Thank goodness for Class A and AA where there is some suspense for the coming year. Still, there’s a pretty solid favorite in Class AA. Not as solid as Hopkins and DeLaSalle among the big schools. But Sauk Centre will be very hard to beat in 2020.
OK, last year Albany and point guard Paige Meyer shocked the Mainstreeters in the Section 6AA final. It was only the 2nd time in 10 years that Sauk had failed to get to state. And, of course, they are the 2018 state champions with that awesome 33-0 record. So, they know how to win. Last year they were 26-3 and they have nine letterwinners back, led by tough, versatile 5-10 senior PF/SF/SG/PG (that’s how she’s listed in the Breakdown Guidebook, and to be sure she can do it all). Then there’s the 6-1/5-11 pair of Michaela and Julia Dammann, who scored 12 ppg each last year. And Megan Klaphake and McKenna Westby make five returning starters. They will be very, very tough to beat.
But, that’s what maybe Proctor or Duluth Marshall might be able to do. Proctor returns their top 6 from a state tournament team led by 5-10 guard Sam Pogatchnik, a Bemidji State recruit. And Duluth Marshall has one of the state’s top one-two punches regardless of class in guard Grace Kirk and forward Gianna Kneepkens, who combined for 60 ppg between them last year.
After the big 4, it’s pretty wide open, with Lake City, Pine City, Fergus Falls, Minnehaha and Redwood Valley all darkhorses to keep your eyes on. Let’s look at it by section.
Section 1—Stewartville has been regarded as the favorite but now comes word that Erin Lamb's basketball playing days are done. So, a young, deep, powerful group from Lake City (#7) now assumes the favorite's role.
Section 2—Norwood Young America (#12) has been to 3 of the past 5 state tournaments and appears poised to return after missing a year ago. Still, this is one of the widest-open sections with 5 or 6 plausible contenders.
Section 3—This is another wide open section. Perennial power New London-Spicer (#5) is in the mix along with Eden Valley-Watkins (#6) who, like Stewartville, have had a great run these past 4-5 years without getting to state. Redwood Valley (#12) surprised everybody last year and could do so again.
Section 4—Defending state champion Minnehaha (#11) lost 4 starters but may have the nucleus of another state champion in the 8th and 9th grades.
Section 5—Nobody from Section 5AA is rated so it’s another wide-open section. We like Minneapolis North.
Section 6—Sauk Centre (#1) is of course favored, but Pine City (#8) is a threat.
Section 7—Proctor (#3) and Duluth Marshall (#4) will duke it out, but Mesabi East (#14) is also a threat.
Section 8—Three defending champions are here—Fergus Fall (#9) drops down from 8AAA. Roseau (#15) seeks to return in 8AA. Menahga moves up from 5A. But the big threat to Fergus and Roseau is Hawley (#10).
If all goes according to Hoyle, your state tournament matchups would look like this.
Sauk Centre vs. Minneapolis North
Proctor vs. Minnehaha
New London-Spicer vs. Norwood Young America
Proctor vs. Minnehaha
New London-Spicer vs. Norwood Young America
Lake City vs. Fergus Falls
The top seniors
PG—Grace Kirk, Duluth Marshall
Wing—Alyssa Ustby, Rochester Lourdes
Wing—Tori Peschel, Sauk Centre
Wing—Mia Curtis, Minnehaha
Combo Guard—Ava Hill, Mesabi East
Top underclassmen
Big—Haley Garman, Redwood Valley
Forward—Ellie Hasz, Pine City
Forward—Gianna Kneepkens, Duluth Marshall
Guard—Katie Borowicz, Roseau
Guard—Paige Meyer, Albany
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