2018-19’s Ten Biggest Surprises
What ten big school teams have completely out-played preseason expectations? We count down the list at NHR now! Ten. Moorhead. The Spuds were four games under .500 last year and graduated several important players. At 8-2 on the season the…
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Continue ReadingWhat ten big school teams have completely out-played preseason expectations? We count down the list at NHR now!
Ten. Moorhead. The Spuds were four games under .500 last year and graduated several important players. At 8-2 on the season the Spuds have defeated some of the top teams in the section and look like a legit Section 8AAAA contender. Maleeck Harden is having a great year scoring 20 a contest.
Nine. Chanhassen. The Storm has not only lost their best player for the season in Regan Tollefson but others as well and somehow this team has continued to win games. A 7-5 record is much bigger than expected. You want balance? As many as six guys have hit double figures in half their games this year. Luke Gitzen leads at just over a dozen points a game.
Eight. Mound-Westonka. Oh those White Hawks, A new coach here and there, some talent here and there but nothing really put together. Right now this program looks like it has stability and a firm direction. And wins have been a part of that, a 7-4 record. Jameson Sexton leads with 14 a contest while frosh Jason Speath is scoring 11 a night.
Seven. Armstrong. Sure Armstrong was picked third in their section in the Breakdown Book preview but last year they were 11-15 so a 7-3 record and a win over the state’s top ranked team is a real surprise. We talked earlier today about the balance of this team starting with Adam Biewen and going strong into the bench.
Six. Stillwater. For so long the Ponies have been an afterthought. The team in the SEC and 4AAAA that you just know was going to lose games to their regular opponents. Not any more as the Stillwater has several seniors that have worked hard together to bring respect to the team. So many seniors playing well. Starts with Nate Shikenjanksi at 17 a night, Ben Recksiedler at 15 a contest, and Trenton Attwood 14 a contest.
Five. Shakopee. Being picked fifth in 2AAAA isn’t really a bad thing, the section is stacked. But at this point because of such a tough schedule nobody expected the Sabers to be 9-2 right now. A top ten squad with wins over Eden Prairie, Edina, Waconia, STA, and Chan, Shakopee has been more than expected. The team is competing with toughness led by Will Cordes and his smooth stroke leading the squad with 16.5 points a contest.
Four. Minnetonka. We said it before and we say again now, the Skippers were left for dead. Bench players graduated, two senior starters graduated, two starters transferring out, hopes seemed very bleak. But yet right now the Skippers are 7-3 on the season. Cameron Steele was expected to be the leader but 24 a game? And Gavin Patton, 23 a game? Lyric Radford in double digits? The Skippers have been a huge surprise!
Three. Eagan. Not only did Eagan graduate their top players they lost another top player to transfer and they’ve pretty much been terrible for several years. Heck, even when they were finally expected to be good in recent times they were awful. But in 2018-19 the Wildcats are 6-4. Six wins wasn’t even expected for the season. The Wildcats have a good balance but junior Kurt Ohlhues leads the way at 15 a contest.
Two. Sartell. Did you know that last year Sartell won four games? Three years ago they won five games? They haven’t even been near .500 in recent history. But not this year’s team. Thomas Gieske is a legit All State candidate for Class AAA and his team is 9-1 with wins over Apollo, Cathedral, BC, Big Lake, Alexandria, and more.
One. Holy Angels. Let’s not kid ourselves, Section is 3AAA is not good at all. And HOLY ANGELS WASN’T PICKED TO FINISH IN THE TOP FIVE! But yet here we are in January and the Stars are 10-1 with some big wins leading to a nice ranking in Class AAA. Five Stars average in double figures including cover man Max Gerstner. Thor Holien and Matt Banovetz are scoring 16-17 a game and have been with Max for several years. Add the Johnsons (Emmett and Charles) and you have the top surprise team of the season.