Way-Too-Early Season Preview: Class AA Top 10

<p>Basketball season is months away but it’s never too early for way-too-early season.</p> <p>Class AA has been Minnehaha’s the last handful of seasons. With the Redhawks opting up to AAA, there will undoubtedy be more contenders. Many of the traditional top teams figure to be strong again.</p> <p>Here’s a way-too-early Top 10 at the Class AA level:</p> <p><strong>Waseca</strong></p> <p>Fresh off an appearance in the Class AAA state title game, the Bluejays were assigned to Class AA. A team that would’ve been arguably the best team in Class AAA, Waseca will head into the 2019-20 season with incredibly high expectations. Replacing Malik Willingham won’t be easy, but in Andrew Morgan, Ryan Dufault and Kyreese Willingham, the Bluejays have the best trio in the state. Figuring out some of the depth will be important, but this team has as much talent as anybody.</p> <p><strong>Lake City</strong></p> <p>The Tigers made their second state tournament appearance in three years thanks to an elite defense, elite ability to control tempo and one of the best duos in the state in Nate Heise and Reid Gastner. There’s little reason to think all three of those factors won’t be strengths again. Heise and Gastner are terrific and the Tigers have a bevy of excellent shooters around them. This team will have a ton of collective varsity experience, excellent coaching and culture and the high-end talent to win a title.</p> <p><strong>Caledonia</strong></p> <p>Caledonia bowed out of last year’s section tournament earlier than expected but the Warriors won’t lack for talent heading into next season. Eli King had another monster summer and looks like he’s ready to ascend to an elite level among guards in Class AA. Noah King is one of the best players in the state. Sam Privet looked like a potential breakout guy this summer and the Warriors have a bevy of big, strong athletes waiting in the wings.</p> <p><strong>Minneapolis North</strong></p> <p>The Polars lost a lot from last year’s team but there’s little doubt they’ll keep chugging along at a high level. Davon Towley should be one of the best big men in Class AA. Willie Wilson was really good over the summer after struggling to shoot the ball last winter. And they’ve got a culture, coaching and thoroughbred type athletes that will keep them among the elite teams in the state.</p> <p><strong>Perham</strong></p> <p>Here’s another one where coaching and culture are worth more than the names of guys coming back. The Yellowjackets have two really good returners in Finn Diggins and Elijah Morris who look primed to become high-enders. Charlie Rasmussen returns as well. And this is a team that’s won a ton over the last few years especially. While the guys mostly responsible for that are gone, there’s no shortage of talent still in the cupboard.</p> <p><strong>St. Croix Prep</strong></p> <p>Minnehaha opting up to Class AAA benefits every contender in AA but the team it benefits the most is likely St. Croix Prep as the Lions are now the likely favorite in Section 4. Dan McCarrell is one of the best shooters in Class AA and averaged 16 points per game a year ago. Addison Metcalf and Zachary Doely both put up double figure scoring totals last year and are back too.</p> <p><strong>Cristo Rey Jesuit</strong></p> <p>Another direct beneficiary of Minnehaha moving up, Cristo Rey returns its three best players in James Sommer, Erick Burgess and James Burgess. The Pumas don’t have a lot of size but will look to mitigate that disadvantage by pressing, trapping and forcing turnovers. With a bevy of tough-minded guards and a lot speed and athleticism, this team will be present problems for a lot of people.</p> <p><strong>Maranatha</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs were one of the best teams in Class AA a year ago and while they’ll have to replace a number of talented players gone to graduation or transfer, they’ve still got a lot of talent in house. Hakim Daniels is one of the most well-rounded players in the 2020 class. Maciah Harut is an excellent point guard. Tristen Lee and David Ross are both back after playing roles on last year’s team and there’s no shortage of young talent in the program.</p> <p><strong>Osakis</strong></p> <p>Osakis moved into Section 6 which has been one of the toughest in Class AA the last few years. But after winning 25 games in the regular season a year ago, the Silverstreaks should be strong again next winter. Daniel Savageau is one of the best players in Class AA and will have a chance to put up huge numbers next year. Kobe Lara and Luke Imdieke both return after solid years too.</p> <p><strong>Esko</strong></p> <p>The Eskomos went to state again last year and gave Minneapolis North a run in the first round. Esko returns a handful of excellent players from that core including leading scorer Trevor Spindler who put up 18 points and six boards a year ago. He’s a mismatch. Payton Wefel and Riley Fischer both return as well. A lot of Esko’s guys played a lot over the summer and excelled. Don’t count this team out.</p>