Postseason Preview: Section 7AAA
Section basketball is kicking off this week for the big schools. Here are some things to know about Section 7AAA:
Favorite: Grand Rapids
This one looks like one of least open sections as the Thunderhawks look the like the runaway favorites. Jake Skelly and Brock Schrom form the best tandem in the section and make one of the best duos in Class AAA. Both guys are going to play NAIA and while they’ll be on rival teams at the next level, they’ve got an opportunity to make a special run in the final weeks of their senior seasons.
Nate Seelye is another player to watch for the Thunderhawks as a 2018 prospect.
Grand Rapids heads into the postseason after a 21-5 regular season that included several good wins including victories over Bemidji, Brooklyn Center and Virginia.
In the Hunt: Chisago Lakes
The reigning section champs, Chisago Lakes hasn’t had a great year overall compared to last season. But the Wildcats earned the No. 2 seed in the section and certainly have the talent to make a deep run and possibly get back to state.
Trevin Nelson is one of the top lead guards in the section and he’s turned in a fine senior season. Nelson averages about 18 points per game and can not only get hot from 3-point land, but also create shots for himself and his teammates off the drive. He’s a solid defender and does a good job setting the tone with his pressure.
Thomas Gillach is a jack-of-all-trades senior wing who can contribute in a variety of ways including defending multiple positions and scoring off the ball. A guy to watch now and over the next few years is sophomore forward Will Tinjum. The 6-foot-4 forward has an advanced set of skills inside and a soft touch.
Rest of the field
It’s not a great section after Grand Rapids but there’s not a lot of difference at least on paper between Hermantown, Cloquet and Duluth Denfeld heading into the postseason. Even Hibbing, the No. 7 seed has a win over Hermantown. So it wouldn’t be surprising to see an upset or two in the tournament.
Section Outlook
It’s hard to see Grand Rapids not coming out of this tournament as there was only one other team without a losing record (Chisago Lakes which went 13-13) in the section.
The Thunderhawks might have the two best players in Skelly and Schrom, they are a veteran group that’s experienced plenty of success over the years. If there’s a team that gives them a run, it’s Chisago Lakes as the Wildcats have good guards and a decent depth. A section final game featuring those two teams could be a decent one, but Grand Rapids looks like it’s just got too much firepower.
Section Seedings
- Grand Rapids
- Chisago Lakes
- Duluth Denfeld
- Hermantown
- Cloquet
- Hibbing
- Princeton
- North Branch