking to win a Class AA title but first they will likely face the Hornets if they win. They lost to Edina 6-2 December 28. Is a rematch in the works?
Outstanding high school hockey coming up in the state tournament's 75th year.
(GAMES PLAYED THURSDAY, MARCH 7 AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL)
11:00: White Bear Lake vs. Blaine (Seed 2)
1:00: Lakeville South vs. Eden Prairie (Seed 3)
6:00: Moorhead vs. Edina (Seed 1)
8:00: Duluth East (Seed 5) vs. St. Thomas Academy (Seed 4)
EXAMINING THE FIELD
Hey fans, get ready to pack the Xcel Energy Center's green seats as the Class AA quarterfinals begin with the White Bear Lake Bears head to state for the 19th time against the second seeded Blaine Bengals.who head down Highway 65 for their 12th trip to St. Paul. The Bears earned their trip down White Bear Way with a 3-2 win in the Section 4AA final against perennial power Hill-Murray. White Bear Lake has not brought home a championship trophy in their 18 previous trips to state. It won't be easy against the Bengals, who have not lost a game since they fell to the Eden Prairie Eagles 7-6 on December 22.
And speaking of Eden Prairie, the Eagles are the third seed and are in the tournament for the 11th time. They clinched their trip to the X with a 2-1 win over the Holy Family Catholic Fire. Hopefully Casey Mittelstadt will be watching on prep45.com because his brothers John and Luke are playing on the varsity. They will go against the Lakeville South Cougars, who were the fourth seed in Section 1AA and beat the top seeded Hastings Raiders and their city rival, the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers. It's the fourth trip to the X for the Cougars and 14th for a team from the growing metropolis of Lakeville. Can they beat another top seeded team.
Now to the evening session as the Moorhead Spuds are back at the X for their 16th trip to state but they have never won a state title. The Spuds have seven second place finishes and it gets even tougher going up against the top seeded and top ranked team in Class AA the Edina Hornets. The Hornets played Moorhead during the regular season, downing the Spuds 6-5 on December 27. Since the calendar changed to 2019, Edina has gone 15-1-1, including a come from behind win against the Minnetonka Skippers that lofted the Hornets to the top of the Class AA rankings. It's the 38th trip to state for a team from edina. Can they add another trophy to their crowded trophy case?
Concluding the Class AA quarterfinals is the fifth seeded Duluth East Greyhounds, making their 24th trip down I-35 against the St. Thomas Academy Cadets, who head to the X for the 12th time. It's a battle featuring two outstanding coaches, Mike Randolph of the Greyhounds and Tom and Greg Vannelli of the Cadets. The Brothers Vannelli are wrapping up their coaching career looking to win a Class AA title but first they will likely face the Hornets if they win. They lost to Edina 6-2 December 28. Is a rematch in the works?
Outstanding high school hockey coming up in the state tournament's 75th year.
2019 State Class A Boys Hockey Tournament Preview
2019 STATE CLASS A BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
(GAMES PLAYED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL)
11:00: North Branch vs. St. Cloud Cathedral (Seed 2)
1:00: Minnesota River Bulldogs vs. East Grand Forks (Seed 3)
6:00: New Ulm vs. Mahtomedi (Seed 1)
8:00: Delano (Seed 5) vs. Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (Seed 4)
EXAMINING THE FIELD
For the first time in program history, the North Branch Vikings will be headed down I-35 to St. Paul as they open up the 75th edition of the Minnesota State High Boys Hockey Tournament. The Vikings are on a six game winning streak after they beat the Chisago Lakes Wildcats in the Section 5A Finals. The Red and White had a tough draw as they got the second seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders. The Crusaders have made their ninth trip to state and their third in four years. It's also the combined 25th state tournament appearance by a Granite City school and there have been no state championships. Could this be the year for the Crusaders? They got off to a 12-0 start before falling to the Hermantown Hawks. It could be a big week of hockey for St. Cloud fans.
Concluding the afternoon session is another first time entry, the Minnesota River Bulldogs and the third seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave in their 12th trip to St. Paul. Fans in St. Peter, Le Sueur and Henderson are celebrating the Bulldogs first trip to state as they will head up Highway 169 to cheer on the Bulldogs, who have won 11 or their last 12 games since losing to Mankato East/Loyola 4-3 in overtime December 22. The Green Wave won back to back Class A titles in 2014 and 2015 and have been playing pretty pretty pretty good hockey since they lost three straight games in February. In their last four games, East Grand Forks has activated the red light 17 times and allowing only one goal, which was to Warroad in the Section 8A final. Can the Bulldogs pull off the upset or will the Green Wave continue their quest for the gold.
To the evening session which begins with the New Ulm Eagles returning to the X for the first time since 2015. The Eagles were seeded third in Section 3A and have won five straight games. They go up against the top seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs who have won six of their last seven games and are in their 11th trip to state but still looking for their first state championship. Could this finally be the year head coach Jeff Poechel leads the Zephyrs to a state title? Not so fast Zephyr fans. They still have to get past St. Cloud Cathedral or East Grand Forks if they can hoist the championship trophy March 9.
Wrapping up the Class A quarterfinals is the team that ended the Orono Spartans Class A title reign the fifth seeded Delano Tigers who will battle a team you didn't expect to make the trip to St. Paul, the Greenway/Nashwauk Keewatin Raiders. The Tigers make their first trip down Highway 12 since 2017 and went through the Section 2A tournament outscoring their three opponents 10-0. As for the Raiders, in a dramatic finish in Duluth, they ended the Hermantown Hawks nine year state tournament run with a 2-1 double overtime win in the Section 7A final, earning the Coleraine based school their first trip to state since 2001 and 10th overall. Can their momentum continue?
Next: The Class AA preview
(GAMES PLAYED WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL)
11:00: North Branch vs. St. Cloud Cathedral (Seed 2)
1:00: Minnesota River Bulldogs vs. East Grand Forks (Seed 3)
6:00: New Ulm vs. Mahtomedi (Seed 1)
8:00: Delano (Seed 5) vs. Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin (Seed 4)
EXAMINING THE FIELD
For the first time in program history, the North Branch Vikings will be headed down I-35 to St. Paul as they open up the 75th edition of the Minnesota State High Boys Hockey Tournament. The Vikings are on a six game winning streak after they beat the Chisago Lakes Wildcats in the Section 5A Finals. The Red and White had a tough draw as they got the second seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders. The Crusaders have made their ninth trip to state and their third in four years. It's also the combined 25th state tournament appearance by a Granite City school and there have been no state championships. Could this be the year for the Crusaders? They got off to a 12-0 start before falling to the Hermantown Hawks. It could be a big week of hockey for St. Cloud fans.
Concluding the afternoon session is another first time entry, the Minnesota River Bulldogs and the third seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave in their 12th trip to St. Paul. Fans in St. Peter, Le Sueur and Henderson are celebrating the Bulldogs first trip to state as they will head up Highway 169 to cheer on the Bulldogs, who have won 11 or their last 12 games since losing to Mankato East/Loyola 4-3 in overtime December 22. The Green Wave won back to back Class A titles in 2014 and 2015 and have been playing pretty pretty pretty good hockey since they lost three straight games in February. In their last four games, East Grand Forks has activated the red light 17 times and allowing only one goal, which was to Warroad in the Section 8A final. Can the Bulldogs pull off the upset or will the Green Wave continue their quest for the gold.
To the evening session which begins with the New Ulm Eagles returning to the X for the first time since 2015. The Eagles were seeded third in Section 3A and have won five straight games. They go up against the top seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs who have won six of their last seven games and are in their 11th trip to state but still looking for their first state championship. Could this finally be the year head coach Jeff Poechel leads the Zephyrs to a state title? Not so fast Zephyr fans. They still have to get past St. Cloud Cathedral or East Grand Forks if they can hoist the championship trophy March 9.
Wrapping up the Class A quarterfinals is the team that ended the Orono Spartans Class A title reign the fifth seeded Delano Tigers who will battle a team you didn't expect to make the trip to St. Paul, the Greenway/Nashwauk Keewatin Raiders. The Tigers make their first trip down Highway 12 since 2017 and went through the Section 2A tournament outscoring their three opponents 10-0. As for the Raiders, in a dramatic finish in Duluth, they ended the Hermantown Hawks nine year state tournament run with a 2-1 double overtime win in the Section 7A final, earning the Coleraine based school their first trip to state since 2001 and 10th overall. Can their momentum continue?
Next: The Class AA preview
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