Section 1A Preview

Playoffs?!? The playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin next week, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. Section 1A has been dominated by Rushford-Peterson for what feels like the last two decades. While the Trojans may not appear to be the heavy favorite this year (or even the top seed), there’s no reason to discount them. The rest of the field seems very strong though; stronger than its been in a really long time. Here’s what you need to know about Section 1: Favorite: Rushford-Peterson The Trojans, as it currently stands, might not even get a top-four seed in the 20-team section. But R-P has proven time and time again that it’s going to be a factor in the section tournament. The Trojans have the talent, experience and style of play that’ll give teams fits. Landon Skalet and Luke O’Hare bring big time experience from a team that won games in last year’s state tournament. Kobe Lind is a really good looking sophomore and a guy who will be worthy of watching for the next few years too. Contenders: Spring Grove Spring Grove is in the mix to earn the No. 1 seed in the section, though they’ll likely finish as the second seed thanks to less games played than Hayfield. The Lions lost three games at the beginning of February but have been otherwise excellent all year. Alex Folz might be the best point guard in the section and Ethan Matzke is a hoss in the paint. Caden Grinde gives them some size and athleticism on the wing too. The Lions continually make deep runs in the section tournament but haven’t been able to get past Rushford-Peterson (or Goodhue which is R-P-lite). They’ve got the talent to do it this year - and this year may be their best shot. In the Mix: Hayfield, Randolph Hayfield will most likely earn the top seed thanks to a stellar regular season that saw the Vikings win a share of the Gopher Conference title. Mason Tapp has been one of the best players in southeast Minnesota this season, turning in a Player-of-the-Year caliber season in the Gopher Conference. Lucas Dudycha, Patrick Towey and Ethan Slaathaug are excellent complementary players as well. The Vikings won just five games last year and lost in the second round of sections by 40, so the turnaround this year has been one of the best surprises in the state. They’ve got the talent to go deep. Randolph was a team we thought would be dangerous but 21-2 (with 24-2 feeling likely if they play enough games) has probably exceeded even the most hopeful of expectations. Carsyn Gunderson is one of the best players in the section and in the Southeast Conference. Watch Out For: Blooming Prairie, Grand Meadow, Kingsland The Awesome Blossoms relied on young guys each of the last two seasons and that’s paid off this winter as those young guys are now upperclassmen. At 17-5, Blooming Prairie will probably earn a top-five seed. Gabe Hagen is in his third year at the varsity level and he’s gotten a little better each year. He’s a physical wing player who can get into the paint and beat up smaller perimeter defenders. Kaden Thomas is another multi-year starter for the Blossoms and he’s had a breakout season as a junior, averaging 13 points per game. He’s an excellent deep shooter and has been playing very well especially over the second half of the season. Grand Meadow is another dangerous squad that will go into the tournament as a lower (non top-four) seed. The Superlarks have been down a bit over the last two seasons because, like Blooming Prairie, they’ve been relying on young and inexperienced players. Those guys are growing up now and reaping the rewards. Colt Landers and Austin Funk make up one of the best one-two punches in the section as both guys can go get 20-plus points on any given night. Kingsland’s had some success against some of the top teams in the section and shown it can hang with anybody this winter, winning 15 games. The Knights have good, old guards in Wyatt Pruter and Reid Kruegel, which gives them a great shot to compete with anybody and put a scare into even the favorites in the section.