Breakdown State: Class AAAA Notes
If we got something of a 2018 state tournament preview Sunday, I doubt many would complain as Hopkins took down Apple Valley in an entertaining championship game and there were close games throughout the day. The Royals looked like a well-oiled machine, as did the Eagles despite playing without two of their best players and while some teams weren’t at full strength, the wealth of talent around the state was well on display.
Here are some things that stood out
Apple Valley should be considered the runaway favorite to win the state title
The Eagles beat St. Cloud Tech and Park Center before losing in hotly contested fashion to Hopkins in the championship. Hopkins essentially had its full squad, and the Eagles kept the game within about a six point window practically from start to finish. They did that without Tre Jones and Spencer Rolland. It’s incredible to think just how healthy that program is right now. Jones is one of the best players in the entire country but because so many of their guys play AAU together with the Minnesota Eagles, they’ve learned how to play without him at an extremely high level. And Jones isn’t the type of player that dominates while messing up chemistry. He fits in with those players and they complement him perfectly.
Luke Martens is one of the best players in the state and he was a stud all weekend. Ely Hendrickson, Nathan Macho, Josh Arnold and Chris Korba also had their share of big moments.
The Eagles showed nothing over the weekend to suggest they shouldn’t be considered the heavy favorite to repeat at the Class AAAA level.
Hopkins, Park Center and CDH in the next tier of contenders
Hopkins won the tournament event and looked like a well-oiled machine at times. A quartet of Blaise Beauchamp, Zeke Nnaji, Joe Hedstrom and Anthony Davis is as good as it gets and the Royals will always have high level athletes and solid coaching when things come down to the wire. Beauchamp and Nnaji both looked like high-major Division I players Sunday and if there’s a team that seems to have the requisite firepower and structure to take down the Eagles, Hopkins might be the best bet.
Cretin-Derham Hall had essentially a full roster and looked every bit a team that will rank in the top-three heading into next season. The Raiders lost to Hopkins in a close game, getting a double-double from Daniel Oturu and great play overall from Ryan Larson. Larson was awesome all day and practically willed the team to a double overtime win over Park Center in the third-place game. With Sy Chatman, Jacob Prince and Jaeden King, they’ve got plenty of firepower.
Park Center lost twice but beat Lakeville North and had a late lead on CDH before losing on a buzzer-beater. Jarius Cook and Khari Broadway set the tone of the perimeter with their athleticism and defense and both guys are capable of piling up points efficiently. The guy to watch is of course to-be sophomore big man Dain Dainja. He’s got great size and nimble footwork. He went right at Oturu in the loss to CDH and more than held his own. He’s going to be a force.
Best of the rest
Eden Prairie lost its first game to CDH but beat Woodbury and Lakeville North without Kyler Kluge. The Eagles are well-stocked with young talent as Drake Dobbs and Austin Andrews are two of the best players in the 2020 class. Both guys had their share of big performances last season and look poised to put up even better numbers this upcoming winter.
Lakeville North lost twice and the Panthers will be heading into something of a retooling season post-Nate Reuvers but I’ve got faith that they’ll be a 20-plus win team anyways. Tyler Lewko’s had a great summer playing with WOTN and Tyler Wahl is a do-it-all swingman. Cole Staloch and Tommy Jensen are breakout candidates as well.