Section 6A Preview
***Photo Credit: Alexandria Echo Press*** 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 Section 1A Section 2A…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Alexandria Echo Press***
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
Here’s what you need to know about Section 6A
Section 6A was wild last year, as Mahnomen/Waubun advanced to the state tournament despite being the No. 4 seed in the north subsection. With the depth of the section this year and the amount of talent all the way around, unpredictability might not be all that surprising.
Favorite: Henning
For all the depth in the section, Henning is the one team in Class A that is still undfeated. The Hornets average better than 80 points per game and give up less than 50. Just three games have been decided by less than 15 points.
The Hornets have been dominant, but it is worth wondering if their lack of competition could hurt them late in the year. They clearly have talent, evidenced by the lopsided nature of a majority of their wins, but they will undoubtedly get tested as early as the subsection semifinals should they advance that far. Blake Wallevand and Sam Fisher are players to watch.
Next Up: Ortonville
The Trojans went into the year as one of the favorites to win Section 6 and while Henning’s ascension was not foreseen, they’ve still got to feel good about where they are sitting heading down the final stretch of the season. Tyson Powell is one of the best guards in the section and Devonte Edwards has emerged as a top-notch scoring threat.
Contenders: Mahnomen/Waubun, Hancock, Parkers Prairie, Norman County East
Mahnomen/Waubun went to state last year and returns a number of guys from that team, so experience is clearly on the side of the Thunderbirds. Buster Walker is a force in the paint, averaging 17 points and 10 rebounds. Treston Spalla (13.6 points per game) and Jayden Heisler (11.8 ppg) provide perimeter scoring too. Jon Starkey doesn’t score a lot but he impacts the game in a big way, averaging six rebounds and six assists.
Parkers Prairie is 18-3 on the season and looks like it could potentially earn the top seed in the south subsection given how success its been against the rest of the teams vying for top seeds. Travis Yohnke is one of the best big men in the area and can dominate a game by controlling the paint and the backboards. His consistency inside gives the Panthers an anchor. Alex Koep provides an excellent scoring punch on the wing. The Panthers have experience and talent to make a big run.
Hancock made an extended run last year in the section tournament but lost super scorer Noah Kannegeisser. No problem; the Owls have a chance to hit 20 wins again this year and could be the top seed in the subsection with a strong finish. Bennett Nienhaus has enjoyed a breakout year, averaging better than 20 points per game.
Norman County East/U-H is always good and it doesn’t seem to matter who graduates the year prior. The Titans are tough again this year and rely on strong defense and execution on offense.
In the Mix: New York Mills, West Central Area
New York Mills has a terrific duo in Jonas Baune (16.4 points and 7.6 rebounds) and Brady Bauck (13.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 4.5 assists) plus a very good defense.
West Central Area has one of the top big guys in the area in Jack Van Kempen who averages better than 15 points and eight rebounds.