Final Class AAA Rankings
DeLaSalle was #1 from start to finish in Class AAA and the only playoff that came to them was a section final battle with Orono. The result? Six Straight for Coach Thorson and the Islanders!
Ranking | Team | Record | Top Ws | Top Ls | Last Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DeLaSalle | 17-4 | Cedar Falls, BSM, Madison East, White Station, Brooklyn Center, St Croix L, C Heights | Iowa City West, Hopkins, EP, CDH | 1 |
2 | Austin | 21-1 | Totino-Grace, Mankato East (x2), Northfield (x2), Lakeville N, Forest Lake, JM, Minnehaha | Owatonna | 2 |
3 | Mankato East | 18-4 | Waseca, Winona, Marshall, Orono, JM, Northfield | Austin (x2), JM, Owatonna | 4 |
4 | Marshall | 21-3 | Fairmont, Orono, JCC. Jordan, JCC, Waseca, Willmar | SF Washington, SF Lincoln, Kato East | 5 |
5 | Orono | 17-5 | Monticello, Wayzata, Woodbury, Chaska, Breck, HF, Waconia, Delano, Edina | CDH, Marshall, Minnehaha, Mankato East, Hopkins | 6 |
6 | Willmar | 21-2 | Big Lake, Tech (x2), Apollo, Willmar, Sauk Rapids | Fergus Falls, Marshall | 3 |
7 | Waseca | 20-3 | Byron, StCLutheran, WEM, Winona | Delano, Kato East, Marshall | 7 |
8 | Sauk Rapids-Rice | 16-6 | Waconia, Delano, Tech, Fergus Falls | Hopkins, Brainerd (x2), Alexandria, Willmar, Fergus | 10 |
9 | Fergus Falls | 16-6 | Sauk Rapids, Alexandria (x2), Tech, Willmar | Breckenridge, Delano, Sauk Rapids (x2), Willmar, Brainerd | NR |
10 | Columbia Heights | 15-5 | BSM, Mahtomedi, Brooklyn Center, Lake City, Esko, Fridley, St Croix L | Hopkins, St Anthony, Roosevelt, DeLaSalle, Minnehaha Academy | 9 |
How did the final ranking compare to our early season predictions? Have a look!
Preseason Top 15 (I put the top 15 in the Breakdown book and then update the top ten at NHR through the year).
The Biggest Surprise? Columbia Heights and St Thomas Academy. Both teams were led by new coaches in Willie Braziel and Jason Birr who would both be up for Coach of the Year and get top five votes. Both squads had tough seasons a year ago but returning talent took a big jump forward and for both teams much of that talent returns.
Here was our preseason top 15 for 16-17.
- DeLaSalle
- Marshall
- Orono
- Delano
- Fergus Falls
- Austin
- Mpls Patrick Henry
- Mahtomedi
- Monticello
- Rocori
- Waseca
- Alexandria
- Grand Rapids
- Totino-Grace
- BSM
Next year #1. DeLaSalle of course. That said I think the gap is finally closing a bit. That doesn’t mean that the Islanders won’t still be outstanding but Orono took the Islanders to the final buzzer in the section final and they return the majority of their line-up including all of their top weapons. Also, Austin losses all of their size but return all of the top backcourt and have a lot more guards on the way. They will also be good plus we mentioned St. Thomas and Columbia Heights who both have strong talent returning. Delano and Fergus Falls should be in the conversation too, and watch out for our sleeper Waconia. When it comes to young talent the Jays of Waseca have a wealth, they will be solid next year bu