Class AAA Most Improved Teams

Matt Bigelow

October 30, 2019 @ 05:00 PM

Teams are always changing. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Every year, certain teams are hyped up to be really good before disappointing for a variety of reasons. And on the flip side, there are always teams that seemingly come from nowhere to surprise people and enjoy a lot of success. Here are some teams that could see significant jumps in wins from last year: Totino-Grace The Eagles will go into the 2019-20 season ranked in the top-10 by a lot of people and after winning 13 games last year, a significant jump forward feels likely. Totino was young last year and now, with that tantalizing cache of young talent including Devin Burger, DJ Akpati and Carter Wierke hardened by varsity experience, this team has the components for a fun year. Simley Simley won 10 games last year relying on a number of underclassmen at key spots. Breyton Buysman and Ruot Jioklow return to give the Spartans a really intriguing backcourt pairing. Simley will have to get something out of some young and inexperienced big men, but if the team takes a step forward on the defensive end of the floor, it could make a nice jump in wins and make for an interesting team come March. Benilde-St. Margaret’s Benilde-St. Margaret’s won just nine games last year but the Red Knights play excellent defense and return five of their top six players from a season ago. Nick Peterson is one of the best all-around players in the 2020 class. Walker Johnson had a really nice summer. Zach Carden and Isiah Smith return in the backcourt and Derric Sandifer was a solid bench piece last year in his sophomore season. Columbia Heights The Hylanders went through a transition season after graduating a huge senior class that was influential in several state tournament runs. Heights was very young last year and it showed. But the lumps the Hylanders took last year could be beneficial for this season as the team returns its two leading scorers in Jordan Jones and Muja Burton plus starting guard Elijah Williams. There’s a ton of young talent in the program right now ready for varsity action. Expect this team to make a big jump up.