Class A: Five Sleepers to Watch
There are definitely some new teams that could make a run at Class A this winter. Sure section two in Class A has the heavyweights but keep your eye on the following teams as well….
Before we start, what is a sleeper? It may be easier to say “what is not a sleeper”. For example if you went to state last year (or won it) you are not a sleeper the next year. You are not a sleeper if you have one of the elite teams in state on your team and everybody is aware of you. You are also not a sleeper if you bring talent back from a team that was consistently ranked last year. And you aren’t a sleeper if your team is constantly talked about because there is known talent (regardless of what the record was).
Cromwell. Cromwell won 23 games last year and worked their way to the final with a young team. Twenty point per game level scorer Micah Pocernich – as well as Marcus Pocernich, Drew Libbon, Cameron Cahoon, Jaden Gronner and many more – are all getting back therefore the expectations in Cromwell are big, and they should be. Marcus gave his team a dozen points, six rebounds, four assists, and 2.5 steals a contest making him one of the most versatile returning guys.
Randolph. Randolph was 19-8 a year ago and return all the key pieces including Carsyn Gunderson, Nick Drinken, and Andrew Wenstrom. Gunderson put up 17 points per game at forward as a junior (now a senior) and Drinken produced 11 assists a contest as an underclassmen guards. A year ago the Rockets won 11 of 12 games in the middle of the season and although they ran into some late season close game losses the talent returns to win those games in 18-19.
Ortonville. Ortonville is a 20 win team that returns all of their key pieces including Tyson Powell, DaVonte Edwards, and Peter Treinen. Powell has a chance to be a top Class A All State player after scoring 21 points per game. Powell is an excellent guard and Edwards put up 12-13 a contest inside. The Trojans won 20 games a year ago and could win 25 plus when the snow falls.
Henning. Henning was 19-9 a year ago and lost only one player from their 17-18 rotation. Sam Fisher, Blake Wallevand, and Adam Lange all have two valuable years of experience under the belts plus several talented teammates back for another year. Watch Fisher closely because he took care of many guard roles a year ago including his 15 points per game. Hornet basketball won seven of eight before their playoff loss gaining experience that could lead to 18-19 winter Ws.
Wrenshall. This is a 25-3 team from last year and maybe this is their chance to beat North Woods? That may be stretching it considering the Wrens lost their top two scorers but Coach Jon Bartczak still has Eli Krisak and Randy Wimmer returning: a pair of players who combined for 30 points per game in 17-18. Depth needs to be added. The Wrens won 15 straight last winter and things were going great until a tough loss to Ely in the playoffs. The goal this year is to get past Ely, North Woods, and all the others.
Five More
Leroy-Ostrander
Blooming Prairie
Lester Prairie
Pine River-Backus
Sacred Heart