Midseason Report: Surprise Teams in Class AAAA
We are at about the midway point of the basketball season already. Instead of wondering where the time went and why it can’t slow down, let’s take a look at some of the teams that have been surprises, good or…
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Continue ReadingWe are at about the midway point of the basketball season already. Instead of wondering where the time went and why it can’t slow down, let’s take a look at some of the teams that have been surprises, good or not so good, so far this season.
Here are the surprise teams from Class AAAA:
White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake was solid a year ago but this iteration of the team has been outstanding and is in the hunt for a top seed in Section 4. Jeremy Beckler has been a hoss for the Bears and with a very good supporting cast full of experienced and talented guys, this team is dangerous.
Shakopee
Shakopee was expected to enjoy a breakout season, but I doubt anybody anticipated the Sabers being on pace to win more than 20 games and become a fixture in the state polls. That’s where they are at and with Will Cordes, Charlie Katona and Caleb Druvenga, there’s no reason Shakopee can’t stay there. They’ll finish somewhere around third in the South Suburban Conference and should be considered a darkhorse contender in Section 2AAAA.
Robbinsdale Armstrong
Robbinsdale Armstrong was a middling team last year which wasn’t a huge surprise given the Falcons had lost their best player and the guy they were going to build the team around somewhat on the eve of the season. This year’s team didn’t enter the season with super high expectations but the Falcons have been very good, going 10-4 and nabbing several really high-quality wins.
Minnetonka
When the Skippers lost two starters to transfer, hopes of building on a decent season from last year seemed slim. Fast forward several months and Minnetonka is 9-5 and right in the thick of things for a top-four seed in the absolutely loaded Section 2AAAA. Cameron Steele is a star. Gavin Patton has been tremendous in his senior year and Lyric Radford has been a difference-maker on the perimeter.
Moorhead
Moorhead hasn’t played an incredibly tough schedule but the Spuds have picked up a couple quality wins from early in the season and have the look of a team that can compete for a section crown. Maleeck Harden is the big name and he’s been outstanding but Drew Hagen has come into his own as well.