Section 7A 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 Section 1A Section 2A Section 3A Section 4A 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 7A
Section 7 has been owned by North Woods the last few years and it doesn’t seem like that is changing this year. The Panthers have turned in another dominant season with just two losses – to state-ranked competition – and after playing in the state title game each of the last two seasons, they are eyeing another lengthy postseason run.
Favorite: North Woods
The Panthers have been excellent all season and it all starts with point guard Cade Goggleye. The 6-foot-2 senior has been a featured piece for the Panthers for years now and his development from sharpshooting volume scorer to floor general has been impressive. He controls the game as well as any guard in Class A and sets the tone on both ends of the floor.
Trevor Morrison is an excellent interior presence for the Panthers and has made his presence felt in a big way. He’s a terrific secondary go-to guy and gives them something few teams in the section have.
Chase Kleppe, TJ Chiabotti, Darius Goggleye, Ian Sherman and Dylan Chiabotti give the Panthers a stable core of veterans who can impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Next Up: Lakeview Christian
If there’s a team that can put a scare into North Woods, Lakeview Christian is it. The Lions have a senior-laden core that can impact the game especially in a section tournament setting. Jacob Easty leads the way, averaging 21.6 points per game. Brandon Barbee is a hoss inside, averaging 17.7 points and 7.8 rebounds. Spicer Johnson and Lance Puffer give the team a combined 25 points per game while Puffer leads the way with six assists per contest.
North Woods beat Lakeview Christian by 20 early in the season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Lions can close that gap – should they ultimately meet up in a section final setting.
In the Mix: Chisholm, Nashwauk-Keewatin
Chisholm is always in the mix late in the season and that likely won’t change this year. The Bluestreaks will head into the tournament after playing North Woods and Mesabi East late in the season, simulating top-notch competition. Eli Sundquist is one of the best guards in the section and Justin Pioske can fill up the box score with ease.
Nashwauk-Keewatin has 16 wins and should eclipse 20 by the end of the season. The Spartans lost to North Woods by 27 early in the season but they’ve got a dynamic offense. They average 75 points per game and feature a number of talented scorers including Jeff and Jack Lorenz and Karanen.