Week 1 Class AA Rankings
Melrose. The defending champs bring back their top three scorers and several key pieces. In a division that is as open as Class AA is right now, tough to pick anybody to start as number one other than the Dutchmen…
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Continue Reading- Melrose. The defending champs bring back their top three scorers and several key pieces. In a division that is as open as Class AA is right now, tough to pick anybody to start as number one other than the Dutchmen who have those key pieces back.
- Minnehaha Academy. This seems wild after they had some tough times last year but they have their two best players back (Bickham and Suggs), they have added a couple transfers, most of the rotation is back, and after watching what they did in the Summer Bracket Buster including a strong win over St. Croix Lutheran, my gut says they should be two.
- St. Croix Lutheran. Went to state last year, bring back all the key pieces. On one hand I think they should be number one. On the other hand I recall the summer bracket buster and I recall St. Paul Academy who went to state two years ago and brought every thing back and didn't have as good of a year. I think the Crusaders will be really good and be a factor to the end.
- Braham. This may be a stretch. Oh the talent is there no doubt. In fact, they may have the second most talent of any Class AA team. But no Bob Vaughan and that is big. The Olsons, Larsons, and battling Connor, love that group of five. Will they get the job done in their biggest year when they have a new coach?
- Caledonia. The football school is also a place of basketball success. Owen King has a chance to be special while Gavin Schroeder and Colton Lampert are solid Class AA hoopers. Will be good once again.
- SPA. Hanson and Peyton are back for their final go. Wins will be a constant and there are a couple role players back but they lost a couple key role players a year ago and have a new coach. Still not sure why they slipped last year.
- Brady is back to lead the club as is Jesse Oliver, Eli Custer, and so many other key pieces. Kuchinka is the main guy but they have other pieces too and this is the big year for them. Expect a big time record.
- Esko. They are always at state. Don't expect a change now that they have a high major player at center in Adam Trapp, a senior PG in Jaxson Turner who has played in three state tournaments, and good role guys around them. State again? Why would you expect anything else?
- Maple River does an incredible job of getting their kids to fight as a defensive unit. Love watching them play D. With Will Killer, Wyatt Johnson, Jeff Lewis, and others back they will be good yet again. Expect some transition time as they lost some good players but they will be good again in March.
- Albany. 26-3 last year at Class AA and they return Kyle Birr and moved down a level. Many seniors graduated so that record may take a hit but the move down and return of Birr should have them in the top ten still. Good program that recycles.
- Who are the others? Brooklyn Center had a tough year but as long as all are back they can not only be top ten, they could win the thing. Prince and Kirkwood are a scary pair. JCC, Watertown-Mayer, C-I, and St. Cloud Cathedral are others to keep a close eye on.