Minnesota First Look: Minneota
***Photo Credit: Sam Thiel/Marshall Independent*** The Minneota Vikings had an interesting 2018-19 season. Heading into the year, they were viewed as a legitimate state title contender. And while they won 24 games, they didn’t advance as far as many expected…
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Continue Reading***Photo Credit: Sam Thiel/Marshall Independent***
The Minneota Vikings had an interesting 2018-19 season. Heading into the year, they were viewed as a legitimate state title contender. And while they won 24 games, they didn’t advance as far as many expected in the postseason. But with three returning starters including two potential all-state guys, the Vikings should once again, be considered one of the top-five teams in Class A.
KEY RETURNERS: Logan Sussner, Jacob Hennen, Nolan Boerboom
Sussner is one of the most underrated players in the 2020 class and coming off a season in which he averaged 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 senior is a load inside, possessing the athleticism, motor and skill to control the paint on both ends of the floor. He’ll take on an even bigger load this winter with Thomas Hennen gone to graduation.
Jacob Hennen is Minneota’s top perimeter scorer after averaging 14.4 points and nearly three assists as a sophomore. He’s a polished multi-level scorer and has been a productive varsity player each of the last two years. Now, an upperclassman, look for his numbers to rise even more with greater volume and responsibility. He’s adept at getting to the free throw line and has shown he can knock down 3-pointers at a steady rate.
Boerboom averaged 10.5 points per game as a junior, earning all-conference honorable mention honors. Boerboom was excellent in his role, providing top-notch perimeter shooting and strong defense. Boerboom is another big, strong, athletic kid who can impact the game in a variety of ways. He’ll have a bigger offensive role as a senior with Thomas Hennen gone to graduation.
STEPPING INTO NEW ROLES: Alex Saltzer, Riley Buysse, Joseph Rybinski, Jacob Citterman
Saltzer was a key reserve last season, averaging better than four points per game while knocking down half of his 3-point shots (on a low volume). He’ll step into a starting job this year and if he can continue to be a viable threat from deep, he could be quite a weapon.
Buysse saw rotation minutes off the bench last year and should see an uptick in responsibility as a senior.
Rybinski and Citterman were on the team as sophomores and will be among the group of players the Vikings lean on to provide depth.
QUESTION: Can the Vikings break through?
Minneota reached the Section 3A final two years ago, losing in a nail-biter to eventual state-champion Russell-Tyler-Ruthton. Then last year, the Vikings were upset in the second round of sections despite being the top overall seed. This Minneota team will be strong and experienced. This group is equipped to make a deep run. Can the Vikings put it all together?
SEASON OUTLOOK
Minneota went into last year as one of the legitimate contenders to win a state title. The Vikings had a terrific regular season but ultimately were upset much sooner than anybody would’ve expected. The group coming back should be extremely strong again and considered among the favorite in Section 3A, but it’ll need less-experienced guys to step into new roles if it is to realize its potential.