Section 5AA Preview
Playoffs?!? The playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. See Previous Section Previews Here Class A Section 1AA Section 2AA Section 3AA Section…
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Continue ReadingPlayoffs?!? The playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason.
See Previous Section Previews Here
Here’s what you need to know about Section 5AA
Favorite: Minneapolis North
The Polars went into last season’s section tournament a fairly heavy favorite before getting upset by Brooklyn Center. They’ll go into this year’s section tourney as the favorite as well. North hasn’t played any of the teams in the section to this point but the Polars certainly go out and challenge themselves in their nonconference during the season. This team is heavily battle-tested.
Eli Campbell has had a monster year, averaging 17.7 points per game. He’s one of the best breakdown guards in the state and his ability to get into gaps and wreak havoc is something that makes North go. Nasir El-Amin’s been steady in the backcourt with him and together, they form an explosive, dynamic, strong two-way tandem.
Davon Townley Jr. has enjoyed a breakout season at the varsity level too, averaging 12.4 points per game. He seems to be getting better and better with each game and his athleticism gives the Polars an excellent backline defender. He’s active inside and does a great job producing even without a lot of manufactured touches.
Minneapolis North is the favorite to win the section and should they do so, they may represent the best chance of any team in Class AA to dethrone Minnehaha Academy as a state champion.
Contender: Breck
The Mustangs have David Roddy, which means they’ve got a shot in any game they play in. The 6-foot-6 big man has turned in a monster senior season, averaging 29 points per game. He’ll gobble up 15-20 rebounds a game as well and when he’s going at the basket, few teams have the athletes and size to stop him.
Breck’s big key will be finding a scorer who can take advantage when teams do get the ball away from Roddy. Jaren Morton and Joey Ganley have had moments this year and both guys have shown the ability to produce in big spots, but they haven’t done it consistently.
In the Mix: Holy Family Catholic, Litchfield, Maranatha
Maranatha is one of the surprise teams in Class AA this season and the Mustangs have a chance to add to that story with a strong run in the postseason. They’ve done it all year with elite defense and terrific offensive balance.
With eight guys averaging between 5.5 and 11.8 points per game, Maranatha is hard to prepare for because they have so many guys that are ready to pick up the slack. If Hakim Daniels (leading scorer and rebounder) is out, things don’t look quite as good, but this team still has five guys that average at least 8.2 points per game and a defense that applies constant pressure to the opponent.
Litchfield will eclipse the 20-win mark again this winter as the Dragons have a chance to win the Wright County Conference. It’s been a great year for them. If guys like Owen Boerema and Alex Gruenke continue to play like they have ll winter, this team can be dangerous. Boerema is one of the best players in the section.
Holy Family started the year really well but ran into some difficulties once the new year hit as the Fire have gone 3-10 since January. Nick Hendler and Jacob Konz can really shoot it though, as those two combine to mare more than five triples per game. If the Fire can get hot (pun kind of intended), it can be dangerous.
Keep an Eye on: Providence Academy, Rockford
Providence Academy has been very good this year, earning several impressive wins (Breck, Rockford and CHOF) along the way. The Lions do have a very talented trio in Mark Richelsen (17.7 points per game), Dylan Servais and Logan Blomberg.
Rockford’s been steady this year though the Rockets have taken some big losses in recent weeks. Nick Manthana is one of the better players in the section.