Class A….A Taste
The world of Class A basketball is big with large sections all over the state of Minnesota. We know the favorites, but what about the sleepers?
Section 1. Randolph had an excellent 16-17 season but a lot of those players graduated. The team will be short on experienced but they play well together in their system and Andrew Wenstrom should have a big year.
Section 2. The section is straight up loaded. Like we’ve said, three of the top four Class A preseason top ten teams will be from this group, plus four of the top ten. Half of the teams in this section will be 5-6 games over .500. Who could the sleeper be? New Ulm Cathedral is getting bigger, Mountain Lake will still be solid, and Minnesota Valley Lutheran has Jake Kettner leading the way.
Section 3. Minneota should be a contender. Thomas Hennen and Logan Sussner led the team to an excellent season a year ago and they have moved down from AA to the A level.
Section 4. They are all sleepers and they are all favorites. With all the favorites moving up to Class AA that leaves Prairie Seeds Academy as the favorite but anyone can take this. Hope Academy, Bethany Academy, Heritage Christian, CHOF, some of these teams could have worse teams than last year but still make it to state.
Section 5. James Clark has Sebeka as a very intriguing team. Jack Lillquist also returns. Sebeka is a club that could step in and knock off favorites like Nevis and Hinckley-Finlaysion but they will need to have the depth those teams have. Maybe they do, but we know they have top players that can compete with most.
Section 6. Parkers Prairie is thinking state tournament after going 21-8. They have three of their top four guys back led by Ryan Blake, Travis Yohnke, and Matt Ferley.
Section 7. Lakeview Christian Academy. We all thought the Bromans leave would be the kiss of death here but after a 17-12 year with all top players back this could be a very good team. Josh Emerson is a junior and a top player.
Section 8. Ada-Borup. With a 24-4 record this team has their top guy back in Mason Miller who has a chance to set some records with the numbers he puts up around the basket.