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

<p>Basketball season is months away but it’s never too early for way-too-early season.</p> <p>Class AAAA was hit hard by graduation and defection after last year, leaving what appears to be a pretty flat field overall. There are a lot of teams that seem capable of winning 15-plus games though picking a favorite is a challenge. So winter is shaping up to be full of intrigue as there should be a lot of highly competitive games on a nightly basis.</p> <p>Here’s a way-too-early Top 10 at the Class AAAA level:</p> <p><strong>Park Center</strong></p> <p>There doesn’t appear to be a runaway favorite at this point but the Pirates certainly can stake a claim as the best team in the state at this point. It starts with center Dain Dainja, who looked unstoppable at times over the summer playing AAU and on the team circuit. Josh Brown had a terrific summer and is one of the best shooters in the state. Detavious Frierson is a two-way impact guy on the perimeter and David Ijadimbola brings experience and athleticism to the wing. The Pirates are good enough to win a state title.</p> <p><strong>Eden Prairie</strong></p> <p>The Eagles’ core heads into a final season with high expectations after reaching the state tournament each of the last two years. This group has all the components to win a state title. Drake Dobbs is one of the best point guards in the state and will be in his fourth year as a starter. John Henry and Connor Christensen are terrific two-way wings with great size and smarts. Austin Andrews lacks height but has strength and skill to abuse opposing bigs. Ariel Bland can rebound, defend and finish at a high level. And the Eagles have solid bench guys who fill roles effectively. </p> <p><strong>Cretin-Derham Hall</strong></p> <p>CDH loses Jaeden King to graduation but gains J’Vonne Hadley via transfer and once again, this team will be on the short list when it comes to contending status. Tre Holloman is one of elite point guards in the state regardless of age. Amari Carter is a terrific athlete who has the talent to average a double-double and Curtis Jones can score with the best of them. Throw Hadley into the mix who put up 28 points per game as the man for Mahtomedi and CDH may have the most talent in AAAA. The Raiders have experience, a ton of upperclass talent and a good pipeline of young pieces ready to fill out the rotation.</p> <p><strong>Shakopee</strong></p> <p>The Sabers were in and out of the top-five last year, winning 22 games while only losing to Lakeville North (2X), Prior Lake (3X) and Chaska. Charlie Katona had a marvelous summer playing with MN Fury and has been one of the best players in the state the last few years. Will Cordes was terrific all summer playing with MN Matrix and is one of the best point guards in the state. Caleb Druvenga is a multi-year double figure scorer and Bruce Lockwood is a really solid high-energy, defensive forward.</p> <p><strong>Wayzata</strong></p> <p>The Trojans have been one of the best teams in Class AAAA for a while now and there’s a ton of talent still in the program despite a lot of talent leaving via graduation. Kody Williams looks primed for a breakout season after averaging better than 10 points per game as a sophomore. Camden Heide averaged nearly 14 per game as a freshman. Those two now become the focal points. Eddie Beeninga and Carter Bjerke are both back and should take steps forward as well.</p> <p><strong>Hopkins</strong></p> <p>Barring some late additions, Hopkins will go into next year with very little varsity experience. Kerwin Walton had a phenomenal summer and will be the unquestioned alpha. He’s joined by Andre Gray, who saw spot varsity minutes last year, on the perimeter. Those two will present a lot of problems for people. Beyond that, the Royals will be relying on a lot of young guys. There’s little doubt about the talent Hopkins always has, but it’s less proven than it has been in a while.</p> <p><strong>Eastview</strong></p> <p>The Lightning went to state last year and bring back all but one player. Expectations will be high. Steven Crowl and Tate Machacek form one of the best frontcourt duos in the state. Ryan Thissen is a really talented player on the wing. Jaylen James provides solid play at the point and there’s a boat load of young talent in the program vying for minutes. This team is good enough to compete for a South Suburban title and state tournament appearance again.</p> <p><strong>East Ridge</strong></p> <p>East Ridge is talented enough to stay in the top-10 range despite losing Kendall Brown to transfer. But his departure certainly hurts. Ben Carlson will be the unquestioned go-to guy next year and with the Brown brothers gone, he could be better with more involvement. Kendall Blue and Zac Thomas were on the varsity team last year and will now take steps up in role.</p> <p><strong>Prior Lake</strong></p> <p>The Lakers are going to ride Dawson Garcia for as far as he’ll take them. He’s good enough to win them a lot of games, and Tyree Ihenacho is an explosive two-way wing who will take on a bigger role on the offensive end. After those two, there’s very little by way of varsity experience. Austin Sommerville and Kyle McCullough will be expected to fill key roles.</p> <p><strong>Spring Lake Park</strong></p> <p>The Panthers started fast last year and faded a bit down the stretch but with four starters and the whole bench back in the fold, expectations should be high for this group. Blake Remme and Gabe Myren averaged 35 points per game combined last year and both had terrific summers on the grassroots circuit. Jacob Say and Daydor Phillips are back as well. SLP may be undersized at times, but there’s a lot of skill at its disposal.</p>