2021 Class A State Boys Basketball Quarterfinal Preview

 2021 CLASS A STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                              Games played Wednesday, March 31

5:00:  Hancock (Seed North 4) vs. Nevis (Seed North 1) at Perham

7:30:  Sleepy Eye St. Mary's (Seed South 3) vs. Central MN Christian (Seed South 2) at Mankato East

4:30:  Hayfield (Seed South 4) vs. Legacy Christian Academy (Seed South 1) at Rochester Mayo

6:00:  Badger/Greenbush-Middle River (Seed North 3) vs. Deer River (Seed North 1) at Pequot Lakes

Examining the field:  The first team to win the Class A title since the four class format began in 1997 was the Hancock Owls and they make their sixth trip to state and first since 2013.  They beat the top ranked team in Class A Mahnomen/Waubun 77-71 in the Section 6 final.  They face the hot Nevis Tigers, in their second straight and fourth overall tournament.  The Tigers enter tournament play on a 12 game winning streak.  Can they remain hot to win their first Class A title?  

It's been a great winter for Sleepy Eye St. Mary's fans.  First the girls battle the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders on the 31st at Mankato East then fans can stick around and see the boys team in their fourth trip to state against the Central MN Christina Bluejays.  The Saints, in their fourth state tournament are on a nine game winning streak.  Two of their three losses were to Minnesota Valley Lutheran.  The Bluejays are in their fifth state tournament and beat Southwest MN Christian in the Section 3 finals.

The Hayfield Vikings make their fifth state tournament appearance and their first since 2013.  They were the number three seed in Section 1.  Hayfield beat the top seeded Southland Rebels in the Section 1 final.  It's the second straight trip to state for the Legacy Christian Academy Lions.  The Andover based school, formerly known as Meadow Creek Christian, has won 11 straight games since losing to Lester Prairie.  Can the Lions roar their way to their first Class A title?  

Fans from Badger, Greenbush and Middle River can celebrate because the Gators are heading to their first state tournament since 2007.  The Gators are on a 10 game winning streak.  If you haven't heard of these northwestern Minnesota towns, you will probably hear more about them if they play on 45TV should they make it to the semifinals.  First they have to face the Deer River Warriors, who are playing in their first state tournament.  They have not lost a game since they were defeated by the Northland Eagles January 22.  

That's all the state tournament previews.  Plenty of exciting action in both basketball and hockey this week and next week.  

2021 Class AA State Boys Basketball Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                                           Game Played Tuesday, March 30

8:00:  Fergus Falls (Seed North 3) vs. Annandale (Seed North 2) at Alexandria

                                           Games Played Wednesday, March 31

1:00:  Moose Lake/Willow River (Seed North 4) vs. Minneapolis North (Seed North 1) at Osseo

7:30:  St. Croix Prep (Seed South 3) vs. Caledonia (Seed South 2) at Rochester Mayo

4:00:  Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta (Seed South 4) vs. Waseca (Seed South 1) at Chanhassen

Examining the Field:  When you add up the records of the eight Class AA teams, you get a combined 145-17.  There are a number of outstanding teams in the field, beginning with the lone Tuesday game featuring the Fergus Falls Otters and the Annandale Cardinals.  The Otters are in their 11th trip to state and enter the tournament on an eight game winning streak.  The Cardinals are in their seventh state tournament and looking for their first championship berth since finishing second in 2014.  

Wednesday's games begin with an early 1 PM game featuring the Moose Lake/Willow River Rebels, in their second state tournament but their first since 2005.  The Rebels were the third seed in Section 7 and beat the Pequot Lakes Patriots in the title game.  They face the Mpls. North Polars, in their 23rd trip to state and in the hunt for their first Class AA title since winning the 2016 & 2017 Class A championships.  Mpls. North is led by Marcus Owens and Javon Townley. Can the Polars achieve success at the next level?  

The first of two first time teams in Class AA is the Morris Area/Chokio Alberta Tigers.  Both of their losses were to the Melrose Dutchmen and they enter the tournament on a seven game winning streak.  They face the top ranked team in Class AA, the Waseca Blue Jays.  It's the 10th trip to state for the blue and gold who lost to DeLaSalle in the Class AAA championship game.  Can Waseca bring home their first title trophy since 1918?  

Concluding quarterfinal Wednesday is the other first time team, the St. Croix Prep Lions.  Where is St. Croix Prep, might you ask?  It's located in Stillwater.  The Lions only defeat this season was to the Blake Bears.  They will face the Caledonia Warriors, in their ninth state tournament and looking for their first championship trophy since 1997.  A quarterfinal win could force a showdown with a team that has played against them in football, Minneapolis North.  Can Caledonia's football success continue on the basketball court?  

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?  

2021 Class AAAA Boys Basketball State Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AAAA STATE BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                                       Games played Wednesday, March 31

                              GAMES PLAYED AT OSSEO HIGH SCHOOL

4:00:  Duluth East (Seed North 3) vs. Wayzata (Seed North 2)

7:00:  Maple Grove (Seed North 4) vs. Champlin Park (Seed North 1)

7:00:  Rosemount (South Seed 3) vs. Cretin-Derham Hall (South Seed 2) at East Ridge

7:00:  Owatonna (South Seed 4) vs. Shakopee (South Seed 1) at Hastings

Examining the field:  Looking at the Class AAAA bracket, the first game features a Northwest Suburban Conference battle between the Maple Grove Crimson and the unbeaten Champlin Park Rebels.  The Crimson is in their eighth state tournament and have not played in a title game since 2000.  The Rebels, the top ranked team most of the season make their fifth appearance and beat Maple Grove twice in the regular season.  Can they make it three in a row?  

Irish eyes are smiling in Rosemount as the Irish plays in their fourth state tournament but first since 1987.  Rosemount, the third seed in Section 3 is on a six game winning streak and faces the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, in their 12th state tournament.  The Raiders have one of Minnesota's top junior guards, Tre Holloman.  He has helped CDH's road to state as they enter with a five game winning streak.  

For the first time in 10 years, the Owatonna Huskies are in the state tournament as they make their seventh appearance.  The third seed in Section 1, they are on a roll, winning seven straight games.  They will face the Shakopee Sabers, in their ninth trip to state.  The Sabers took home the Class AAA trophy in 2005 under the guidance of long-time head coach Bruce Kugath.  Now Jake Dammann is heading Shakopee.  Can he lead the Sabers to their first state title in 16 years, the first in Class AAAA.

Wrapping up the Class AAAA quarterfinals is the Duluth East Greyhounds, who are playing in their 14th state tournament and have not taken the championship hardware up I-35 in three championship games.  They face the Wayzata Trojans, in their sixth state tournament and on a quest for the school's first state title since 1959.  

2021 Class A State Girls Basketball Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS A STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                                 Games played Tuesday, March 30

7:00:  West Central Area (Seed North 4) vs. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa (North Seed 1) at Perham

5:00:  Houston (Seed South 4) vs .Minneota (Seed South 1) at Mankato East

4:30:  Cass Lake-Bena (Seed North 3) vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl (Seed North 2) at Pequot Lakes

                                  Game Played Wednesday, March 31

5:00:  Sleepy Eye-St. Mary's (Seed South 3) vs. Mayer Lutheran (South Seed 2)

Examining the field:  Two first time teams are among the eight in this year's Class A tournament.  The first is the West Central Area Knights, located in Barrett.  The Knights have won 12 of their last 13 games including victories over the two top subsection seeds the Hancock Owls and the Henning Hornets.  Their opponent, the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars is in their second straight trip to state and enters on a 12 game winning streak since losing to the Minneota Vikings.  Could there be a rematch in the Class A final?  

The second game features a couple of teams that have ended state tournament droughts.  The first, the unbeaten Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Saints make their third appearance and first since 2005.  They will take on the Mayer Lutheran Crusaders.  The Crusaders are playing in their fourth tournament and their first since 2001.  Mayer Lutheran is on an eight game winning streak headed into the state tournament and is best known for a successful Class A volleyball program.  Can the school's volleyball success transfer to the basketball court.  

The other first time team in Class A is the Houston Hurricane.  Houston has lived up to their name throughout the season as they have gone unbeaten with only two games decided by a margin of less than 10 points.  However, they have a difficult opponent to solve in the defending Class A champion Minneota Vikings.  Head coach Chad Johnston has built a solid program in girls basketball as well as football and this game should be a big test for both teams.  Even though fan counts are restricted due to the pandemic, this would be worth the trip down Highway 169 to Mankato.  This should be a dandy.  

Wrapping up the quarterfinals are the Cass Lake-Bena Panthers, in their fourth trip to state and first since 2005 and the perennial Iron Range power led by Jeff Buffeta, the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers.  It's the Rangers 11th trip to state and they are still looking to bring a title trophy home to the two communities.  Cass Lake-Bena has gone 12-2 since starting 1-3 due to two forfeited games as a result of the coronavirus.  Stay healthy Panthers, you could get a shot at heading to Target Center the following week.  

2021 Class AA Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AA STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                             Games played Tuesday, March 30 

7:30:  Pelican Rapids (Seed 4 North) vs. Albany (Seed 1 North) at Pequot Lakes

4:00:  Glencoe-Silver Lake (Seed 3 South) vs. Minnehaha Academy (Seed 2 South) at Chanhassen

6:30:  Lake City (Seed 4 South) vs. New London-Spicer (Seed 1 South) at Chanhassen

5:00:  Duluth Marshall (Seed 3 North) vs. Providence Academy (Seed 2 North) at St. Cloud Tech

Examining the Field:  The red hot Pelican Rapids Vikings are in their fourth 14th state tournament and take a four game winning streak to the state tournament against the Albany Huskies.  Their only loss this season was to the New London-Spicer Wildcats.  Albany clinched their 13th trip to state by keep Sauk Centre on Main St. with a win in the Section 6AA finals.  Could there be a possible rematch with the Wildcats in the Class AA championship game?  

For the first time since 1998, the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers clinched a state tournament berth with wins over Scott County powers Jordan and Belle Plaine.  They don't have far to go, a trip down Highway 212 to take on the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks, in their 13th state tournament appearance.  Their only two losses this season were to the Providence Academy Lions.  Is a third meeting possible if they play for the Class AA title?  

There's good news to report from Lake Pepin.  The Lake City Tigers are playing in their first state tournament since 1984.  The Tigers, seeded second in Section 1AA will face the unbeaten New London-Spicer Wildcats. It's been a monumental year for head coach Mike Dreier, who leads the Wildcats into their 19th state tournament but only 2-6 in state title games.  Can the Wildcats increase their record to 3-6?  

OK girls basketball fans.  Here's the matchup that was supposed to take place in last year's Class AA semifinals but didn't take place due to the tournament's cancellation.  The Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers, playing in their third state tournament battling the Providence Academy Lions, who are in their fifth trip to state.  The Hilltoppers have a Division I player in Gianna Kneepkens, who will play next season at Utah.  The Lions only loss this season was to the Concordia Academy Beacons.  It should be an outstanding game.  

2021 Class AAA Girls Basketball State Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AAA STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                              Games played Tuesday, March 30

7:30:  Grand Rapids (Seed 4 North) vs. Holy Angels (Seed 1 North) at St. Cloud Tech

7:30:  St. Croix Lutheran (Seed 3 South) vs. Marshall (Seed 2 South) at Mankato East

7:00:  Austin (Seed 4 South) vs. Hill-Murray (Seed 1 South) at Rochester Mayo

8;00:  Alexandria (Seed 3 North) vs. Becker (Seed 2 North) at Perham

Examining the Field:  It's been a big year for the Holy Angels Stars.  First, veteran head coach Dan Woods gets his 500th career win in the regular season and second the Stnrs, playing in their ninth state tournament have the number one seed.  They go up against the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks, making their eight trip to state but have never taken home a trophy.  Can the Thunderhawks pull of the upset or will the Stars shine bright en route to Target Center?  

Making their state tournament debut is the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders, who beat the top seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars in the Section 3AAA finals.  They have a tough task ahead as they face the Marshall Tigers, playing in their 13th tournament under veteran head coach Dan Westby.  The Tigers are 2-3 in state title games and in the hunt for their first Class AAA title since 2002.  Could they even their state title game record at .500?

In the lower bracket, the Austin Packers are in their fifth state tournament.  They were the number three seed in Section 1AAA and beat the surprising Albert Lea Tigers who won seven games all season.  Their opponent, the Hill-Murray Pioneers are in their 14th state tournament, led by veteran head coach Erin Herman.  The Pioneers are 0-3 in championship games.  Can the fourth time be the charm for the Maplewood school?  

Concluding quarterfinal play is the Alexandria Cardinals, in their 11th trip to state and the Becker Bulldogs, playing in their fourth consecutive and fifth overall state tournament.  The Cardinals, coached by Wendy Kohler have been hot, going 16-4 since a 1-2 start and hoping to go for their first state title since 2007.  The Bulldogs have most of their players back from last season's team that had their state title hopes perish when COVID 19 cancelled the state finals.  Dan Baird's bunch has been number one throughout the season and has an outstanding chance of bringing a championship trophy home up Highway 10.