The Big Nine Preview
State Title Contender: JM Class AAAA has a pair of main favorites and then a big second group that could improve and make the run they want and JM is in that contending Class AAAA group. With a pair of…
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Continue ReadingState Title Contender: JM
Class AAAA has a pair of main favorites and then a big second group that could improve and make the run they want and JM is in that contending Class AAAA group. With a pair of the state’s best in Matthew Hurt and Michael Hurt, with the addition of Dedoch Chan, the improvements of Isaiah Walden, and the role players a year improved the chance is there.
How about AAA? Maybe Mankato East if Krisean Coffee is even better than expected. Or Northfield considering they are moving down a class, their transition will be interesting. Northfield has a big team
Top 10 in State Level Right Now: Mankato East, Northfield, Red Wing, Mankato West
There is no doubt this is a very good year in the Big Nine. Northfield and JM are hitting peak seasons where they should be at their best, East has youth and a transfer that keeps them there, West and Red Wing lost players but still have very good talent around right now. When the rankings actually come out I think (wink wink) Northfield and East will be there with West and Red Wing just on the outside, but all four are worthy.
Potential Top 10: None
I just don’t see any other teams getting into the top ten. Austin is a year away but has good young players, I’m hearing Owatonna is on the rebound but I want evidence first, and Faribault also seems close but I feel they are a year away from top ten worthy.
Compete with Most: Winona, Austin, Faribault, Owatonna,
Like I said before Austin is a year away, need to see what Owatonna has before I am a believer, Winona and Faribault have good pieces but not enough pieces around their best pieces.
Building: Albert Lea, Mayo, Century
Mayo was just three games over average in Dan Jech’s best year, I can’t imagine them being that good without him. Century is not good and Albert Lea, oh man, it will be a rough year.
Preseason Power Ranking
- Rochester JM
- Mankato East
- Northfield
- Mankato West
- Red Wing
- Faribault
- Austin
- Owatonna
- Winona
- Rochester Mayo
- Rochester Century
- Albert Lea
Preseason All Big Nine
First Team
Michael Hurt, Rochester JM, Sr
Matthew Hurt, Rochester JM, Fr
Luke Harris, Northfield, Sr
Jake Dale, Mankato West, Sr
Krisean Coffey, Mankato East, Sr.
Second Team
Kade Hart, Faribault, Jr
Dedoch Chan, Rochester JM, Jr
Travis Toivonen, Red Wing, Sr
PJ Appicelli, Winona, Sr
CJ Ayers, Mankato East
Third Team
Hunter Koep, Northfield, Jr
Isaiah Walden, Rochester JM, Jr
Jake Makela, Mankato West, Jr
Zach Coffey, Austin, Sr
Both Gach, Austin, So
Ben Munson, Red Wing, Sr
Fourth Team
D’mani Hayes, Mankato East, So
Alex Emanuelson, Owatonna, Sr
Joe Sevlie, Red Wing, Sr.
Cooper Ramaker, Mayo, Sr.
Cody Ehlers, Faribault, Jr
Jared Bakken, Century, Sr.
Most Likely To….
Scorch the Nets…Michael Hurt
Run Over Grandma for a Loose Ball…Jake Dale
Bring the Mix Tapers to the Baseline…Matthew Hurt
Provide a Top 10 Throwdown…Luke Harris
Break Ankles and Get Lane…Krisean Coffey
Go to work on the block…Jake Dale
Clean the Glass… Matthew Hurt
Get Overlooked by Opponents…CJ Ayers
Fill up 20 every night…Matt Hurt, Mike Hurt, Luke Harris, Jake Dale
Send your shot into the stands…Kade Har
Win the court IQ Contest…Michael Hurt
Diaper Dandy…Matthew Hurt
Drop a Dime…Michael Hurt
Breakout from Underrated status…Travis Toivonen
Dominate the highlights…The Hurts