Section 3A Preview

The Playoffs are right around the corner. With small-school section tournaments set to begin in the next few weeks, it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason. Section 3A is one of the deepest in the state, as 10 teams currently have winning records. It hasn’t gone exactly to script for some of the teams, but there is a legitimate favorite and a deep cupboard full of legitimate challengers. It should be a fun tournament. Here’s a look at Section 3A Favorite: Southwest MN Christian The Eagles went into the year with legitimate state tournament potential and that hope has graduated to expectation. SW MN Christian is undefeated on the season and will be the No. 1 seed in Section 3A-South. The Eagles have one of the most high-powered offenses in Class A, averaging 83 points per game. They are deep with talented scorers who can shoot, create shots, finish at the rim and make plays. They are experienced, as there are four multi-year starters. Kade Fey is one of the top guards in Class A, consistently delivering high-teens to mid-20s scoring outputs while contributing on the glass. He’s a terrific long-range shooter with the size and athleticism to score in the mid-range and in the paint, and he’s improved as a playmaker. Avery Pater is an excellent lead guard who can not only score consistently, but also make plays for his teammates and play shutdown defense. Jacob Van Dam is a rock-solid third head in the attack and provides size and skill. Micah Schapp, Hunter Vander Haar and Denver Decker round out the rotation, forming a team that has all the pieces to not only get to state, but win multiple games there. If there’s a cause for concern, it might be that the Eagles haven’t been tested a whole lot. That can be a good thing in that it indicates that SW MN Christian is consistently excellent and has proven to be superior to the teams in the rest of the conference and section. But it also could be a problem because they haven’t had to execute in slow-paced, hotly-contested outings where every possession matters. That’s a specific nit to pick - one reserved for dominant teams - but beyond that, outside of just a putrid shooting effort, this team is going to be really hard to beat. Contenders: Central MN Christian, MACCRAY, Lac Qui Parle Valley The Bluejays are one of the few teams that pushed the Eagles during the regular season, losing a 62-57 contest at the beginning of the month. CMC is going to eclipse the 20-win mark before the postseason and has the style of play to make the Eagles uncomfortable. They are excellent defensively, methodical on offense and they have the high-end talent and experience to boot. Austin TeBrake is a three-year starter who averages 20 points per game on the wing. Senior guard Case Martin is a multi-year starter who can score 15-plus points and create easy offense for his teammates. And Sophomore guard Cade Mulder is a dynamic and explosive perimeter scorer. MACCRAY is going to be around 20 wins heading into the postseason and the main reason why is an elite trio of scorers in Blake Wadsworth, Trenten Cavaness and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-kienitz/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brady-kienitz/">Brady Kienitz</a></a>. The three combine to average more than 50 points per game. The Wolverines have the kind of firepower that few teams can match and if they can play their style, they are going to be difficult to slow down. LQPV started the season out hot, going 9-2 in its first 11 games. Since then, the Eagles have struggled a bit, going 7-5. The Eagles are 5-6 in games decided by single-digits, so they are used to playing in tight games. They’ve only been blown out once, so don’t expect anybody to run them over when the postseason comes. Austin Bonn and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/maverick-conn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/maverick-conn/">Maverick Conn</a></a> are multi-year starters who have been terrific all year, combining to average better than 35 points per game. In the Mix: Dawson-Boyd, Lakeview, Westbrook-Walnut Grove The Blackjacks were a middling team a year ago before blasting off in the section tournament and reaching the championship. They’ve got to be hoping for a similar arc this year, as they are 15-8 and tracking towards a No. 4 or No. 5 seed in Section 3A-North. The talent is definitely there - Romell Horton is one of the best guards in the section and Zach Durfee is one of the best forwards, averaging around 20 points and 10 rebounds. WWG won the section last year on the way to the state tournament and while the Chargers aren’t as loaded as they were a year ago, there’s a cache still there that can’t be overlooked. High-powered offense is still there as <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nathan-ross/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nathan-ross/">Nathan Ross</a></a> and Ethan Mitschke are the catalysts on that end of the floor (Mitschke has taken a big step forward, averaging nearly 20 points per game) and the Chargers have terrific balance and depth. Lakeview has 17 wins on the season and while the Lakers don’t have an explosive offense, they win with excellent defense and the ability to control the tempo. The senior backcourt tandem of Aaron Loe and Parker Hoffman give this team a chance in every game. Watch Out For: Minneota, Renville County West Minneota’s season has not gone the way many outside pundits were expecting. The Vikings were viewed as a team that should contend in this section, win 20-plus games and win their league. That hasn’t manifested in large part because the team hasn’t had all the pieces we thought it would but this is still a quality team. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-sussner/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/logan-sussner/">Logan Sussner</a></a> has been ridiculous all year, piling up points and rebounds at a pace rarely seen before. Renville County West is tracking towards a No. 5-7 seed in Section 3A-North and the Jaguars should be taken seriously if only because <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/riley-ashburn/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/riley-ashburn/">Riley Ashburn</a></a> is a stud and there’s a solid cache of role-players filling in the lanes effectively.