Class AAAA Breakout Teams
There are teams that get better every year. Some ascensions come out of nowhere. Some improvements are more predictable. Here are some teams that could enjoy improved seasons:
- Buffalo
Here’s a team I’m super high on going into the year. The Bison won 15 games last year and went to the section final game before losing to Maple Grove. Look for Buffalo to appear in the rankings in Class AAAA at points this winter and be in contention for conference and section titles. Josh Ortman is a good young coach and he’s got a really good junior class led by Matt Willert, Tony Dahl and Brandon Maatz.
- Centennial
The Cougars went 5-22 last year and lost a whopping 13 games by eight points or less last season. They lost eight by four points or less. Part of that is a product of the conference they play in as the Northwest Suburban Conference is one of the toughest leagues in the state but that’s an uncanny number of close games to be on the wrong end of. With Ricky Eason and Carter Anderson back in the backcourt, look for Centennial to come out ahead in a few more of those nip-and-tuck affairs.
- Park of Cottage Grove
Park of Cottage Grove won just six games last year and ended the season losing 10 in a row. The Wolfpack return practically their entire core and have a terrific duo in Charles Gorres and Domenik Block leading the way. Gorres missed a chunk of games a year ago but he’s a 20-plus point per game guy and Block is one of the more dynamic guards in the state. Throw in a solid group of players around them who now have more experience and it’s a team that should be looking at doubling its win total.
- Eastview
Eastview shouldn’t exactly sneak up on people this winter but after winning 12 games, the Lightning should push for 16-20 victories and state tournament berth this year. They won just six games in conference last year and that won’t go up on its own because the South Suburban is always tough but Steven Crowl and Tate Machacek form a great duo up front and if the guards like Jaylen James and Ryan Nissen can take another step forward in their upperclass years, this will be a team to be reckoned with.