Class AAAA/AAA: The “Don’t Sleep” Top Ten
You all know the ranked teams but what other teams in Minnesota do you need to watch out for come playoff time? Here are some squads playing the best basketball that you didn’t know or forgot about at the big school level.
Byron. Started the year losing their five but they’ve won 14 of 18 since and have a chance to be a threat to Austin making a return trip to state. Bjorn Knutson has been a huge lift for the Bears plus Mike Coble and Nick Brown have done their thing.
Chaska. Back in first in the division and winners of seven in a row their win over Jefferson this week was huge. Hanson is scoring 24 a game and getting the expected help from Andrew Kallman and Alex Strazzanti plus Cole Nicholson has been better than expected.
Detroit Lakes. What, you stopped paying attention when they were 3-8? Most did, until they got beat by them. Detroit Lakes has won eight straight games. All guys are healthy, all players are competing as one, and they have great balance with Tanner Doppler, Adam Daggers, Isaac Cihak and others.
Forest Lake. If they can beat CDH they can certainly make their run at the 7AAAA section spot which is always open. Jake Larson has coaches in the SEC and region seven afraid. Had 30 against CDH, averaging 20 and is making a great 1-2 punch with Mitch Jerde.
Osseo. The Orioles may not be undefeated like last year but they have been lost in the shadows of Champlin Park, Maple Grove, and the great year Park Center is having. Osseo is 15-6 right now. The Orioles have that balance that they usually do but Zach Theisen’s near 22 a game is has him listed with the best in his class plus John Bezdicek is scoring at a strong rate with him.
Robbinsdale Armstrong. They are on the verge of cracking the top ten with their nine game winning streak that includes over Eden Prairie, Osseo, and Park Center. The Falcons were always good, but they’ve been even better now that Isaiah Rollins and Davonte Said-El have become dangerous players night in and night out. Plus nationally ranked top 60 talent Race Thompson is always producing.
Rocori. The early season start was miserable but Rocori has won four straight and many feel they are once again the 5AAA favorites. Big Lake has lost a couple in a row, the Spartans are the hot squad. Derek Thompson is scoring 22 a night, Connor Schuberg is now feeling much better and playing well, and Sam Olson has stepped up in a big way.
Rogers. At 18-3 the Royals are winning games by 19 points a night. No the schedule hasn’t been enough to get them to the top ten but they are good enough to give Tech and Maple Grove a run. Rogers is simply consistent. Matt Carik is player that we’ve really liked and he’s scoring 18 a night, Jordan Belka is developing into a scholarship like talent, ad Mitch Spilles plays his role well.
St. Thomas Academy. Rankings mistakes are made and we can definitely say that STA should be a top ten squad. They’ve won six in a row including a huge win over Mahtomedi Tuesday night. Another team that plays with balance and discipline as a unit. Jack Thompson is a playmaking sophomore and Sam Vascellaro scores 13 a night. It’s more than that though as this is a balanced team.
Waconia. Never count the Cats out. Never. They’ve won four in a row to get over .500 and they are not the team anybody wants to face in sections. As all the other teams on this list, Waconia has put together a hard working balanced effort with Nick Fulford being the leader at 15 and 8 a night. Dillon Whittaker is that Cats senior that steps up with big productivity after being a JV guy before. Charlie Gove and PJ Hayes also playing big roles for a team that put everyone on notice when they beat Orono.