Section 3AAA Preview
Playoffs?!? The playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments already under and big school section tournaments set to start in the next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. See Previous Section Previews Here…
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Continue ReadingPlayoffs?!? The playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments already under and big school section tournaments set to start in the 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 3AAA:
St. Thomas Academy has owned this section the last few years and while the Cadets aren’t the same team they’ve been in recent years, they’ve got the talent to make a run. Holy Angels went into the year as a sleeper team and the Stars have been one of the best teams in Class AAA from the get-go. There’s a bit of a drop off after those two, but this section feels like one of the less predictable ones.
Favorite: Holy Angels
The Stars have undergone quite the turnaround this year, eclipsing 20 wins after winning just nine a year ago. The key cogs in that have been the Johnson brothers – Charles and Emmett – who transferred in from Minneapolis Washburn. Those two have set the tone but the development of several players in the program has been vital as well.
It starts with Charles Johnson. One of the most underrated guards in the state, Johnson is a terrific defender on the ball and his ability to impact the game without scoring is rare. He averages 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Matt Banovetz and Thor Holien have given the Stars a pair of strong frontcourt scorers as the two combine to average 29 points and 14 rebounds. Max Gerstner is a solid complementary perimeter scorer and an excellent shooter and Emmett Johnson is one of the best freshmen in the state.
This Holy Angels team has five guys who can score. It’s got upperclassmen leading the way. It’s got size and shooting. It plays defense. There’s a lot to like about this team.
Contender: St. Thomas Academy
The Cadets haven’t been as good as they were a year or two ago but there’s something to be said about upperclass guards being able to win in the postseason. And St. Thomas Academy might have the best one in the section.
Jack Thompson’s been a key figure in each of the Cadets’ last two state tournament trips. He’s taken his game to another level this winter, averaging 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and nearly four steals. He’s very good at balancing getting his own shot with facilitating. He controls the game and he’s proven he can take and make big shots. Thompson also gets it done on the defensive end where he’s an absolute grinder.
Noah Chamberlain has enjoyed a breakout season in his senior year, going from bit guy to featured piece. The 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 17 points eight rebounds and better than three assists. He’s a matchup nightmare because of his size and skillset.
St. Thomas Academy plays together and the Cadets have been tested throughout the year. They are well-coached and even if some of these players haven’t been through a deep section run, their best players have. And their best players are as good as anybody else’s best.
In the Mix: St. Paul Harding, St. Croix Lutheran
St. Croix Lutheran has been up-and-down most of the year but the Crusaders can definitely put up points. So they have a chance to be dangerous. Zach Longueville is one of the better guards in the section, averaging better than 18 points and three assists. He’s just a sophomore and will definitely be a player to watch going forward. Ezra Blumer joins him on the perimeter. He’s been very good in his senior year, averaging 14 points and five rebounds.
St. Paul Harding has been middling most of the season but the Knights have a trio of dynamic upperclass guards. Tierre Davis and Jovan Christian average 16.5 and 16.8 points respectively while junior guard Simeon Sharp leads the way at 18.8 points per game.