Section 2AAAA 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 2 is without a doubt, the best in the…
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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 2 is without a doubt, the best in the state. With three 20-win teams plus another with 18 wins that has played arguably the toughest schedule in the state, this section has four legitimate contenders that are capable of winning multiple games in the state tournament.
Here’s a look at Section 2AAAA
Favorite: Eden Prairie
The Eagles have been ranked No. 1 for a majority of the season and head into the postseason a perfect 26-0. This senior class has been the pillar of a lot of success in recent years at Eden Prairie and the expectations were high coming into this year – and after a down season a year ago, they’ve exceeded those expectations in a big way.
The quartet of four-year varsity regulars starts with point guard Drake Dobbs Drake Dobbs 6'1" | PG Eden Prairie | 2020 State #293 Nation MN , who has graduated from off-ball sniper to orchestrator of the operation. He leads the team in scoring at 19 points per game and his ability to control the game is matched by very few across the state. John Henry John Henry 6'5" | SF Eden Prairie | 2020 State MN ’s a do-it-all utility wing player who can space the floor, get to the paint, make plays for his teammates and defend just about any position on the court. Connor Christensen Connor Christensen 6'7" | SF Eden Prairie | 2020 State #451 Nation MN is another big wing who impacts the game in a variety of ways, excelling off the ball with his ability to space the floor, finish at the rim, make plays and defend all over the court. And Austin Andrews Austin Andrews 6'6" | PF Eden Prairie | 2020 State MN is a matchup nightmare because he can score in the paint, handle the ball in the mid and high post areas, shoot a little bit and he’s got a nose for the ball on the glass. Throw in high-quality rotation guys like Miles Frisch Miles Frisch 6'1" | SG Eden Prairie | 2020 State MN , Will Foster Will Foster 6'1" | SG Eden Prairie | 2021 State MN and Chris Nyland and this team is as close to complete as any in the state.
Contender: Shakopee, Prior Lake, Chaska
The Sabers earned the No. 3 seed in the section with 21 wins during the regular season. It’s a senior-laden group with one of the best backcourts in the state in Will Cordes Will Cordes 6'0" | PG Shakopee | 2020 State MN and Caleb Truvenga and senior forward Charlie Katona Charlie Katona 6'6" | SF Shakopee | 2020 State MN is one of the best swingmen in the section. Cordes is the tone-setter on both ends of the floor, controlling the tempo and balancing facilitating with scoring offensively while routinely defending top scorers on the opposing teams on the other. Druvenga’s a multi-level scorer on the wing who has the size and strength to bully his way to the rim or shoot over the top. And Katona is a big, smooth combo-forward who can handle the ball, get to the rim, shoot from deep and finish over size. Bruce Lockwood is a strong defender. Aaron Bosley Aaron Bosley 5'11" | SG Shakopee | 2020 State MN is a reliable complementary guard and sophomore forward Nick Katona Nick Katona 6'6" | SF Shakopee | 2022 State MN gives the Sabers some size and skill up front.
Chaska earned the No. 2 seed in the section thanks to a 23-win regular season. The Hawks have an excellent rotation of big, athletic, two-way wings and size up front. Luke Strazzanti Luke Strazzanti 6'4" | SG Chaska | 2021 State MN and Zach Lea Zach Lea 6'4" | SG Chaska | 2020 State MN are the two top perimeter scorers, combining to average about 25 points per game while supplying terrific defense. Jack Frick Jack Frick 6'2" | SG Chaska | 2021 State MN , Spencer Goez and Ben Kallman Ben Kallman 6'1" | PG Chaska | 2020 State MN round out the perimeter rotation. All five of those guys are capable of guarding up and down a lineup and making plays. Mahad Faisal Mahad Faisal 6'6" | PF Chaska | 2020 State MN ’s had a breakout season in the frontcourt, averaging 13 points per game and Brady Nicholson Brady Nicholson 6'9" | C Chaska | 2022 State MN is a solid complementary forward who can defend and rebound his area.
Prior Lake is the No. 4 seed in the section and is heading into the postseason on fire as winners of eight games in a row. Dawson Garcia Dawson Garcia 6'11" | PF Prior Lake | 2020 State #26 Nation MN is the best player in the section and can single handedly take over a game. He’s averaging 31 points and 10 rebounds, knocking down 40 percent of his 3-pointers (one more than five attempts per game), getting to the free throw line at a high rate and drawing incredible amounts of attention. Tyree Ihenacho Tyree Ihenacho 6'5" | SG Prior Lake | 2020 State MN ’s had a terrific season as well, stuffing the stat sheet to the tune of 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game. He’s a terrific two-way player and one of the few guys who has consistently scored throughout the season. After those two, the Lakers need to get solid play from the complementary guys like Malcon Jones, Dylan Bair and Tommy Mestnik Tommy Mestnik 6'1" | PG Prior Lake | 2021 State MN .
Watch Out For: Edina, Minnetonka
Edina went 13-13 in the regular season and while the Hornets have a tough first round draw against Shakopee, they’ve got the talent reminiscent of a higher seed. Jacob Hutson Jacob Hutson 6'10" | C Edina | 2020 State #310 Nation MN is a force down low and can control a game from the paint to give the Sabers problems. The sophomore guard duo of Brady Helgren Brady Helgren 6'8" | C Edina | 2022 State MN and Sammy Presthus has been very good and the Hornets have solid balance with guys like Marcus Crawford Marcus Crawford 6'3" | PG Edina | 2021 State MN , Bastian Swinney Bastian Swinney 6'7" | C Edina | 2021 State MN and Chandler Reeck.
The Skippers will face Prior Lake in the first round and while they’ll be a heavy underdog in that matchup, they’ve got enough talent and experience to handle tough competition. Cam Steele is one of the best big men in the state and can pile up points as well as anybody. His ability to score from the low post, step away from the basket and shoot or create for himself plus get to the glass and manufacture points. JT Gaffney and Riley O’Connor Riley O’Connor 6'3" | SG Minnetonka | 2020 State MN have had solid senior seasons and Jalen Cain looks like one of the best freshmen in the state.