Class AAA Preview: Team Capsules
The final week of the Minnesota high school basketball season is upon us. Here’s the rundown on the eight teams remaining in Class AAA.
#1 DeLaSalle (24-3) – The Islanders return to the tourney representing section 6AAA, gunning for a sixth straight state title. Dave Thorson’s squad is as battle-tested as ever, defeating several out-of-state teams and AAAA competitors Cretin-Derham Hall, Armstrong, Osseo and Eden Prairie. De’s three losses were to Maple Grove (#2 seed in AAAA tourney), IMG Academy (prep in Florida, possible top team in the country), and Champlin Park (#1 seed in AAAA tourney). Goanar Mar (21 ppg) spearheads a disciplined, defense-heavy rotation including star junior Gabe Kalscheur (17 ppg), lead guard sophomore Tyrell Terry, and senior glue guy Dominic Bledsoe. DeLaSalle brings more star power than most to the big stage once again. The odds-on favorite in AAA.
#2 Austin (27-2) – A fearsome group of athletes leads the Packers of Austin into the State Tournament, having lost only twice all season, both times to Big Nine foe Rochester John Marshall. Twin wings Both Gach and Duoth Gach have pick-your-poison versatility, as their three-point range and above-the-rim playmaking are equally superb. Oman Oman is the man in the middle who can also stretch the floor at 6-foot-5. Plug in role workers and the intimidating 1-3-1 trapping scheme the Packers employ, you have a state championship contender. Austin is the real deal. Playing them in the semifinal with little preparation will be a tall task.
#3 Marshall (26-3) – The southwest Minnesota college town has enjoyed lots of spotlight this season, traveling into the metro several times to challenge the best of AAA. The Tigers buzzsawed through the Big South, falling only to Waseca in the final regular season game as well as road contests against Sioux Falls Washington and Orono. 6-foot-7 forwards Mitchell Sueker and Weston Baker-Magrath are springy, energetic scorers and rebounders, plus guards Zach Bloemker and Trey Lance are consistent backcourt producers. Marshall’s ability to let a different guy get loose on any given night is dangerous.
#4 Fergus Falls (25-4) – After falling twice in the regular season to Alexandria, the Otters handily defeated their close rival in the section 8AAA final. The trio of Nate Rund, Matt Monke and Elijah Colbeck is as offensively lethal as you can find, and the patient perimeter shooting that Fergus relies on is more consistent than you think. The Otters gave De a run in the state final last year; what might the possible semifinal matchup entail? This Central Lakes Conference squad has big firepower.
#5 Columbia Heights (21-8) – Section 4AAA had a lot of controversy this year, but none of it involved Columbia Heights. They quietly eased through the first two rounds of playoffs and surprised a Mahtomedi team that most thought would take care of business. Now with two wins over the Zephyrs this season and after hanging tough with DeLaSalle in conference play, the Hylanders are feeling good about their chances. Leading scorer Deaundra Roberson was banged up during section play but junior Quentin Hardrict stepped up against Mahtomedi to balance the scoring load. Add in forward Wendell Matthews and you’ve got a young, athletic group hungry to prove themselves with the best of the best.
St. Thomas Academy (23-6) – The Cadets had an impressive run in the Metro East, taking care of the teams below them while battling Mahtomedi, Tartan and North St. Paul for the top spot. Sam Vascellaro and Jack Thompson are capable scoring options at 13 and 16 ppg respectively. Sam Schleper shoots 42 percent from deep. Don’t count out STA this week since they’re a reputable program ready to take the next step.
Grand Rapids (24-5) – The section 7AAA champs breezed past North Branch, Cloquet and Chisago Lakes to get to Williams Arena this Wednesday. The Thunderhawk schedule wasn’t all cake though, as they defeated solid metro squads St. Paul Johnson, Highland Park and Brooklyn Center during the season. Jake Skelly is a 20-plus per game scorer who has a knack for finishing through contact and is the undisputed floor general, while 6-foot-7 horse Brock Schrom is a double-double threat every time out. Junior wing Nate Seelye is an elite third option at 14 a game. Grand Rapids has length, experience and good guard play: a nice equation for playoff basketball.
Big Lake (20-9) – The Hornets stung Rocori in the 5AAA final, making a big run after dropping five of their last seven regular season games. Finishing second in the Mississippi 8, Big Lake is led by guard Austin Miller at 16.7 per game, followed by five players averaging between five and ten points a contest. Big Lake has no star presence but they work harder than most teams which is why they are in the State Tournament. The gritty Hornet frontcourt is an excellent offensive rebounding group and they can pile up jump shots in a hurry. This is Big Lake’s first ever State Tournament appearance, as far as my research shows.
–Stay tuned for more State Tournament coverage from all of our writers here at NHR.–