Section 5AA Preview
The Playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin in the next few weeks, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. Section 5AA is one of the best in the state, as Minneapolis…
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Continue ReadingThe Playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin in the next few weeks, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason.
Section 5AA is one of the best in the state, as Minneapolis North has been consistently among the five best teams in the state since it moved up. Teams like Rockford, Brooklyn Center and several others have gone through ebbs and flows, always creating a section with a great deal of competition.
Here’s a look at Section 5AA
Favorite: Minneapolis North
The Polars play one of the toughest schedules in the state and while it means their record isn’t as gaudy as some of the other title contenders, they are capable of winning multiple games in the state tournament. North is young and doesn’t have the same kind of depth it’s had in recent years, but at the top, Davon Townley and Willie Wilson give them two advantages on the floor. Townley is a force inside, routinely delivering double-doubles in the post while improving defensively over the course of the last two years. Wilson has taken on a feature role on the offensive end of the floor and while his scoring can be inconsistent, he’s a terrific two-way lead guard who can get to the paint, create for his teammates, feast in transition and guard anybody. Mario Sanders, Clifford Brown, De’Meiko Anderson and Quientrail Jamison-Travis all have shown the ability to pop for stretches while contributing to the team’s traditionally strong and havocy defense.
Contender: Rockford
Rockford went into the season with high expectations and the Rockets have met those, winning 20 games and sitting in the No. 2 spot in the section. The Rockets have an elite defense, with Calvin Sisk and Carter Kulavik controlling the paint and Luke Pepin, Todd Traen and Ryan Boysen applying solid pressure on the perimeter. Traen is a solid lead guard who does a great job controlling the tempo while Pepin and Boysen are solid shot-creators on the perimeter. And Sisk is an excellent finisher who commands attention in the paint. This team is going to be tough to beat because of the way they can defend, rebound and control the tempo of the game.
In The Mix: Maranatha, Blake
Maranatha entered the year with some hype and while the road has been bumpy, the Mustangs have been solid and look like a team that can beat anybody at this point. MaCiah Harut has taken his game to another level as a senior, averaging 16 points while doing a great job as a facilitator. He is one of the best point guards in the section. Hakim Daniels has made big improvements too, averaging 17 points per game while supplying defense and rebounding in a big way. He’s undersized, but his athleticism and toughness allow him to produce consistently against anybody.
Blake has a chance to eclipse the 20-win mark this year and looks like a team that could give someone fits because of the way it can spread the floor on offense and defend. Gabe Ganz leads the team in scoring and assists (though he’s been out for a few games since mid-February). Jasper Liu and Robert Grace average better than 13 points per game each and sophomore guard Theo Liu has been solid at 10 points and five rebounds.
Watch Out For: Litchfield
The Dragons aren’t going to blow people away offensively, but will be a tough out against anybody because of the way they can control the tempo and defend. Junior forward Avery Liestman has been terrific, averaging 15 points per game while junior guard Tyson Michels stuffs the stat sheet, averaging 11 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists. The Dragons only average 50 points per game, but they can get dirty on the defensive end of the floor.