Class AAA State Preview: Team Capsules
The field of eight teams is as dangerous as ever in the second-biggest class of Minnesota high school hoops. Here’s your primer on each team as they head for Williams Arena this week:
(1) DeLaSalle
The 24-5 Islanders look to begin a new streak of championship runs after falling in the semifinals to Columbia Heights last season. Tyrell Terry has bounced back from injury as well as anyone could hope for after missing early games in December. He scores almost 23 a game alongside sniper wing Jamison Battle and they form the deadliest duo in the field. As per usual DeLaSalle boasts a multitude of supporting guards who cause all heck to break loose defensively and in transition. Kam Givens and Drew Irvin lead that charge. Jalen Travis is the 6-7 man in the middle with a bevy of traditional post moves and a reliable midrange junp shot. With the most talented and deepest roster in AAA, the Islanders will look to convert 7 titles in 8 years.
(2) Waseca
Their first State appearance since 2016 (the year of the infamous triple overtime victory against Marshall) has the Bluejays feeling good and reasy to compete this season but also for the next two. Seven of their top nine players are sophomores, and one who’s not is senior scoring phenom Malik Willingham. He scores at a 20-plus per game clip and draws attention like no other in isolation. He’s not the only threat though. Add in younger brother Kyreese Willingham, a 6-4 broad-shouldered wing with many of the same growing skills as Malik, point guard Ryan Dufault — who has the genetics to orchestrate an offense — and 6-8 center Andrew Morgan and there’s your core of support for this tourney but also primed for great experience and success next year and beyond. The Bluejays are 28-1 and rolling with a monstrous offense.
(3) Austin
If it’s a given that DeLaSalle will be playing in mid-March every year, we must say the same for the Packers of Austin. Once again they reloaded after losing an awesome 2018 class with their patented trap defense and emphasis on skill development throughout the year. They’re 23-5 led by Medi Obamg and Agwa Nywesh. The Packers always have three to four guys in double figures and will throttle less-than-confident offenses with their press and length. I can’t wait to see the possible semifinal matchup with Waseca.
(4) Princeton
The Tigers have reached the State Tournament for the first time since 1932! How about that for history, coming from a historically strong offensive squad at the AAA level. 26-3 Princeton scores 85 points a game outscoring their opponents by 20 every night. James Flicek has battled some injury this year but is as fluent a floor general as you’ll see this week. On the wings are Tate Laabs and Adam Williams, sure-handed and quick-footed rivers with good range from outside. Reilly O’Neill is a matchup problem at the power forward spot wkth his guard skills and Jon Stimmler defies Newton’s first law in the paint. All five create a fluid offensive machine that keeps the ball moving and finds open shooters selflessly. Stimmler’s 6-8 presence is where the defense funnels to and their transition game will crush unwary and slow defenses.
(5) Mahtomedi
At 24-5 with one of the best juniors in Minnesota in J’Vonne Hadley, the Zephyrs are a threat coming into Williams Arena because they’ve been playing so well recently (see cases of Eden Prairie, Redwood Valley, etc). Hadley scores 29 points a game and has exploded for more than that in plenty of contests. Behind him are senior shooting guard Zac Centers (15 ppg), power forward Devin Melzer (11 ppg) and 6-10 center Cole Chapman. Their lineup is reliable and has the extra edge with Hadley’s abilities at 6-foot-6. Game one against Princeton will be awesome.
Monticello
The Magic are a slight Cinderella as the three seed from Section 5AAA with a 14-15 record. Austin Wetter is a junior forward rising up the ranks of 2020s and has helped will his squad into a mid-March game. Add in Austin Puppe and Carson Sawatzke, you’ve got a formidable three-man backcourt with experience and confidence in big situations. Can they continue the miracle run?
Holy Angels
One of the more suprising teams of the year has been the 24-4 Stars, led by a double-digit scoring starting five. Brothers Charles Johnson (senior) amd Emmett Johnson (freshman) man the backcourt and are stellar on both ends. Matt Banovetz, Thor Holien and Max Gerstner have been extremely good all season providing consistency at the forward spots. The Stars are still young and energetic and took out a very experienced and tough STA team in the section final. Their momentum will be big going into the game against Waseca.
Bemidji
The Lumberjacks emerged from Section 8AAA with a 23-4 record. Forwards Colton Jensen and Spencer Konecne are a strong interior pair while Ryan Bieberdorf leads the way on the perimeter. They had to fight through a tough Sartell squad to get here so you know they’ll have grit. Having played just a few metro teams all year, I wouldn’t be surprised if their unfamiliarity impacts whether or not they stay with DeLaSalle for at least a little while in the quarterfinals. Eager to learn more about the Lumberjacks as we get the opportunity to see them!